Quote:
Rita Skeeter: Why hello there, Fudgey. Haven't seen your dapper little self around the Hog's Head lately.
Cornelius Fudge: Uh... Hello Rita
Rita Skeeter: This is simply dreadful. The war has been over for month and these silly people won't stop celebrating constantly. Meanwhile, readership is lower than ever.
Cornelius Fudge: I don't know what you mean? Your column in Witch Weekly is doing superbly.
Rita Skeeter: Yes, darling, but that's hardly the serious reporting that I strive for! If only...
Cornelius Fudge: I know. If only You-Know-Who hadn't come back! I could still have been Minister of Magic!
Rita Skeeter: That's what I'm saying, sweetheart. We both need something to get ourselves back on top.
Cornelius Fudge: What? Everyone in the Wizarding World loves Shacklebolt!
Rita Skeeter: No, silly, not that kind of game. We have to start small, just a little nugget of juicy gossip that would gain us some prestige back.
Cornelius Fudge: Wait, Rita, do you see Harry and that Granger girl over there?
Rita Skeeter: Please, Fudgey, don't remind me. The sight of their precious, glowing little faces makes me sick.
Cornelius Fudge: No Rita, isn't Harry married to Weasley's sister?
Rita Skeeter: Well, you know I try to stay away from those happy little affairs known as "weddings". But yes, I do seem to vaguely recall...wait...oh, my dear little Fudgey, this is simply fabulous!
Cornelius Fudge: But, how will ruining Potter's marriage going to make me minister again?
Rita Skeeter: Small steps, sweetheart. Everyone knows that Potter's eventually going to make a run for Minister someday. A little damage now could hurt a lot more in the future.
Cornelius Fudge: I don't know. Everyone said Dumbledore was going to run for Minister some day...
Rita Skeeter: Listen, Fudgey. This sort of waiting around got you in trouble the last time, remember?
Cornelius Fudge: I don't quite understand you, Rita?
Rita Skeeter: It's clear, deary. Maybe if you had simply acknowledged You-Know-Who's return instead of dragging your feet around...
Cornelius Fudge: It's not my fault! If I had done what Dumbledore wanted, the public would have murdered me!
Rita Skeeter: The past is past. What we need to focus on now is getting dirt on Potter. Yes, it's all coming to me. Everyone knows that the Granger girl and Potter have been close since first year. Now Potter, not finding himself satisfied by his beautiful but vapid Weasley wife, finds comfort from right around the corner.
Cornelius Fudge: Haven't they been in a relationship since the Triwizard Tournament?
Rita Skeeter: Oh, you're good dear! They've hardly tried to hide the romantic tension between them, obviously.
Cornelius Fudge: Remember how angry the public was at the Granger girl last time?
Rita Skeeter: Too true, my sweet. Well, I've got to fly Fudgey. People to spy on, gossip to write. We'll chat later.
Cornelius Fudge: Of course Rita.
Rita Skeeter: A pleasure, as always.
Oh yes, we are EVIL. This was so much fun. :D