Colin was nervous.
He didn't know why Gryffindor's head of house called him to her office. As far as he knew he didn't break any rules like some of his housemates did, even managed to stick by the curfew at the last second.
He has learned his lesson when the Chamber of Secrets was opened, thank you very much.
He wasn't even in the business of pranking like the Weasley twins were.
The Creevey knocked on the door and gulped down anything else that was on his mind.
"Professor Mcgonagall? You wanted to see me?"
"Yes Mr. Creevey!" Professor Mcgonagall nodded. "Come in, come in."
Colin nodded and went inside the room then closed the door behind him.
What caught Colin's immediate attention was that his transfigurations teacher wasn't alone in her office, there was another man seated by the chair facing the fireplace.
"Mr. Creevey I would like you to meet Mr. Batson from the Mudblood." Professor Mcgonagall introduced the man. "I'm sure you remember the person who taught muggle studies at the Great Hall."
Colin nodded as a response.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Creevey." The man offered his hand. "If you have forgotten my name, I'm William Batson."
"It's nice to meet you too Mr. Batson sir." Colin shyly shook the man's hand.
"William's fine." William chuckled.
"Please take a seat Mr. Creevey." Professor Mcgonagall ordered.
Colin nodded as he sat at the chair facing a table with stacks of parchment on top of it.
Professor Mcgonagall nodded as she took her seat behind the table while William took the seat beside the young boy.
"Mr. Creevey, I've received complaints regarding you and your camera. " The Deputy Headmistress cleared sorted the number of parchment on her table to the side. "You have the propensity to brandish your camera and take pictures anytime and anywhere with little regard to anyone near you." She relayed what she had heard. "Some of the staff has recommended that we confiscate your camera while some students had requested the same and even called for its destruction as, in their opinion, you became a nuisance especially for the students taking their OWLs and NEWTs."
Colin visibly sagged as he listened to Professor Mcgonagall's spiel. He knew he was being annoying when started taking pictures every chance he got. The maddest anyone has got due to his behavior was when he had the unfortunate circumstance of taking a picture of both Professor Snape and Mr. Filch, near curfew.
The flash from his camera caused Mrs. Norris to run away and almost fall down a flight of stairs.
"Holy Moley!" William exclaimed. "Surely you can't destroy a student's personal effects?"
"Naturally." Professor Mcgonagall agreed.
"That's good to know." William nodded.
The journalist opened his mouth to continue his line of thought when realization hit him. A smile adorned his face as he processed what he realized, he looked at Creevey and offered a smile.
"I see," William nodded. "I see where you're going with this Professor."
"I am here to offer you something Mr. Creevey." The deputy headmistress offered. "Hogwarts has never seen a passionate photographer in years, and one as talented as you." She handed William a piece of parchment. "In exchange for not brandishing your camera every chance you get, how would you like to be the Mudblood's youngest intern."
"I-I'm not expelled?"
"Of course not." Professor Mcgonagall shook her head. "Wherever did you get that idea Mr. Creevey?"
"I heard some students say that especially with Harry Potter's and Ron Weasley's arrival last year." Colin admitted.
"Your situation is rather minor compared to the infractions committed by Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley at the beginning of last year's term." Professor Mcgonagall huffed. "They could've just sent an owl regarding the matter at King's Cross but they had to fly Mr. Weasley's father's flying car."
"That's going to put a lot of work on the Obliviators." William winced. "And the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as well, considering the distance between Hogwarts and King's Cross station."
"An eight hour travel by train." Professor Mcgonagall nodded.
"I'm surprised Mr. Weasley's father wasn't sent to Azkaban for his son's stunt, it is a major breach of the Statute of Secrecy."
"Fortunately for the Weasley family, some muggles has come up of a reason for the phenomenon."
"That and the law regarding muggle artifacts enchanted by magic has major loopholes." William chuckled. "Mr. Weasley's father is rather clever."
"It's pure dumb luck." Professor Mcgonagall huffed. "In any case, what do you say Mr. Creevey?"
