word count: 394
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Rita asks, frowning as she stares at the letter from Dumbledore inviting Gilderoy to teach at Hogwarts.
Rita would never say it aloud because of how fragile her lover's ego is, but he really is quite useless. Surely Albus Dumbledore sees that, unless he's just gone senile in his old age; she doubts he has. If anything, it almost feels like a setup, like the old codger is planning to expose Gilderoy for the fraud he is.
"I think it's flattering that he would choose little old me," Gilderoy says with a dramatic sigh.
He really is the worst. Even alone, without the cameras and glamor, he still insists on playing the part, even though Rita knows his secret (and he knows hers, and this relationship is built on the threat of mutually assured destruction, should either ever attempt to expose the other). Maybe she should be used to it by now. Gilderoy really does have a flair for the dramatic. Still, it's enough to make her roll her eyes.
"You don't think… Oh, I don't know, Dumbledore might be suspicious? You weren't exactly the most brilliant student."
He waves a dismissive hand, like Rita is saying something silly and irrelevant. Sometimes she really hates him. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm sure he saw my potential and understands that I'm a late bloomer!"
Rita realizes there's no talking sense into him. She wishes he would just listen to her, but she knows the man is too stubborn for his own good most days. There's nothing she can do if he wants to live in his delusional world.
She, on the other hand, doesn't trust Dumbledore and suspects nothing good will come from it. Maybe she'll have to keep an eye on things, or even watch up close in her Animagus form. For now, though, she senses the conversation is over and Gilderoy is done listening and talking.
"How about we pop into Paris for breakfast?" she suggests sweetly, pressing a kiss to his lips.
"Oh, you are brilliant, my love. That sounds excellent."
His ego is too swollen to listen to reason, but that's okay. Rita will keep an eye on him and make sure nothing happens, not because she loves him, but because if Gilderoy is exposed, so is she, and she has to protect herself.