Matou Shinji and the Heirs of Slytherin
A Harry Potter / Fate Stay Night Story
Disclaimer: Though I wish it were otherwise, I do not own or in any way, shape or form hold a legal or moral claim to elements of either the Nasuverse, the Potterverse, or other works I may reference in the course of this story.
Summary: Trouble is brewing in the Wizarding World. In the wake of the Stone Incident, Albus Dumbledore has begun quietly preparing Britain to survive the coming war. The Stone Cutters, a new organization at Hogwarts for the most talented and distinguished of students, seek new blood to bolster its strength. The Boy-Who-Lived seeks his destiny as the Heir of Slytherin. And a boy from the east meets a specter of the past.
Chapter 28 Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert!
They'd managed to put it off for quite some time, what with the events of the previous week, but even so, they'd found the time to talk. And in their course of their discussions, they'd come to the conclusion that there was really no other choice. With Albus Dumbledore, the architect of the elaborate fiction that made up their backstory, dead, Hillard was fairly certain that the man's works would soon come under careful scrutiny in a way they had not while he was alive.
The result of which would be some book like Armando Dippet: Master or Moron, the best-selling biography of Hogwarts' previous headmaster by Rita Skeeter.
Given that their reputation had been due in part to Dumbledore's machinations, they needed something in the way of a new patron, and at this point, Gilderoy Lockhart seemed the best option, since he already knew – or suspected – what had happened, and he was still willing to aid them.
So one by one, they appeared in the hallway outside the History Professor's office, greeting one another with nods and grim expressions. As the nominal leader of the Stone Cutters, Harry moved to knock, only for the door to swing open before him.
"Come in. I've been expecting you," a voice called from within. And so they did, filing into the austerely decorated room, with Shinji noting that Lockhart was seated at his desk, dressed in rather plain maroon robes as he did some writing, with the Book of Spells and several large stacks of parchment scattered about – one of which seemed to be bound with what looked like red tape. He looked up as they entered, and waved them towards a stack of five chairs in the corner of the room. "Grab a seat, gentlemen, and close the door behind you. I will be with you in a moment."
They did as instructed, each taking one of the chairs and placing them before the man's desk, and sitting down to wait while he finished off whatever he had been working on.
'…more of Quirrell's biography, I'd imagine. Though I don't know why he has the Book of Spells in that case.'
It took a few minutes, but the man eventually put his quill and parchment aside.
"My apologies. The life of an author is a rather busy one, and there hasn't been much time to work on my writing in the past week," Lockhart began, leaning forward and steepling his hands. "But here we are at last. And technically before the Spring term, at that, due to the Headmaster's…unfortunate demise." His eyes roamed over the members of the Stone Cutter Society seated before him, wordlessly asking if they had anything to add or explain.
"Yes," Harry replied, somewhat intimidated by the man. "I – that is – we…"
"We've come to accept your generous offer of helping to tell our story," Hillard interjected, making a charitable effort at keeping his expression blank. "You are clearly a master at the art of shaping stories and narratives, and that is something we could use help with, frankly."
Lockhart smiled thinly.
"And in the wake of the Headmaster's passing, you thought I might be a useful ally in the court of public opinion," he murmured quietly, giving voice to the unspoken motive underlying their words.
"…well, yes," Hillard conceded.
"Best to have these things out in the open, especially if I am to be your official biographer," the History Professor said with a touch of reproof. "Mister Potter, do you agree?"
"Ah, yes sir," the Boy-Who-Lived replied.
"That is, you are fine with me being your official biographer?" he inquired solicitously. "It would be an honor for me to share the story of the Boy-Who-Lived, after all. The story you wish to be told, not the one that others have written without your permission or input, tall tales made up out of whole cloth."
Harry couldn't help but give the man something of a skeptical look, knowing that the other knew – or suspected – that at least one bit of their backstory was false – to which Lockhart chuckled.
"Mister Potter, I would be the first to acknowledge that most stories – most histories, are not complete, and such details can be overlooked if they make for a better story, can they not?" the man continued. "Besides, whatever his identity – and whatever your original motives might be, you did stop a Dark Wizard from accomplishing his objective at Hogwarts, and lost a friend in the process, did you not?"
The Stone Cutters could only nod, as this was true enough.
"I thought as much – there are some things which cannot be easily hidden or falsified, among them grief for a fallen comrade, loyalty…and your potential as leaders," Lockhart noted, leaning back slightly. "Let me amend my offer slightly."
