As far as Rita was concerned, Lucien's deepest impression of her was that she truly understood the essence of journalism.
The articles she wrote always caught people's attention, carefully choosing what readers wanted to see, while the truth itself was irrelevant.
If he accepted her interview, who knew how she would twist things?
However...
Rita Skeeter was an Animagus, capable of transforming into a beetle to enter places that were difficult to access. That was how she managed to obtain so many exclusive stories.
But she had never registered with the Ministry of Magic.
She was an illegal Animagus.
If the Ministry discovered this, she would be taking an extended holiday in Azkaban.
Therefore, Lucien was not worried that she would dare to fabricate stories about him.
As long as he could ensure that this woman did not make things up, she was actually rather useful when it came to publicity.
Lucien certainly didn't mind becoming even more famous.
The more famous he became, the more people would buy the Alchemical items and Potions he produced, increasing sales and revenue and accelerating the repayment of the Emerald Tablet fragment.
Sigh, advertising one's own products...
Thinking this, Lucien put on a polite smile.
"Madam, perhaps we could find somewhere more suitable and have a proper chat."
...
Inside a quiet and elegant private room.
"Mr Grafton, you managed to find such an appropriate place for an interview so quickly. Are you very familiar with Muggle society?"
Rita sat upright on the sofa, quietly observing the furnishings while reaching into her crocodile-skin handbag and producing a dazzling green quill and a stack of parchment.
"Fairly familiar. As it happens, this place belongs to my family, so it's convenient."
Lucien's casual remark caused the quill that Rita was about to place in her mouth to freeze.
She had not come here to watch someone flaunt their wealth.
Suppressing her fluctuating emotions, Rita put the tip of the quill into her mouth, sucked on it several times, and planted it upright upon the parchment.
"Then I am truly honoured today. One moment, let me test it. Rita Skeeter, reporter for the Daily Prophet."
As soon as she spoke, the green quill slipped free from her grasp and automatically wrote:
"The beautiful Rita Skeeter, with her unruly quill, has exposed many false reputations..."
Lucien caught sight of the flamboyant words being written.
It was a Quick-Quotes Quill.
It automatically transformed ordinary interview responses into exaggerated nonsense.
Noticing his gaze, Rita hurriedly tore off the parchment, crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it back into her handbag.
"Slaying a Basilisk was truly a remarkable feat, but I hear that Mr Grafton is only a second-year student at Hogwarts?"
Lucien nodded.
"Mhm."
His exceptional eyesight allowed him to see what the quill was writing:
"Lucien is not only astonishingly talented but also an exceptionally handsome and charming young man. Every movement displays a composure and charisma beyond his years. It is no wonder that countless rumours of admiration have long circulated within Hogwarts Castle..."
Lucien pointed at the rapidly moving green quill.
"What that quill is writing is rather exaggerated."
Hearing this, Rita pulled the parchment closer to herself.
"Please don't mind it."
Lucien shook his head and looked at her with a faint smile.
"The information-gathering array at the base of the quill uses auditory runes and emotional runes as its core. Through the use of..."
As Lucien calmly and methodically explained the principles behind the quill, Rita's heart began to tremble.
Yet she still maintained an air of composure and adjusted her glasses.
"Speaking of which, some time ago you published two papers on Transfiguration. I hear they caused a tremendous sensation among scholars. It seems that besides Transfiguration, you are also quite confident in your Alchemy."
"But rest assured, this quill is only capable of taking notes quickly."
Seeing that the woman remained completely unrepentant, Lucien continued.
"Actually, regarding Transfiguration, I recently gained some new insights into Animagi..."
Rita's quill immediately began dancing frantically.
Another major story!
Yet another discovery from Lucien.
"For example, identifying Animagi in animal form."
Lucien deliberately emphasised the word "Animagi" before continuing.
"If an Animagus fails to register with the Ministry and is discovered and reported, I believe they are sent to Azkaban. And the Dementors there..."
At those words, Rita's hand stiffened, and the quill stopped moving.
She was forced to listen as Lucien continued speaking leisurely.
"Wizards should also value privacy. After all, nobody wants an ordinary-looking animal secretly spying on their life when that animal is actually an Animagus, do they?"
"So I began researching this field, though the progress hasn't been ideal so far..."
Hearing that the progress had not been ideal, Rita secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She had overthought things.
Lucien wasn't making veiled threats.
He was merely chatting about Transfiguration research.
"However, I did accidentally develop another spell. It can identify Animagi while they are in human form."
"It should prove quite useful for the Ministry when locating and arresting illegal Animagi."
"Oh, right, Ms Skeeter."
Lucien smiled pleasantly.
"Would you like to see this spell?"
As he spoke, Lucien drew his wand.
The action immediately sent Rita into a panic. She had momentarily forgotten that students were prohibited from using Magic outside school except in special circumstances.
Rita was an Animagus who could transform into a beetle. This tiny, flying form had allowed her to uncover countless secrets.
But she was illegal.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. I'm still a student. Apart from certain specific places, I can't freely cast spells with my wand."
Lucien's words served as a reminder, causing Rita's emotions to rise and fall like a roller coaster.
"So, while I was at the Ministry of Magic earlier, I happened to use that spell. Ms Skeeter, your animal form is rather interesting. A beetle, was it?"
"..."
"...A beetle..."
Those words were like a sharp blade piercing straight into Rita's heart.
Her jewel-encrusted spectacles slid down her nose, made slippery by cold sweat, leaving her looking both ridiculous and comical.
Had Lucien merely said she was an Animagus, Rita might have suspected he was bluffing.
But he had accurately identified her transformed form.
Her breathing became rapid and uneven.
Only now did Rita realise she had made a grave mistake.
She had overlooked one fatal fact.
The Lucien sitting before her might be young in age, but his magical accomplishments could not be judged by common sense.
At the thought of imprisonment and the horror of the Dementors, Rita's vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.
________
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