Chapter 47: Rita Skeeter the Toad

"Braun, can't sleep because you're going to your uncle's house?" Mr. Foley teased in his pajamas.

"Dad," Braun was startled and yelled. He then proceeded to put down his book, then replied after calming down, "I'm not too sleepy, so I got up early to read a book."

"Ah, it's good to love learning, but don't forget to rest, Braun," Mr. Foley said while patting Braun's head with some concern. He knew Braun was trying to catch up on the magical outburst, and that's why he studied so hard. He felt distressed knowing Braun was worried too much.

"Let's go, stop reading and it's almost time for breakfast," said Mr. Foley and went out.

At the dining table, Braun sat waiting for breakfast, rubbing his stomach occasionally. Perhaps waking up too early had made him a little too hungry by this time. But breakfast wasn't ready yet, so he could only drink some black tea to ease his hunger.

"Mom, Good Morning!"

Millie Foley smiled at Braun. "It's so early, Braun. If you're hungry, we'll eat when your dad finishes getting ready."

As soon as the words fell, Mr. Foley exclaimed from a distance, "Oh! Oh my God! Check it out, Millie! Braun is in the newspapers!"

Excitedly, Mr. Foley waved the Daily Prophet in his hand. Millie, who was about to reprimand her husband for shouting, also looked surprised and peered over.

"Where? Where is my baby?"

"Here! Look at this! Here's how Braun won yesterday's Quiz on wizarding at the Quidditch boutique! It was amazing! He's worthy of being my son," Mr. Foley said triumphantly.

Mrs. Foley saw it too. The article was small, taking up only a small portion of the newspaper. If not for Braun's picture, it wouldn't attract much attention.

They would not have even looked at such a small column in the news if not for their son's picture due to their busy schedule. But even such a small news piece surprised the couple.

"It's just that the headline isn't good, 'Genius or Fool?' of course my son is a genius!" Mrs. Foley disagreed with the headline.

"No way, the Daily Prophet's headlines are always exaggerated, especially that Rita Skeeter..." Mrs. Foley waved her hand in disgust. "Don't mention that toad, that woman makes me sick. Let's eat."

"Okay, let's eat," Mr. Foley said and sat down at the table. He knew his wife's dislike for Rita Skeeter, attributing it to some news that the woman had written during their marriage that had misinterpreted their words. Back then, the Foley family still had his father and was not something that even Dumbledore or Voldemort dared to antagonize.

In the end Rita had come to apologize personally and was demoted in the Daily Prophet. She was basically invisible for a long time and only in the past few years had she become active in the Daily Prophet again.

She was not even punished by Daily Prophet for slandering Dumbledore or Armando Dippet as senile old fools and started thinking that she was invincible. But she forgot that for the two giants in the magical world, she was a mere ant. They were amused by her antics and decided to humor her.

But the Foley family was a different case. Not every clown can dare to challenge their prestige.

Breakfast was lighter that day. Dolly first arranged the cutlery, then directed the Ham, cheese and biscuits to fly onto the plates of the family. After pouring Ceylon black tea for the hosts and milk for Braun, Dolly and Dom stood quietly behind them, ready to assist.

If not for the peculiar appearance and the curtain-like clothing, one might mistake Dolly and Dom for highly trained butlers. After breakfast, the Foley family rested briefly and prepared to leave to visit the Weasleys.

Braun wanted to go to the garden to get into their family carriage, but Mr. Foley stopped him.

"Braun, we are not using the carriage today. We're going to be using the portkey.

A carriage would attract too much attention from Muggles if spotted, especially on Christmas Eve.

Also Diagon Alley closes early today due to the celebrations, and parking could be a problem," Mr. Foley explained.

"Dad, why not use the Apparition?" Braun asked curiously.

"Why would you want to do that? Apparition doesn't feel good for a young wizard like you," Mr. Foley replied.

"And it's said to be harmful to young wizards!" added Millie Foley nervously.

"I checked, Millie, that's just a rumor. It only causes dizziness and discomfort, nothing more," Mr. Foley clarified.

"But it was in Witch Weekly!" Mrs. Foley said, still unconvinced.

Mr. Foley wisely chose not to argue with his wife. "Come on, Braun, grab this," he said, pulling out a fine cane, and the three held hands to activate the portkey.