"Yes?"
"It occurs to me that your group needs a publicist, even if an informal one," the man said with a razor smile. "Someone familiar with the ways of the press, the Ministry, and other organizations, who knows friendly reporters and how to quash stories that may be…unfavorable. Someone who can help you channel your considerable influence when you make appearances, and make sure you do not become overexposed. Someone who can, say, keep you from having to run from one event to the next, without rest, without pause – all because your presence is expected, and is not…special."
Matou Shinji – like the other Stone Cutters – winced.
"…you raise a fair point," Hillard conceded, who had been none-too-happy about having to attend all the memorial events in the wake of Dumbledore's death. "But then, you've dealt with this issue yourself, haven't you?"
Lockhart chuckled, his expression softening slightly.
"Of course I have. That is the way of celebrity, after all," he reflected with a sigh. "And as for how I dealt with it, why I didn't have a publicist then, so I went on an adventure."
"…an adventure?" Shinji asked, curious as to what the man meant.
"Indeed, Mister Matou," the History Professor affirmed. "Do recall that I was – and still am – a well-known author, renowned as the greatest adventurer in modern times. I left the country to do research on one of my books, without notice, of course."
"…and in the process, no one was able to reach you," Hillard concluded. "Thus causing some anxiety because you'd disappeared so suddenly." The prefect was silent for a few moments as he worked out the consequences of that, his eyes widening as he hit on it. "That led to a surge of public relief – and a boost to your reputation when you returned to Magical Britain in one piece…didn't it?"
"Precisely," Lockhart stated, the corners of his lips tugging up slightly. "There are some advantages to my chosen field. Much as Mister Matou has some advantages over the rest of you, considering his homeland."
"Oh?"
"Unlike most of the students at Hogwarts, you were not born in the British Isles," he explained, glancing at the map of Magical Europe he had on the wall. "Or anywhere in Europe for that matter. You come from the lands of the East, with their own traditions, their own magic, their own creatures and potions ingredients. There is a whiff of the exotic about you, which makes people more willing to accept the extraordinary about you, just as they were willing to accept that about your late friend Sokaris."
"You might have a point," Shinji said, frowning. That actually described how he had played off his abilities in first year almost exactly. He hadn't thought someone else would pick up on that though, but it wouldn't be the first time he'd underestimated Lockhart.
"I know I do, Mister Matou," Lockhart replied. "After all, I've worked hard at cultivating such an image myself, and it's served me well." His expression turned stony again though, as he glanced at the assembled Stone Cutters. "Speaking of an image, Mister Matou, there is also one other thing…"
"The organization you are forming," Shinji replied. "The one where members would get to examine historical scenarios, play the roles of heroes, and such. The one you appointed me leader of."
"Indeed. The Ourea, I am provisionally calling it, after the Greek word for the spirits of the mountains – the children of the earth who rose to touch the sky, though the Founding Members, once selected, will make a final determination of the name," Lockhart elaborated, leaning forward once again. "Still, it occurs to me that I was not clear enough in my explanation of what it would do."
"Oh?" the Weasley Twins chimed in.
They, like the rest of the Stone Cutters were intrigued – they had thought Lockhart's organization was just some kind of historical re-enactment club, with its members able to play the parts of heroes or villains – much as they had in the play. And while such a thing might be amusing, since there hadn't been such a society at Hogwarts since Professor Beery led his ill-fated production of The Fountain of Fair Fortune (in which two of the female leads had ended up dueling over the affections of the male lead Sir Luckless amidst an inferno that had engulfed the Great Hall), it wasn't conducive to advancement or improving their craft.
"I do not deny that Hogwarts has a tradition of churning out competent wizards – students with enough knowledge to squeak past their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s," Lockhart conceded, steepling his hands once more. "However, aside from its Prefects – and even that program is of questionable value at times, it does not do a good job at producing leaders."
He patted one of the stacks of parchment next to him, with the page on top covered with writing in what seemed like Quirrell's hand.
"Yes, if you were wondering, these are indeed Quirinus' notes, and in them, he speaks about the value of having individuals face something called a Kobayashi Maru – a no win scenario," the Professor explained, glancing over at the map. "Especially for those who are gifted with a great deal of natural talent, like yourselves, or the students I seek to recruit."
Shinji puzzled over the words in his mind, frowning as an inconsistency stuck out to him.
