House: Ravenclaw
Position: HoH
Category: Drabble
Prompt: [Event] Staff Meeting
Word Count (excluding header): 623
Beta: LadyS
"Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen! Your attention, please," Barnabas Cuffe called.
The constant buzz in the writers' room at the Daily Prophet faded to a soft murmur. The only noticeable sound was the sharp clacking of Rita Skeeter's pointed talons tapping away at her modified Prophet-issued typewriter.
"Rita," Barnabas said, "can you give it a rest for a few? I'm calling a staff meeting."
"Oh?" asked Rita. "This isn't our usual staff meeting time. What could be so important?" A sly smile slid across her face as she reached into her bag for her lime green quill.
Her co-workers noticeably recoiled at the emergence of the writing implement.
"Put the quill away, Rita," Barnabas ordered. "There's nothing for you to report here."
"There's always something to report," she replied but did as she was asked.
"Now," Barnabas said, "as some of you know, Kikis Trecus has taken early retirement. He leaves very big shoes to fill, but I'm pleased to say that we have hired a talented new writer as his replacement on staff. Please give a warm welcome to Ginevra Potter, our new sports editor."
Polite clapping filled the room.
Ginny stepped into the writers' room and greeted her new co-workers. "Hello everyone! I'm pleased to be here. It's always been my dream to join the staff of the Daily Prophet. As you may know, I recently retired from the Holyhead Harpies and-"
"-How interesting," interrupted Rita.
"Interesting?" asked Betty Braithwaite, a notorious office gossip.
"It's curious how Kikis just happened to take early retirement at the exact same time Ms. Weasley - excuse me - Mrs. Potter retired from her high flying Quidditch career. It's very interesting how Kikis's decision to retire was preceded by his latest arrest for flying while intoxicated."
"Yes, well it wasn't good for the Daily Prophet to keep someone on staff who constantly appeared before the Wizarding Court," Barnabas defended.
Rita gave him a simpering, sickly smile. "Funny how that was never a problem before Mrs. Potter retired. And seeing how her husband was the arresting Auror…" Rita trailed off.
Ginny leveled a deadly glare at the meddlesome reporter. "Surely you aren't suggesting anything untoward occurred."
"I'm not suggesting anything. I believe that is something for our readers to determine once they've heard all the facts. It seems to me that a rogue Auror going beyond his authority to secure his wife a job is newsworthy," Rita chirped. Her eyes went glinting with devious joy and her fingers inched towards her magical typewriter.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "I suppose that might bug some people. Too bad the facts are not in your favor. The Daily Prophet has been reporting on Mr. Trecus's run-ins with the law for years now. I believe a two-column, front-page expose was printed under your byline just last month. I'm sorry to point out the fly in the ointment, but you are trying to create a scandal where there isn't one."
Barnabas cleared his throat. "She's right, Rita. Kikis said it was your article that forced him over the edge."
Rita looked down, feigning shame though she could stop a cruel smirk from ghosting onto her lips. "I just think our readers have a right to know about potential corruption in our law enforcement."
Ginny stepped forward and said, "I want to have a good working relationship with all of you. If any of you has a legitimate issue with me, please bring it to my attention. If you just want to stir up trouble, then you can buzz off."
Rita scowled but fell silent.
Barnabas clapped Ginny on the shoulder. "Wonderful! Welcome to the team. I'm so pleased to have you here. Now, everyone," he addressed the room, "back to work. Staff meeting dismissed."