"If sir William Batson would have me."
"Nonsense Mr. Creevey, I would be delighted to have you around." William grinned. "My nephew, Billy, would love to have someone closer to his age around the offices."
"I'm sorry, nephew?"
"I'm homeschooling him since I came to his life." William admitted. "I didn't know Hogwarts would be accepting transfer students, especially someone older than a first year."
"If you don't mind me asking, how old is your nephew?"
"He's sixteen, a bit small for his age." William shrugged. "Late bloomer too, he discovered his magic during his 13th birthday."
"I can understand the need for homeschooling your nephew, although rare, some magical children do exhibit their magical gifts late." Professor Mcgonagall sighed.
"Enough about Billy." William swerved the topic back on track. "I do have questions about this arrangement with Mr. Creevey. First off, I would like for him to take pictures around the school so that I can mentor him on how to take a good photograph, especially moving ones."
Professor Mcgonagall nodded in agreement, the whole idea of letting Colin Creevey intern with the Mudblood was to hone his talent in photography both moving and still. It wouldn't be good for the boy if he were to be banned from taking pictures altogether.
"Tell me Mr. Creevey." William turned to the boy. "Did you ever ask for the consent of the people in your photographs?"
"No sir William." Colin admitted. "Once I see something I like, I would immediately try to snap a picture."
"Does that 'something you like' happen to be in the vicinity of students, teachers and staff?"
"Yes sir, most of the time."
"Well then, consider this your first lesson, you first need to ask if it's okay to take their pictures." William stated. "That way you can gain your subject's trust rather than hate you for taking unsolicited photographs that your subject might or might not find themselves in an unflattering position."
"Tell me Mr. Creevey, are your subjects in your photographs the students of this school?" Professor Mcgonagall asked.
"Not exactly professor." Colin shook his head. "Sometimes I find the sunrise at Gryffindor tower beautiful to look at so I take a picture of it."
"I see where this is going." William chuckled. "Am I right in assuming that most of the students complaining are Gryffindors?"
"Yes." The professor sighed.
"Of course they would complain, most find their sleeping positions and their wake up look unflattering, most especially if they just got out of bed, which is usually the case during early mornings in the common room." William grinned. "Next time, wait until no one is in front of your camera to take your picture, but if you really want it and people still keep on coming, especially if you're not one of the earliest risers, asking nicely would do the trick."
"I quite agree." Professor Mcgonagall nodded.
"So Colin, Can I call you Colin?"
Colin responded with a nod.
"What have you learned today Colin?" William asked.
"I need to ask for permission before taking someone's picture and if I want to capture a scenery I should wait until no one's in front of my camera or ask nicely."
"Good." William nodded. "Are you allowed to go to Hogsmead tomorrow?"
"He is." Professor Mcgonagall answered for the boy. "Provided that he has a chaperone from the staff, as I have meetings at the village almost every weekend, I can be that chaperone."
"Wouldn't that count as favoritism Professor?" William raised an eyebrow.
"Not necessarily, I've chaperoned students on parents' requests before." The deputy headmistress shook her head. "However, we still need for his parent's consent, which the two of us will ask sometime this week."
"Well then, if you are able Colin, meet me at Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, bring with you your camera and the photographs that you have already taken."
"I trust that you will not be brandishing your camera and take any unsolicited pictures Mr. Creevey?"
"Yes Professor Mcgonagall."
"You are dismissed."
Colin exited the room.
"Nephew?" Professor Mcgonagall raised an eyebrow.
"I can't have him knowing about my cursed form, now can I?" William grinned. "Besides, my supposed nephew is among the listed employees of the Mudblood."
"Isn't that a form of corruption?"
"Technically yes, I am getting paid as the Mudblood's editor-in-chief while also chucking out articles." William admitted. "My cursed form, being a separate entity, is also getting paid for producing articles hence getting double compensation. It's just fair, isn't it? I mean I am producing articles both as William and as Billy."
