OWL: Dear Daddy...

[shh_rita]

Date: 8 April 2005
Characters: Rita Skeeter, [Alistair Skeeter]
Location: Rita's home
Status: Private
Summary: Rita writes to her father.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_rita]

Alistair Skeeter didn't think he'd seen that bird before, but he knew before he even opened the letter that it must have belonged to Rita. No one else he'd ever known would have a bird that beautiful, showy and more than likely impractical.

His daughter was certainly different. He wasn't surprised when the owl turned its nose up at his toast and took one of his sardines instead. The one she'd had before the war, that had eaten fish, too, hadn't it?

A smile curled his lips as he unrolled the parchment. Then abruptly faded as he reached the end of the note. He stared at it a long time, until his hands started to shake so hard that Rita's curling script blurred before his eyes.

Henrietta Lockhart. He was angry and terrified all at once. Slammed his hand down onto the desk to stop the bloody trembling. This was just like her - it was just like Rita to wrap venomous words in polite inquiry. She knew. Oh, Merlin, she knew. He'd used a false name in all his dealings with the woman. If she knew he was her client, then she knew.

It was so long ago. He hadn't even thought about Henrietta in years. And... Gilderoy? Hadn't she told him the boy's name was something else?

Alistair took a long breath, rubbed his eyes, stared at the parchment. Well, there was one thing he knew. If Rita had found out, there was no way in hell she was ever going to leave it alone.

By God, he'd taught her that blasted curiosity.

Dear Rita,

I'm glad to hear your newspaper plans are going well. Your mother and I certainly have been reading the Prophet, and we're impressed with what you're doing.

As for Henrietta Lockhart, I don't really think an owl is the best place for this conversation. Perhaps I can come and see you, buy you lunch, and we can talk over that. Would Tuesday suit?

Love,

Dad

[shh_rita]

Dad,

Tuesday sounds fine. I'll make a booking at one of the local places for 1pm. The apparition coordinates for my apartment building are at the bottom of this note. I'm in number 3B. We'll talk when you get here.

Rita