"But Professor, Kobayashi Maru doesn't mean no-win scenario – it sounds like the name of a ship," the boy from the east pointed out, given that Maru was a common suffix for ship names in the here and now.
"Indeed – it was that. It was the name of a ship in one of those Muggle television programs – one used in an unwinnable scenario to test the aptitude of candidates for command. It apparently was one of his inspirations in designing the scenarios those who took his Challenge underwent," Lockhart noted, much to the surprise of the Stone Cutters, who didn't think that a wizard would know about Muggle entertainment…and hadn't thought there was anything deeper to the test. "Do remember that Quirinus was the Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts long before his ill-fated year teaching Defense against the Dark Arts."
"…testing how they would react in the face of failure, you mean," Hillard realized, his brows knitting together as he thought back to the scenario he faced long ago. "Because we weren't supposed to win. Not with opponents that could copy our abilities."
"And even if you won, you would lose something in the process," Lockhart agreed, looking over the Stone Cutters – all of which had performed fairly well in the scenarios, but at a cost. "Your comrades, if it was a team-based scenario. Your sense of invulnerability, if it was a solo scenario." He paused, letting his words sink in for a moment, before continuing. "But you know that, because you faced just such a scenario in real life…didn't you?"
Silence reigned in the room for several long moments as both sides just looked at each other, the History Professor knowingly, the others uncomfortably, before the Stone Cutters looked away.
"You are fortunate to have faced such a thing so young, actually," the blond noted, his eyes shrewd. "And that you remain together in the wake of it, does you credit. You know your limits, what you can and cannot do. You know your weaknesses. And you know how you will react if push comes to shove, and what are capable of." He shook his head, lips tight as he glanced at the map. "Most people – especially talented people like Albus Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy, and perhaps even Lord Voldemort…never did, leading to the current mess we have today."
"Could you explain that?" Hillard questioned, curious as to what the man meant. "What mess do you speak of?"
"Certainly. I mean a mess where a young genius who conspired with Grindelwald to overthrow Magical Europe is hailed as a hero, as you will no doubt read in an upcoming book by Rita Skeeter. A mess where a man – thanks to his family's exorbitant wealth – plays fast and loose with the law, escaping justice by claiming to have been under the Imperius Curse. A mess where a man from some half-forgotten lineage might rise to become the most terrible Dark Wizard Britain has ever seen. That mess."
"…point taken."
"We have enough wizards – even talented wizards – in Britain," Lockhart went on to say. "Hogwarts does a fine enough job of that, but that is not the point of the Ourea." He shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened his eyes and looked at the group again, his face was set in a determined mask. "Producing leaders is the point and purpose, with talented individuals trained and challenged to the limits of their capabilities through scenarios based on those from history. In the end, your success as a leader is not governed by how many N.E.W.T.s you pass, but how you handle yourself and those around you. Thus, using the context of history, the purpose is to see how members of the Ourea do as commanders, to train them in how to best lead people, to understand the situations they find themselves in, and to help them better understand themselves and those around them. And of course, to see how the proud do when humbled, what the ever-victorious do in the face of defeat, and what they value by what they choose."
Then the man smiled, a grim, dangerous smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Think of it as an in-depth case study in leadership development."
The Stone Cutters looked at each other, not sure what to think. They'd never heard of anything like this before, not at Hogwarts, not…anywhere in Magical Britain, but that didn't mean they couldn't see both charm of it…and the danger.
"Why tell us this?" Fred questioned.
"Doesn't it—"
"—defeat the point—"
"—if we know—"
"—your hidden purpose?" the twins asked as one.
"No, because you've already undergone your Kobayashi Maru," Lockhart replied. "Besides, aside from Matou, you would not be proper members of the Ourea, or whatever you wish to call it. You will be considered honorary members, and are welcome to participate in our activities, but will have little say in the workings of the organization itself."
"So why me and not, say…Harry?" added Shinji.
"Because the Boy-Who-Lived is the nominal head of the Stone Cutter Society, and I do not want that close a relation between the two. I doubt any of you would enjoy it did members of the Ourea believe that they would eventually be guaranteed a spot among you."
Harry couldn't help but make a face at the thought.
"I want your organization – as proven leaders – to be the example to which members of the Ourea aspire, with the hope that, should they one day prove themselves," Lockhart continued. "But I do not want a guarantee. Hence Matou as the leader of this organization, since at first glance, he seems the most junior member of the Stone Cutters, even if it not so in reality. Does that make sense?"
