Tea House Journalism

[Jamal Kapoor]

Jamal settled in one of the usual wizarding tea houses of London watching people come and go and listening in on conversations for any hint of gossip that may have a shred of validity to it. Lately the gossip mills were too quiet and he was reduced to the usual human interest pieces on wizards who were awarded the Order of Merlin to some degree or about a couple soon to be married or whatever grunt work he was given but Jamal always yearned for more than that.

[Ella Lorena]

Ella strode into the tea house with a determined gait. She wore a tight green dress that made her emerald green eyes stand out. Her dark brown hair fell down around her shoulders. She was beautiful and she knew it. As she entered the room, her eyes fell on Jamal. She smiled. This was going to be too easy. This kid looked like he would believe anything. She gracefully slid into a seat near him and crossed her legs seductively. She smiled at him. "You work for the Daily Prophet." It wasn't a question. It was simply a statement.

[Jamal Kapoor]

In a dress like that, crossing her legs just so, she didn't have to say a single word to have his undivided attention. While he was in school he was focused on his studies and never really had much time to invest in girls but now that he had the time he completely lacked the experience. Most situations he sank rather than swam but she started the conversation and he cleared his throat, remembering he had a voice.

"You work for the Daily Prophet." She had said.

"Yes, I am a reporter actually. But you have me at a disadvantage, you know something of me and I am afraid I don't know you. I am Jamal... Jamal Kapoor."

He extended a hand to her.

[Ella Lorena]

"Yes, I am a reporter actually. But you have me at a disadvantage, you know something of me and I am afraid I don't know you. I am Jamal... Jamal Kapoor."

Ella shook his hand. "I'm..." She paused. Real name? Fake name? Did it even matter? "Marita Dante. It is very nice to meet you. So you wrote that wonderful piece on that awful vampire." She smiled.

"I'm jealous of you. I always wanted to be a reporter. Traveling the world. Meeting new people. Bringing corruption to light." She leaned in close and lowered her voice. "Uncovering...scandel..."

[Jamal Kapoor]

"Thank you Miss Dante, it is a real pleasure to meet you too. And the article, well it was actually a lot longer than that. He admitted a lot of things that he wanted to get off his chest but the paper had to trim it down. People love telling me things, I just have that kind of face I guess."

Way to go Jamal, being all ego is not the way to gain a woman's interest but at the same time this was a phishing expedition. She was pretty, and seemed interested in him and his work, but if she had any juicy gossip to share well that had to come first since, as his sisters say, interests come and go, your work is your life. Excelling at work now was as important as excelling at school had been before.

"I haven't had much time for travel but that is only because I just started this year."

Or at least that was his excuse. He had already gotten farther than any of the last few interns had at this point in working for the paper. Already he had the Reporter title even if he was only printing in the gossip or human interest sections of the paper at least what he wrote was getting published instead of being stuck doing clerical work like the other interns.

"That, is the best part. When it can be uncovered anyhow..."

Jamal admitted because there was nothing more print worthy than a scandal.

[Ella Lorena]

"It must be your eyes...why people tell you things, I mean. They show trust and understanding. Those are rare qualities these days."

Ella gave a small sigh. Time to reel him in. "It's so...sad. I mean the other day I saw...and there were things said...and it's...well, it's simply awful! But can I do anything? Can I say anything? He's too powerful. And I...I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm...I'm....so..so frightened!"

She turned on the fake tears and buried her face in her hands. Ella smiled inwardly, this was going to be her easiest mission yet.

[Jamal Kapoor]

"Really? I guess I could see that. Thank you for saying so."

He almost forgot to thank her when he was paid a compliment. Ok this was completely new grounds for him. The women at work sort of ignored him but in his mind this woman was totally into him.

"What was said? If you don't mind my asking... maybe there is some way I could help..."

She had him hook line and sinker. Whatever line she wanted to feed him, he was ready to eat it up if he thought it might broaden his chances with someone like her.

[Ella Lorena]

Ella took a deep breath and made a big show of wiping away the tears that were streaming down her face. Actual real tears. She was getting pretty good at the fake crying.

"If he knew I was here...I'm not sure if he knows that I know...but if he knew...it's horrible! He's supposed to be a public servant...he's so powerful and he has control over so much. And the worst is that no one knows! But if he has his way it won't be good for the poor Muggleborns. My cousin works for him. She's terrified out of her wits. He threatened her. She told me everything. Said there's...legislation? Is that the term? I'm afraid I don't understand politics very well. But it's bad. She said he keeps...one...as a pet. Said she saw it...in chains!"

Ella grabbed Jamal's arm and said in a hushed, quivering voice, "He's a...dark wizard...and no one knows!"

[Jamal Kapoor]

For a moment Jamal was having a hard time following what the woman was saying. The tears caused him to pass her a napkin with concern.

"Public servant? Are you saying that someone in the Ministry is keeping a Muggle... chained up somewhere? Who is it? Everyone should know. I promise to keep my source confidential but you have to let me write about this. If the ministry doesn't know or won't stop them then the press will make it known and force them to do something... I promise I won't mention your name or any of this but you have to let me help, it is the least I can do."

What were the odds? Here he was trying to overhear a bit of good gossip. Maybe what famous wizard was cheating on his wife with who else's wife or something of the sort but this, this was a major story. Front page material. He had to get this story out. Didn't matter if it was just a clerk. Anyone keeping a muggle prisoner like that could make the front page, especially on a slow news week like this one.

[Ella Lorena]

Ella dabbed her eyes carefully with the napkin. She sniffled and nodded. She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "The Ministry won't do anything. There's a...a cover up or something."

She looked around anxiously. No one seemed to be paying them any extra attention. She leaned in close and said in a barely audible whisper in Jamal's ear. "Augustus Merlin...Sage."