All the Things I Use to Know-Hogwarts Exp.Sept.1,1976{OPEN}

[Lydia Avery]

The petite brunette exchanged a grin with Meredith at the girl's acknowledgement of her jest; while she was certain that Ethan could make good work of a forced situation like himself and Winnie trapped together for the duration of the train ride, it was hardly the most romantic way for the pair to start, or a story that could be shared during future parties. Lydia was glad for the confirmation from her friend about Ethan's current lack of attachments, feeling confident that they were on the mark. Surely Ethan would have told her if he had started seeing someone over the summer! That would just be a horrible thing to keep from a friend! She listened attentively as Bronwyn and Meredith compared Winnie and the lucky man's classes, beaming at Mere as the girl offered to help. She and Winnie had their differences, and difficulties, but perhaps separating from Marc truly would be good for her friend in the long run. She was trying to make more of an effort with her roommates, at the very least, and that needed to be rewarded!

"I think that is a brilliant idea, Mere," Lydia affirmed, patting her leg as the girl suddenly looked away. Meredith was a discreet sort of person with her emotions, and Lydia knew, by now, that it was better to soldier on without addressing the change in her tone. It nearly sounded like her friend was close to tears, poor dear. Adjusting to her new life would take time, Lydia was sure, but speaking of that now, on the Hogwarts Express, where anyone could burst in and interrupt the delicate conversation? Now was not the time.

"A makeover?" Lydia laughed lightly, looking to Bronwyn. "You're beautiful, darling - but we can always try mixing things up!" While Bronwyn was absolutely stunning, she was also an athlete, and there were times that she looked...less like the perfectly made-up Bronwyn Nott that Lydia knew and loved. "Why don't we experiment after we've unpacked, hmm? Try some new colors on that pretty face? Let me do your hair?"

[Bronwyn Nott]

It was a relief that her friends had no intention of locking her in a compartment with Ethan Vanderhyde, as she doubted she’d be much of an enjoyment trapped in a small space with him. Because while Ethan was a decent match and nice to look at, he was still very much a guy. Things had gotten complicated and intense last year between her and Cordelia, and while the missing fourth to their group wasn’t in their compartment yet Wyn was sure Corry would have something to say. She’d had a lot to say about Eddie, as her oldest friend hadn’t been fond of the Hufflepuff. Or rather, fond of the fact she’d started dating him. But Corry had Rabastan, and yet had gotten upset with her for dating someone else. Typical.

But this year Rabastan wouldn’t be school, and she didn’t know what that meant for her and Corry. What she did know was that if she didn’t find someone, her father would make sure he found someone for her. And Vanderhyde was one of her best options. And given the amount of classes they had together - even the ones Meredith thought were idiotic - she had a decent chance to make things work. Meredith was looking away, the change in her voice obvious as Bronwyn exchanged a concerned glance with Lydia. A distraction was what Meredith needed.

“If you two think a makeover is needed, who am I to complain?” she laughed in response. The last thing she wanted was to sit and play dress up, but if it would get Meredith in a better mood she would do it. Surely they could work some magic without any drastic sorts of changes to her appearance.

[Meredith Mulciber]

"It's all settled then." she said matter of factly, smiling at her best friend as the other girl patted her leg encouragingly. Then she quickly got up and snatched her planner and quill from the top of her trunk. She opened and flipped to the appropriate date, settling her quick notes quill down on the nine o'clock spot. "Makeover for the beautiful Bronwyn." she said aloud with a wink to Winnie and the quill went to scratching away, Meredith keeping a close eye on it. When it was done she tapped the page with her wand, muttered an incantation and then shut the book with a flourish. "Nifty little spell I found girls, I'll have to teach it to you. At nine p.m. this book with vibrate, reminding us that we have plans. It's my new favorite thing and I don't know how I've been living without it." 

Forcing out a smile Meredith told herself that she couldn't dwell on what had happened over the summer, all she had to deal with was what was happening right now. And right now she was ridiculously pleased about her discovery. From here on out she would never forget about something she wanted to do, however small. If there was anything the blonde cherished it was being organized and on top of things. She would use her prowess in this area to help Lydia, well to help Winnie. She was the one who needed setting up. 

