This made Cassandra feel unacceptable.
Immediately, she woke up angrily.
She glanced out the window, and it was midnight.
Wrong?
Cassandra scratched her head; is it still a dream?
This time, she learned her lesson and pinched her arm.
Ouch...
It hurt!
After confirming it was not a dream, she lifted the covers and walked to the door, wearing her slippers.
Then, she tiptoed to Harry's door and pressed her ear against it...
Mmm...
Very quiet.
It seems it's not a dream this time.
However... it still feels suspicious.
Cassandra suspiciously pushed the door open, just a small crack, enough to allow her view.
On the bed, Harry was sound asleep, even snoring.
Seeing this, Cassandra finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Oh dear...
Seems like it's the day thinking and night dreaming, worrying too much about that woman seizing the opportunity, hence the dream!
Thinking this, she returned to her room and peacefully put on her Slytherin-style green snake sleep cap, comfortably entering dreamland.
...
The next morning, when Cassandra was sitting in the dining room, Little Sirius gave her a sighing glance.
"What's wrong, Godfather?" Cassandra asked casually.
"Nothing." Little Sirius kept tight-lipped, "Eat less salad in the morning; it's not good for you."
He was referring to the leafy greens on Cassandra's plate.
"Oh, and you didn't take off your hat." Little Sirius pointed at Cassandra's head again.
Only then did she realize she hadn't removed that sleep cap.
Just as Harry entered the dining room, Mr. Weasley and Percy also arrived at the Black Family Mansion.
"Urgent matters, Little Sirius." Mr. Weasley waved the Prophet Daily in his hand, "Look, this Prophet Daily is starting to spout nonsense again—"
Vivi, already sitting in the dining room, said to Mr. Weasley, "Could you bring the newspaper here? I want to see what it says…"
They all went into the spacious kitchen of the Black family, enough for them to chat there. Hermione brewed a strong tea for Little Sirius, and Little Sirius insisted on adding a bit of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey.
Mr. Weasley came over and handed the newspaper to Vivi.
Vivi briefly browsed the newspaper, while Cassandra had already stood up, leaning over Vivi's shoulder to see what was written in the paper.
"I knew it would be like this," Vivi couldn't hold back her laughter, "The Ministry of Magic panicking... the criminal not caught… security lax… Dark Wizards at large… bringing shame to the country… who wrote this? Ah... naturally her... Rita Skeeter."
Don't say it, really don't say it.
Rita Skeeter's report really hit Vivi's taste.
It's precisely the result she wanted, taking the opportunity to hit her enemies — Batty Crouch and the British Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
"That woman specializes in opposing the Ministry of Magic!" Percy angrily said, "Last week, she said we should focus on eliminating vampires, yet wasted time nitpicking the thickness of cauldrons! Isn't the twelfth paragraph of the Non-Wizard Half-human Treatment Standards specifically pointing out—"
"Do us a favor, Percy," Fred said through a yawn, "Please stop."
"Mentioned Mr. Weasley." Vivi noted at the end of the Prophet Daily article, suddenly raising her head to look at Mr. Weasley.
"Mentioned Dad?" Ron quickly lifted his head, sounding concerned.
"Not by name," Vivi adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, "Listen to this section: Those wizards panicked, holding their breath by the woods awaiting news, hoping for comfort from the Ministry, only to be sorely disappointed."
"Shortly after the Dark Mark was seen, a Ministry official appeared, claimed no one was harmed, but refused to disclose further details. Whether his words would quell the rumors about corpses carried from the forest after an hour remains to be observed."
"Oh, my," Mr. Weasley angrily said, hammering the table, "Indeed, no one was harmed! What should I say? Rumors about corpses carried from the forest... well, now she's written those words, rumors will surely spread."
He sighed deeply.
"I think I should clarify, otherwise, the British Magic World would truly become a laughing stock internationally—"
"I should go with you, Dad," Percy boasted, "Mr. Crouch surely needs everyone in place, and I can personally deliver my cauldron report to him…"
"No need to be so diligent, impressive Weasley." The twins rolled their eyes, saying in unison.
Listening to the twins, Percy felt choked.
It must be said that the name Weasley might accompany him for life—unless the twins suddenly vanish, otherwise he cannot escape this nickname.
"What should we do?" Mr. Weasley asked: "If I recall correctly, Lady Skeeter and you—"
Here, Mr. Weasley tried to organize his words: "Have a good relationship, Little Sirius—so, do you think it's possible for her to clarify in the newspaper?"
"Sorry, Arthur." Little Sirius said regretfully, "You know, the Prophet Daily never submits to anyone."
Hearing Little Sirius's words, Mr. Weasley also sighed.
It's true; if the Prophet Daily could change its stance due to a few words from the Ministry of Magic, it wouldn't be the Prophet Daily.
"So, what should we do now?" Percy scratched his head anxiously.
"I'd say." Hermione suddenly spoke: "If we want to cover up news, we can use bigger news to hide it…"
She certainly knew Lady Skeeter had been recruited by Vivi.
But Hermione had changed considerably; in her view, Vivi was clearly closer to her now.
As for the Minister of Magic?
I know him; does he know me?
"Bigger news?"
Percy lit up.
"Yes, bigger news—think about what it could be?" Hermione said, "This is the Muggles' news and political science, and I believe politics is intertwined; perhaps in politics, Muggles don't lose to anyone."
"Can't we just deny outright?" Percy sucked on his teeth and asked.
"Even I know." Hermione rolled her eyes, pointing out a finger: "First law of political science—only the officially denied news is credible."
"Then what?" Mr. Weasley asked: "Do we let these rumors ferment?"
"As I said, Hermione recommended finding bigger news to overshadow this World Cup issue." Vivi folded her hands, placing them on the table, her head slightly tilted back, resting against Cassandra's chest.
"For instance?" Percy asked eagerly.
"For instance…" Vivi raised a finger: "Like news about Voldemort — first, you declare Voldemort is about to return; then, list powerful evidence that Voldemort won't return and dispel the rumor — finally, the news about the World Cup will be overshadowed by this rumor…"
Percy thought briefly, then rejected the suggestion, speaking intensely: "This definitely won't work!"
"Perhaps…" Vivi said again: "Like… the private gossip of the Minister of Magic? That's also a good way to divert attention."
"That's even less likely." Mr. Weasley rolled his eyes, "Fudge cares more for his reputation than achievements; at the slightest rumor, he'd run."
"Then… what other ways?" Percy was truly anxious.
Seeing Percy's anxious demeanor, Vivi flashed a devilish smile.
"Ways—there are, but perhaps… you'll be quite unhappy."