Skeeter Chronicles Chapter Twelve
Title: Skeeter Chronicles
Rating: This chapter PG
Author: SoLeo
Word Count: +1600
Warnings: *EWE*
Disclaimer: You know I don't own them.
Summary: In which Rita Skeeter attempts to get the exclusive of a lifetime.
AN: I swear I only get time to write from midnight to 2 a.m. I hope you all know that I sacrifice sleep to write for you. J
Chapter Twelve
I certainly wasn’t expecting a commotion when I descended from the Headmaster’s tower to greet my new DADA teacher and Slytherin Head of House Dack Fadden on Friday morning. When I rounded the corner to bring the entrance in sight I saw three things: Peeves laughing hysterically, Fadden trussed up stuck to the wall with invisible bindings struggling to free himself, and Harry arguing with Minerva.
“He had no right professor!” Harry yelled.
“Calm down Harry. I’m sure we can talk this out like adults.” Minerva was trying to pacify him, but wasn’t having any luck.
“I don’t care who he is, he is disrespectful and vulgar and I won’t have it.” Harry’s face was splotched with red in a combination of anger and embarrassment.
“It was just a misunderstanding.” Fadden got out but was silenced immediately by a wave of Harry’s hand. While not being quite the master as myself, Fadden was a leader in defensive spells and shouldn’t have been caught unawares. His physique suggested an active lifestyle with plenty of exercise. Also while only being a decade older than me I see his sandy hair is beginning to be peppered with grey. His brown eyes bugged out, very unbecomingly, at Harry’s wandless, wordless magic.
“I don’t want to hear a word out of you… you…”
“Cretin? Buffoon, nitwit?” My voice stops all activity, except Peeves who just continues to laugh.
“I was going to use something closer to jackass actually.” Harry looks down at his feet looking very contrite.
“And why do you have Mr. Fadden, my new defense teacher, stuck to the wall? He is barely in the doors, hardly an opportunity for him to start causing trouble yet.” I glare at Peeves, it doesn’t stop him laughing but he floats away to parts unknown.
“When I arrived on the scene Harry was throwing hexes at Mr. Fadden and then pinned him to the wall. He has yet to tell me what actually caused him to rise to violence.” Minerva reports.
Harry turns an alarming shade of red, and his mouth clamps shut.
“Maybe Minerva you could take Mr. Fadden up to my office and get some tea, while I discuss this with Harry. I’ll be up in a moment to get his point of view. Harry, if you please.” I point at Fadden, still stuck in place, and Harry releases him without a word.
Once they are gone I look at Harry. He is toeing the floor and avoiding my gaze. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Not really.” His shoulders slump and his robes are suddenly fascinating as his eyes are glued to them.
“Are you going to anyways?” I cast muffliato as I approach him cautiously. “I promise not to yell, unless you deserve it.” I draw him into an embrace. It takes a moment for him to grab my robes and he sighs.
“I got upset.” His voice is muffled by my robes.
“I gathered that. What did Mr. Fadden do that upset you?”
“I met him at the apparition point and we walked in together. He was asking me all sorts of personal questions and making a few rude comments too and then, when we got inside he cornered me…” He had started off strong, but by the end I couldn’t hear a word.
“I didn’t hear that, what did he do?” He tightens his hold on me.
“… He kissed me.”
I freeze, while rage takes over my brain. How dare that man. How dare he touch Harry in that way, in any way?! “Tell me again, I would like the details this time.” I’m not sure if he notices my anger as he is so full of his own.
“We just happen to meet at the apparition point. Apparently he read the Daily Prophet and assumed I enjoy the company of older men and thought I would want to experiment with him. I have never felt so insulted, as if I was someone with such loose morals I would accept any one offered to me. When we got inside I tried to move past him to go up and see you. That’s when he pushed me against the wall and tried to stick his tongue in my mouth. I think I bit him. That’s when I started cursing. I wasn’t really going to hurt him, but he just got me so mad.”
