Secrets, Lies and the Daily Prophet (Alt. Fifth Year Fic)

Chapter Twelve: The Disinformation Campaign Begins

Author's Note: This chapter is one of my favorites as I turn the tables on Harry Potter and show how sinister all of the actions taken thus far can be seen and how dangerous he could be portrayed.

Standard Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

That night as Harry was getting ready for bed he saw the approaching form of an owl coming towards his bedroom window. He opened the sash and a large tawny owl landed on his windowsill. He took the parchment scroll that was attached to the leg and saw that the message was from Hermione. As he scanned the letter he realized that she had been worried about the security of Owl post and wrote cryptically so that it wouldn't be understood if it was intercepted.

Harry,

I didn't follow through with what I had planned on doing in London. I was all set to, but a small voice in the back of my head said, "Stop. Let Dumbledore decide." After all, it dealt with rule breaking at Hogwarts, he should be the one to determine how best to deal with the culprit. I sent him an owl about the matter and he showed up the very next day and took the problem in hand. He merely said, "Well done, Miss Granger," then left.

I had my parents stop at Diagon Alley before we went home and we bought this owl. I decided that I really needed a post owl of my own. Say hello to Athena.

"Hello, Athena."

The owl hooted softly to him. Hedwig looked up from her cage and eyed the other owl suspiciously.

"Hedwig, this is Hermione's new owl, Athena."

Hedwig then seemed to nod in approval. Harry continued reading.

I'm attaching a copy of today's Daily Prophet. I thought you should see this. Please Harry, try not to worry too much about this or about things that you have no control over. Use this time to study for the O.W.L.s. I hope the Dursleys are treating you better.

With love,

Hermione

Harry gave some owl treats to Athena and Hedwig and then sat down on his bed to read the newspaper clipping.

Has the Dark Lord Returned?

Ministry of Magic dismisses rumours

By Hearst Seldes, Managing Editor

Yesterday the offices of the Daily Prophet received a deluge of owls from concerned parents throughout the British Isles. They are worried about the possibility that You-Know-Who has returned.

Three days ago at the annual leaving feast at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the embattled headmaster Albus Dumbledore startled everyone with the announcement that You-Know-Who had not only risen but had also murdered Hogwarts sixth year student and Triwizard champion, Cedric Diggory.

The Daily Prophet had previously received unconfirmed reports of the death of one of the Triwizard champions, but now it can be stated that Cedric Diggory was killed during the third task of the tournament on June 24th.

It seems that during the third task of the tournament, two of the champions, Diggory and Harry Potter (the boy who survived an attack by You-Know-Who when he was just a baby) disappeared for a period of about half an hour.