Rita had interviewed several professors, only to gain very little.
Professor McGonagall, with her usual stern expression, said Charlie was an excellent student, disciplined and polite.
Professor Flitwick was practically bouncing with excitement, praising Charlie's immense talent and promising future.
Even Professor Sprout merely offered a gentle nod of approval, expressing her admiration for Charlie.
To Rita, these glowing remarks were as stale as last week's pumpkin pasties.
Good student? Talented young wizard? That kind of overused persona didn't sell papers.
What she needed was explosive news, something that would set the entire wizarding world ablaze.
She reached for her Quick-Quotes Quill tucked in her robes, a sharp gleam flashing in her eyes.
If the direct interviews weren't yielding anything juicy, it was time to dig sideways.
She needed to find Charlie's peers, classmates who might reveal unknown secrets.
Best case scenario: she uncovered some shady, hidden history behind this so-called prodigy.
Clicking across the floor in high heels, Rita strutted toward the Great Hall, already brainstorming scandalous headlines.
"Shocking Secrets: The Dark Side of the Potions Prodigy"
"Exclusive Leak: The Hidden Past of Charlie White"
The mere thought was intoxicating.
The Great Hall was relatively quiet; most students were buried in books, prepping for the upcoming end-of-term exams.
Rita scanned the room until her eyes landed on the Gryffindor table.
Three students sat there, two boys engrossed in a game of wizard chess.
"Harry, it's your move," said the redheaded boy.
Harry frowned at the board, clearly deep in thought.
Nearby, a girl huffed impatiently. "Stop playing already! We need to revise!"
"Finals are right around the corner. What if you both flunk?"
The redhead, Ron, didn't even glance up. "Relax, Hermione. We've already done loads of revision. It's time to unwind."
Hermione stomped her foot. "At this rate, if either of you only score an 'E' for Exceeds Expectations, you'll deserve it."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Honestly, I'd be thrilled to get an E."
Rita's ears perked up.
Harry Potter.
The Boy Who Lived himself!
If she could get Harry to comment on this rising star of the potion world, that would be newsworthy beyond belief.
Fluffing her golden curls, she made her way over to the Gryffindor table in her high heels.
"Pardon me," she said with a sugary professional smile. "I'm Rita Skeeter, reporter for the Daily Prophet. I'm currently compiling a feature on Charlie White."
All three students looked up.
"Miss Skeeter, hello," Harry said politely, looking a bit uneasy.
"We're happy to be interviewed."
"Oh, what an honor!" Rita clapped her hands dramatically.
"To think I get to interview the famous Harry Potter! This Hogwarts trip just keeps getting better!"
She whipped out her quill and parchment and seated herself opposite him.
"As someone of the same age, what's your impression of Charlie White?"
Harry considered for a moment, then answered honestly.
"Charlie is really impressive. His talent in every subject is amazing."
"He's also a good person. He often helps other students."
The Quick-Quotes Quill scribbled furiously. Rita nodded, satisfied.
"And as another highly visible young wizard- "
Her tone suddenly turned sharp.
"Do you feel jealous of Charlie's rising fame? Even just a little?"
All three looked visibly uncomfortable.
Ron frowned, and Hermione stopped mid-page turn.
Harry was quiet for a moment, then said calmly:
"I suppose I do envy him a little. But I'm not jealous."
"He's earned every bit of what he has. He deserves it."
The quill flew into a frenzy, writing well beyond Harry's words:
"The Boy Who Lived admits to jealousy, says Charlie's success is just good luck. Claims he'd do just as well with the same chance. Relationship said to be tense."
"And do you think Charlie's success is due more to talent, or luck?" Rita pressed, her eyes gleaming.
Harry blinked at the odd question.
"Obviously talent, and hard work."
Of course, Charlie didn't exactly scream "hard-working" in daily life, but Harry knew how to say the right thing for an interview.
Still, the quill kept embellishing:
"Harry insists Charlie's success is pure luck. Says with the same resources, he'd surpass him."
"And being in the same year, are you two close? Is there a rivalry?"
"After all, you're the Boy Who Lived, and he's the Potions Prodigy..."
Hermione had had enough. She snapped her book shut.
"That's enough!" she stood, glaring at Rita.
"Are you conducting an interview, or stirring up drama?"
"We won't answer any more of your loaded questions!"
Rita raised an amused eyebrow. "And you are?"
"Hermione Granger," she said proudly. "Harry's friend."
"Oh?" Rita's eyes lit up.
"And you and Mr. White? Also friends?"
"Of course. We're all friends," Hermione replied firmly.
The quill nearly tore the parchment from how violently it was scribbling:
"Rumored rift between Harry and Charlie likely caused by young witch named Hermione. Tension over affections. Magical duel expected. Hermione chooses Harry. Charlie heartbreaks in silence."
Now this... this was gold.
Rita beamed as she packed away her things, her mind already composing tomorrow's headlines.
"Scandal Unveiled: Love and Rivalry Between the Boy Who Lived and the Potion Prodigy!"
"Exclusive Scoop: Hogwarts' Explosive Love Triangle"
Even thinking about it made her heart race.
…
After the interviews, just as Charlie was about to leave, Dumbledore gently stopped him.
"Charlie, a word, if you would."
The other professors in the office quietly excused themselves, leaving the two alone.
"Headmaster?" Charlie asked, puzzled.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with knowing light.
"Your accomplishments are admirable, Charlie," he said slowly.
"To create a potion that heals soul injuries, it is unprecedented in magical history."
"But," he added, his tone shifting, "do you know how to manage what comes next?"
Charlie frowned slightly. "What do you mean, sir?"
"The Soul-Healing Elixir is more than just a potion," Dumbledore said seriously.
"It represents immense commercial value... and with that comes disputes, temptation, and danger."
Only now did Charlie realize how serious this was.
Thankfully, the wisest man in the wizarding world was right in front of him.
"I'd like your advice, Professor."
Dumbledore smiled.
"There are three paths."
He raised one finger.
"First, you could patent the formula."
"The Ministry will protect your intellectual property. Anyone wishing to produce the elixir must pay a fee."
"Steady long-term income, but the formula will be public. Other potion masters may replicate it."
Charlie nodded. Not bad.
Dumbledore raised a second finger.
"Second, keep the recipe secret."
"Only you will know how to brew it. You can dominate the market."
"Short-term profit will be highest. But if anyone breaks your formula, your monopoly ends. Long-term risk is high."
Charlie waited for the third.
Dumbledore raised a third finger, solemn now.
"Third, share the formula openly."
"You'll earn the least... but your name will go down in history."
"Hogwarts will record you in its chronicles. The wizarding world will never forget you."
"More importantly, those suffering from soul injuries will have hope."
Charlie fell silent.
He had gold. He wasn't hurting for Galleons.
It wasn't as if he'd brew it for free, but trading the recipe for legacy… wasn't so bad.
Besides, this potion was so complex that only true masters could brew it. Even with the formula, most wouldn't manage it.
He had succeeded because the system gave him not just the recipe, but the experience.
"I choose the third," Charlie said firmly.
Dumbledore's eyes lit up with quiet joy, a smile tugging at his lips.
That was the answer he'd hoped for.
He walked over and gently patted Charlie's shoulder.
"For your contribution to wizardkind, I shall recommend you for the Order of Merlin, Second Class."
<><>---------------------------------------
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