Judgement Day (Hogwarts Mystery Year 7 Retell)

Chapter 29: Into the Storm.

"I'm not afraid of confrontation. It doesn't have to be an argument. We all have a voice. And they are all worth listening to." -Adam Goodes.

Steal from Umbridge, and get potential answers from Skeeter. How does anybody make a choice like that? And Ethan didn't know how it was that a journalist like Skeeter could get anything about R. But considering the fact that Skeeter was a big eyed bug, it shouldn't have come at a surprise. That woman was everywhere. He remembered hearing stories from his father, about how annoying the press could be. And then Ethan remembered how Skeeter tried to get dirt on Jacob in the middle of a prank war between Tulip and Tonks. The trio got the last laugh on Skeeter after Ethan and the girls dumped a load of Dungbombs on the woman. Ethan wondered if that was why Skeeter had a grudge against him. "Eh, you live and learn." He thought.

The first thing that Ethan made sure to do was check with Ben. 

"Hey, Ethan." Ben greeted. "You get what you need from Rita Skeeter? Do we know where Madam Xeep is?"

"Well..." Ethan started. 

"She wants you to do one more thing before she tells you where Madam Xeep is?" Ben asked knowing that was the most likely thing that Skeeter would do.

"Yep." Ethan answered.

"Wow, that is one tough nut to crack." Ben commented.

"Apparently, it will 'satisfy some readers' but they're all 'looking for the next big thing'." Ethan explained. "Or more likely Skeeter is just looking for more publicity."

"Ugh. What do we got to do around here to get information? Break into the Toad Warts Office?" Ben asked.

"You know Ben it's funny you mention that. Because that's exactly what Skeeter wants me to do. If I break into Umbitch's office and steal some information, then Skeeter will give me what I want."

"All right... then we'll break into Madam Umbitch's office." Ben declared.

"You don't seem particularly worried..." Ethan noted. How was it that Ben was scared of Snape but not Umbitch. Ethan just never understood that boy.

"Come on E. It's Umbitch. If there's one Witch that we can mess with in this Ministry it's her." Ben pointed out. 

"Well yeah." Ethan replied.

"Besides, you've done much worse things. You've dueled a dragon and defeated Rakepick in the Final Cursed Vault... not to mention, surviving Trotsky." Ben added.

"Yeah. Barely." Ethan felt that pain on his scar on his chest again. "So how are we going to do this? It's not like Umbitch is just going to let us search her office."

Ben began to wrap his brain around again. "Okay, we just need to think of a way to distract her so you can search her office." He decided.

"Distraction?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah. Seems to me that some of your past pranks could provide inspiration." Ben commented.

"I'm not sure Toad Wart would appreciate a prank... which would make it a perfect distraction!" Ethan pointed out.

"Now you just need a cover." Ben noted.

Ethan began to wrap his head again. "Cover... cover.... She'll be watching my every move. I need a cover that's more... inconspicuous." 

"That reminds me... I overheard that Magical Maintenance is performing office checks." Ben added.

The gears were spinning in Ethan's Head. "And since we're supposed to be learning about the different departments..." He noted.