Stranger In A Strange World by Theskyatdawn2

Chapter 7

I got a message back from The Daily Prophet, stating that I should come for a meeting tomorrow at 1 pm. They said that the owners would be glad to meet me and get to know me.

Why does this sound like a setup? So I will dress to the nines and go in self assured. They try to play hardball, and I will be ready for them.

The next day, I styled my hair in an up doo of a soft braided chignon, did my makeup, a blast of jasmine vanilla perfume. I dressed in some elegant dress I found in one of the closets. It was a fitted corset style all in dark violet silk, a rounded neckline and had long sleeves. It was trimmed in black lace, fitted and came just below the knee with side splits on both sides to three inches above the knees. There was a wand slot sewn in at the waist on my left side, how handy. It was violet just like my eyes, with matching high heels and purse. I was good to go and have Dilly apparate me to The Daily Prophet.

I appeared outside The Daily Prophet and went into the front desk. The lady sitting there asked for my name. I told her, "I am Lady Arianna Blackthorne-Gaunt, I am here for an owners meeting at 1pm." She looked me over from head to toe, with a neutral face and told me to follow her.

Oh joy, here we go. She took me to a conference room and told me to wait. Hmm….no tea, coffee or water, just wait. After 15 minutes, I was starting to get quite the attitude, by 25 minutes, I truly had one and my magic was leaking again filling the room.

When they finally started to file in, it was 1:40pm. One of them is leering at me like I'm prime beef, the bastard. What the hell is with these wizard assholes, punctuality must be a controlling superiority tool. It's just fucking rude. The one asshole sits at the head of the table, I sat at the other end. He is acting snobby, I could tell. He clears his throat, "Hello Lady Blackthorne, good of you to join us."

I was pissed and cut him off, "Join you? I would say you are all joining me. You left me waiting for over 40 minutes, with no hospitality. Is punctuality a rarity in this business or are you trying to throw your weight around? If that's the case, I am not impressed, so far, and your standards have dropped to an all time low. If you would, I would like you to get my name right next time you address me. My name is Lady Blackthorne-Gaunt."

"Now, getting down to business, First, I requested this meeting to meet the percentage owners of this business in a cordial manner, if at all salvageable." Not sure it was though, but business is business. "Then second, I want to know why my name is being slandered in my paper, by a Mr. Mullins? I own forty percent of this paper which should give me the right to not make a headline. Would you like to make a headline in a negative light?" I would love to smear their names, see how they like it. "Third, Tell me why I shouldn't cut off my funding, that will slash the companies paychecks accordingly by 40% and sell to anyone my forty percent share for a galleon?" Take that you shits.

I think I shocked the hell out of them, because all five of their mouths all dropped open.

"Lady Blackthorne-Gaunt, I do apologize for your treatment and everyone's behavior towards you. It was not my intention to anger you. Please don't give up on us not treating you with respect. We are sorry. As far as your name being used in our paper, it will stop immediately and the reporter will be reprimanded."

"We also do not wish for you to not participate in our business. It would be terrible to slash jobs and put so many to be unemployed. We try to hold to the highest of standards Here at The Daily Prophet." What a load of shit I have ever heard. Half the paper is like Witches Weekly and ads. Who's cheating on who and whose clothes are best, blah blah blah. Rita Skeeter standards. "Let me introduce ourselves, I am the Head Editor and Manager, Julian Thomas Fairchild, I own 20% of the paper." He then motions to the guy on his left, a balding, weak chinned fellow, who leers at me,"This is Lord Malcom Garret Malfoy, he owns 15%." That, just about figures. Perfect. Then he gestures to a woman, named Genevieve Lancaster with 15%. Another man with 5%, and another man with 5%.

I look over them all and realize, I am the one with controlling interest in this paper, I'll be damn if they railroad me. I want higher standards then.

"It would seem my father has been lax with keeping up with this company's standards of quality reading material, that will change as of now lady and gentleman. If you don't like it, I will take over the controlling seat and vet every person's job qualifications starting at the top to the janitor and rearrange payroll accordingly. I will then do a full audit of the books. We do not run this paper, per the standards of Witches Weekly. I want to see improvement within six months or that is what I will do. Do I make myself clear?" Their eyes bugged out and eyebrows raised in surprise.

I said,"Have some pride in what you own and fix this, or I will fix it for you. Now, how do I get to the Distribution Department? I want my free paper daily, because I will be watching like a hawk. Six months, lady and gentleman." I was told where the Distribution Department was and stood up and left. I think I slammed the door behind me.