"I am not refuting your logic William." Professor Mcgonagall shook her head. "I would think that an auror as distinguished as you, one who has curtailed the corruption of the descendants of the scourers within MACUSA would be above that."
"So you have heard of that." William sighed.
"The Headmaster's power as the ICW's Supreme Mugwump does help out a lot when researching the backgrounds of people outside of Wizarding Britain, especially one who's arrival came as a surprise for the headmaster."
"Yeah, well, you can blame your current Minister of Magic for that." William sighed. "Seriously, every time I visit the Ministry for permits and travel authorities, the one approving my papers is the Junior Assistant, might as well make the Junior Assistant the Minister for all the work she's doing."
"Minister Fudge has qualities that's leaves a lot to be desired." Professor Mcgonagall sighed.
"What has he done?"
"He claims that Pettigrew is still under Ministry custody when in fact Madam Bones has contacted the school a week ago that he has escaped by placing a guard under the Imperious curse."
"He did what?!" William growled. "What of the Weasleys?"
"Madam Bones's hands are tied, Minister Fudge refused to put a protection detail near the Weasley's residence, and in fact he ordered the DMLE not to pursue the matter."
"Why won't Dumbledore do something about this?" William decided to ask.
"I don't know." Professor Mcgonagall shook her head. "As I understood his position, Albus's hands are tied as well, he can't oppose the Minister or Leader who he answers to."
"That pesky clause." William growled. "Didn't think that a clause that protects every magical government from usurpation from within the ICW would be unknowingly used to protect a criminal running free."
"You hold a seat at the ICW?"
"Don't count your owls yet Professor Mcgonagall." William shook his head. "With Dumbledore as the Supreme Mugwump, the ICW is powerless to act against your ministry, not unless other countries would jump to my aid, which is rather unlikely as I'm a new addition to the council and Pettigrew is largely a Britain problem and not the world."
"Anyway, back to Colin, am I right to assume that none of the students are allowed to be anywhere aside from Hogsmeade?"
"Unless there's an emergency or the headmaster gives an approval."
"Looks like I need to set up a hub at Hogsmeade then."
"Glad you could make it Colin." William took a sip of tea from his cup. "Where's Professor Mcgonagall?"
"This is a lifetime opportunity Sir William sir." Colin enthusiastically replied as he too took a sip of tea. "After we saw you outside, she immediately ordered me to stay here until she would fetch me, she also told me to request you not to leave until she's here to fetch me."
"Just William's fine." William smiled. "I can live with that." He nodded. "In any case, can I see your photographs?"
Colin nodded as he enlarged a stack of photographs he retrieved from his pant pocket and handed them over to William for inspection.
"You've mastered the engorgement and shrinking charms." William commented.
"I wouldn't say I mastered them but I've used them on a lot of occasions, mainly to easily carry things around." Colin admitted. "I don't think people would appreciate me carrying around muggle backpacks, especially the Slytherin people."
"You didn't have to justify yourself Colin." William ruffled the boy's hair. "I was just commenting on your use of the spells."
William looked through the stack of photographs the young boy has taken. He first sorted through the ones Colin took during first year, most of which were still pictures, before moving on to the photographs the young boy took during the current year.
From the looks of things, the boy learnt from his mistakes, even when he was teaching himself. The boy even learned to make pictures move at the end of his first year, which was a feat in of itself.
"Tell me Colin, who taught you to make your pictures move?"
"It was Professor Flitwick sir." Colin admitted. "I might've tried to get a picture of the feather he was levitating which earned me a detention." He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I know it wasn't one of my brightest moments."
"A Gryffindor to the core." William chuckled. "What did you do with Professor Flitwick?"
"Surprisingly, he just asked me to get something for him at the top of a shelf then taught me how to make the pictures move after developing them."
"I'm guessing, Professor Flitwick gave you access to a dark room?"
"Yes sir." Colin nodded.
