Harry slept peacefully that night and woke up around seven, feeling refreshed and very hungry. He jumped up and showered quickly. He dressed casually, in jeans and a green T-shirt that accented his eyes. He put on his contacts and walked to the dining room. Severus was not yet there, so he sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Good morning Harry," Daisy said, coming into the dining room, carrying the newspaper.
"Good morning, Daisy. Is that the Daily Prophet?"
"Yes. Would Harry like to read it?"
"If you don't mind. Thanks."
Harry took the paper from Daisy and opened the paper. The headline was just as he expected, about him. It read:
WHERE IS HARRY POTTER? Is he still alive, and if so, why is he hiding? By Rita Skeeter
Harry groaned. If Rita Skeeter wrote the article, it couldn't be good. He started to read the article as Severus walked into the room.
"Hello, Harry."
"Hey, Sev," Harry mumbled, engrossed in the article. He didn't notice the raised eyebrow or the curious look Severus gave him at the sound of an apparently new nickname.
Severus wondered what was so interesting. He watched Harry while he sat and poured himself a cup of coffee. He jumped slightly when Harry spewed coffee all over the table.
"What the HELL! Who the hell is that shit-for-brains, sorry excuse for a reporter calling a coward? I don't fucking believe this!" Harry jumped up from the table and flew out of the dining room. He dashed up the stairs and sprinted to his rooms. He grabbed a quill, ink and parchment and wrote out a quick note. He spelled it and closed it.
When Severus walked into Harry's room, Harry had already given the letter to Hedwig and was giving her instructions.
"Take this to Rita Skeeter at the Daily Prophet offices. Don't let anyone but her get it. Then go to Hogwarts and stay there for three days, then come back here." Hedwig hooted her compliance and flew out the window Harry had opened.
"Do I even want to know?" Severus asked.
Harry handed him the Daily Prophet and flopped onto the bed. Severus read the article then looked at Harry.
"Do I really want to know what you put in that howler?"
"Probably not. I'm so sick of her I just had to tell her what I really thought. I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough. The Daily Prophet offices aren't exactly private. But I'll tell you anyway." Harry told him exactly what he put into the howler.
Severus chuckled. "I'm glad now that I never pushed you THAT far." * * *
Ron choked on his tea as he read the Daily Prophet. "Dad, did you see this load of rubbish Rita Skeeter is reporting. Honestly, calling Harry a bloody coward is what she's doing! Who does that stupid hag think she is? Saying he's a spoiled brat who doesn't have the guts to face the media like a man. Not even Snape has ever called Harry a coward and the git hates Harry!"
"What are you talking about, Ron?" asked Arthur Weasley, taking the Daily Prophet out of Ron's hands. The others watched, as Arthur's face grew red. "Of all the nerve! I'm going down there and give that piece of trash a piece of my mind!"
"I'm coming with you Dad, and don't try and stop me!" Ron ran to the fireplace and threw in Floo powder. "The Daily Prophet!" he yelled, jumping into the fireplace. Arthur followed close behind.
Ron and Arthur found themselves in the midst of frenzy inside the offices of the Daily Prophet. Apparently, they were not the only ones who were upset by Rita Skeeter's article. Ron saw several classmates and their parents milling about, talking about the horrible article. Ron saw Professor McGonagall by the receptionist's desk, yelling at some poor fellow. Ron stepped closer to hear what she was saying.
"Now you listen to me, young man. I want to talk to that ignorant twit Skeeter right now. Right NOW, young man! I don't care what she's doing! Get her out here right now. She wasn't there, she doesn't know! She knows nothing, trying to make poor Harry out to be pathetic. GET HER NOW!"
The man jumped and ran into the office behind him. Ron tapped McGonagall on the shoulder.
"Oh, hello, Mr. Weasley. I take it you read that outrageous article this morning as well."
"Hello, Professor. Yes, I did. I'm here with my dad. He wants to speak with Skeeter. So do I."
Rita Skeeter walked out of the office and everyone started yelling at once. A white object that flew by Ron's head distracted him.
"Hedwig! That's Harry's owl!" Everyone shut up as Hedwig dropped the howler into Rita Skeeter's hands and flew back out the window. The howler exploded before Rita had a chance to move.
