Chapter 25 - 26

He signed the contracts with the daily prophet, but Evan underestimated the influence of the Daily Prophet, when he sat to eat some toast the next morning, he saw a parliament of owls fly in to the great hall.

"Look!"

I didn't know who shouted when all the students looked up and saw a fantastic scene.

Countless owls poured into the Great Hall, covering almost the entire ceiling.

"Hogwarts Great Hall, Evan Masson!"

Evan saw his name and address on an envelope, he frowned and reached for it, but soon three, four, five owls flapped their wings to his side, they stepped on the butter, knocked over the salt, each one wanted to give him their letter first.

"What's the matter?" asked Colin curiously.

No one answered, and then seven more owls flew down, but this time they were looking for Harry.

"I think I know what's going on guys, look at this!" said Hermione excitedly, she grabbed a Parcel from the owls. But before she could open the parcel over ten owls flew in and surrounded her instantly.

Evan opened the parcel Hermione handed over; it contained the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. The article about Harry's mother was placed on the front page with the other articles by the editor and Bathilda Bagshot.

Lockhart's photos and novels occupied the entertainment section and the novel section. Hermione's two articles occupied a space under Rita Skeeter's article.

"These are letters from people who read our articles."

"The letter she held was sent by a witch who was over 50 years old, thanking Hermione for efforts to keep underage wizards safe since she lost her daughter in a flying accident when her daughter was eight. A lot of the letters came from Muggle-born wizards, who thanked her for saying what they always wanted to say.

Unlike Hermione's thanks she received, Harry received a much more touching thanks. People used some gorgeous but over the top statements to express their sorrow over Harry's unfortunate life.

As for Evan, he got more criticism.

People complained about some of the things he wrote, such as how Voldemort failed, what Lily's last spell was, and who was the Black-haired boy on the pendant.

A man said they had the right to know the truth.

Ron opened one of Evan's letters and muttered, "What does he want to know, why not just ask he who should not be named?"

"Look this woman is suggesting you go to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries," said Colin, "She might be a follower of he who should not be named?"

In fact, the professors are more stressed than Evan.

Almost every professor received a large number of letters, including Dumbledore and McGonagall, the readers who read Evan's article hope that the professors will take better care of Harry.

In the face of an endless stream of owls, they were overwhelmed.

Professor Snape, cast a spell causing all the owls to fly away.

Unlike Snape who was angry, Lockhart was extremely excited, Lockhart received the most letters, he put all the letters in a particular pocket so that in his free time he can write back to his fans.

Anyway, Evan's articles had an unforeseen result.

Many older wizards were surprised that young wizards could write so well, but most people think they make a lot of sense, although in some places the wording isn't accurate considering the age of several people the flaw is negligible.

The good news about all this is the editor of the Daily Prophet said he was willing to reprint the articles of Evan, Hermione, and Lockhart for a while, which will significantly enhance the selling of Hogwarts' Magic. In addition to the students in school, there are even adult wizards willing to order the newspaper.

With the advantage he achieved so far, Evan successfully printed around 800 follow up papers per issue.

Everything was going right, and the Hogwarts' Magic newspaper became part of the everyday life of a few wizards, the newspaper received more and more contributions and made some modest profits. Professors and students got accustomed to the countless owls that rained down for breakfast every Wednesday.

Because of the small amount of money, he earned, Evan bought a few herbs for himself and bought Hermione a new quill. The rest of the money was spent on Fred and George's research.

Under the supply of materials, the twins achieved excellent results.

In addition to the magical fireworks, they also developed Extendable Ears, Self-Writing Quill, Nosebleed Nougat, and Ton-Tongue Toffee.

These things were brilliant but fraught with danger.

Fred and George received a lot of orders, and many young wizards expressed their excitement for their new product. However, Percy and Hermione didn't let them turn other people into their guinea pigs, which led to the twins almost living in the school hospital.

The matron of Hogwarts Madam Poppy Pomfrey was mad, even without Fred and George she was busy every day.

Since October the weather became cold.

Ginny and Evan who was sick recently were not spared by Percy who forced them to drink some of Madam Poppy Pomfrey's Pepperup Potion which caused steam to come out of their ears for hours.

His cold, the revises of the manuscripts, and the increasing class assignments greatly reduced Evan's focus of the Chamber of Secrets.

Thankfully Ginny had not had any abnormalities, she had gone to the library every night to help Hermione to help edit the manuscripts, so she shouldn't have the time to open the Chamber, or she hasn't been controlled by Tom Riddle.

Evan found time to talk to her about the diary, but Ginny said she had never seen a black diary.

This surprised Evan, if Ginny didn't have Tom Riddle's diary who did, did Lucius Malfoy not give it to her, perhaps since crossing over it produced more than a simple ripple from the butterfly effect.

But anyway, the plot has changed, Evan's most significant advantage is gone!

After worrying about it for a while, Evan cleared his mind and decided to worry about it some other time.

Hopefully Tom Riddle does not appear, as for a way to destroy the Horcrux's, not my problem so Dumbledore should worry about it.

In the face of the unknown Evan choose to wait with caution.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If the diary was given to someone by Lucius, then the Chamber of Secrets should be opened.

Evan remembers that the first attack was initially on Halloween.

On Halloween, he intended to stay with Ginny to monitor her, or to see if anyone else was acting suspicious, but Hermione disagreed, she wanted Evan to go with them to Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party.