"Moving on." William declared. "Would you sit beside me Colin, we'll begin lesson two."
Colin obliged and sat beside the older man as they stared at a few pictures of one Harry Potter.
"First off, you need to adjust your lens so that you'll have a proper focus on your subject or get a find a suitable location that would force your lens to focus on your subject." William pointed at Harry's wide-eyes and blurred figure. "One would think that your subject was the blond Slytherin behind Mr. Potter."
Behind the blurry but wide-eyed figures of Harry, Ron and Hermoine was Draco Malfoy with narrowed eyes.
"Tha-that's Draco Malfoy!"
"Was he your subject when you took the picture?"
"I was introducing myself to Harry at the Great Hall." Colin blushed. "For the 20th time I think."
"Someone's a fanboy." William teased.
"He's Harry Potter! The Boy-who-lived!"
"One thing you need to keep in mind Colin is that all our human subjects are indeed human, people." William shook his head. "They all have feelings, dreams and ambitions in life, it would just annoy some people with how you treat them as an object of affection rather than their own person."
"Hence we need to ask for their permission when taking their picture." Colin sighed.
"You're a quick study." William praised.
"I had the whole evening to think about what you and Professor Mcgonagall said.
"So long as you understand now, it's okay." William smiled.
William picked another photograph, another still one. He showed the picture to the young boy.
"Tell me what's wrong with this picture Colin."
The photograph showed someone eating an apple too close to the camera as others were studying in the Great Hall, judging from the girl's robes, she was a Ravenclaw student.
"Someone was in the way of my subject?" Colin questioned, unsure of the answer.
"Am I right in assuming that this person in the photograph walked in just as you captured the picture?" William questioned.
Colin nodded. "I wanted to take a picture of Harry Potter when he was studying."
"Instead you got a picture of someone eating an apple walking between you and your subject." William raised an eyebrow.
Colin had the decency to blush at the comment.
"No one can really do anything about this case, apart from the first lesson we had yesterday." William stated. "The next right thing to do would be retaking the photograph again."
The discussion between Colin and William continued on until lunch when the older man treated the young boy. As the both of them ate, the young boy enthusiastically what he thought of Hogwarts, his peers, his housemates and of course his hero, one Harry Potter.
In retrospect, it does explain the multitude of photographs of the famed boy-who-lived.
"I'm gonna have to stop you there Colin." William spoke. "You do know that Harry was only a year old when he supposedly defeated you-know-who?"
"Really?" Colin questioned. "From what I read when after buying some books was that Harry dueled against you-know-who."
"Think about it for a second Colin, what year is Harry currently?"
"Third year? Why?"
"How old is he?"
"Thirteen?"
"Do the math."
"But the books said…" Colin trailed off.
"Here's a life lesson for you Colin." William smiled at the young boy. "You shouldn't believe everything you read or hear at face value."
"Face value?"
"You shouldn't take things literally." William explained.
Colin was silent as he mulled over William's words. In retrospect, he did notice that Harry was annoyed whenever he brought up the boy-who-lived title within his earshot and the level of annoyance Harry exhibit whenever he's near is different from the level of annoyance he has observed on everyone else.
Harry was just too polite to say anything to anyone or to him, unlike some of the other students who wanted to have his camera destroyed.
"Should I apologize to him?"
"You could, but I think he doesn't blame you." William looked at the boy. "Neither do I, a lot of the adults are perpetuating the idea that Harry is some powerful wizard who managed to defeat you-know-who as a baby. Personally I blame the publishers and adults who normalized that way of thinking."
"One of the things why you started a news magazine here?" Colin asked.
"I've read some articles by the Daily Prophet and by Merlin those were bad, really bad."
"How so?"
"For one they don't follow the proper way in writing their headlines and articles." William growled." Seriously adding in, I quote: writes Rita Skeeter your special correspondent', into the article lessens its credibility."
"You really have some bone to pick with how the news are written here." Colin chuckled.