Settling both her journal and her planner aside, the sixth year tucked her feet under herself and stippled her fingers in her lap. She regarded her two roommates with a thoughtful expression. "After the makeover, we should have a chat, Wyn. I could fill you in on some things Ethan likes to talk about and we could work on...being...softer, maybe?" Here she smiled spontaneously, the beginnings of a crazed laugh taking over, and something in her eyes clouded over. "Well, maybe I'm not the best person to talk to about being softer. One of the reasons Marc left me after all was because I was too rough around the edges for him. Dark magic and violent tendencies, you know, tough stuff. Too rough and tough for the Zabini's. Lydia, perhaps that is your area of expertise."

[Lydia Avery]

The air in the compartment felt light as they chatted on, making arrangements for Bronwyn's makeover and Meredith showing them a new trick. Perhaps this was all that they needed to start the year off properly together, just their friendship, swapping skills and stories... She gave a delighted little laugh as Meredith finished explaining the spell. "Clever girl you are, you must teach us exactly how to do that!" And Meredith progressed pleasantly, seeming intent to put her whole efforts into their plan of setting up Bronwyn and Ethan. Lydia found herself nodding along to the blonde's initial remarks - topics of conversation outside of standard small talk were necessary indeed - but felt her face start to fall against her wishes as Meredith went on. Her hazel eyes were bright with some fervent energy, but glossed, and the laugh that escaped her was not her own. Lydia felt unease seeping into her stomach as Marc Zabini's name was mentioned at long last. Foolish to think we could last forever without it, she berated herself; the lingering pain of the split was just under Meredith's skin, it seemed, and that skin was splitting...

"Yes, yes, of course, I could help there," Lydia said in an abnormal stammer, exchanging a look of concern with Bronwyn. She drew her wand and sent the compartment door to closing itself and locking firmly, curtains unfurling to keep the occupants out of common view. While she would have wanted to first console her dear friend, Lydia knew better than to allow such an episode to be seen by the public. So it was only after the girls were shut away that she turned to the girl and gingerly took her soft hands in her own. "Meredith, are you quite all right?" she asked quietly, hoping that the bout of hysteria would subside. "I'm sorry dear, we don't need to talk about relationships - ah - Winnie, you've surely been training hard for the Quidditch season?"

[Bronwyn Nott]

It was hard not to feel a familiar twang of jealousy as Meredith showed off, the girl was always better at something than Bronwyn was. Apparently, this time it was a discovering useful new spells. But it was no time to be cross, not when her friends were offering to help her. It wasn’t that Winnie didn’t care about her looks, but with her busy schedule between classes and Quidditch, sometimes her appearance just wasn’t the thing she was the most concerned about. But there was something about the way Meredith was speaking that was just...off. They’d been in the same compartment for more than a few minutes now, and neither of them had exchanged any jabs at each other. Had the breakup over this summer truly changed the kind of person that Meredith was? Bronwyn doubted it, but she couldn’t bring up her concerns to Lydia right now. That would be a conversation for later.

Or...perhaps not. She bit her tongue, wanting to complain about being told me be softer. If Ethan didn’t like her for who she was - maybe you should work on being softer. And more into boys - perhaps Meredith was right. Except, Meredith kept talking, and Bronwyn exchanged a glance with Lydia. The way Meredith was talking, the laugh that echoed in the compartment. Something was obviously wrong, and it all had to do with Zabini. She should have known that they couldn’t avoid talking about the breakup forever, but this was such a public place to do so. Anyone could walk in, and it seemed like Meredith was in the middle of a breakdown. Winnie was thankful for Lydia, the girl taking care of the compartment door and curtains before she could, and changing the subject into one that Winnie was far more comfortable talking about. “Of course,” she said uneasily, looking between Meredith and Lydia before she continued. “I’ve practiced almost every day this summer. My aim’s gotten good, so good that I’m sure Potter will end up in the hospital wing at least one due to a Bludger to the face.”

[Meredith Mulciber]

Being here with Lydie and Winnie, riding the train to Hogwarts for the start of a new year, it was all so normal. Meredith almost believed things were normal, that she was normal again. That she was herself, preening under the impressed look on Lydia's face and the envious one on Bronwyn's when she revealed one of the things she had learned over the summer. She was looking forward to sharing her discovery later and she was nearly convinced that everything was perfectly fine, in order as it should be...then she was saying wrong things out of sheer anger and frustration and laughing like a mad woman. Her friend's faces dropped into worry and Meredith grimaced. Get hold of yourself! Lovely Lydia was her savior as she closed the compartment door and pulled down the shade from any prying eyes. Hastily Meredith pressed on her eyes to stop the flow of tears that wanted to come pouring out. She took deep breathes as Briar had taught her: in through her nose, out through her mouth, and closed her eyes to concentrate.

