bioinnovel Chapter 331 Professional Rita
Chapter 331 Professional Rita
Chapter 331 Professional Rita
Was Dumbledore a schemer?
In the past, Belvina would give an affirmative answer after thinking for a long time.
Now, Belvina would just laugh and ask in return: Does that matter?
Conspiracy theories or conspirators, it doesn't matter.
The important thing is that Dumbledore is a good man, and that's enough.
While Belvina was lost in thought, the conversation at the table shifted from the esteemed Dumbledore back to the woman.
Although Hagrid kept saying he wouldn't be bothered by that woman anymore, he couldn't help but mention her and talk about her.
It felt like Hagrid blurted out, "I loved you," even though he hadn't asked anything.
Before the Triwizard Tournament, no one could have imagined that the Hogwarts Game Keeper would have such a remarkable comeback.
During the three-way battle, no one could have imagined that the flowering old tree was so affectionate.
Soon, the bucket-sized wine glass was empty, and Hagrid stood up unsteadily, bidding farewell to the four.
"It's about time, I should go," Hagrid said. "I have a card game planned at the Pig's Head to relax."
The Hog's Head Pub is another pub in Hogsmeade Village. It is small and dark, filthy, covered in thick grime, and has a pungent, rotten smell in the air.
Not only is the Pig Head Bar filthy and chaotic, but its clientele is also a mixed bag, with all sorts of people, many of whom cover themselves up completely, looking like they're not meant to be seen.
If Belvina had to choose, she would still prefer the warm and bright three brooms.
After all, the waiters at the Pighead Bar were eccentric, while Ms. Rosmerta was a ripe peach.
Hagrid, eager to get to his card game, waved and strode toward the shop entrance. He pushed open the door, and a gust of cold wind rushed into the shop.
Hagrid's hairy face contorted with disgust as he saw a repulsive person—Rita Skeeter.
Given Rita Skeeter's false statements about Dumbledore, it would be strange if Hagrid gave her a friendly look.
Hagrid hates Rita Skeeter, and Rita doesn't like Hagrid either.
Before being banned from Hogwarts, Rita had tried to interview Hagrid, hoping to hear something different from him.
As expected, Rita got nothing; she neither heard Hagrid speak ill of Dumbledore nor heard anything bad about Harry.
The two, who disliked each other, brushed past each other; one went into the warm indoors, while the other went outside into the cold wind.
Rita Skeeter, standing at the tavern entrance, quickly scanned the area and soon spotted Belvina sitting by the window, as well as Sirius Black.
The unscrupulous reporter instinctively wanted to back away, to push open the door and run out, to get as far away from the prisoners of Azkaban as possible.
With just a moment's hesitation, Rita had no chance to retreat; Belvina had already spotted her.
"You guys chat first, the person I arranged to meet has arrived," Belvina said, standing up. "I'll be right back."
With that, Belvina left her seat and walked towards the bar.
"Over here, Rita." Belvina waved to Rita Skeeter.
Then, Belvina said to Ms. Rosmerta at the bar, "Flaming whiskey, thank you. And I need a quiet place."
"No problem, Miss Black," Ms. Rosmerta readily agreed.
Ms. Rosmerta stepped out from behind the bar and led Belvina and Rita Skeeter to a small booth at the back of the pub.
After entering the cramped cubicle, Ms. Rosmerta put down a glass of flaming whiskey, then swayed her hips as she left.
Suddenly, only Belvina and Rita remained in the small cubicle.
"Please." Belvina pushed the whiskey towards her. "I heard you like to drink this."
Rita Skeeter placed the crocodile handbag on the table, her eyes fixed on Belvina.
She said, "Do you know what I've been through lately? I almost died! If I had died, it would all be because of you!"
"I will miss you, Rita," Belvina said. "If you are religious, I can also pray for you."
The unscrupulous female reporter was so angry she laughed. Witch, prayer—do those two words even have anything to do with each other?!
"Damn Crouch, damn house-elves!" Rita Skeeter snarled. "I almost got swatted like a bug by those house-elves!"
Instantly, a picture appeared in Belvina's mind.
A chubby beetle flew into Crouch's house and was then relentlessly chased by house-elves.
"That house-elf's name is Sparkle, I really want to kill her," Rita Skeeter said viciously.
The unscrupulous female reporter then descended into a state of impotent rage, spewing profanities as her oral gymnastics subjected the house-elf Sparkle to ten forms of torture.
Belvina listened patiently with a smile as Rita Skeeter unleashed her furious outburst, which was not only directed at the house-elves but also at Belvina herself.
Rita only stopped when she was tired of cursing and her mouth was dry. She picked up the Flaming Whiskey and took a sip.
"If you're still thirsty, we can get something else," Belvina said with a smile. Her attitude was so good that Sirius was envious.
However, this very good attitude aroused Rita Skeeter's suspicion.
"Did you poison my drink?" she asked. "Did you conspire with Rosmerta to poison my drink?"