"The list of my grievances of the press media in Wizarding Britain doesn't end there." William shook his head. "I could go on and on, but we'd lose precious time with me ranting." He chuckled.
After lunch William continued inspecting Colin's photographs and imparted lessons about the proper ways to take pictures and proper etiquette when before, during and after taking them. In addition to the photography lessons that William has been teaching the young boy since their meeting with Professor Mcgonagall.
"Looks like the sun is about to set and I see Professor Mcgonagall approaching the shop." William observed. "Let's continue this next week, I'm introducing you to some of the Mudblood's employees."
"Really?"
"You're already an intern, you should know them." William shrugged.
"Thank you so much Mr. Batson sir!" Colin thanked the journalist profusely.
William merely shook his head as Colin's infectious enthusiasm put a smile on his face.
"I told you William's fine." The journalist smiled at the young boy. "Since the sun's setting, practice the spells I taught you alright?"
"Will do!"
"Have you waited long Colin?" William waved at the young boy inside the shop.
"I just arrived myself William." Colin waved back. "Professor Mcgonagall told me the same thing last time."
"I had already told her that I was going to leave you with my employees for the day." William gestured for a blonde man beside him. "Oscar, this is Colin Creevey, he's the Hogwarts intern I've been telling you all about." He placed his hand on the young Creevey's head.
"Hello Colin." Oscar offered his hand to the young boy. "I'm Oscar Ollerton, I'm a pureblood Wizard." He introduced himself to the young boy.
"H-hello, I'm Colin Creevey." Colin introduced himself. "I'm a muggleborn wizard." He whispered.
"Come now Creevey, there's no need to be whisper your blood status, you do know that the Mudblood's owner is a muggleborn himself."
"I-I know." Colin nodded.
"Well I guess with the Slytherin lot, you'd have to be careful." Oscar sighed. "In any case, welcome to the Mudblood." He patted the young boy's back. "Between the three of us, I believe muggleborns are simply related to squibs that were disowned by wizarding families." He shared. "Or of half-bloods, Merlin knows there are more half-bloods than there are pureblood wizards these days."
"Especially with the three generation rule." William interjected. "Oscar I'm placing Colin and Billy in your care." He informed the other man. "Professor Mcgonagall is going to pick Colin up at the end of the day."
"You know Billy can take care of himself, right William?"
"Another pair of eyes never hurt anyone Oscar." William smiled. "Billy would be bringing the other employees who are off duty today, get Colin acquainted with you guys."
"Where will you be William?" Colin asked, curious as to why the owner won't be with them.
"I'm off to the Ministry later today, I'm preparing for my documents for my trip back to the Americas later in the month."
"We'll miss you and Billy, William." Oscar stated.
"Holy Moley, you're acting like we're leaving Wizarding Britain for good Oscar." William chuckled. "This is like the fiftieth time I'm going to the Americas since arriving here. I'm just sorting out the Mudblood papers in MACUSA and the ICW."
"Aren't the ICW meeting venues dependent on who the current Supreme Mugwump is?" Oscar questioned. "In this case, it would be here in Britain?"
"Normally yes," William nodded. "But any of the council members can request to hold meetings in other places, subject to the Supreme Mugwump's approval."
"This time it's the Americas?"
"I don't know, I have to confirm it to MACUSA's current President, President Calderon"
"Huh, I blame Professor Binns for my ignorance about the Wizarding World, especially the ICW." Oscar huffed. "Anyway, Billy and the others must be waiting for you William."
"Okay, Oscar you take charge in introducing Colin to the rest, including Billy."
"Will do."
William vanished with a lightning strike.
"What just happened?" Colin managed to ask, unable to process what has happened.
"While waiting, I'll explain to you what William and I were talking about." Oscar patted Colin's shoulder. "I do hope I'm good at explaining things than Professor Binns."
"I can't keep my eyes open whenever Professor Binns is the teacher." Colin shyly admitted.
"Only a rare few can." Oscar chuckled. "Thankfully I read all my History of Magic textbooks."
