AN:
The next goal is 150 power stones in 24 hours, for an extra chapter ;)
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Four Days Later – Bloodmoon's Office
"Good morning, Bloodmoon. Thank you for allowing me to use this office for the meeting. Hopefully, Ms Skeeter won't try anything funny," he said, taking one of the seats across from Bloodmoon.
"You're welcome. The contract is already written up," Bloodmoon said, handing over the document.
"Thanks. Do you know anything about the Peverell family being cursed? Because in one of the books I read, it hinted that they were cursed," he said, thinking of his mother's journal.
"I'm afraid not. Your parents never told me," Bloodmoon said most seriously.
"Okay. I also want to do an inspection of the Potter and Peverell holdings sometime this summer to see how they operate. This way, the reports have more value if I actually know what they are talking about," he stated, moving back to business. He had been reading his monthly statements and their corresponding reports the previous day, and the idea had occurred to him to inspect his investments and businesses.
"Very well. I'll make the arrangements," Bloodmoon said.
"Thanks. I also should tell you what else I've discovered recently, but I ask for your discretion and trust that you'll keep this strictly between us. If everything goes in our favour, Albus Dumbledore will no longer be considered my guardian.
"I found evidence suggesting Lord Black is innocent," he said seriously, not bothering to ask for an oath, since Bloodmoon was already sworn to protect his interests and secrets as his account manager, so long as it didn't go against the goblin state.
"A most interesting development. It seems the fortunes of fate favour us. There is profit in this," Bloodmoon stated, his eyes lighting up, clearly seeing how this could be used for profit.
"Indeed. I have a connection to the Black household through blood, as you know. If my godfather does not sire an heir, then there is a good chance it will fall to me when he eventually succumbs to old age. But I think you can imagine both our houses working together—there is a lot of potential for profit," he said, causing Bloodmoon's features to light up at the prospects.
However, before he could continue, there was a knock on the door, before a goblin guard appeared and announced, "Ms Skeeter."
"Let her in," Bloodmoon commanded.
Ms Skeeter sauntered in, taking the spare seat, wearing a pale cream-coloured dress, similar to one she had worn in their previous meeting.
"Now I'm here, what's the story?" she demanded, ignoring his account manager and the goblins at the door.
"Ms Skeeter, you'll get the story after you sign this contract," Harry stated in a no-nonsense fashion, handing over the magical contract along with a blood quill.
Rita looked over the contract before saying angrily, "I can't sign this—it takes away too much of my creative freedoms."
"Yes, you can, if you want to get a story and you don't want to go to jail," he threatened, deciding to follow the hunch that she was an illegal bug Animagus. It would explain how she always had some shockingly private story.
"How dare you threaten me, you arrogant boy," she demanded heatedly, getting out of her seat and totally ignoring Bloodmoon's presence, despite his clawed hand resting on a nearby axe.
"I'll threaten all I want. I know your secret, and it will ruin you. And sit down, you idiot, before you do something foolish," he commanded, wondering if she would be stupid enough to actually cast a spell at him—here of all places, with a pair of goblin guards so close.
"How dare you threaten me, little boy!" she screeched, before sending an unrecognised spell at him. As soon as the spell left her wand, an alarm began to sound off, causing a dozen heavily armed guards to immediately rush in, wielding a mixture of spears, axes, swords and bows.
"Drop your wand, human, or die!" the lead goblin guard commanded.
"Master Guardsman, this witch is an illegal bug Animagus. She can easily escape unless you seal the doors," he stated respectfully, causing Rita to pale even more, as she realised the trouble she was in and that her secret was out. The guard sealed the room, the walls beginning to glow a silvery purple.
"Animagus wards have been activated. If she changes, she will die quickly," Bloodmoon stated emotionlessly, his whole face taking on a rather disturbing appearance.
Walking up and grabbing her wand from her hand, Harry passed it over to Bloodmoon before Rita could do something else foolhardy.
"Ms Skeeter, you have made a most foolish mistake by pulling your wand out within goblin territory. They can have your head on principle. And you have no friends here. After all, if I recall correctly, last year you produced several articles about goblins which were rather insulting and degrading," he said, seeing a reaction from the guards.
"However, you have a chance to walk out of this room alive. We just have to make a new deal," he explained, watching as Rita suddenly realised just how close to death she was.
"Fine, I'll sign," she snapped, moving towards the contract—just as Harry pulled it away.
"I'm afraid, my dear, this contract is no longer valid, is it, Bloodmoon?" he asked his account manager, who was wearing a sinister smile, understanding Harry was following one of the goblins' own rules of business. The more cards you held, the more you piled on the pressure. If you held all the cards, like he did, it was no longer a negotiation—it was surrender or die.
"Indeed, Mr Potter is correct. The terms no longer fit the situation," Bloodmoon said as he tore up the paper.
Harry smiled at his account manager before stating the new terms, "Now, Ms Skeeter, you work for me until I say otherwise. If I say print this, you say what font. If I say bury the story, you bury it. And if I tell you to jump, you ask how high.
"You will protect my secrets, protect my family and my allies, and I will have your total obedience and submission. Do you understand, Ms Skeeter?" he asked, feeling no desire to be merciful to the reporter who would sell out her own grandmother for a headline. After all, he who lacks mercy lacks enemies. He continued, now offering the carrot rather than the stick.
"However, Ms Skeeter, I reward people who work for me successfully. If you do your part well, you'll be wealthy and, in time, well protected. You can either choose life"—gesturing with one hand—"or death," pointing to the guards, who were all wearing sinister smiles, watching the show.
"Where do I have to sign?" asked the defeated reporter, collapsing into the chair.
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An Hour Later
"Good girl," he said with a bit of humour, watching the guards leave. "Now for the ground rules. First, you will stop printing any anti-creature stories, and whenever reporting on the goblins, you will paint them in the best light possible," he said. Bloodmoon's eyes lit up at the notion before Harry continued, "Like stated in the contract and in the vow you made, you will work to protect my interests and my allies. I consider goblins as my friends—hence, you will treat them as such. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Lord," Rita replied submissively.
"Good. Now on to the story I want you to prepare," he said, before starting to explain about the Potions Master's use of mind arts on minors—how it was illegal, and how he could be stealing family secrets from their heirs. He saw Rita's expression begin to pick up, catching on to the scale of the story.
"Good, you understand. I want you to paint the most damning picture possible of the man."
"Also, Rita, you are not allowed to mention to anyone what happened in this room. You're not allowed to speak about it or write about it," he said, not feeling the desire for rumours to start circulating that he was a Dark Lord—like the rumours Ron Weasley had spread around Hogwarts already.
"Yes, my Lord," Rita said.
"Good. Wait outside—we will talk more after we're done," he ordered, before watching her leave. Turning to Bloodmoon, he said, "I believe we can both profit from today's events. Having Rita under my control will help cut down on any anti-goblin propaganda in the press."
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