Chapter 329: “Threats and Bonuses”
Rita Skeeter, the most famous female reporter for the Daily Prophet, was known for always finding valuable news and writing popular articles.
However, Jerry knew that only a quarter of her stories were true, and she made up the rest for attention.
So when Fudge ntioned Ritas na, Jerry was already suspicious.
True to his expectations, the news she had fabricated about him was far from what he had anticipated.
She had created a series of false stories, including three imaginary girlfriends for him: a chance encounter with a giant, a childhood sweethearts blood-cursed Orc, and a witch from school.
The Exotic Land Reclamation of Vegetable Skeletons.
If tomorrows newspaper published the content as Ms. Skeeter wrote, it would indeed be breaking news.
After all, who doesnt enjoy reading gossip, especially when it involves geniuses? But now, all the character developnt Jerry had worked so hard on will be ruined!
Jerrys intention was to create a talented individual who could beco a great wizard like Dumbledore, not a prodigal wizard with peculiar tastes.
Mr. Carn, please return my notebook. You have no right to take it! Ms. Skeeters expression changed when she saw Jerry magically taking away her notebook. Her attitude suddenly shifted.
And you dont seem to have the right to fabricate these stories indiscriminately, do you? Jerry smiled and didnt return the diary.
Rita narrowed her eyes upon seeing this. What are you implying? Those are the facts you ntioned in the interview just now, and they will be published in tomorrows newspaper. It doesnt matter; you can keep the diary. I have already morized its contents!
Are you not afraid that I will inform Minister Fudge and Headmaster Dumbledore about this right now? Jerry pointed towards Dumbledore and Fudge, who were still chatting at the desk.
Ms. Skeeter smiled and covered her mouth. Mr. Carn, it seems you are still quite young. So what if you tell them? As long as I will it, those contents will appear in the newspaper tomorrow. As long as Im not breaking any laws, not even they can do anything to !
She only cared about the explosiveness of her news and how many Galleons she could earn, and nothing else mattered. She beca famous by writing the book Armando Dippet: Master or Moron? about the forr headmaster of Hogwarts, and everything she wrote ca true.
Besides, she wasnt afraid of Jerrys current threat, considering she had recently written an article satirizing the Ministry of Magics lax security, allowing Sirius to escape prison.
Jerry didnt feel annoyed upon hearing her words. Instead, he took two steps forward, placed the diary back in Ms. Skeeters hand, and leaned in close to her ear.
Im referring to your Animagus ability, transforming into a beetle to eavesdrop on gossip. It seems you havent registered with the Ministry of Magic either. If I were to make this public, guess what might happen? Will you be arrested by the Ministry of Magic? Can you continue being a journalist?
After that, Jerry gracefully walked towards Fudge and Dumbledore.
On the other hand, Ms. Skeeter shrank back, imdiately grabbing Jerrys arm, and with a complete 180-degree turn, she smiled and said, Mr. Carn, please dontdont be impulsive. Lets discuss this calmly. If you believe there are any revisions needed for tomorrows report, you can suggest them, and I will make the changes imdiately until you are satisfied!
Ms. Skeeter didnt understand how Jerry had discovered her secret, as she had never revealed it to anyone.
But she knew that if it were exposed, her career would be ruined, and she might face a lawsuit from the Ministry of Magic.
After a hearty al, she could still tell what was more important; at the mont, preserving her career was her top priority.
This news was already explosive enough, even without any fabricated stories. Jerry smiled, patting Ms. Skeeter on the shoulder, and reassured her, As long as you write truthfully, I wont utter a word.
After speaking, Jerry gently removed Ms. Skeeters hand from his arm and returned to the desk, standing next to Snape.
Seeing Jerry approach, Minister Fudge half-jokingly remarked, Oh, it looks like the interview is finally over, and I can go ho and get so sleep!
Yes, Mr. Carn has clarified everything. Everyone will know about Sirius replacent early tomorrow morning, and we can all go back. Ms. Skeeter hurriedly approached the photographer, afraid that Jerry might say sothing against her at that mont.
Jerry simply smiled and didnt say much. In fact, as long as Ms. Skeeter didnt cause any trouble, he wouldnt expose anything. After all, it would be difficult to explain how he knew about Ms. Skeeters Animagus transformation.
However, if she did cause trouble, he wouldnt bother going to the Ministry of Magic to expose her. He had countless ways to deal with her without being detected by the Ministry.
Professor Snape, about the bonus?
Jerry lightly touched Professor Snapes arm and whispered.
Snape, who knew Jerry well, imdiately understood his intention. After coughing, he addressed Fudge, who was about to step into the fireplace.
Minister Fudge, according to the previous bounty offered by the Ministry of Magic, Jerry should receive a bonus of 10,000 Galleons. I was wondering when it would be paid out.
Minister Fudge paused with his short and stout figure and then turned his head, smiling forcedly. Oh, yes, I almost forgot about that. Tomorrow, the Ministry of Magic will send 10,000 Galleons to Gringotts and deposit them into Mr. Carns vault.
It wasnt that he had forgotten; he simply wanted to see if he could avoid paying the bonus altogether. After all, 10,000 gold Galleons was not a small sum.
But he didnt expect it to end that way.
Many thanks to Minister Fudge. You know Jerry is still an orphan, and this bonus ans a lot to him! Snape remained expressionless but conveyed sothing to Jerry.
Jerry stood beside Snape, silently complinting his head of the house.
If it werent for him being a Seeker for the English Quidditch team, I would believe you!
When Fudge heard Snapes words, he inwardly grumbled but replied generously, Thats what Mr. Carn deserves. At the Ministry of Magic, we always keep our word. Its just 10,000 Galleons, after all!
He grabbed a handful of Floo powder and disappeared in flas.
Once all three of them had left, Snape glanced at Jerry. Alright, Jerry, its getting late. Go back and rest.
Thank you, Professor! Jerry chuckled twice, bid farewell to Dumbledore and the other professors, then turned and left the headmasters office.
Within a few hours, he had earned 10,000 Galleons, and with the release of his magic book, he would receive another substantial sum. It was safe to say that he would no longer have to worry about Galleons for a while.
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