"Wow Oscar." Billy grinned. "You've managed to corrupt someone yet again."
"What do you mean corrupt Billy?" Oscar replied indignantly. "Colin was curious as to what your uncle and I were talking about."
"Forgive my friend Oscar kid, he tends to talk everyone's ear off, especially to the ones who would actually listen." Billy chuckled. "Aren't you supposed to introduce us to the kid Oscar?"
"Fine." Oscar rolled his eyes. "Everyone from the Mudblood, please meet Colin Creevey, he's our photographer intern here."
"William's accepting interns now?"
"Yes, Goldstein." Oscar nodded. "Why don't you guys introduce yourselves?"
"Hello Colin," Billy grinned at the young boy. "I'm Billy Batson." He introduced himself. "I'm a no-maj born from the Americas, discovered that I had magic when I was thirteen."
"I'm Mary Atkinson." The woman beside Billy smiled. "I'm a half-blood, my deceased mother was a witch." She shared.
"I'm Frederick Fawcett, a pureblood wizard." The boy to the right of Billy introduced himself. "Did you know that William originally wanted to name the news site Fawcett but decided not to when he found out about my family."
"Does not mean William favors you Freddy." Mary rolled his eyes. "Please try to forgive him, he can be quite vain."
"Hey!"
A few more employees of the Mudblood introduced themselves to Colin, eager to meet the new intern for the company.
From what Colin observed, most of the Mudblood's employees were on the young side, the youngest was in their mid-20s and the oldest was in their late 30s, well except for Batson who's in his mid teens. In hindsight, from what Colin had gathered, the news magazine was relatively new and it made sense that the employees were relatively young.
Apart from Ollerton, Atkinson, Fawcett and Batson, Colin also met an Alves, a Maestro, a Wright, a Bailey, a Wilson, a Goldstein, a Macfusty, and an Alton during his day with the other employees of the Mudblood at Hogsmead.
"This is just half of the entire workforce of the Mudblood." Billy informed. "These guys are supposed to be on their day off, well some of them had their day offs moved to this day, just to meet you."
"I feel sorry for the people who remained at the office, hence some of us would be returning for duty after lunch." Mary sighed.
"They must be swamped with work." Freddy shivered at the thought.
"So tell us how you got to be an intern Colin?" Oscar questioned the boy. "In the years that the Mudblood has existed, William hasn't taken in any interns until now."
Colin blushed at the mere thought of how he got the internship but he nonetheless shared the story enthusiastically he then got to know his relatively older colleagues.
Colin was nervous as he made his way to Professor Mcgonagall's office. He kept on thinking on what he had done for the past week and nothing came to mind as to the reason for this particular summon.
Colin hasn't violated any rules, he managed to get inside the Gryffindor common room before curfew, he hasn't even violated the deal he had struck with his head of house, while he was still wearing his camera on his neck and he didn't brandish the camera every time he wanted to capture a scene.
The Creevey knocked on the door.
"Mr. Creevey, you're just in time." Professor Mcgonagall opened the door. "Come inside, I trust that you brought your camera with you?"
"Yes Professor."
"Very good," The deputy headmistress nodded. "As it happens we were just waiting for you."
Colin was confused, why would anyone wait for him inside Professor Mcgonagall's office.
He entered the office and the room was full of people, from the entire Weasley family to William to the Headmaster himself.
"Colin?" Ginny exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Ginny?" Colin did a double take on who called him. "I… I don't know." He admitted.
"Am… Am I in trouble?"
"No dear boy." Dumbledore shook his head. "You are here at the request of Mr. Batson."
"William?"
"Yes Colin." William nodded. "I would like you to take photographs for the interview I'm taking."
"Children?" The Weasley matriarch called. "Could you introduce us?"