In moments she was calm again if a little less cheerful, but at least she wasn't hysterical. Letting out a short burst of a laugh, Meredith dabbed at her eyes, giving another little chuckle. It wasn't the demented sort of laughing she had been on the verge of, it was just an average show of amusement and for that she was grateful. "Thank you for that image Winnie." she said, picturing James Potter's ugly face bloodied and broken and the celebration Slytherin house would have over such a thing. "But I'm fine, really. I don't want to talk about Quidditch, but...we can pick up the conversation about Ethan later. Tell me about your summers. Did you learn anything new? Or any interesting shopping trips Lydia?" She sent an almost smile to her best friend, thinking about how much she wanted to unload on the other girl, but not here, as she had almost done. If only she could put 'emotional breakdown' on her calendar.

[Lydia Avery]

Lydia was thankful to have Winnie here as a witness with her; Meredith was going through something right in front of them, and Lydia felt that if she'd been alone and shared this with her other roommates - in the want to better support Mere from all angles, naturally - she wouldn't have been believed. Mere had a temper, that was surprise to no one, but this fit was most assuredly alien. So she shut the door and did what she could to defuse the situation, drawing the attention away from Meredith and putting it onto Winnie, who took up the baton flawlessly while Meredith steadied herself. She nodded along to Winnie's report, grateful for the beaming grin she was allowed by its end; for one, James Potter needed a Bludger to the face in every game to put him in his place; for two, Meredith was calm enough to laugh like herself. The girl was insisting that all was well, and so…

"Oh darling, you could say that." Lydia preened under the eyes of the other girl, and while she'd just offered to discontinue their conversation of relationships…She wants things to be normal. So, be normal. "We did have an interesting trip recently, actually. Charlie and I visited the Malfoy Apothecary a few weeks ago, and Lucius was there, and...girls, I swear, whenever Charlie ran off to investigate something, Lucius was instantly vying for my attention." The man was married - as if Narcissa Black Malfoy would let anyone forget - but the Slytherin graduate was most assuredly speaking with her as if he was not. And she could give as well as she could take, seeing no harm in a bit of flirtatious banter. For it was undeniably flattering, to say the least; it wasn't Charlie's fault that they'd been betrothed since such a young age, that by now they took the other's affection - or lack thereof - for granted. But if her beau put half as much effort in as Lucius had, Lydia could only imagine what they would've gotten up to as a couple already. She'd been holding off on giving everything to him, wanting to be positively swept off of her feet. He could do to learn a thing or two from Lucius. "Nothing could happen between us, of course, and I wouldn't want it to," she went on quickly, her smile unshaken, "but it was amazing to truly feel seen, you know?"

[Bronwyn Nott]

They would talk about whatever had just happened to Meredith later, it was only polite. Surely they’re was something they could do to support her, and Wyn just couldn’t see them supporting her as well without telling Cordelia. There was no way she and Corry would giggle in secret later while Lydia chastised them for it. Lydia was quick to defuse the situation where she could, and Winnie did the same, glad to hear a sane laugh escape her friend. There, mission accomplished. Mere was calming down enough to rejoin the conversation, and while they had their differences, Wyn was glad for it. Asking about their summers was simple enough, but she hadn’t yet decided to talk with her roommates about the thoughts flooding through her mind. Because most of those thoughts were about Cordelia. Like what it had felt like to kiss her under the mistletoe last Christmas. That she was hoping what had started last year would still keep happening.

Thankfully, Lydia was more than happy to jump in with a story, and Bronwyn made herself comfortable as she listened. And while she wasn’t surprised to hear a married man had been vying for Lydia’s attention, she certainly hadn’t suspected it be Lucius Malfoy. There was just something about a man with longer hair that Bronwyn liked, and Lucius has kept his significantly shorter since his courtship with Narcissa had begun. She grinned at her friends, leaning forward at Lydia’s words. “Oh come on Lydia, are you sure nothing is going to happen? I mean, to have that man vying for my attention?” she laughed, leaning back into her seat. “I’m just saying, some things are worth doing. Especially when those things are rich and wanting to keep secrets.”

