Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 565 A Compulsory Interview

As Evan gazed at Rita Skeeter, she returned his gaze intently.

"Come on, let me introduce you. This is the renowned journalist Rita Skeeter. She has penned many articles," announced Bagman loudly, "Rita, meet Evan Mason, a name you're surely familiar with. He is currently the most celebrated..."

"Of course, I've heard of him, Ludo; who hasn't heard of Evan Mason?!" exclaimed Rita Skeeter, looking at him, "Hello, Evan, may I have a moment of your time to hear your thoughts on the tournament?"

"I think it's best not to," Evan shook his head and said nothing more.

This woman was infamous for distorting facts and fabricating stories. He had no intention of giving her a chance.

However, Evan seemingly underestimated Rita Skeeter's thick skin. When she saw Evan shaking his head, a sudden smile spread across her face, revealing three gold teeth in her mouth.

She reached into her crocodile bag and pulled out a long acidic green quill and a roll of parchment, which she unfurled onto the velvet-covered desk.

Placing the tip of the green quill into her mouth, she sucked on it for a moment before balancing it upright on the parchment, where it wavered slightly on its tip.

"This is a Quick-Quotes Quill. It allows me to converse with you as usual, let me give it a try!" announced Skeeter, "My name is Rita Skeeter, a reporter from the Daily Prophet!"

As soon as Rita spoke, the green quill started scribbling, sliding across the parchment. It read: Attractive blonde Rita Skeeter, age forty-three, whose wild quill has punctured many overblown reputations...

"Delightful!" Rita Skeeter exclaimed as she tore off the top of the parchment, crumpled it, and tucked it into her bag.

Turning towards Evan, she seemed primed to ask him questions.

Evan ignored her. He had already unequivocally declined. He took Colin and headed towards Fleur and Gabrielle.

"Evan, what led you to not participate in the Triwizard Tournament?" inquired Rita Skeeter. It was as if she had not noticed Evan's reaction.

Why did Evan not compete in the tournament?!

Everyone knew it was because he was underage and uninterested in the tournament.

Rita Skeeter repeated the question, and Colin tugged at Evan gently.

"I just said I won't grant you an interview!" Evan stated coldly, turning to face her.

Upon hearing his words, the atmosphere in the room grew uncomfortable.

Evan remained silent. Rita Skeeter gazed at him with a slightly arrogant smile. Ludo Bagman, Colin, Fleur, and Gabrielle watched them both.

After a while, it seemed evident that Evan would not respond, but Rita Skeeter felt no embarrassment.

"Dear, are you silent and refusing to give me an interview because you haven't become a champion yet?" Rita Skeeter questioned, keeping her eyes fixed on Evan, "Do you feel you've been treated unjustly? As we all know, your magical power is very strong. Are any of the four champions selected in this tournament as potent as you?!"

Evan frowned, and though he remained silent, he observed Rita Skeeter's green quill scribbling again.

Wherever the quill glided, it depicted: The beautiful, mesmerizing eyes of Evan Mason shone with firmness and tenacity regarding the bleak tournament and its unfair treatment, yet it could still be seen that he was forcing tears in his eyes...

Evan was certain he wasn't crying, and there was no firmness or tenacity in his eyes.

Seeing Rita Skeeter's meaning, by not responding, tacitly acknowledged the darkness in the tournament.

If he defended himself, it would naturally provide her more opportunities to spread rumors.

This was truly detestable, and it was the first time Evan had faced a compulsory interview.

If he could, he truly wanted to draw his wand and teach her a harsh lesson. But obviously, he couldn't do that. Evan wasn't a wicked dark wizard who would use the Killing Curse against those he disagreed with.

The wisest choice now was to cease discussing this matter further.

"Miss Skeeter, I am here today as a reporter just like yourself to interview the champions. Therefore, I do not wish for my name to appear in this special report on the tournament," declared Evan firmly, "Please strike the unfounded speculation you've just penned, or else I will take the necessary measures. And I can assure you, you will definitely regret it!"

He finished, took a deep breath, avoided looking at Rita Skeeter's face and the words written on her paper, and led Colin straight over to Fleur and Gabrielle.

Evan didn't anticipate his threat to instill fear. The woman was fearless and dared to say anything.

Even if Fudge and Dumbledore were here, she wouldn't be frightened.

As long as it was profitable, she would continue fabricating false news. Allowing her to persist in this manner was truly vexing.

Simply put, Evan knew she was an illegal animagus. However, he couldn't directly accuse her. She wouldn't admit it.

If spoken directly, she definitely wouldn't confess, and the other party wouldn't accept it. Instead, it would make her more cautious.

Now Evan just had to wait for the opportunity to catch her when she infiltrated Hogwarts in her animagus form to gather information.

Rita Skeeter appeared frightened by Evan's reaction. The green quill stopped writing. Bagman quickly approached to defuse the situation.

"Well done, Evan!" Gabrielle said to Evan, who had just joined them. "That woman is a nuisance!"

"She is very rude. When the Ministry of Magic official introduced us a moment ago, she didn't even shake my hand," Fleur whispered. "We were both talking about this; you've dealt with her as she deserved."

It was evident that Rita Skeeter wasn't interested in an unknown young wizard from France like Fleur.

What she needed were sensational news that could grab the public's attention, the kind that could cause a stir.

Fleur didn't meet this criteria, and naturally, Rita Skeeter didn't pay her any mind. She didn't even have basic decorum.

"The Daily Prophet didn't interview you, would you like to be interviewed by Magic Hogwarts?" Evan inquired.

He had already discussed this with Hermione earlier that morning, and this report focused mainly on the four champions, presenting their basic information and a comparative analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, so that wizards outside of Hogwarts could learn all about the tournament and its participants.

It was a significant move in itself as many people wanted to know about the champions. Although it couldn't compare to Rita Skeeter's fabricated rumors, this news should capture the attention of many.