Chapter 749 - Ug Aftermath

By dinnertime, the news of Lorcan D'Eath being a half-vampire had traveled throughout Hogwarts and is well on its way to the parents of various chatty students via their owls. The whispered fervor only grew more as the following morning the Daily Prophet came out with the front-page headline screaming, "STAR CROSSED LOVERS! THE TORRID TALE OF ROMANCE & WOE, JULIET, & HER ROMEO, LAZARUS D'EATH!"

The female students interested in gothic romances tore the Daily Prophet copies from nearby friends or boys' hands and began to eagerly read the story out loud in huddled groups. The sounds of romantic forlorn sighing are echo throughout the Great Hall during breakfast as dreamy eyes gaze at the ceiling imaging their own passionate, but tragic romance. The students at Hogwarts were not the only ones fascinated by the tale in the Daily Prophet as the married female audience throughout countless wizarding households were equally fascinated by the tale that seemed right out of a gothic novel. The tale of Juliet and Lazarus D'Eath became the name unanimously associated with the greatest romance of the century. And in fact, in the future would be used to describe eloping couples of different statues. (They did a D'Eath!)

The Daily Prophet was absolutely thrilled as the newspaper could not sell enough copies to the point that they ran out. The Daily Prophet was forced to reprint the morning edition to the mass delight of the Editor Cuffe. For he knew a good story when he saw one. Political scandals are good and all, but a torrid romantic affair sold faster than hot cakes! That and he'd been pointedly told so by the owner of the Daily Prophet. Apparently, someone had rather firmly requested that this version of the story be printed in the paper written by Mr. Weed rather than the news article by Rita Skeeter that began as, "A VAMPIRE AT HOGWARTS! ARE OUR CHILDREN SAFE?!"

Rita Skeeter was left rather displeased and chaffing that her story had been tossed aside to make way for such nonsensical rubbish. What was even more insulting that the pathetic drivel had been written by Mr. Weed, who had meager talent at best! However, she was not foolish enough to rant to the editor's face nor much less when the command came from on high from the OWNER. No, she wanted a long-lasting, fruitful reporting career and she must bid her tongue on this occasion. Still, it truly was a rather rare and most miraculous occurrence…...

Due to the romantic portrayal of the torrid affair, there was no backlash against Hogwarts from neither the public nor the purebloods. Even the Hogwarts Board, Lucius Malfoy did not raise a protest at the subject of a half-vampire attending Hogwarts. It was a complete mystery to the various board members including the newly appointed board member, Secundus Wilkes.

Secundus Wilkes much like various other board members suspected that Headmaster Dumbledore had slyly outmaneuvered Malfoy much like with the impressive argument when the hiring of the centaur as a Divination Professor. More than one board member strongly suspected that Professor Dumbledore had been wrongly sorted and ought to have been a Slytherin. He was certainly cunning and sly enough to rival any Slytherin.

After the appointment of the centaur, Lucius Malfoy bore a rather disgruntled face suggesting that Professor Dumbledore had magnifically interfered and outmaneuvered Lucius Malfoy which he had. However, there was one other factor that had not been included and that was the intervention of Reginald Prince. Lucius knew better than to deny the head of the Prince family on such a request including the protection of the half-vampire student. He owed the old Prince plenty without counting the alliance between them. And sometimes turning a blind eye to a contentious topic is the best of options.

With the Chairman of the Board, Lucius Malfoy having not opposed the existence of the centaur professor nor the half-vampire student at Hogwarts, the rest of the purebloods took their cues and fell in line including their children. That did not mean the purebloods were necessarily pleased by the appointment nor the presence of a half-breed, but they would not go out of their way to cause trouble. Considering the circ.u.mstances this was the best that could be asked from wizarding society, and that would be sufficient to ensure the safety of all parties for the time being.

Even more troubling is that Lorcan to his profound shock was not spat on for being half-vampire nor treated as a pariah by his classmates, but rather a good portion of the female population had sided with him and had decided to protect the creation of TRUE LOVE. He suddenly found himself with an innumerable number of defenders, who would come to his aid at his merest hint of distress.

Although Lorcan found the reactions incredibly disturbing along with his friend, Jacob, Glenda thought it was all rather funny. On the other hand, Lockhart was a bit envious of all the show of attention as the days passed by. So, by the time, the next tutoring session came along, Lockhart with great flair burst into the tutoring classroom located on the 1st floor. "Prefect Prince, I shall write the next Romance novel of this era! Please recommend a novel or two!" He loudly exclaimed.

Rowan had already been begun tutoring and sends a withering glare at the golden-haired, Lockhart. "Sit down Gilderoy Lockhart," Rowan instructed causing Lockhart to sniff loudly, but obediently taking a seat next to Martha and Lucky, who was already seated along with Jacob and Fredrick Baddock.

"Pride & Prejudice," Rowan solemnly declared she held out the novels to Lockhart, "and Jane Eyre by Jane Austen."

"I expect for each book to be properly returned, Lockhart," Rowan pointedly emphasized as Lockhart had returned the last book with crumbs and chocolate stains found between the pages. She was not pleased with all by the returned condition of her book.

"Yes, yes," Lockhart eagerly answered paying no further mind to Prefect Prince's words as he eagerly grabbed the books from Prefect Prince's hands. In his hurry, he departs without even a word of thanks to Rowan having forgotten to even consider doing so. Sometimes Gilderoy Lockhart was much to thick for his own good. He'd pay for it sooner or later.