Chapter 471: The Dedicated Rita Skeeter
When the group returned to Stoatshead Hill, the noise of the crowd faded away, leaving only the sounds of chirping insects. Cedric, who lived on the other side of the village, parted ways with them at the bottom of the hill, and the others continued on.
In the cool moonlight, they walked through St. Catchpole Village, chatting as they made their way along the damp path toward The Burrow.
"You said you saw Gilderoy Lockhart?" Harry asked, glancing at Kyle in surprise.
"I only caught a glimpse, so I'm not sure," Kyle replied. "But that person's teeth were incredibly white and shiny, and he had blond hair—just like Lockhart."
"You must have been mistaken," Ron said. "Lockhart is still at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries. There's no way he'd be at the Quidditch World Cup."
"Actually, no," Mr. Weasley, walking ahead of them, chimed in. "If I recall correctly, he was released about a week ago... Fudge mentioned it after a visit to St. Mungo's."
"And when he came back, the Ministry received a generous donation."
"Lockhart donated it?" Ron asked, sounding skeptical.
"Not exactly to the Ministry," Mr. Weasley explained. "Apparently, Lockhart had a change of heart and decided to use the fortune he'd accumulated from his book sales to compensate the people whose memories he stole and to help fund their treatment. He even handed over all rights and royalties to his books to support others in St. Mungo's who needed memory restoration."