Once the ship leaves land, it becomes an isolated island in the vast ocean.
Fortunately, the Positioning Friendship Book always guides Vid in the right direction.
Out at sea, far from land, a Peregrine Falcon is too conspicuous. Vid only lands on the ship after nightfall.
The nighttime sea is as black as an abyss, and most people cannot appreciate a sight like this and only feel fear.
As a result, there are almost no movements on the outer deck. Vid casually finds a secluded spot, transforms back into human form, tidies his collar, takes a sip of Polyjuice Potion, and waits for the transformation to end before stepping out of the darkness.
The interior is much livelier. Many passengers are here for leisure, and the ship boasts various facilities like courts, swimming pools, bars, theaters, malls, and kids' play areas.
Even though it's late, the ship is still brightly lit, with many people active. Vid now looks like "Vener," dressed in a smart dark blue suit, blending in seamlessly.
He's holding a book with a Positioning Parchment tucked inside. Vid looks at the red dot on the paper, searching for a while before spotting Rita Skeeter.
The woman is lounging on a deck chair by the pool, enjoying a massage and skincare service, her face covered in something green.
If not for her blonde curls, Vid wouldn't be sure he found the right person.
Vid sits on a chair outside, waiting a while, when his ears catch a sudden sound—
"How can Muggles tolerate such slow speed..."
He turns his gaze and is surprised to see someone he knows—
Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin.
The blonde girl folds her arms, speaking with disgust.
Beside her is a younger girl who looks quite similar, but with a pale complexion and seeming frailness.
The girl says: "I think it's fine... The ship is lively and interesting, isn't it?"
"But a Portkey is so much faster! Astoria, if it weren't for you insisting on taking the ship, we would already be in the United States by noon yesterday," Daphne complained.
"Portkeys make me feel bad; I don't like them," Astoria insisted. "And I've already said you could use the Portkey with Mom to the United States first, while Dad and I take the ship. You chose not to."
"But you're my sister!" Daphne said angrily. "The ship is full of Muggles. Dad has to work, and if I'm not with you, who will you talk to?"
Astoria didn't speak further.
After a while, she muttered, "How can I not have anyone to talk to? There might be a thousand people on this ship!"
"Those are all Muggles!" Daphne remarked, poking her forehead in frustration.
The two sisters bickered as they walked past Vid.
Not far behind them trailed a pair of blonde parents, both wearing expressions of haughty indifference, seemingly out of place with their surroundings.
Only when looking at their daughters did their eyes display a loving gaze.
Vid turned his attention away until the group passed, then looked back.
This Pure-Blood family appearing on a Muggle ship surprised him a bit.
If he remembered correctly, the Greengrass family, unlike the wealth-guarding Malfoys, had the Mr. Greengrass holding a rather important position in the Ministry of Magic.
While deep in thought, Vid suddenly smelled a pungent fragrance.
"Rita."
"Hmm?" The refreshed Rita Skeeter was admiring her face in the mirror, suddenly hearing someone call her name, looking around.
"It's me," Vid raised his hand slightly, plainly saying, "Gray."
Rita Skeeter's eyes lit up, quickly walking over to sit next to Vid, staring intently at his face, eagerly asking, "Transfiguration Technique? Or Polyjuice Potion?"
Vid gave her a glance, "Of course, it's Polyjuice Potion. How could you think I'd master such advanced Transfiguration Techniques?"
Skeeter laughed, "With others, I wouldn't think so, but you've surprised me enough; I wouldn't mind more."
She spoke while quickly taking notes, her quill flying over paper, leaving lines of writing.
Vid could tell her hand was only acting; the quill was moving on its own.
"If you're writing anything about me, I'll burn your Notebook, and maybe some other stuff too," Vid said, resting his chin on his hand.
"Hahaha, how could that be?"
Skeeter chuckled dryly, swiftly tucking her Notebook into her crocodile leather handbag.
"I remember you should be down there monitoring those Werewolves..." Vid frowned, "How long has it been? Even if something happened over there, you're unaware."
Skeeter's face turned pale, suddenly recalling those glowing green eyes in the darkness, her body shivering.
"I... uh... I also need a break."
Skeeter muttered in defense, then exaggeratedly said, "You know what? I discovered a big piece of news!"
"What news?"
Vid asked disinterestedly, pondering if entrusting Skeeter for surveillance was a mistake.
Though her Animagus form is convenient... her nature's ill-suited...
Skeeter leaned over, speaking in a low, excited voice, "Do you know Umbridge? The high-ranking official at the Ministry of Magic, Dolores Umbridge?"
Vid raised an eyebrow, looking over.
Skeeter smiled mysteriously.
"She's also on the ship, along with several Ministry of Magic officials... I've heard people say Umbridge has an improper relationship with Minister Fudge, and her father was a janitor, her mother a Muggle... How ridiculous, considering she always claims to be from the Selwyn Clan..."
Skeeter sneered, her eyes shining brightly as if every hair was standing in excitement over this gossip.
She couldn't resist reaching for her quill again.
"What is the Ministry of Magic personnel doing on the ship?" Vid asked, "Why don't they use a Portkey?"
Skeeter paused, pondering before replying, "Seems they're accompanying officials from the French Ministry of Magic? That official wanted to take this ship... Also, Fudge appears to be planning a large event, wanting to involve the American Magic Council..."
This news piqued Vid's true interest, but unfortunately, upon further inquiry, Skeeter knew little else.
Her full enthusiasm seemed focused on collecting gossip.
Vid sighed in disappointment, "What have you learned about those Werewolves?"
"Oh, well..."
Skeeter rummaged in her crocodile leather handbag, pulling out another Notebook with a smug smile, "I've documented everything—you'll certainly be amazed!"