"Would you like me to have a drink with you?" Belvina said, making a gesture as if to take the glass.
Rita abruptly picked up her glass, saying with lingering fear, "No need. The more open you are, the more afraid I become."
As she spoke, Rita took another sip of the Flaming Whitney before placing the glass back on the table.
After a while, as the dryness in her mouth subsided slightly, Rita Skeeter spoke again, recounting the results of her recent investigation.
She said, "That old Crouch's life is so boring. He either works at the Ministry of Magic or stays at home and doesn't go anywhere."
I won't see anyone.
Belvina nodded to indicate that she was listening, and gestured for Rita to continue.
"Does Barty Crouch have no friends?" Rita asked. "I've never seen anyone visit him."
In the past, Barty Crouch may have had friends.
But it's hard to say whether he still has any friends after sending his own son to Azkaban.
"He comes home every day, sits down, and continues working," Rita said. "How much does the Ministry of Magic pay him to work this hard?"
Belvina's gaze wandered, and she did not respond.
As is well known, Barty Crouch is a workaholic whose passion for his work cannot be measured in money.
"Honestly, I've never met anyone as boring as Crouch," Rita complained. "If it weren't for his house-elf, I'd think he was mute."
Perhaps getting angrier the more she thought about it, Rita Skeeter took a big gulp of fire whiskey.
She continued, "Crouch's daily conversations with the house-elves are also boring; there's nothing worth exploring. I'm starting to doubt whether what you're saying is even true."
"What did you find?" Belvina asked. "You wouldn't have come to see me if you hadn't found anything."
Rita Skeeter grabbed the crocodile skin handbag and rummaged through it for a while.
"Look at this," Rita said, pulling a piece of parchment from her handbag. It was covered with writing.
Belvina reached out and took the parchment. It was filled with dates and food names, which seemed to be Crouch's family's daily meals.
"Do you see anything wrong?" Rita took another sip of Flaming Whitkey.
"Mr. Crouch has a great appetite," Belvina said. "He eats enough for me for several days."
"That old Crouch doesn't have a good appetite," Rita said. "He lives alone, with that damn house-elf Sparky."
It's clear that Rita harbors a deep grudge against the house-elf who almost killed her.
"In other words, there are likely other people in Crouch's house," Belvina said softly.
"That's what I think," Rita Skeeter said confidently. "There's definitely someone hiding in his house, but I haven't found any trace of that person yet."
She suddenly lowered her voice and continued mysteriously, "That person might be Barty Crouch Jr., or someone else, but either way, it's big news, big-selling news."
Rita Skeeter looked quite pleased with herself for uncovering such a big story.
She firmly believed that as long as she persisted in her investigation, she would eventually uncover all of Crouch's secrets.
When the time comes, as long as the slightly embellished "truth" is presented, fame and fortune are inevitable, and further advancement is not impossible.
Rita Skeeter knew nothing. She had no idea how big Crouch's secret was or who was behind it. All she wanted now was fame and fortune, and she dreamed of reaching the pinnacle of life.
Belvina, on the other hand, was not interested in fame and fortune. She was more interested in knowing who Barty Crouch, who was out in the public eye, really was—his father or his son.
Furthermore, the Dark Mark on the Death Eaters' arms is becoming clearer, and Voldemort, who has returned to England, is gradually regaining his power. Where is Thanatos hiding? Could he be hiding in Crouch's house?
Wait a minute, if Death Eaters and Karkaroff with the Dark Mark can sense the Dark Mark growing stronger, then the other Death Eaters must be able to sense it too. What will they do next?
Although she had countless questions that urgently needed answers, Belvina showed no sign of it on her face, and the joy on her face looked similar to that of Rita Skeeter.
"Congratulations, Rita, congratulations on getting one step closer to the truth," Belvina said with a smile. "I believe in you, with your professionalism..."
It's only a matter of time before the Crouch family's secrets are uncovered.
Upon hearing this, Rita Skeeter gripped her crocodile-skin handbag tightly and looked at Belvina warily.
"Don't give me that. I don't know why you're so determined to pick a fight with Crouch, but this is definitely not simple; there's a much bigger conspiracy behind it!"
From Rita Skeeter's perspective, Belvina had every reason, both personally and professionally, to deal with Barty Crouch, but there was no need to go so far as to eliminate him completely.
Once Barty Crouch Jr. is confirmed to be alive, Barty Crouch will be completely finished, his reputation ruined both in life and after death.
Therefore, Rita Skeeter suspects that Belvina has ulterior motives and that her target is not just Barty Crouch.
"I don't want to know what you're going to do, and I don't care what you're going to do. After it's done, I just want what I deserve." - Rita
Skeeter said, "The portion you promised me."
Having said that, Rita Skeeter picked up her glass and drank the fiery whiskey in one gulp.
Then, Rita Skeeter put the glass back on the table, opened the door, and went out.
.