"Yes indeed," Hillard agreed, speaking on behalf of the group.
"Good," Lockhart said, flicking his wand, as one of the tape-wrapped bundles floated over to Matou Shinji. "Then this is yours, Master Stone Cutter."
Shinji blinked and looked down at the stack of papers in his lap – a rather large stack that was heavier than he expected.
"What is this?" he asked, almost afraid to find out what the answer was.
"Oh, all the applications for the new organization, of course," Lockhart replied jovially. "About half of Hogwarts applied, though I've thrown out the worst of them. This leaves you with only a few hundred to go through."
"What."
"Oh, come now, Consul," the History professor rejoined, his lips curling into a smirk. "We both you won't turn down the opportunity to select the twelve people you'll be working with. After all, they will be favorably inclined towards you afterwards, no?"
"…there is that," Shinji admitted. Grudgingly.
"Besides, this is the part of leadership that no one ever bothers to mention or explain – the paperwork," Lockhart commented. "It's not pretty, it's not glamorous, it's not particularly something wonderful to think about, but paper makes the world go round."
But Shinji didn't move.
"Look if it makes you feel better, think about it as payment."
"…for what?" Shinji questioned, not feeling like he'd gotten anything yet.
"As your publicist, I've arranged an interview for the Stone Cutters, so you can influence the selection of the next Headmaster. Dear Rita is always happy to do me a favor after all."
Hillard's eyebrows shot up.
"Rita, as in Rita Skeeter, the author and gossip columnist?"
"Indeed," Lockhart confirmed. "She and I have a long history together."
"So I see," Hillard said noncommittally. "And when is this interview?"
"Tomorrow."
As they worked on identifying the chosen twelve, Lockhart filled them in on the basics of how a new Headmaster was selected, and who the most likely candidates were. Contrary to what most thought, it wasn't simply a matter of seniority, else there would have been no need to have a selection process and Professor McGonagall would simply have been made Headmistress, not Acting Headmaster.
Now, officially, the Board of Governors had the sole authority to appoint a new Headmaster, but the reality, was more complicated – and more delicate – than that, given that they were accountable to the public and the Ministry – not to mention that they didn't want to appoint someone the faculty and staff wouldn't get along with.
That meant that they would likely have to appoint someone who was already teaching at Hogwarts, someone with a proven dedication to the school and the students.
Based on seniority and who taught the core classes at Hogwarts, this meant that there were only three serious candidates: Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, and Filius Flitwick.
Now, as Lockhart explained, Professor McGonagall was the favored choice among the faculty, given that Dumbledore had appointed her Deputy Headmistress, and she'd assisted him in his administration of the school prior to his demise. However, Professor Snape was the favorite among certain elements of the Board – including its Chairman, Lucius Malfoy – as well those among the Ministry who felt that a Hogwarts Education didn't hold the value that it used to, and that the school needed a firm hand to improve student performance.
The fact that if Snape became Headmaster, it would be a simple matter to rehire Horace Slughorn as his replacement was not lost on the Board either, as minimal disruption was preferred.
And then there was Professor Flitwick, who was the most favored among the students at large (given that he had the support of both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, compared to the others, who have only their respective house). However, despite his achievements as a Master Duellist and as a Charms Master (having obtained a rare Doctorate in Wizardry!), he was disadvantaged by his goblin ancestry and short stature.
In short, the Head of Ravenclaw House was the underdog, but that was subject to change, given that the Board did have to take into consideration both public opinion, and that of organizations like the Order of Merlin and the Dark Forces Defense League, considering how poorly Hogwarts taught Defense against the Dark Arts.
…they'd even had a Dark Wizard attack the School last year, resulting in a student death, and with Sirius Black still on the loose, there was certainly a place for someone who was a Duelling Champion and a Charms Master as Headmaster.
"Being quite honest, it really is all up in the air," Lockhart commented, as he finished his summation of the situation. "And an endorsement from a party such as the Stone Cutters would have more sway than you would think. If there was ever an opportunity to make your mark on the political scene of Wizarding Britain, this would be it, given the power vacuum that Dumbledore's death leaves behind."
The man chuckled at the thought.
"And take it from me, what's the point of being a hero – much less a mere celebrity if you can't take advantage of that vaunted status? People listened to Dumbledore because of the things he did. And with his death, people turn to the others they see as heroes, people like you."
Harry just eyed Lockhart until the man waved his hand.
"…yes, and me."