During his retelling Harry broke away from my hold and paced in front of the door, his hands waving wildly emphasizing his point and then by the end tugging at his hair. I became just as incensed, but remained still. I don’t want to have to look for another suitable teacher, but at the moment I don’t think I can be in the same room with the man, I’m liable to start shooting off hexes myself. I take a few calming breaths, nope still mad. I take a few more.
“I need to see what Mr. Fadden has to say for himself. He needs to know that his advances are not accepted. Any more inappropriateness from him will result in termination. I can’t have that kind of behavior in front of the students, especially from a teacher. Are you calm enough to up there with me?”
Harry shakes his head. “Not quite yet. Can I just wait for you in your chambers?”
“Of course.” We walk in silence, each of us working on maintaining a calm demeanor. At the tower door I speak the password that opens the door to my personal chambers and then take the stairs up to the office.
I take one more deep breath before opening the door to see Minerva and Fadden sitting down with tea. The service is still on my desk and I go get myself a cup before speaking.
“Minerva, did Mr. Fadden enlighten you on what happened downstairs?” She has an amused expression and I wonder what kind of lies he has told her to get her on his side.
“No actually, in fact whatever it is that Mr. Potter did caused Mr. Fadden to be unable to speak. He hasn’t said a word.” Now I can see the humor in her eyes is the result of Harry’s actions. My fierce expression is compromised as I want to laugh at his predicament.
“Well, Mr. Fadden I will relay what Mr. Potter has told me of the encounter and you just nod or shake your head in the appropriate spots.” The man knows he’s in trouble but doesn’t look away. I would commend his courage, but I’m not merciful by nature. “You met at the apparition point outside the gates.” He nods. “To make conversation you talk about the recent news, mostly articles of a personal nature relating to Mr. Potter.” Another nod. “When he ignored your obvious advances you persisted.” He shakes his head, opens his mouth to comment and closes it again when nothing comes out. “Come now, he’s an attractive young man and you wanted to pursue him. He must have just been playing coy with you. You are a fit older gentleman and not unattractive, he would come around with the right persuasion.”
“He didn’t!” Minerva has figured it out now, and looks shocked. Fadden nods, his head hanging a little lower in shame.
“Entering the building, while still alone, you stopped him and, unsolicited, you kissed him.” I’m gripping my teacup so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter. Fadden nods and is no longer able to meet the fury in our combined gazes.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Minerva takes up the rant, commenting on how inappropriate he was, and how badly it would reflect on the school if it got out. I let her continue, her dressing down most fitting in this circumstance. “Mr. Potter is not some conquest that you can attempt.” I take a quiet sense of joy from his discomfort. I’ve never seen someone his age with ears that shade of red before. “You’re a grown man and should know better.”
He looked genuinely penitent, but looks could be deceiving. I would be keeping my eyes on him. “Alright Minerva, I think you’ve made your point. Mr. Fadden would you like to apologize now? Perhaps Mr. Potter will retract his spell to allow you to speak again. You won’t be of any use to me if you won’t be able to teach your classes.” He nods. “I’ll try to convince him to come up. You just wait here.”
Harry is sitting on my floor, legs crossed, eyes closed, breathing deep and steady. “Did he say he was sorry?” His eyes stay closed as he speaks.
“Not exactly. You efficiently silenced him and he is currently mute. He’s been listening to Minerva berate him for his abhorrent behavior for the last ten minutes without being able to get in a word. He’s ready to apologize as soon as you let him. I recommend waiting at least another thirty minutes and let him squirm.” He laughs, and my anger evaporates.
“Ok. I like that idea. Whatever shall we do to pass the time?” He opens his eyes and his gaze lingers on me, heat begins to pool in my belly.
“You could start with why you came to visit me in the first place. I was not expecting to see you until tomorrow.” I beckon him over and we sit on the couch and Harry snuggles in close.
“I wanted to be the first to show you today’s paper.” He pulls out a copy of the Prophet from his robes and turns to page two: Rita Skeeter arrested for violation of restraining order.
“You should have seen Malfoy at the hearing yesterday. He was brilliant.” His smile as he reminisces is brilliant. I decide that I’ve heard enough and share with him a congratulatory kiss.
