In previous chapters:

After years of being relegated to minor tasks, Rita Skeeter received a new opportunity at the Daily Prophet when she witnessed a strange incident in Diagon Alley, where everyone fell into a deep sleep, including the Minister of Magic.

Fleur Delacour revealed to Rita Skeeter that the incident in Diagon Alley was an accident caused by her loss of control over her Veela powers while she was accompanied by Lucius Malfoy, newly freed from Azkaban. And when Lucius's jewels and a map of Azkaban were found beside the unconscious Minister, suspicions against him increased. So Fleur and Lucius proposed to Rita that they work together to discover who was really behind the conspiracy aiming to incriminate Lucius. As part of the agreement, Lucius offered Rita a luxurious apartment and the necessary resources to conduct the investigation.

Now, Rita is on her way to see her new home.

...

Chapter 13 - Mint Cigarette

Rita Skeeter apparates with a slight pop into Hogsmeade, the wizarding village closest to Hogwarts. The sky is overcast, and the castle of Hogwarts looms imposingly in the background, its towers peeking through the clouds. The cold, damp afternoon air envelops Rita as she adjusts her coat and heads toward the Three Broomsticks, where she had arranged to meet George Elton.

Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the famous pub, waves to Rita upon seeing her enter.

— Good afternoon, Skeeter. A table for you, as usual? — asks Rosmerta with a welcoming smile.

Rita Skeeter thanks her with a slight smile, her eyes still scanning the room.

— Thank you, Rosmerta. Today I'm here to meet someone — she replies, while discreetly searching for a familiar face among the pub's patrons.

She quickly spots George Elton, the manager of Lucius Malfoy's properties, sitting in a secluded corner. He looks tense, taking small sips of butterbeer while his fingers nervously tap on the table.

— Mr. Elton — says Rita, approaching with a calculated smile, sitting down before him without waiting for an invitation. — I imagine you've come prepared to show me my new... accommodation.

George looks up abruptly, and the momentary surprise is replaced by visible discomfort.

— Of course, Mrs. Skeeter — he replies, his voice slightly tense but firm. — I was just taking a moment to appreciate the surroundings before we depart. — He stands up hastily, leaving some coins on the table and gesturing for her to follow. — Please, this way.

They leave the Three Broomsticks and walk through the busy streets of Hogsmeade. The village is alive with the typical activity of a Hogwarts visit day. George walks quickly, his shoulders tense, and Rita follows with confident steps, already absorbing the details around her.

After a few minutes, they arrive at an elegant building, one of the most impressive structures in the village. George, still somewhat nervous, inserts the silver key into the lock, but his hands tremble, making the task difficult.

— This apartment is... one of the most luxurious in the area — he explains, finally managing to open the door. — It occupies... an entire floor and has a... a magnificent view of the castle and... the surroundings.

Rita enters the apartment and immediately begins to examine the space. The décor is refined, with antique furniture carefully arranged in each room.

— Impressive — says Rita, her voice full of contained admiration. She strolls through the main hall, her fingers sliding smoothly over the surface of a marble table.

— But I must ask, Mr. Elton — she continues, her tone now more insinuating — Was this place... used frequently? I mean, it's known that Mr. Malfoy... well, had his... extramarital distractions, so to speak.

George becomes visibly uncomfortable, his face reddening slightly.

— I... I don't... don't really know, Mrs. Skeeter. I... I only take care of... maintenance and... properties, I'm not... involved in Mr. Malfoy's... personal affairs.

Rita gives an astute smile, noticing the hesitation.

— Ah, of course, of course. But you know, wizarding society has always loved speculations, and this apartment, so well hidden and yet so luxurious, would certainly fuel many rumors. — She makes a dramatic pause, letting the silence weigh before continuing. — How long have you worked for the Malfoy family, Mr. Elton?

George swallows hard and responds with a trembling voice.

— I... I've worked for them since... I left school. That's over... 40 years. My... my father also managed... the Malfoy family's assets before me.

Rita raises her eyebrows, clearly intrigued. She leans slightly forward, her eyes shining with keen curiosity.

— And in those 40 years, there were never... incidents? Anything out of the ordinary? I'm not talking about the involvement with you-know-who... everyone is already aware of that. What really interests me are the intrigues... the secrets that no one dares to mention.

