Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series and its characters are copyrighted and belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm just playing in her sandbox and receive no financial gain from this.
CHAPTER TWO
(Present time)
"Diggory, into my office, now," the inter-department letter said in an authoritative tone. It was from the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Prophet, where he now worked as a journalist.
He stood up from his desk and started making his way to Mr. Hodkins' office. He wondered what in Merlin's name he needed. He was certain that he was not in trouble since he was able to manage to submit his reports on time.
He knocked on the door and it opened, revealing a balding, old man sitting behind a desk piled with papers. A quill was writing furiously on its own accord on top of the desk, obviously trying its best to meet a deadline.
"Diggory, perfect timing," Mr. Hodkins said as soon as he noticed his presence. He motioned his hand to offer him a seat. "Anything you want? Tea? Coffee?"
Cedric took a seat and watched as a teapot started to puff smoke in the corner and started pouring tea by itself into two small teacups. The teacups floated and landed with a soft thud on the table in front of them.
"Thank you, sir," he said timidly. "But what exactly is the reason that you asked me here?"
The editor-in-chief gave an easy laugh. "Relax, young man. I am not about to sack you."
His shoulder relaxed a bit upon hearing his words. He took the teacup from the table and took a sip as he waited for Mr. Hodkins to enlighten him.
"Quite the opposite," the old man continued with a smile. "I'm giving you something to work on."
He smiled. It must be big news if the editor-in-chief himself summoned him about it. He's been working for The Daily Prophet for two whole years, and all this time, all he had been writing about were new about magic gone wrong, lack of quality broomsticks in the wizarding market and the works. "I'll be glad to be of service, sir," he said.
"Good, good. See, the Malfoy heir is getting married soon, and that is front page news. They actually made it to the top again after the war, and their businesses are still at the top of the pyramid. I assume you know him?"
Draco Malfoy, he thought. How can I forget?
He nodded. "We went to Hogwarts together. He was a lower classman, a few years my junior."
"Exactly, that's why I'm giving it to you," Mr. Hodkins said. "It would give us the extra edge. Since you know him and all."
Cedric didn't really think so, but a front page news written by him was something he had been waiting for since forever. "I'm on it," he said.
"Good. Well, first things first," the editor said, as he handed him a piece of parchment with an address written on it. "You have lunch reservations with him and his fiancée at the Wickedly Magical. Quite classy, so you better be at your best. That's in two hours, so you can go and prepare for it. Don't be late."
He stood up, thanked his editor, and shook his hand gratefully. "Thank you, sir."
He walked out of the editor's office with an extra spring on his step. A front page article by Cedric Diggory, he liked the sound of that. He paused for brief moment just as he went out of their office building. Who in Merlin's name would agree to marry Draco Malfoy? He still remembered him during their Hogwarts days and he was a nasty piece of work.
He shook his head and smiled as he headed back to his apartment to get ready. He doesn't have time to dwell on whoever witch Malfoy is marrying; he has a front page article to work on after all.