[Regulus Black]

"Rich and worth doing? I'll be offended if you're not talking about me," Regulus teased with a cheeky grin as he came into view, pocketing his wand after a swift Alohomora had granted him entry to the locked compartment. What secrets are you sharing already? he wondered, hoping that his family wasn't the subject of discussion of Hogwarts' most prolific gossips. Although, it was because of the older Slytherin girls' wealth of social knowledge and influence that he'd wanted to find them before getting to school.

"You must make a statement, Regulus," insisted his memory of Narcissa, a cousin who had been quick to seek him out after Sirius's explosive departure from home."Believe me, I know how dreadful it is to return to Hogwarts when a sibling has been...disowned. And you can be sad, and upset, and all manner of things - privately. But you must show that unshaken handsome face to the public. Understand?"

Sad, upset, and all manner of things - just about sums it up.

This summer had sucked, to put it simply.

It had still been June when he'd heard the yelling from his brother's room across the hall. Their mother picking a fight with Sirius over something inane was hardly uncommon, and Regulus had expected it to end in its usual way. Both parties upset, but simmering at their split. But that hadn't happened. The fight had escalated quickly, ending with his brother storming out of the house to the tune of Mother's shrieks to never return. She'd been so trapped in her own circular mind upon coming to him that he knew she was beyond listening to reason, and it wasn't long after Father's arrival home that she'd blasted Sirius's name from the family tapestry. When he'd seen it later that night, after she'd been coaxed into sleep by potion or alcohol, the edges of the blast still smoked. Kreacher had found him after his candle had burnt out, sitting alone before the wall, willing the world to allow him to have another chance at this day. Because what if he'd stepped in? What if he'd separated them? What if...?

The past couldn't be dwelled on anymore, though - Sirius had chosen to go to the Potters, and he had to protect his social standing, show that the Blacks still had an heir worthy of the name. As much as he loved his brother, he would not let himself be ousted from the family. And so Regulus made the point to find Bronwyn, Meredith, and Lydia - Where's Cordelia? - to do just that. He let himself in with a smile, taking the open space next to his Quidditch teammate familiarly. "How are we doing this morning, ladies?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

'That's not fair!' Meredith thought mutinously as Lydia told her tale of one Lucius Malfoy. How was it that the darker girl got to be engaged and possibly sought after by a very high ranking member of their society. Forget about the fact that said man was married and a little old for her Lydie, that went without saying, he was surely interested. Because Malfoy just didn't go around giving any old girl his attention; he had to want her, right? So she was engaged to a fine match by their standards and had Lucius Malfoy on her scent? Meredith had never felt so completely inadequate in her life. 'No-one has ever wanted me.' But...she smiled and showed her interest and mentioned none of this to her friend. Lydia was only ever going to be Lydia and that person was a magnet, she could enthrall and befriend anyone. Meredith would rather cut off her right hand than play nice with half the people her roommate did. It was no matter, she could be angry about it later. Right now she had to agree with Bronwyn, something was bound to happen when, as Winnie had put it, 'Especially when those things are rich and wanting to keep secrets'. How could something not happen? She opened her mouth to argue her side of it...

"Regulus!" she said instead, surprised, as her thoughts were brought up short by the younger Black gracing them with his presence. She battled momentarily with her annoyance at yet another person in her compartment and slight pleasure at seeing another friendly face. At least it wasn't one of those annoying Hufflepuff's and so she decided she wouldn't be too put out by the extra company. Mere sent up a silent thank you that the younger Slytherin had not shown up a few minutes prior when she was on the cusp of a rage filled tantrum. She also sent up a prayer that she was able to keep it all together, at least until she was alone later in the privacy of her bed. For right now she put on a bright smile and assumed her normal personality. "No, unfortunately, not speaking of you."  she said with a scrunch of her nose and a side-glance to Lydia -oh, they would be speaking about Lucius later, for sure. "But now we are, we're talking all about you. We are all very well, and had very nice summers, right ladies? Now, tell us, how are you?" And she leaned forward, hopeful that Reg would tell them something about his older brother's disownment because for all she was, she still loved a little bit of gossip. 