"YOU DARE TO CALL ME A COWARD, YOU COCK-SUCKING BITCH! I DID WHAT EVERYONE EXPECTED OF ME! I KILLED VOLDEMORT, AND BECAUSE I WANT TO SPEND A FEW PEACEFUL WEEKS AWAY FROM VULTURES LIKE YOURSELF, MOURNING THE LOSS OF MY FAMILY, YOU DARE TO CALL ME SPINELESS? I'M TOO SPINELESS TO GIVE THE WORLD AN OFFICIAL QUOTE?! IT'S THE LEAST I COULD DO?! WELL FINE! HERE'S YOUR 'OFFICIAL'QUOTE! "GET BENT!" IS THAT OFFICIAL ENOUGH FOR YOU?! LISTEN TO ME, YOU SHIT-FOR-BRAINS OLD HAG! IF YOU COME NEAR ME, I WILL HIT YOU SO HARD WHEN YOU WAKE UP, YOUR ROBES WILL BE OUT OF STYLE! OH, AND YOU BETTER START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB, BECAUSE IF THE DAILY PROPHET DOESN'T FIRE YOU, I'M GOING TO SUE THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY'RE WORTH, PUTTING THAT PIECE OF SHIT TABLOID OUT OF BUSINESS! YOU HAD BETTER STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME, MY FRIENDS, MY PROFESSORS, AND MY GODFATHER, OR I WILL TAKE YOUR HEAD AND RAM IT UP A GRINDYLOW'S ASS! I HATE YOU, YOU STUPID BITCH!"
The howler finished its rant and Rita stood there, pale and shaken, while everyone around her howled with laughter. McGonagall and Ron held each other up while they laughed hysterically.
"That's my Harry!" cried Ron, tears streaming down his face.
"Oh my, yes! I can appreciate Potter's anger, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said, giggling like a teenage girl. They stood there and watched as the head of the Daily Prophet publicly fired Rita Skeeter, ordering her out of the office within the hour.
"Good riddance for bad rubbish!" Ron yelled as Skeeter closed the door to what used to be her office. "Hey, Professor, do you know where Harry is?"
McGonagall took Ron aside. "Yes, I do, but I cannot tell you where he is. He said he would contact you, telling you where he was in a few weeks or so. He just needs some time, Mr. Weasley. He lost his family, watched them suffer and heard them die. He needs some time alone. I assure you, he is in good hands."
"All right, Professor. Hey, if I write him a note, could you have it sent to him?"
"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Weasley." McGonagall waited while Ron grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill from the receptionist and jotted down a quick letter.
"Here it is. Thank you, Professor. I hope Harry tells me where he is soon."
"I'm sure he will. Now I must go, Mr. Weasley."
"Bye Professor." * * *
An hour later, Harry was sitting in his bedroom, reading 'The Raven', when an unfamiliar owl flew through the window and landed on his shoulder.
"Well, hello. And who are you? You want some water?" The owl hooted, and hopped onto the other chair while Harry went to get him some water. While the owl drank, Harry unrolled the parchments the owl had dropped in his lap. The first was from Professor McGonagall.
Dear Harry,
I hope you are doing well. I ran into Ron this morning at the Daily Prophet. Apparently he was there to express his outrage, the same as I. He asked me to give you this letter. He understands why you are unavailable, and hopes to see you soon. Take care of yourself.
Minerva McGonagall.
/Leave it to Ron to find a way/ Harry thought, sniggering. He opened Ron's letter.
Hey Harry!
Just ran into McGonagall in the Daily Prophet. She's sending this to you since I have no idea where you are. You should have been there. Merlin, Harry, that was so funny. McGonagall and I had to hold each other up we were laughing so hard. The howler went off in front of everyone! We even got to watch Skeeter get fired! It was the best! I'm so glad Dad didn't make me stay home. I hope your feeling better, and I'm really sorry about your family. I know you didn't like them too much, but they were your family, and I know that you loved them, deep down. And no one deserved that. Take care of yourself and owl me, Harry. Remember me and my family love you. You're my best friend.
Ron
Harry smiled. He had a great best friend, and he knew Ron wanted to help. He'd have to send him a letter soon.