A/N:
This is written for reminiscent-afterthought's 'So you think you know your character?' competition. The competition consists of 11 questions about a character of the writers choice. I chose Mundungus Fletcher, and all 11 questions will be answered in the chapters of this fic. Though aspects of his personality are slightly different to fit into the AU of my story 'Harry Potter: Scourge of Knockturn Alley,' most of the base character is the same, so I would imagine that these short stories can be read with or without reading that first.
So, without further ado, on to the challenge!
Question 9 – What is your heart truly in?
(Disclaimer – I don't actually think this question is stupid. But I asked myself how Mundungus would respond, and this is what I got.. the rest was kind of an accident, but I like it! Not sure if it's canon for my main AU yet – it wasn't before, but it might become so, since I kinda think it's funny!)
"Merlin's saggy balls, what kind of question is that? My heart's in me bleedin' chest you stupid idiot! Yeah, I know yer meant it different but that don't make it a clever question. Merlin, damn journalists."
oOoOo
Mundungus Fletcher: Heartless, or Hiding?
After recently being discovered by this very reporter to be running a secret business as a muggle 'Children's Entertainer,' Mundungus Fletcher has been fighting a case in the Wizengamot as to whether or not his actions were illegal. Mr Fletcher, who is more commonly known by the name of Dung, has a certain reputation amongst a certain crowd for certain unprovable shady activities and general debauchery.
Readers might expect Mr Fletcher to be in the questionable work of a muggle Party Magician purely for the money – after all, even an unexceptional wizard (Mr Fletcher received 4 OWLs, none graded above an A (Acceptable), and only one NEWT, an A (Acceptable) in Defence Against the Dark Arts) is capable of spells which would greatly impress any muggle. However, when asked why he was in such a line of work, Me Fletcher's reply shows that he truly does put his heart into the job.
"It started out for the money," he said, eyes filled with a vulnerability unexpected from a man who has lived such a difficult life. "But what kept me in the job was the excitement I saw in the eyes of the children when they watched my shows – it's beautiful, and that's where the real magic is."
Clearly Mr Fletcher, who was born in a brothel in Knockturn Alley, sorted into Slytherin in Hogwarts, and now works in what he refers to as the 'trading' business is not one Readers might expect to hide such a loving heart. But then, children – whether magical or muggle – have always had the power to melt even the most hardened of hearts.
oOoOo
Mundungus couldn't help but smile as he read the article. It was sympathetic to his situation and would put the public firmly in his corner in the case. Of course, it was also entirely full of lies – yes, his backstory was all true, but he had not said a single one of the words printed in the article, so it was probably intended to annoy him just as much as it was to support him.
He couldn't bring himself to be angry though, because the article wasn't actually too far off the mark. In fact, with all her made-up quotes, Rita Skeeter had for once gotten the story exactly right.
A/U:
Writing as Rita is hard - especially without any of the books available (in English) to check the style!
Hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think!