[Lydia Avery]

It was oddly thrilling to finally be able to share her recent experience with the best of friends - save Cordelia, was their fourth avoiding them? - and Lydia sat a touch straighter at the attention that followed. Meredith was smiling, almost as if her outburst was forgotten, and Winnie couldn't get enough of her story! Going so far as to say Lucius would be worth doing. Lydia had to laugh at that, for she and Charlie had not even taken that step together! How could she even consider sharing a bed with another man - one who was married, and older, and yes, rich and handsome and -

While having the attention on herself for a change had its upsides, Lydia was nevertheless relieved in a sense when Regulus broke her charm on the door and joined them. The situation with Lucius was all hypothetical, after all, and it was just something she needed to share, to get off her chest. Now that she had, she could put it to bed. To rest! She took Meredith's hand in her own as the other greeted their younger housemate, sending the boy a warm smile of her own as she absolutely did not think about his cousin's husband in an improper manner.

"Yes, do tell," Lydia said with as much empathy as she could muster on such short notice. "How are you, truly? I hope you don't mind me asking, forgive me for overstepping if I am, but word's gotten around, and - have you seen Sirius yet today?" The elder Black's disownment was the talk of their social circle, even if it was hardly a surprise that the tenuous string Walburga and Orion had on their wayward son had snapped at last. And to have him leave the Blacks for the Potters? It was insult to injury, honestly, as it was no secret that - while they were all family, in a way - the families did not see eye-to-eye, to put it simply. And perhaps her empathy did not need to be summoned; this was a true burden for Regulus to shoulder, not only to become the sole heir but also to effectively lose a brother. She couldn't imagine being separated from Nicky like that, for surely their parents had set strict rules against their interactions... "We're here for you, of course, darling," she went on with a warmer smile. "We stand with our own, never you fear."

[Bronwyn Nott]

Bronwyn wondered what it was like to have someone rich like that interested in you. Maybe that was just what needed, an older boy. Although, that hadn’t worked out when she had dated Aaron, so perhaps her thinking was flawed. She’d tried dating someone younger with the months she had dated Eddie, and that had been better - but it hadn’t been what she wanted. What she wanted was Cordelia, but that was a secret she would take with her to her grave. Corry had Rabastan, and surely their activities from last year wouldn’t continue into this one. No, she needed to trust her friends on this thing with Ethan, they knew her so well that they couldn’t possibly steer her wrong. She was pulled from her thoughts as Regulus opened the door, and she couldn’t help but shoot him a smile.

She didn’t have siblings, nor had anyone from her family been disowned, and so Bronwyn wasn’t sure if she could truly understand how Regulus was feeling. But he was joking with them, which was a good sign, that much she was sure of. She was pleased as he sat down next to her, and she reached out to give his hand a squeeze. Regulus had shown up at hers over the summer to fly, and once they’d been up in the sky he’d vented to her all about it. She wasn’t surprised at Meredith’s words, nodding to affirm that her summer had been lovely - but couldn’t they give him a break? Surely this wasn’t the first thing anyone would want to talk about. And Lydia, asking if he’d seen Sirius yet, caused Bronwyn to give her a look. “Or we can talk about something not as prying, if you’d like.”

[Regulus Black]

What in the world did I interrupt? What did Wyn say? Rich and worth doing?

With those words coming from Wyn's mouth, and the look exchanged between Meredith and Lydia, the latter taking the blonde's hand perhaps more firmly than a friendly squeeze would warrant, the younger Slytherin figured that Charles Selwyn was no more the man in question than he was. He filed that partial piece of information away for another day, though, as the three medusas - as he'd call them fondly, contrary to unnamed Gryffindors - smiled and spoke to him in turn. Wyn's affection was lovely, and needed, and he kept hold of his friend's hand as the others breached the subject of his brother for him. They were hungry for news, eager, and he could perform. This is why you came here, you can do this.

But it was difficult. It was difficult to lie about this, especially when not so many days ago he had committed to not being on this very train. Sirius had all but plead in his letters for him to follow his lead, to come to the Potters, to stay in France with their uncle. How could he explain to them that with Sirius gone, he was all his parents had left? That if he left them too, that they would fall apart? His mother, while prone to swings of mood, hadn't yet stabilized from the shock of Sirius's departure. She had clung to him this summer, renewing the hopes she had for him and his future as if he'd forgotten them. Which, if he was being honest, he had. Sirius had had the role of the heir, he had shouldered more than Regulus ever knew, which had let him believe he could lead his own life. That no scrutiny would follow him, so long as he was where he was supposed to be and rubbed shoulders with the right people. 

I know I would be better off with you, with either of you. Do you not think I know that?

    Someone has to be there for them. Someone has to take care of them. Someone has to stand up for them. That someone is me now, don't you see?

