Who: Stephen Cornfoot & NPC-bad-guy-wizard-Mafia What: Steve publicized a very private Ministry matter, and needs to think about his poor actions Where: Just outside of Diagon Alley, where one might apparate When: Monday evening Rating: Probably high!
Steve had no idea what had come over him today. For weeks, months even, he'd been urging his mates to keep quiet. To keep their frustrations with the Ministry behind wards, behind closed doors, and behind a thick layer of secrecy. He'd seen what happened to those who spoke out against the Ministry time and time again. Those with a brand on their arm were nothing short of singled out and near tortured. Steve knew all that. He'd been thinking about all that when he'd been writing.
But that article had gotten to him. How they mentioned squibs lived normal lives. Steve had known a few squibs, through the vast network his family was comprised of. They hated their lives. Steve had heard of many who took their own lives through muggle means, or drank one too many potions. Their lives were awful. Then that comment about the Ministry helping harrassment. It was bullshite. And Steve Cornfoot never thought in such crude terms, much less spoke them. But there he was - upset, on the cusp of broken, and writing in his journal. Bringing a cover-up to light, one the Ministry could not argue. Steve had copies of the reports he'd submitted, countless witnesses who'd read his previous journals, and Michael.
Steve hadn't heard from Rose all day. He hoped she was just busy with her work, and not mad at him. He wouldn't blame her for being angry. After the horses were fed and put away for the night, Steve had gone for a drink at one of his favourite pubs. His night was cut short, realizing that it was not the same without Michael. Drinking never was. He should have called on Anthony. Tired and quite alone, Steve left the pub and Diagon Alley, headed for a secluded area to apparate home. There he'd read until he slept, and maybe tomorrow would be a better day.