"There will be consequences to this, of course," Hillard observed. "Displeasure from those we don't endorse, for instance. Or those whose favored candidate we unseat."
"Naturally, but that is always a danger when becoming involved in a factional dispute," Lockhart allowed. "Though I would worry more about Lucius Malfoy than Minerva McGonagall, as he has more influence on matters outside of Hogwarts."
Truth be told, Shinji wasn't really worried about what Professor McGonagall would think, since she seemed fair enough, and it wasn't as if he could use a spell to turn someone into a badger in combat. Now, if he was learning Draconifors, allowing him to transfigure objects into miniature dragons, he'd find that quite useful, but at the moment, he still had some innate difficulty with transfiguration, finding it much easier to reverse transfigurations than perform them in the first place.
As for Lucius Malfoy…well, the man had given him that rather suspicious diary that had once belonged to Tom Marvolo Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, which Shinji assumed had been an attempt to kill him. So…he was rather unworried about what the man thought.
"We should back Professor Flitwick," he spoke up, as he finished sorting through the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. "He's our advisor. He's always been fair to us. And…he's a good man."
It was unlikely anyone else would have let Matou Shinji use a private study room because he could not stand dealing with the presence of so many people, after all, that anyone else would have been as accommodating. Certainly he didn't think Professors McGonagall would have done so. Professor Snape, perhaps, but he owed Flitwick a debt.
And as a magus, he knew debts should be repaid.
"He even stood up for us after the incident with the troll, when Professor McGonagall would have rushed to judgment," Hillard added, recalling how his Head of House had spoken for him. "His door is always open for any Ravenclaw, and he cares about our well-being. Frankly speaking, I think he's the best professor at Hogwarts."
"I like Professor Snape, but I can see how Gryffindors might not," Harry said, adding his piece. "He's done a lot for me, actually."
More than he felt comfortable talking about in front of Lockhart, at least for now. Biographer or no, he wasn't ready to share about his life at the Dursleys…even if he suspected he wouldn't have to deal with them ever again, since they did manage to secure their deal and buy a vacation house in Majorca.
"Still, without Professor Flitwick, we wouldn't be the Stone Cutters today," the Boy-Who-Lived mused, shaking his head. He smiled weakly. "And I don't think Professor Snape would be happy as Headmaster anyway, given that he'd have to be in charge of all the students he calls 'dunderheads.' And treat Gryffindor fairly."
The Twins shared a cackle at that.
"You got us there, Potty—"
"—dear Snape is—"
"—perhaps not the most fair-minded—"
"—professor at Hogwarts. But—"
"—McGonagall doesn't have a sense of humor. So—"
"—Flitwick it is," they spoke together.
Gilderoy Lockhart looked amused at this display of loyalty to their patron.
"And I'm sure having a Headmaster who already favors you would be useful, now wouldn't it?" he asked sardonically.
"Well. Yes," Hillard admitted.
At that, the author – and professor – laughed, a soft sound that didn't carry very far.
"I confess, I favor him myself," the adventurer disclosed. "He was my Head of House, after all, and rather tolerant of pranks and misbehavior than McGonagall."
"You were a prankster—"
"—when you were at Hogwarts?" the twins asked, curious about the past of the man before them.
"Among other things," Lockhart said vaguely. Still, he seemed rather pleased. "Well, with all of us in agreement, this is sure to make the front page of the Prophet. Now, Matou, if you would finish sorting through those applications…"
Shinji grumbled, but went back to work, and in the end – with some input from the others - managed to select twelve people for the Founding Members of the Ourea: Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, and Draco Malfoy from Slytherin; Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger, and Cho Chang from Ravenclaw; Ginevra Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Fay Dunbar from Gryffindor; and Cedric Diggory, Hannah Abbott, and Susan Bones from Hufflepuff.
"Ah, a decent selection," Lockhart commented. "Young, talented, and mostly slated for leadership roles. Some prestigious families as well. Even Granger, especially if there is some relation to Hector Dagworth-Granger, the Master Potioneer. Diggory is perhaps slightly older than I prefer, since it takes time to train and mold people, but I can't deny he is a promising young man. That will be all for now. Meet me tomorrow afternoon, in my classroom, for our interview with the self-styled 'Queen of the Quills.' Dress your best and follow my lead. Otherwise, you may learn first-hand how her quill excels at puncturing inflated reputations."