It doesn't mean I don't love you. 

    I'm still part of this family. I'm not ready to let them go. I know they don't show it the same way other parents do, but they love me, they protect me, they've raised me. I owe everything to them...

He couldn't shut off the voice in his head, and worried in the back of his mind that his inner conversations would soon grow as circular as his mother's. Maybe if he could catch Sirius, talk things out, brainstorm with him, he could get everything back on track. They'd written, they still cared, he knew how their parents were - he would understand?

Can't fool yourself there, Regulus.

"It's all right, Wyn, really," Reg said with a laugh, smiling as genially at the three as he could as he interrupted his silent ramblings. "I'd be disappointed if you all didn't care enough to inquire." Not that that's why any of you asked. "It hasn't been the easiest summer, I will admit, dealing with the adjustments. But I am doing better with it than I was, thank you. I assume Sirius is with Potter and the others so, no, I have not seen him. What's done is done and there's nothing left but to move on, no?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Why did Winnie always make her glare? She shot her roommate a sharp look at her words, unsure why she was trying to deter the conversation. Obviously, they all wanted to know about the Black family disgrace. Meredith wanted to know even more now given they could no longer discuss Malfoy, a topic the blonde was eager to brooch again. The pressure of Lydia’s hand reminded her to keep quiet on it and she would not have the second-best distraction taken from her by the likes of Nott. But to tell her roommate to be quiet would only draw more attention to the faux pas. So she kept mum and was rewarded when Regulus offered up information without further prodding on their part. Though it wasn't as entertaining as she had hoped, she would settle for it, for now.

“We don’t blame you at all for him. You’re a good boy Reg.” Unlike your arse of an older brother. There was so much potential wasted in Sirius Black, he had been destined for great things. Now he was disowned and reduced to Potters number one sidekick, it was a tragedy. The younger Black however had never wavered, he was on the right side of things, and he too had some potential in him. It was a lot to be taking on the mantel of the heir to the Black name but Meredith thought that with enough effort he could do the job well enough. And to think that one time she had taken a fancy to Sirius, she had thought him amusing, daring, obviously handsome…

That was a long time ago now and she would deny it to anyone who dare suggest it. Regulus may be stuck with having such a brother but she would not be pegged for poor judgement. Sirius had enough of that for all of them. “Of course he’s with Potter.” She said, sitting back and rolling her eyes. Those idiots and their dim-witted friends. Marc had always said they were smarter then they looked, he said they were dangerous and that she shouldn’t underestimate them. Sod it, who cared what Marc Zabini thought anyway! Her thoughts went to her journal again and the letter he had written her but she pushed him from her mind for the hundredth time today, shoving down the hysteria that was always threatening her calm lately. “Potter is an imbecile, they deserve each other, the lot of them. You are so much better off, and Lydie is right, we stand with you. Right Wyn?”

[Barty Crouch Jr.]

“Ladies, ladies. Give young Black some room.” Listening at doors was one of Barty’s favorite pastimes and no one was exempt from being victimized. In fact, his friends were his most common targets. When he had come across the compartment with his friend Regulus and three of the four infamous ‘Medusas’ he couldn’t help but lean against the frame and casually listen in while they chatted. But it was all so boring. Better to join them and maybe liven things up a little. Shutting the door behind him he gave his friend a look before he took up a seat, rested an ankle on the opposite knee, he took out his wand, twirling it idly as he regarded his housemates. They all wanted to know the sordid gossip about Regulus’ family misfortune but his roommate had expertly diverted. The girls had fished for it, but they would likely never know the actual events leading up to Sirius Black’s departure from the ancient house. Reg had pushed them off the scent, and Barty would do his part to help distract them from bringing it up again.

But how to best draw the attention of three of the most formidable witches at Hogwarts?

More gossip, naturally.

Clearing his throat, he pitched his voice low, as if what he had to say was of great importance and secrecy. “Have you girls heard, that just this summer, a high-ranking member of the Ministry was found to be having an affair with a girl half his age? Apparently, he had her imperiused and was obsessed with her. Took her right out of Hogwarts, years ago. Broke a hundred laws. They say he’s going straight to Azkaban for it.” False. A lie. An easy lie. One well worth it. Wouldn’t it be funny if any of it were true? Barty smiled to himself, thinking it would have been hilarious if his innocent fib would have held any real weight to it. A prophet he was.