Chapter 55: A Published Problem
Under Xenophilius Lovegood's hopeful gaze and Luna's quiet, expectant one, Elian found he couldn't say no. He nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Lovegood. That's very kind. I'd be happy to."
Luna's smile was like sunlight breaking through mist—so rare and genuine it made Elian's breath catch for a second. Xenophilius just patted his shoulder with a knowing look that made Elian want to groan internally.
Two invitations. He'd already agreed to Hermione's. How was he supposed to be in two places at once? He pushed the problem aside. He'd figure it out. Maybe with a little creative use of the Sling Ring…
A few days later, the latest issue of The Quibbler arrived at Hogwarts. Elian tried to act indifferent, but a thread of anticipation hummed beneath the surface. It was his first interview.
At lunch in the Great Hall, the usual owl post arrived in a flurry of wings and packages. Elian, sitting with Hermione, Luna, Harry, and Ron, paid little attention until two thick magazines landed with a soft thump in front of him and Harry.
A particularly odd-looking owl with tufted ears gave a chirp before flying off.
"That's my father's owl," Luna said dreamily.
Elian and Harry exchanged a glance and tore open the wrappers. The latest Quibbler stared back, its cover featuring a bold headline about 'The Truth Ministry Fears.'
"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed, snatching Harry's copy. "You're in it! Both of you! Front section!" He began reading aloud. "'The Boy Who Lived stands by his account of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return…' Crikey, Luna, your dad doesn't pull punches!"
Ginny leaned closer to Harry, her expression a mix of worry and pride.
Elian quickly found his own interview. Xenophilius had been true to his word, giving them prime space.
'HOGSMEADE HOAX: Ministry Claims Debunked by Eyewitness', the sub-headline read. The article quoted 'a Hogwarts Gryffindor student' describing how the Aurors arrived after Professor Flitwick, that there had been six Death Eaters, not five, and that one had escaped. It even mentioned his brief detention at the Ministry and a veiled suggestion that Minister Fudge had tried to obscure the truth.
Harry looked up from his copy, his eyes wide. "Elian… is all this true? About the Ministry?"
Elian just tapped the magazine in his hands, a silent confirmation. He wouldn't elaborate; they could read it for themselves.
Hermione, knowing his stubbornness, shot him a frustrated look. Ron just shook his head and kept reading.
Elian scanned the article, a faint smile on his lips. Xenophilius had captured the essence, even if the prose was… uniquely Quibbler. He was nearly at the end when his blood ran cold.
His eyes darted to a paragraph near the bottom, then snapped up to meet Hermione's. Her face had gone from curious to stormy in an instant, her eyes narrowed into lethal slits.
The paragraph in question read:
"When asked about his Christmas plans, the refreshingly candid Mr. Thorne revealed he had received not one, but two gracious invitations. He expressed particular delight at the prospect of spending the holiday with the Lovegood family, noting his great fondness for the editor's daughter, Luna."
Elian stared at the page in horror. He'd never said that! Well, not exactly like that! Xenophilius had taken a mumbled, non-committal answer and spun it into a social disaster.
He slowly looked up from the magazine to meet Hermione's gaze. It was no longer just frustrated. It was pure, unadulterated murder.
That old man set me up, Elian thought, a wave of sheer panic washing over him.
(End of Chapter)
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