The next day, the Stone Cutters assembled outside Lockhart's classroom, waiting for the man – and the reporter – to arrive. They didn't have to wait long, as it turned out, as Lockhart – in the dazzling golden robes he'd worn on the first day of class, rounded the corner, laughing and joking with a blond woman in magenta robes.
"Gilderoy, darling, it's been ages since the last time you've agreed to an interview," the woman was saying. "Ever since you've come to Hogwarts in fact."
"Only because there's been nothing to tell, until now," the man answered. "Especially when you've already teased out all there is to tell, 'Queen of the Quills.'"
"Ah, you always were my favorite, Gilderoy, since you know how to treat a lady."
"Only as you deserve."
Matou Shinji raised an eyebrow at this exchange, as it seemed…closer than a journalist and interviewee would be, but then Lockhart had mentioned a long history with Skeeter…
"And who do we have here?" she asked as she approached and caught sight of the waiting group, her eyes widening. "The Stone Cutter Society and the Boy-Who-Lived himself! Gilderoy, when you mentioned a surprise, I didn't think you'd arranged for me to interview them too!"
"Oh you know me, Rita," Lockhart quipped dryly. "I'm just full of surprises."
"Hello all, I'm Rita Skeeter!" she greeted them enthusiastically. "And you…you are the Boy-who-Lived and his chosen few, youngest ever recipients of the Order of Merlin, honorary members of the Dark Forces Defense League. The heroes who carry the hope of the Wizarding World they say. Or as we say, the juicy news. Led by the Boy-Who-Lived, no less, the first to openly use the title of Heir of Slytherin since You-Know-Who."
"Before we go further Rita, I should warn you that I'm their publicist," Lockhart interjected mildly. "So be a dear and try not to be too harsh on them. Otherwise I might regret letting this be their first interview."
"Gilderoy, you didn't! You mean…"
"Why of course, who better, Ms. Skeeter?" the man asked winningly, with even Shinji conceding that perhaps Lockhart deserved being five-time recipient of the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award.
"Well. I'm flattered, of course," Rita said. "My, how kind of you think of little old me."
"I would never call a lovely lady old, my dear," Gilderoy beamed. "Shall we go inside? I have the room prepared."
He opened the door and waved the inside.
When they entered what was usually set up as a classroom, they found that the usual chairs and desks had been cleared away in favor of a couch, a couple of high-backed chairs, and a low table laden with tea, scones, and crumpets.
Without the presence of other students, the room seemed much less like a classroom and more like a royal reception chamber, given how the floors had been polished, how its chandeliers glinted in the afternoon light, and the view of the grounds below.
"You always knew how to make a statement, Gilderoy," the journalist commented, after a moment of silence. "Alright. I admit I'm impressed." A thin smile flitted across her lips as she looked around. "Even if those Daily Prophets are on loan."
"And thank you for arranging that, by the way."
With that, the group was seated, with the journalist reaching into her crocodile-skin handbag and withdrawing parchment and an acid-green—
"Not the Quick-Quotes Quill, if you please," Lockhart interrupted, eyeing the feather as if it would bite. "Not today at least, or we'll have call this off."
The blonde huffed, her elaborate curls flouncing as she did so, but did as asked, taking out a plain black quill instead.
"Better, Gilderoy?" she asked archly.
"Much, Rita dear," the professor replied in much the same tone. "In any case, shall we begin?"
"So you are the famed Ms. Skeeter," Hillard said with a roguish smile of his own. "I must say, I found Official Secrets to be quite interesting."
"Oh? You've read it then?"
"Of course," the prefect answered. "Professor Lockhart made it a requirement for his class."
"You would be the Ravenclaw Prefect – Robert Hillard, is that right?" the woman asked, peering at the youth through jeweled spectacles. "And apparently, the Watch-Captain of the Prefects."
"You're well informed."
"That's my job."
"And she's quite good at it," Lockhart added.
"Oh, Gilderoy, don't make me blush."
And so the interview went until the figurative bomb was dropped, with Harry Potter and the Stone Cutters unanimously endorsing Filius Flitwick for the position of Hogwart's new headmaster, and her mind slammed on its brakes.
…along with her quill.
"…wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait," she repeated, eyes narrowing in shock. "Do you mean to say that you, the Heir of Slytherin, a house known for its pure-blood values, are endorsing a part-goblin for Headmaster of Hogwarts?"
"Is that a problem, Ms. Skeeter?" Harry asked mildly.