"Mum, Dad, Bill, Charlie this is Colin Creevey, a Gryffindor in Ginny's year." The Gryffindor Head Boy obliged. "Colin, this is my family, you've met the twins, Ronald and Ginny." He gestured towards the Weasleys that the Creevey knew. "This is my mother: Molly Weasley, My father: Arthur Weasley and my older brothers: Bill and Charlie Weasley."
"Nice to meet you Messers and Mrs. Weasley, I'm Colin Creevey."
"What a polite young boy." Molly praised. "You say you're in Ginny's year?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley." Colin nodded.
"He's a big fan of Harrys." Ron supplied.
"Could give Ginny a run for her galleons." The twins snickered.
"I wasn't that bad!" Ginny huffed.
Colin blushed at how the Weasleys described him, he really gave a bad first impressions.
"Now that we're all introduced, I would like to get this interview underway." William declared. "I'm sure Messers Weasley are being missed at their respective workplaces."
The Weasleys straightened their postures as they prepared for the interview.
"Before we begin, should my paper not reveal your names for the paper, our organization values the privacy of all our subjects."
"Please do." Arthur nodded. "Knowing Scabbers was a death eater, other followers of you-know-who could strike at any moment."
"Well then, Colin remember what I taught you last week."
"Yes sir." Colin nodded. "Only take pictures of their neck below and only take still pictures, no need of the potions to move them."
"Still?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Yes still." William nodded. "Body language can still be used to identify someone if we take moving pictures, the entirety of the Weasley family could be compromised, making their request to remain anonymous moot."
"I see, carry on."
"Wait." Professor Mcgonagall interrupted. "What about Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys? Unlike their children, they aren't qualified to wear school-sanctioned robes."
"Right!" William nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, if it's not too much to ask, can we ask you to wear these." He handed the Weasley parents two sets of robes. "Your anonymity would be compromised if people can identify you through your clothes." He explained.
"I do apologize for giving you trouble Mr. Batson." Molly apologized. "I didn't realize a simple request such as this would be so troublesome."
"Not at all." William shook his head. "We at the Mudblood value our subjects' requests and privacy." He smiled at the Weasley family. "Shall we get started then?"
William started to question the entire family starting with the family's head, Arthur Weasley then his wife, Molly and next were the children the twins and then Ginny.
Percy and Ron were the last people to be questioned as they were the first and last owners of the rat animagus.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for your time." William thanked the Weasley parents. "This should shed some light as to how Pettigrew was able to escape and hide from the authorities."
"It was our pleasure." Molly smiled. "I do admit being shocked upon learning that a supposed dead man has disguised himself as my son's pet." She admitted. "The thought that someone who could have been a death eater living in our home was disconcerting to say the least."
"I know." William offered a strained smile. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Pettigrew has escaped Ministry custody earlier this week."
"The Daily Prophet said that he hasn't." Molly's eyes widened even with Percy's denial. "Minister Fudge said so, even your paper reported that Mr. William."
"That is the official stance of the Ministry." William nodded. "Regardless of the Minister's stance on the issue, I believe you won't lose anything if you would prepare yourselves for any event." He offered.
"Constant Vigilance, as my good friend Moody would say." Dumbledore interjected.
"Thank you for informing us Mr. Batson." Arthur thanked the news reporter. "I don't think I will gamble my family's life and safety on the Minister's words."
"That would be for the best." William nodded. "I'll send your family an owl and give you a hundred galleons in a week or two."
"No, no that won't be necessary Mr. Batson." Arthur shook his head, trying to politely decline the offer.
"Don't get me wrong Arthur, every the Mudblood subject is legible to get monetary compensation for sharing to us their side of their story." William smiled. "This will also include the monetary compensation for your children back when Pettigrew was first discovered within the castle walls."
"If that's the case, then we thank you for the compensation Mr. Batson." Arthur sighed.
"I am simply adapting the muggle press standard in the Americas." William admitted. "I am also of the opinion that the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly adapt the same system but alas everyone's disdain for muggles here in Wizarding Britain is prominent."
"You do not include the Quibbler?" Percy questioned.