Rating: This chapter PG
Author: SoLeo
Word Count: +1600
Warnings: *EWE*
Disclaimer: You know I don't own them.
Summary: In which Rita Skeeter attempts to get the exclusive of a lifetime.
AN: I swear I only get time to write from midnight to 2 a.m. I hope you all know that I sacrifice sleep to write for you. J
Chapter Twelve
I certainly wasn’t expecting a commotion when I descended from the Headmaster’s tower to greet my new DADA teacher and Slytherin Head of House Dack Fadden on Friday morning. When I rounded the corner to bring the entrance in sight I saw three things: Peeves laughing hysterically, Fadden trussed up stuck to the wall with invisible bindings struggling to free himself, and Harry arguing with Minerva.
“He had no right professor!” Harry yelled.
“Calm down Harry. I’m sure we can talk this out like adults.” Minerva was trying to pacify him, but wasn’t having any luck.
“I don’t care who he is, he is disrespectful and vulgar and I won’t have it.” Harry’s face was splotched with red in a combination of anger and embarrassment.
“It was just a misunderstanding.” Fadden got out but was silenced immediately by a wave of Harry’s hand. While not being quite the master as myself, Fadden was a leader in defensive spells and shouldn’t have been caught unawares. His physique suggested an active lifestyle with plenty of exercise. Also while only being a decade older than me I see his sandy hair is beginning to be peppered with grey. His brown eyes bugged out, very unbecomingly, at Harry’s wandless, wordless magic.
“I don’t want to hear a word out of you… you…”
“Cretin? Buffoon, nitwit?” My voice stops all activity, except Peeves who just continues to laugh.
“I was going to use something closer to jackass actually.” Harry looks down at his feet looking very contrite.
“And why do you have Mr. Fadden, my new defense teacher, stuck to the wall? He is barely in the doors, hardly an opportunity for him to start causing trouble yet.” I glare at Peeves, it doesn’t stop him laughing but he floats away to parts unknown.
“When I arrived on the scene Harry was throwing hexes at Mr. Fadden and then pinned him to the wall. He has yet to tell me what actually caused him to rise to violence.” Minerva reports.
Harry turns an alarming shade of red, and his mouth clamps shut.
“Maybe Minerva you could take Mr. Fadden up to my office and get some tea, while I discuss this with Harry. I’ll be up in a moment to get his point of view. Harry, if you please.” I point at Fadden, still stuck in place, and Harry releases him without a word.
Once they are gone I look at Harry. He is toeing the floor and avoiding my gaze. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Not really.” His shoulders slump and his robes are suddenly fascinating as his eyes are glued to them.
“Are you going to anyways?” I cast muffliato as I approach him cautiously. “I promise not to yell, unless you deserve it.” I draw him into an embrace. It takes a moment for him to grab my robes and he sighs.
“I got upset.” His voice is muffled by my robes.
“I gathered that. What did Mr. Fadden do that upset you?”
“I met him at the apparition point and we walked in together. He was asking me all sorts of personal questions and making a few rude comments too and then, when we got inside he cornered me…” He had started off strong, but by the end I couldn’t hear a word.
“I didn’t hear that, what did he do?” He tightens his hold on me.
“… He kissed me.”
I freeze, while rage takes over my brain. How dare that man. How dare he touch Harry in that way, in any way?! “Tell me again, I would like the details this time.” I’m not sure if he notices my anger as he is so full of his own.
“We just happen to meet at the apparition point. Apparently he read the Daily Prophet and assumed I enjoy the company of older men and thought I would want to experiment with him. I have never felt so insulted, as if I was someone with such loose morals I would accept any one offered to me. When we got inside I tried to move past him to go up and see you. That’s when he pushed me against the wall and tried to stick his tongue in my mouth. I think I bit him. That’s when I started cursing. I wasn’t really going to hurt him, but he just got me so mad.”
