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screw rita skeeter 🦋✨📘🪄
THE YULE BALL WASN'T QUICK TO FADE FROM DISCUSSION. Much to Electra's chagrin. The main place she didn't want to hear the description of any more of the evening was her dorm room. Well, not true she was happy to relish in how good of an evening Sue and Mandy had. If she didn't have to share a dorm room with them every night she probably would have helped them push their beds together if they'd asked, further down the line. But they shared a dorm.
But rooming with Aileen and Marietta meant she got a rundown of their evenings. Once was enough to hear in excruciating detail about Marietta's evening. Not ten. And Marietta's retelling often caused her to prompt Aileen to talk about her evening or mix it into her own retelling. Electra couldn't even listen the first time, she pulled her duvet over her head and tried to sleep so she wouldn't have to listen but that didn't work. Her drawn curtains and the covers didn't block out the sounds.
Luckily Sue put a stop to the conversation with, "Aileen, you know I love you right?"
Aileen had responded with a confused, "Yeah?"
"Good. But shut up. I want to sleep," Sue had responded, Electra heard her close her curtains and the talking stopped.
Electra was lucky enough the next morning to escape to breakfast when the conversation continued. She spent most of breakfast with her head on Iris's shoulder. Roseanne sat across from them explaining how her date had a different opinion than her about who their best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was (Moody was his favourite? Which was dumb cause the correct answer is obviously Lupin. Also Lupin is hot) and that was the final straw, she started getting annoyed at diner and he did not ask her to dance so Roseanne was out of there. Electra thought she was completely valid. Iris was used to how quickly Roseanne could change her opinion of someone. Winnie and Robin were sat together further down the breakfast table, smiling shyly at each other.
For a while, Electra did her best to avoid Aileen so she didn't have to see her hold Cedric's hands. Or hear Marietta talk to her about what was happening. Sometimes Marietta integrated Aileen's evening into the retelling but it was mainly 'And that's when I spoke to Aileen and Cedric. He could not take his eye off her' which sure was sweet of Marietta. And it was also a bit more tolerable.
The biggest change was when Hagrid was no longer waiting for them to teach them Care of Magical Creatures. It was Professor Grubbly-Plank. Now don't get Electra wrong, she definitely enjoyed learning about unicorns and it was fun to brag to a less than satisfied Robin but she couldn't help but worry about Hagrid. Especially after the conversation, she had overheard at the Yule Ball.
Electra got the answer when a letter arrived from Avery at lunch. It was a cut out of the Daily Prophet with an article by Rita Skeeter. It detailed Hagrid's parentage and made him out to be a dangerous man. Empathising the problem with giants. Electra rolled her eyes as she read it. Avery had also left a piece of paper with her writing pertaining to the article.
What a bitch! I could say worse maybe I will but I think Andy is kind of annoyed that I taught you the swear words you know (not like he doesn't say enough himself, hypocrite) and anyway I'm just fulfilling my life's purpose as your Fun Aunt. I was made for it.
But Rita Skeeter, what a bitch. Who gives a shit? Have they met Hagrid? Jeez. If she ever comes into my boutique (admittedly she really does need the help, the bitch is fashionably challenged) I will kick her out on site. Maybe I'll hex her on her way out. Or maybe I'll just go all muggle and body slam her into the street, it seems like it could be fun.
Anyway not much else to say that I didn't say in my last letter. Your dad has not wasted away yet, never fear. Let me know how you've been and give Hagrid my love. Preferably it would be screamed but I don't think that's your style. He was also so kind to me when I was a student. I cried in his hut once over my terrible taste in men, don't ask who or how I ended up there (but I've come to the conclusion to stay away from men anyway as you know). So give him my love, tell him I say who cares.
Thanks for the photos in your dresses by the way. Those are some of my proudest works. Lots and lots of love, your Fun Aunt Avery.
Electra looked up from the letter. Her usual happiness that Avery had written to her was dampened by the fact she was seething over Rita Skeeter's article. It made sense that Avery had written this letter to Electra. They both loved to complain.
Electra used to have a subscription to the Daily Prophet until they published Rita Skeeter's article about Harry. Then she cancelled it in protest. Now she only reads the Quibbler.
"Have you seen this article?" Electra asked Luna who was sat across from her at the lunch table.
Luna took to from her remarking, "I only read the Quibbler," in her normal whimsy tone.
Electra re-read Avery's letter as she waited for Luna to read the article. "That's terribly ignorant of her," Luna comments once she finishes the article. Electra agrees.
Soon she's walking over to where Iris is sat, Luna not far behind, thrusting the article at Iris for her to read.
"That's horrible," Iris remarks.
"Agreed," Electra says, "I'm gonna go talk to Hagrid. Demand him back,"
"But the unicorns," Iris said, "Maybe it would be best to let him have some time off. Let Professor Grubbly-Plank teach,"
"I personally think that Hagrid's lessons are much more interesting," Luna remarks.
"Me too," Electra nods, "I will not let Rita Skeeter win. And think she can send people into hiding with her writing. I will not,"
That's how the three girls end up banging on Hagrid's door calling out to him. "Come on, Hagrid!" Iris says.
"Avery Deveraux says who cares," Electra adds, "And I agree. The people whose opinions matter do not care,"
It doesn't work and soon they give up. Well, give up banging on his door that is. Electra does not give up in other ways. Ways that include a lot of letters and charming balls of sleet from Hogsmeade High Street to pelt Rita Skeeter when she saw her on a Saturday visit. Electra also made rude gestures at Rita behind her back. Robin joined in.
Luckily later that Saturday it seems that campaign was no longer required. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood there as Dumbledore refused to accept Hagrid's resignation with an instruction for Monday, "You will join me for breakfast at eight-thirty in the Great Hall. No excuses. If you do not I am sure that Miss Electra Deveraux will keep sending you letters until you do," he says.
"Electra?" Harry repeats.
"Yes, she seems to be running quite the campaign," Dumbledore confirms, "She seems quite determined. One would hope she applies herself to her studies this much. She even accosted me in the hallway yesterday," he mused, "I wouldn't want to be on her bad side. I fear soon that if Hagrid doesn't return one might have to be worried for Rita Skeeter's safety. But I'm sure it won't come to that," he says, "Good afternoon to you all," he wishes them goodbye only halting on his way out of the cabin to scratch behind Fang's ears.