"The Quibbler hardly have as many subscribers as the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly do." William shook his head. "I don't think Mr. Lovegood could pay for the compensation of his subjects."
The Weasleys exchanged goodbyes to everyone in the room before exiting.
"Mr. Creevey, why don't you tour Mr. Batson around the school?"
"No that's okay Headmaster." William shook his head. "Colin still has to develop the pictures he took today and I need them for tomorrow's paper." He explained. "Remember the spell to fast track the development of still pictures."
Colin nodded excitedly.
"You have brewed the potions correct?" William asked some more.
Colin continued to nod as a response.
"Off you go then, I'll send you a Patronus if I want to meet with you immediately."
"Right away William." Colin gave the Batson a salute before he exited the room.
"Are you certain you will be okay on your own Mr. Batson?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Positive." William nodded. "Although I must thank you for discovering the Patronus charm's communicating properties, it has been a literal lifesaver, especially for the MACUSA aurors."
"Think nothing of it Mr. Batson." Professor Dumbledore smiled. "It was needed during our fight against Voldemort."
"Still, thank you for divulging that particular spell to the ICW."
"Glad to be of help Mr. Batson." Professor Dumbledore nodded.
William exited Professor Mcgonagall's office and leisurely walked around the castle's halls. He looked around and saw various prefects about to begin their patrol. He even saw Professor Flitwick, Percy Weasley and Colin Creevey talking with each other.
"I trust that this wouldn't be a common occurrence Creevey?" William heard Percy question. "You may have been with me and my family and took some photographs, it doesn't mean that you can wander around past curfew."
"It's quite alright Mr. Weasley." Professor Flitwick assured. "Professor Mcgonagall has informed me Mr. Creevey's circumstances, I will personally lead him to the Gryffindor common room once he is finished with his tasks."
"Please don't trouble yourself Professor." Percy shook his head. "After I've met with the prefects on duty for the night, I will see to it that Mr. Creevey will be back to the Gryffindor Tower myself."
"Mr. Creevey, please proceed to the Dark Room, just near the Ravenclaw tower." Professor Flitwick ordered. "I will negotiate with the school's head boy."
Colin merely nodded obliged with the order given to him.
"I commend you for your adherence to the rules Mr. Weasley, 10 points to Gryffindor." Professor Flitwick praised. "However, I must insist that I escort Mr. Creevey back to Gryffindor Tower as I am aware of the many tasks Mr. Creevey has on his plate." He explained. "I am there both to ensure Mr. Creevey's safety as he deals with the various tasks of printing the photographs and guide him for his first time-constrained work."
"Time-constrained?"
"You are aware that the interview you have had with the Mudblood news magazine was abrupt?"
"I must admit it was disconcerting to be called to my Head of House's office had the twins put themselves in trouble." Percy nodded.
"Mr. Creevey was also caught unaware of this interview," Professor Flitwick sighed. "And the photos are needed for tomorrow's paper, you understand?"
"I see what you mean for this being a time-constrained project." Percy nodded. "Very well, if both the headmaster and Professor Mcgonagall are aware of this arrangement, then I guess I'll concede to your directive Professor Flitwick."
The Charm's professor nodded. "Run along now, I'm sure the Head girl and the other prefects are waiting for you."
William smiled at the interaction between the student and teacher. He can already tell that Percy Weasley will be most efficient working in the Ministry, his work-ethic would leave him untainted by the Ministry's corruption, barring the Imperious curse of course.
The journalist continued on walking around the school's hallways aimlessly. William didn't have an exact location in mind to go visit, but there was this pull on his core, on his magic, on his very person that he couldn't help but let it lead him.
William arrived at the castle's seventh floor, a floor he had yet to explore. He felt that the pull was stronger here, as if it was a child impatient for their chaperone to keep up with them. He shook his head and let it lead him to a blank wall.
"This is where you were." William smiled as he caressed the wall.
Soon enough, a majestic door appeared on the wall. William pushed the door that just appeared and went inside.