In the Melancholy Moonlight

Chapter LVII: What Sort of Secrets

"I wonder which is preferable, to walk around all your life swollen up with your own secrets until you burst from the pressure of them, or to have them sucked out of you, every paragraph, every sentence, every word of them, so at the end you're depleted of all that was once as precious to you as hoarded gold, as close to you as your skin --- everything that was of the deepest importance to you, everything that made you cringe and wish to conceal, everything that belonged to you alone --- and must spend the rest of your days like an empty sack flapping in the wind, an empty sack branded with a bright fluorescent label so that everyone will know what sort of secrets used to be inside you?"

Margaret Atwood

November 14, 1994

RITA SKEETER INTERVIEWS HARRY POTTER

   You know his name. You know his story. But what you may not know yet is that Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, is the youngest Triwizard Tournament Champion in the history of the prestigious event!
   An ugly scar, souvenir of a tragic past, disfigures the otherwise charming face of Harry Potter. Though the Trwiwizard Tournament was supposed to be limited to witches and wizards seventeen years of age and older, it seems there is nothing that can stand in the way of our determined twelve-year-old hero.
   He would not reveal to me exactly how he managed to enter his name, a mystery that continues to confound yet awe everyone who comes into contact with the young Potter, but it is obvious that only a very powerful wizard could have achieved such a feat. Surely, we can expect to see great things from him in the Tournament, the first task of which will be taking place on November 22.
   Tears filled those startling green eyes as our conversation turned to the parents he can barely remember.
   "I suppose I get my strength from my parents," Harry confided in me. "I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now. Sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it."
   Moved with sympathy, I then asked if he were afraid of the tournament, being so young.       The tears in his eyes disappeared, and he straightened up bravely as he said, "I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me."
   Perhaps it was this same fearlessness that motivated the young Harry Potter to enter so recklessly into a tournament meant for older witches and wizards of far more ability, strength, and intellect. Whatever the case may be, Harry will be far from alone.
   His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, and Lucy Diggory. Unfortunately, all three of them were unavailable for comment at the time of my interview with Harry, but I hope to speak to them in the months to come.
   I was able, however, to speak to other members of the Gryffindor House, to which all four members of this quintessential quirky quartet belong. Hermione Granger, described as stunningly pretty, has been at the top of her class the past three years and counting, despite being Muggle-born. Ronald Weasley was described by his peers as first and foremost the best wizard's chess player at Hogwarts, a title extending back to his first year, as well as having quite the sense of humor. Lucy Diggory's role in this small group, however, remains largely a mystery to all. While most of those I interviewed were quick to call her sweet, as well as somewhat intelligent and very reserved, several expressed concern for what dangerous secrets may lie lurking beneath the horrific and horrifying scars that are rumored to cover her entire body.
   What does this all mean for Harry? Well, while he certainly has the challenge of a lifetime in from of him, and we can hope that with a combination of his own inner strength and the strength of those around him, his name will not be added to the list of competitors who have died in this tournament.
   Other competitors in the Triwizard Tournament include Victor Crumb of Durmstrang and Flor Dellacore of Beauxbatons.