"Hermione, I'm sick so let me stay in the living world. Besides, I'm going to be doing the article about the Halloween party for next week's headline."

"You haven't been sick since Tuesday, Evan!" said Hermione as she shook her head refusing to let Evan stay, "The article can be handed over to Colin and Ginny, Nearly Headless Nick has already helped us with gathering news so we can't be absent tonight."

"But Dumbledore booked a troupe of dancing skeletons for the entertainment," said Harry with hesitation since he nor Ron wanted to attend the Deathday party.

Hermione turned her head to remind Harry and said, "You and Ron were the ones that promised Nearly Headless Nick that you would attend his Deathday Party."

So, at seven o'clock in the evening, the four walked through the door which led to the Great Hall. There were numerous decorations, candles, and gold plates on the table, it was very tempting, but instead of going to the party they went towards the dungeons.

Even though they go to potions class this way, it's especially scary tonight.

Some candles lined the hall, but the effect wasn't great since the thin candles burned a very light blue, which made them feel gloomy.

Every step the four took the temperature fell.

Which made Evan sneeze and wrap his clothes around himself tighter.

He soon heard a sound that was like a thousand nails scratching on a blackboard.

"What that sound?" said the terrified Ron.

"I think it's music," whispered Harry.

They turned a corner and immediately saw Nearly Headless Nick, who was standing beside the doorway.

"My dear friends." said Nick, "I'm so glad that you came, welcome, welcome."

He took off his hat and bowed slightly while asking them to enter.

The sight was unbelievable, the Dungeon was packed with hundreds of translucent figures, most of them swinging dancing on the crowded dance floor, they were waltzing to the terrible sound of the musical saws, the orchestra played on a black-draped raised platform.

The chandelier had thousands of candles lit on it releasing a magnificent glow.

Evan could see his breath; it was like he was in a freezer.

"Well, what shall we do now?"

"Let's look around first!", Suggested Harry.

"Be careful not to walk through anyone," said Ron nervously.

They carefully walked around the edge of the dance floor, they saw a group of Gloomy nuns, Ragged man wearing chains, and Fat Friar

They then came across Bloody Baron who was a ghost of Slytherin with blank staring eyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained with silver blood. No one dared to go near him, so the other ghosts gave him ample space to be by himself.

"Oh no," said Hermione, "Turn around quickly, I don't want to talk to Moaning Myrtle!"

"Who?" whispered Harry.

"She's a ghost that haunts one of the girl's bathrooms," answered Hermione.

"Haunts the Bathroom?"

"Yes because of that the bathroom is always out of order since she keeps flooding it. As long as we can avoid her, you're good but if you go to the bathroom, she screams at you, it's really annoying!"

Hermione's heart sank when she saw Evan head towards Myrtle.

"What is he doing?"

"Who knows, maybe Myrtle is Evan's type." said Ron with a big grin, "ha-ha, this is big news."

Hermione glared at Ron, and then the three followed Evan quickly.

Since the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was in the bathroom where Moaning Myrtle is located, Evan wanted to ask if she has seen anyone strange enter recently.

At present the location of Tom Riddles' diary is unknown, so any clues should not be overlooked.

Before Evan got the chance to speak to Moaning Myrtle, he saw a being with an orange jesters cap, pale skin, black hair, and black eyes appear in front of him.

"Little kids would you like some?" said Peeves while holding out a bowl of mouldy peanuts.

"No thanks," said Evan, quickly refusing.

"I just heard you talking about poor moaning Myrtle, that's impolite!"

Peeves took a deep breath and roared, "Hey, Myrtle!"

"Peeves please don't tell her what I said she'll be very sad.", Said Hermione, who was standing beside Evan. She whispered in a hurry, "I was just joking....."

Her words were cut short when she saw Moaning Myrtle float closer and closer.

Moaning Myrtle's expression was filled with the melancholiest and gloom that Evan had ever seen before.

"What?" asked moaning Myrtle with a sullen face.

"Hello, Myrtle, it's good to see you outside the bathroom," said Hermione in a charming voice.

"Miss Granger was talking about you just now," said Peeves slyly.

"We were saying you looked so beautiful tonight," said Hermione as she glared at Peeves.

"You were making fun of me."

Moaning Myrtle looked at Hermione suspiciously, but then tears suddenly flowed down her glassy eyes.

"No, really, didn't I just say that Myrtle looked beautiful?" said Hermione while elbowing Harry and Ron's side.

"Yes…."

"She did!"

"Don't lie to me, you think I don't know what people call me behind my back," said moaning Myrtle with tears falling from her checks, "Fatty Myrtle, Ugly Myrtle, Poor sobbing sullen Myrtle!"

"You forgot…." said Peeves as he laughed.

"Enough Peeves!" said Evan as he quickly interrupts Peeves, Evan had something to ask so he couldn't let Peeves mess it up.

"We really believe your beautiful tonight, you're very friendly unlike the other ghosts, you are the best one, believe me…."

Hearing Evan's compliments about Myrtle, Harry, Ron, and Hermione opened their mouths wide in astonishment.

"Does he actually like Myrtle?" Whispered Ron to Harry, but unfortunately, he was heard by Peeves and Myrtle.

"You're lying, nobody, likes me," said Moaning Myrtle as she burst into tears once more and ran out of the Dungeon.

"No one likes Myrtle, pimple face Myrtle!" shouted Peeves as he ran behind her throwing mouldy peanuts.