Hogwarts: Third Dark Lord

After a bit of banter with the others, Wentworth yawned. Seeing this, the three exchanged goodnights and returned to their respective dormitories.

However, back in his dormitory, Wentworth didn't immediately rest. The yawn he displayed earlier was merely for Cedric and Kirk's benefit.

The moment he was alone, Wentworth pulled out a quill and parchment, carefully documenting every detail of what had transpired that evening. He planned to send the letter to Rosier and Abernathy by owl the next day.

In Wentworth's view, Rosier and Abernathy, both skilled practitioners of the Dark Arts, might know the origins of the Dark Wizards from that night.

While Wentworth was busy writing in his dormitory, another individual had already placed a finished article on the desk of the editor-in-chief of The Daily Prophet.

The editor-in-chief hesitated as he reviewed the article written by Rita Skeeter. Yet, under Rita's persuasion, the editor relented, summoning a staff member to deliver her manuscript for printing, instructing them to place it prominently on the front page of the next day's edition.

Alongside Rita's article was a magical photograph. In the image, Wentworth stood wide-eyed, seemingly startled, as he hid behind Albus Dumbledore.

The next morning, Wentworth, carrying the letter he'd written the night before, headed to the Great Hall for breakfast with Cedric, intending to send the letter via Hogwarts' owls afterward.

As they ate, a flurry of owls swooped into the Great Hall, delivering letters, packages, and, of course, the day's issue of The Daily Prophet.

The hall, usually abuzz with cheerful chatter, suddenly grew louder, though this time with raised voices and scattered exclamations. Somewhere within the crowd, a sharp curse rang out, catching everyone's attention.

Soon, murmurs filled the Great Hall, with occasional bursts of outrage punctuating the noise.

Wentworth, initially focused on his meal, frowned as the commotion grew. He looked up just in time to see Kirk hurrying toward him with a copy of The Daily Prophet in hand.

Before Kirk could speak, Wentworth preemptively remarked, "What's this? Am I on the front page again?"

Kirk froze for a moment before sighing and offering a bitter smile. "Indeed, congratulations, Wentworth. It's your second appearance in The Daily Prophet before your first year has even ended. This time, though, you're more of a side note."

Handing over the newspaper, Kirk watched as Wentworth unfolded it. His eyes were immediately drawn to the photograph on the front page.

Say what you will about Rita Skeeter, Wentworth thought; her skills as a journalist were undeniable, if not exactly ethical. The photo, a perfectly timed snapshot, showed him with a look of wide-eyed surprise, shielded behind Dumbledore.

This image had been taken the previous night when Rita had appeared unexpectedly. At the time, the flash of her camera had been particularly startling in the dark forest, prompting Dumbledore to instinctively shield Wentworth behind him.

What seemed like a simple, protective gesture now carried a far different implication when paired with Rita's article.

The headline boldly declared:

"The Mystery of Dumbledore's Refusal to Lead the Ministry."

The article began with a tantalizing claim: an unnamed senior official from the Ministry of Magic had revealed that Dumbledore had been repeatedly offered the position of Minister for Magic, only to refuse each time.

According to Rita, Dumbledore had explained that his duties as Headmaster of Hogwarts prevented him from taking on the additional responsibilities of Minister for Magic.

But Rita quickly questioned this reasoning, suggesting that many would find it puzzling. How could the role of Minister for Magic possibly pale in comparison to that of a school headmaster?

She went on to speculate, offering several theories as to why Dumbledore might have declined the position.

Toward the article's conclusion, Rita presented her most sensational claim:

"Last night, this reporter discovered yet another potential reason for Dumbledore's repeated refusals. Deep in the southern forests of England, Dumbledore was spotted late at night in the company of a Hogwarts first-year student.

When asked why he was there, Dumbledore himself stated it was 'a matter of secrecy.'

This reporter's investigation revealed that this was not the first time Dumbledore had taken this particular student on nocturnal excursions. Earlier this year, during Hogwarts' term, Dumbledore even brought this student to the Quidditch World Cup final.

Why is Dumbledore so invested in this student? Close observation suggests that the child's most striking characteristics are his charm and aristocratic bearing. Despite his young age, his noble demeanor is undeniable.

Furthermore, during last night's events in the forest, a confrontation occurred between Dumbledore and a group of wizards. This altercation unleashed a magical force so destructive that Auror Office Head Rufus Scrimgeour himself led a team to the scene to contain the situation.

In the aftermath, the group of wizards was reduced to a single survivor, who had been Obliviated to the point of total amnesia. Clearly, someone is intent on ensuring the truth of last night's events remains hidden."

Wentworth threw the newspaper onto the table, shaking his head. Even without reading the rest, he could see the malicious intent behind the article.

The moment he'd spotted Rita Skeeter at the scene the previous night, Wentworth had known she would twist the events to suit her narrative. What he hadn't expected was the audacity with which she aimed to tarnish Dumbledore's reputation—possibly for good.

-----------------------

Want to read ahead of schedule?

Join here for advance chapters: PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON