Veracity - ✔️

Five

"The soul that has conceived wickedness
can nurse no good thereafter."
- Sophocles

Finding a topic for her next article was an elusive investigation. Writing another on Harry Potter, Dumbledore, and the Ministry was not an option. Athene could not afford to bore her audience with the same information over and over again, even if it was the truth. This was how Athene found herself staring at the ceiling of Epeolatry while her patrons browsed her inventory.

Every once in a while, someone would come up and ask for help or pay for their books, and Athene would smile and help. But it was obvious that her mind was elsewhere. Obvious to everyone except Margarete. Epeolatry's resident gossip was almost as bad as Rita Skeeter. She rattled on about the newest album by a famous Witch band or how her great granddaughter had gotten her Hogwarts letter.

"Did you hear about the 'New Educational Decree'?" Margarete didn't wait for Athene to answer and continued to ramble on. "Apparently, the Ministry appointed the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for Dumbledore. Can you imagine?"

"What did you just say?" Athene stopped her mindless staring and paid closer attention to the woman standing in front of the counter. "Did you just say that the Ministry is interfering with Hogwarts' education?" She didn't hear Margarete's answers. The gears in her head were turning, and her next story was slowly taking form. "Thanks, Margarete," Athene came around the counter and ushered her towards the door, "I think I'm going to close early today."

Hogwarts didn't look much different than it had last year, other than the lack of pomp and circumstance and the gigantic maze replacing the quidditch field. It still felt like home, and it was still a welcome sight. Students milled lazily about the hallways, and Athene could almost picture herself galavanting through the halls with her Hogwarts uniform. She had fond memories of the day before classes starting. Enya, Athene, and their Slytherin friends would laze about the Astronomy tower until dusk and then sneak into the kitchens to snack on whatever the house elves would give them. But she wasn't a student anymore, and she was here on a mission. A mission to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore and the mysterious Dolores Umbridge.

"Athene," someone shouted her name down the hallway, "What are you doing here?" Fred and George jogged to catch up to the young woman. The two had cut their hair since Athene had seen them last, but they still had the undeniable look of trouble in their eyes.

"Hey," she offered them a kind smile, but turned to keep walking, "I'm here to meet with Dumbledore." The two boys stood on either side of her and wrapped their arms through her own. "Can I ask you two something?"

"Shoot." The two said in unison.

"What do you know of a Dolores Umbridge?" Athene unhooked her arms and took out a pad of paper and a quill from her bag. "She's your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

The two boys frowned, sending a look to each other. "She's absolutely bonkers." Fred started, and George continued for him.

"She cut Dumbledore off during the feast last night to give her own little speech about the Ministry and 'progress.'"

"Delusional, I'd say." The trio stopped in front of the statue that hid Dumbledore's office. "But here you are."

"It was nice seeing you, boys."

"Be sure to give Charlie our best," both boys offered her a cheeky grin and took off down the hallway. Athene's face began to warm, but she pushed her embarrassment down. Now was not the time for her to get worked up.

"Lemmon drops," with those words, the statue twisted and turned, and stairs appeared. Her footsteps echoed through the stairwell, and it was almost as loud as the pounding in her head.

"Come in, Athene," Dumbledore calmly spoke when she neared his door. The office hadn't changed since she'd been there during her seventh year. Bookshelves towered over Dumbledore's desk, which sat in the middle of the large room. Different metal trinkets sat on the shelves in between the collection of books that made Athene swoon. The occupants of the room were no less interesting. Dumbledore was dressed in a flowing grey cloak, and his beard was decorated with a string of beads.

The other, a woman, was dressed entirely in pink. Her dress was pink, her makeup was pink, and even her shoes were pink. The way that this woman dressed reminded her of her aunt. The bright colors and the fake happiness were dead ringers for the woman that she hadn't seen in months. Athene put two and two together; this woman was the new Professor Umbridge. "Good afternoon, Headmaster, Ma'am."

"You may address me as Professor Umbridge," the woman's voice caused shivers to roll through Athene's body, and a little voice in her head said, 'Something's wrong with this woman.'

"Professor Umbridge,"Athene corrected herself but turned away from the woman altogether. "Headmaster, I've come to discuss the Ministry's involvement in your students' education."

"You may bring your questions to me, dear," Umbridge was starting to get on Athene's nerves with her attitude and constant interruptions. "I am the subject of your questions."

"Alright," Athene sucked in her anger and proceeded with her questions, "Why exactly has the Ministry decided to step in?"

"The Ministry is concerned about what is being taught to our children," Athene didn't like the way she talked about the students, "We want to ensure that they will have everything that they need to enter into the workforce."

"Why now?" Athene pressed, "Why step in now and not, say, twenty years ago?"

Umbridge paused, carefully thinking over her answer. "The Ministry wants to ensure that our children have the best education that they have. In light of recent events, we have decided to take extra precautions."

The roundabout answers were exceptionally annoying, but they would make for a good story. Ministry official that has been tasked with helping your children refuses to tell why they've stepped in. It would take some refining, but it would be a good angle to play. What does the Ministry, or the woman sitting before her, have to hide? "Thank you, Professor, but I would like to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore alone, please."

Dumbledore didn't even have a chance to answer before Professor Umbridge was on her feet. "Actually, I don't think that's necessary. Your questions regarding my placement should be directed to either myself or the Ministry."

"Excuse me?" Athene rarely showed her anger, and it was even rarer for her to lash out. "I'm here on behalf of the Wizarding Community so that I can uncover the truth. What you deem necessary and what the truth deems necessary are two completely different things. I am not a student-"

"Athene," Dumbledore raised a wrinkled hand, "I think it's time that you should go."

"Headmaster," Athene tried, but the man would hear nothing of it. So Athene picked up her things and left. Not without collecting a few testimonials from Professor McGonagall, of course. Her article wouldn't be lacking because of that woman's controlling nature, and Athene wouldn't back down just because the Ministry didn't like the truth.

Author's Note:
Here we go. It's the basis for Athene's next article