George, beginning to sweat, hesitates for a moment before answering.

— I... I really wouldn't know, Mrs. Skeeter. During all this time, I've always tried to keep away from... from Mr. Malfoy's more delicate matters.

Rita, still not completely convinced, leans a little closer, her eyes fixed on George's.

— Are you sure about that, Mr. Elton? Mr. Malfoy hasn't appeared here recently with a young woman with long platinum hair and a silly smile on her face? — She sighs and adds — No, not the young woman... Mr. Malfoy. Although, come to think of it, perhaps both.

George turned pale, his eyes widening as he tried to formulate a response.

— I-I... I... n-no, Mrs. Skeeter. I... haven't seen... anything like that! Mr. Malfoy... hasn't brought anyone here. And he hasn't come to Hogsmeade since he returned to wizarding society. This apartment was truly sealed magically!

Rita arches an eyebrow, pretending to be intrigued.

— Oh, how strange — she says, approaching the walls. — I sense a recent smell of mint cigarette here. Nothing that a good magical cleaning won't solve, but I wonder... — She smiles maliciously, observing George with sharp eyes. — If you assure me that the owner hasn't appeared here recently, could it be that you decided to follow Lucius Malfoy's example and make this your own secret love nest?

George pales, his expression of horror quickly transforming into a mixture of offense and indignation.

— Mrs. Skeeter, I am a man of respect! I have been married to Catarina Elton for over 30 years, and you surely know that she is the owner of "Glamour and Witchcraft," one of the most prestigious beauty salons in the wizarding world! I would never involve myself in something so unworthy that could tarnish her reputation! And I would never use the Malfoy property for... any kind of improper affair that could hurt my wife.

Rita raises her hands in a conciliatory gesture, but her smile remains slightly tilted.

— Oh, a thousand apologies, Mr. Elton! I didn't mean to suggest something so... scandalous. Of course, a man as respectable as yourself would never do such a thing. — She pauses, her eyes gleaming with a touch of irony. — It's just that, in my profession, you know how it is, imagination runs wild.

She tilts her head slightly, the smile widening with a hint of mockery.

— But you must agree that mint cigarettes don't smoke themselves.

George stammers, his voice trembling as he tries to respond.

— M-Mrs. Skeeter, I... I've already said that... that this apartment was sealed! I-I have no idea where... where that smell is coming from! — He averts his gaze, unable to sustain Rita's sharp stare. — I... I am a man of principles and... and would never allow something like that! You... you are insinuating absurd things!

Rita, still smiling, turns again to the apartment, her mind already plotting her next moves.

— Very well, you may go now, Mr. Elton. And don't worry, I'll make sure to leave the apartment exactly as I found it... or perhaps even better.

George, taking advantage of the permission to leave, makes an awkward bow and practically runs out of the apartment, disappearing quickly through the door. Rita watches his departure with a satisfied smile, knowing that her questions had clearly unsettled him.

As soon as George is gone and silence envelops the luxurious apartment, Rita takes out her Quick-Quotes Quill, which begins to write automatically on the parchment beside her as she speaks aloud:

— Mint cigarettes and secrets whispered through the walls. Could it be that Lucius Malfoy, the once enigmatic aristocrat linked to the dark arts, is already betraying the enchanting Fleur Delacour, just when the flames of their romance should be at their most ardent? Or is the reserved George Elton, guardian of the Malfoy properties, hiding something even darker in this luxurious refuge? The persistent smell of mint cigarettes may be just the first clue in a plot filled with intrigues and mysteries. Who knows what else this apartment in Hogsmeade could reveal about the deepest secrets of the Malfoys?

The quill stops writing, and the parchment begins to magically erase, removing each word until the paper is blank again. She puts away the quill, aware that now, working in collaboration with Lucius Malfoy, publishing something at this moment could cause more problems than bring benefits.

Then, letting out a sigh of satisfaction, she leans on the balcony railing, admiring the imposing view of Hogwarts. As she contemplates the landscape, her eyes are drawn to the ground below, where she sees several cigarette butts scattered, indicating that someone had the habit of smoking there and carelessly discarding the remains. A malicious smile appears on her face as she murmurs to herself:

— Mint cigarettes.

Then, she casts a sharp glance toward the castle, already beginning to plot her next steps as night descends upon Hogsmeade.