During his retelling Harry broke away from my hold and paced in front of the door, his hands waving wildly emphasizing his point and then by the end tugging at his hair. I became just as incensed, but remained still. I don’t want to have to look for another suitable teacher, but at the moment I don’t think I can be in the same room with the man, I’m liable to start shooting off hexes myself. I take a few calming breaths, nope still mad. I take a few more.
“I need to see what Mr. Fadden has to say for himself. He needs to know that his advances are not accepted. Any more inappropriateness from him will result in termination. I can’t have that kind of behavior in front of the students, especially from a teacher. Are you calm enough to up there with me?”
Harry shakes his head. “Not quite yet. Can I just wait for you in your chambers?”
“Of course.” We walk in silence, each of us working on maintaining a calm demeanor. At the tower door I speak the password that opens the door to my personal chambers and then take the stairs up to the office.
I take one more deep breath before opening the door to see Minerva and Fadden sitting down with tea. The service is still on my desk and I go get myself a cup before speaking.
“Minerva, did Mr. Fadden enlighten you on what happened downstairs?” She has an amused expression and I wonder what kind of lies he has told her to get her on his side.
“No actually, in fact whatever it is that Mr. Potter did caused Mr. Fadden to be unable to speak. He hasn’t said a word.” Now I can see the humor in her eyes is the result of Harry’s actions. My fierce expression is compromised as I want to laugh at his predicament.
“Well, Mr. Fadden I will relay what Mr. Potter has told me of the encounter and you just nod or shake your head in the appropriate spots.” The man knows he’s in trouble but doesn’t look away. I would commend his courage, but I’m not merciful by nature. “You met at the apparition point outside the gates.” He nods. “To make conversation you talk about the recent news, mostly articles of a personal nature relating to Mr. Potter.” Another nod. “When he ignored your obvious advances you persisted.” He shakes his head, opens his mouth to comment and closes it again when nothing comes out. “Come now, he’s an attractive young man and you wanted to pursue him. He must have just been playing coy with you. You are a fit older gentleman and not unattractive, he would come around with the right persuasion.”
“He didn’t!” Minerva has figured it out now, and looks shocked. Fadden nods, his head hanging a little lower in shame.
“Entering the building, while still alone, you stopped him and, unsolicited, you kissed him.” I’m gripping my teacup so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter. Fadden nods and is no longer able to meet the fury in our combined gazes.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Minerva takes up the rant, commenting on how inappropriate he was, and how badly it would reflect on the school if it got out. I let her continue, her dressing down most fitting in this circumstance. “Mr. Potter is not some conquest that you can attempt.” I take a quiet sense of joy from his discomfort. I’ve never seen someone his age with ears that shade of red before. “You’re a grown man and should know better.”
He looked genuinely penitent, but looks could be deceiving. I would be keeping my eyes on him. “Alright Minerva, I think you’ve made your point. Mr. Fadden would you like to apologize now? Perhaps Mr. Potter will retract his spell to allow you to speak again. You won’t be of any use to me if you won’t be able to teach your classes.” He nods. “I’ll try to convince him to come up. You just wait here.”
Harry is sitting on my floor, legs crossed, eyes closed, breathing deep and steady. “Did he say he was sorry?” His eyes stay closed as he speaks.
“Not exactly. You efficiently silenced him and he is currently mute. He’s been listening to Minerva berate him for his abhorrent behavior for the last ten minutes without being able to get in a word. He’s ready to apologize as soon as you let him. I recommend waiting at least another thirty minutes and let him squirm.” He laughs, and my anger evaporates.
“Ok. I like that idea. Whatever shall we do to pass the time?” He opens his eyes and his gaze lingers on me, heat begins to pool in my belly.
“You could start with why you came to visit me in the first place. I was not expecting to see you until tomorrow.” I beckon him over and we sit on the couch and Harry snuggles in close.
“I wanted to be the first to show you today’s paper.” He pulls out a copy of the Prophet from his robes and turns to page two: Rita Skeeter arrested for violation of restraining order.
“You should have seen Malfoy at the hearing yesterday. He was brilliant.” His smile as he reminisces is brilliant. I decide that I’ve heard enough and share with him a congratulatory kiss.