A Search for Balance

Chapter 17 - Keepsakes

October had come and gone, and the season was progressing nicely for the Wigtown Wanderers. And yet, Matthew wasn't happy.

Despite his best efforts, none of the Wanderers' executives had been willing to meet his demands and Lizzie's contract negotiations had come to a halt. What had at first been a compelling challenge was slowly turning into a frustrating business, and Matthew's interest in the matter was increasingly dwindling.

Things with Lizzie had turned complicated as well. She was impatient with the situation, but other than badgering him about the state of things, she had begun to keep her distance from him. Matthew had tried to engage her in multiple conversations about any topic he could think of, but she had an excuse ready to refuse him more often than not.

When he learned that she had cancelled another fitting for her wedding dress without so much as telling him, it was finally enough. He wouldn't let Lizzie make a fool of him any longer. It was time to take some action.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" asked Rita Skeeter as she slipped into the seat across from Matthew in a Muggle café in central London. He responded with a thin-lipped smile.

"It's good to see you, too, Rita. How's work at the Daily Prophet?"

She arched her pencilled eyebrows. "I'm a busy witch, Mr McRae. Get to the point and don't waste my time with chit-chat. Time is money, as you well know."

Matthew pushed his cup of tea to the side. "As far as I remember, you and I agreed on a deal on which you have yet to deliver. I'm surprised I'm having to remind you - you never struck me as a witch to let a story slip from her fingers."

"Half a story is made by research, Mr McRae," Rita said, the smile on her red lips widening, "and trust me when I say that I'm the very best at researching."

"You have something for me then?"

"Depends. Do you have something in return?"

Matthew reached into the pocket of his vest and produced a thick envelope sealed with the crest of his family. "This is our guest list. On it, you'll find everyone who will attend the wedding - and who they're going to bring."

Rita snatched the envelope from his hands and had already put her finger underneath the flap when Matthew cleared his throat. "So, what's the deal?"

"The deal," Rita said without looking up from the guest list, "is that your darling girl isn't as perfect as you would like her to be." She stopped reading and pursed her lips. "The Deputy Minister of Magic? Really?"

Matthew ignored her. "What do you mean she's not as perfect as I'd like her to be?"

Judging by the way Rita was watching him over the rim of her glasses, she was enjoying herself immensely.

"What has she told you about Orion Amari?"

"That they know each other from school. They played on their house team together."

"Oh, play they did, but not only Quidditch. Your fiancée hasn't been honest with you, Mr McRae." Rita pressed a hand to her heart. "Oh, the woes and wonders of young love! The first one is always the most exciting, don't you think? She and Mr Amari used to go out for just over two years, but it all ended most dramatically when he left the country in the dead of night." A smug grin formed on her face. "I bet your Lizzie could tell me all about it."

Matthew's mouth had gone dry. "This must be a mistake."

"It was easy enough to find out. Makes me wonder why someone with your wits didn't figure it out sooner."