Author's Note: Well, this is a short chapter but I rather like it. What do you think? Just one more full chapter to go! Then, we still have the epilogue, of course. Maybe I'll get the time to publish both this weekend, if not...we'll still be finished soon!
Reviews are welcome!
Chapter Thirteen:
"Karma"
An' ever mind the rule of three, what you send out comes back to thee.
-the Wiccan Rede
The next Monday afternoon, Lauran was sitting by the Black Lake with her new best friend, Analese. The two were lost in conversation on a multitude of subjects. They discussed past events in their life and their plans for the summer break. As they sat and gossiped, an owl from the Owl Post flew in their direction and landed right beside her. Giving it the necessary payment, she received the Daily Prophet with confusion. Glancing at the headlines with Ana, she stared in disbelief. Ana, however, was attempting to keep herself from laughing hysterically.
In Memory of Two Great Witches
By Ariana Roman
The Daily Prophet is sad to report that previously on this Saturday evening the Wizarding World lost two great witches, both of whom will be greatly remembered: Rita Skeeter and Dolores Umbridge.
Victoria Rita Skeeter will perhaps be a witch who will never be forgotten. However, when her career was young, she chose to drop her first name of Victoria and assumed the name Rita Skeeter. Miss Skeeter spent her early years on Market Street in Rye with her mother. Her mother had been widowed shortly before Miss Skeeter was born. Not much is known about Rita Skeeter's years at Hogwarts, however, sources tell us that she was once involved with a man she met in London, though it is assumed that nothing progressed farther than a single date. This is due to Miss Skeeter never having been married, as she seems to have kept her maiden name throughout her life. A life that was ended so tragically.
Recently, Miss Skeeter was doing a report on Harry Potter at a Quidditch Match not far from Galway, Ireland, where mysteriously she fell to her untimely demise. Some witnesses say, "It was terrible. It could not have been an accident. Someone had to have cursed her."
Indeed, she may have been cursed and Aurors at the Ministry of Magic are looking into this tip.
Secondly, Dolores Jane Umbridge was brutally murdered on this same tragic night. Miss Umbridge grew up in the bustling city of London and attended Hogwarts, where she met her first love; however, sources were unable to determine who that may have been, but they were able to learn that she remained in love with this man her whole life. Years ago, Miss Umbridge was part of the Wizengamot and the "right-hand-man" of previous Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. After the second reign of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, she was released from her job in the Wizengamot and admitted into a new department created by Arthur Weasley, the Department of Wizard and Muggle Cooperation.
On Saturday evening, Miss Umbridge was attacked by a werewolf who was able to shift forms at will. This is scarce for a werewolf, however, the this is not the first time the Wizarding World has had to face a "free-changing" werewolf. Fenrir Greyback was able to do so just before he died in the final battle against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, where he was killed by Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Umbridge was undoubtedly mauled and left to bleed to death somewhere in the forests of Scotland. No one knows for sure why she was present in that forest. Skeptics are not enthralled by the idea of another "free-changing" werewolf and assume that it may have been Fenrir Greyback himself. However, we are assured by Aurors that Greyback is undeniably dead.
Throughout the course of this week, we will be publishing more articles on the lives of these two witches, whom shall never leave the hearts and memories of the Wizarding World.
In Memory of
Victoria Rita Skeeter
June 4, 1951-April 26,2003
and
Dolores Jane Umbridge
September 30, 1945-April 26, 2003
Lauran stared at the paper amazed by what she had just read. Could it be true? The woman who had attempted to ruin her new relationship with her mother…was dead? She wanted to feel bad, she really did, but a part of herself could not bring herself to feel such an emotion over the death of this woman. Instead, she was only able to think of that being how Karma was and that she should run and tell her mother that very instant. Which, she did. Grabbing the paper, which Ana had already finished reading, and bidding farewell to her friend, Lauran ran to her mother's office. When she ran through the door, she thought that her mother might have died from a fright.
"Where's the fire, love?"
Lauran handed her the paper, "In here. In the Daily Prophet."
Hermione read the article and when she finished, her eyes darted from her daughter to the newspaper and back again, but only managed to say, "Bloody Hell!"
Just then, an owl flew in through an open window and landed on her desk. She gladly took the enclosed the letter and paid the owl for its troubles. It then flew away, and she read the letter.
Dear Miss Granger,
In light of recent events, it is imperative that we search for a new reporter for the Daily Prophet. Recently, we received notification from a reliable source that you have quite the knack for writing and getting correct facts. It is because of this that we write you an owl requesting that you take the place of the late Rita Skeeter as our head reporter and columnist. Please respond with your owl no later than next Tuesday.
Yours sincerely,
Ariana Roman
Senior Editor of the Daily Prophet
Hermione could not help herself. She was only able to smile and squeal at that moment. She would worry about the embarrassment later.