"No," the journalist answered. "Of course not, I just…" Rarely was Rita Skeeter at a loss for words, but this development was simply staggering. "Why, if I may ask?"
Given the views of Lucius Malfoy – the Chairman of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, who was perhaps the most powerful man in Magical Britain today, aside from the Minister himself, this was rather surprising.
"Because talent matters more than blood," Harry answered. "And as the Heir of Slytherin, it would be a poor choice for me not to endorse the best person for the job, no matter what his background."
The quill scribbled furiously, as Rita Skeeter checked it for accuracy.
This…this was gold, beyond whatever the Quick Quotes Quill was capable of.
"What about your head of house, Professor Severus Snape?" the reporter asked, feeling that this article was going to be one of the ones that defined her career. "It is well known that Lucius Malfoy favors him as a candidate for Headmaster. Are you saying he is not the best choice?"
Harry took a deep breath.
"Professor Snape is a great man and a brilliant potioneer," he answered, looking directly at Rita Skeeter. "But I don't think he would be happy as Headmaster."
"And why is that?"
"He's a very private man," Harry reflected, thinking back on his encounters with the man, and how little he'd let slip, even in Mahoutokoro, when he was out of his element. "And I don't think he would enjoy being forced to be in the spotlight as Headmaster, no matter what other people might think."
"Is that so?" Rita inquired, surprised by what she was hearing, but happy to be hearing this, nonetheless. "What about the rest of you? Do you all endorse Filius Flitwick?"
There were nods all around.
"We do," Hillard said, speaking for the group.
"He's—
"—the best man—"
"—for the job," the Weasley Twins added.
"You know our story, how we fought a Dark Wizard at Hogwarts last year," Shinji chimed in, his face deadly serious. "And how Sirius Black is on the loose today. In these times, Hogwarts needs a strong Headmaster, and Professor Flitwick, who is both a Duelling Champion and a Charms Master is the best man for the job."
Skeeter turned to Gilderoy Lockhart, who had just been looking over the group, making sure they didn't err too badly.
"It's a bit late to ask, but this is an exclusive, right?" she asked.
"Why, yes it is," the History Professor answered, a dazzling smile on his face. "I hope that pleases you, Rita."
"...you always did know how to spoil a girl, Gilderoy," the reporter rejoined with a coy smile, pushing her glasses up on her nose. "But tell me this, Gilderoy: would you wish to be headmaster?"
"Oh heavens, no," Lockhart responded almost immediately, shaking his head slightly. "I would rather leave that to those rich in experience, such as my old professor and head of house, Filius Flitwick. It is enough for me to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow learn from the mistakes of yesterday."
"And off the record?" she inquired wryly, pulling the quill from the parchment.
"Off the record, Rita, I've never been a huge fan of paperwork," the man replied, chuckling as he glanced over at his office door. "And being Headmaster would make it difficult for me to continue being the greatest adventurer of our time."
"Too true. You wouldn't be able to travel or write those books of yours, would you?"
"No."
"Indulge my curiosity, if you would, since you don't seem to want to tell this to my rabid readers," the blonde murmured. "Is there any position for which you'd give up the life of an adventurer?"
"Oh, that's easy. Minister of Magic."
The story, when it ran, did indeed make the front page of the Daily Prophet, with families all over Britain opening up the morning edition of the paper to see a picture of the venerable Charms Master flanked by that of Harry Potter in his full regalia as a member of the Order of Merlin, under a headline of BOY-WHO-LIVES BACKS PROF FLITWICK FOR HEADMASTER!
The rest of the page was taken up by the interview with the Stone Cutters and their views on Hogwarts, what it meant to be heroes in this time, and how privileged they were to be able to work with Professor Lockhart this year in his efforts to train the leaders of tomorrow. For a marvel, knowing Skeeter's predictions, it didn't mention much about their love lives, or go much off topic.
And among the quotes that resonated with people was one by Robert Hillard, the young prefect of Ravenclaw: "We didn't ask to be heroes. We were just in the right place to make a difference."
It was earnest. It was sincere, and many of them felt they could relate – just as many more were impressed. Because they had not just been in the right place – they'd acted. As a group that crossed the boundaries of House and year, they were a symbol that working together, light could overcome darkness, that perhaps the old divisions didn't mean as much as people thought.
So public opinion shifted.
…and Lucius Malfoy stewed. For even if Albus Dumbledore was no longer a thorn in his side, opposing the Boy-Who-Lived openly could get rather…messy.