Attention dear readers, we have quite a treat for you today! Fresh from a stint in gambling rehab, Ludovic Bagman was gracious enough (and possibly desperate enough to be remembered) to grant me an interview about his time on the run and his future plans.
For those who may not remember Mr. Bagman, he used to be the Head of the Magical Games and Sports department at the Ministry of Magic. He helped organize the Quidditch World Cup of 1994 and also helped resurrect and organize the Triwizard Tournament of 1994 that so famously resulted in the rebirth of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Also, before joining the Ministry, Mr. Bagman famously played beater for the Wimbourne Wasps.
After his arrival I invite Mr. Bagman into my sitting room for tea. He takes a seat and looks nervously around the room.
"Are you alright, Mr. Bagman?" I ask.
"What? Oh, yes. I am fine. It has been a while since I have been in a wizarding home."
"Of course. Isn't it true that before you checked yourself into gambling rehab you spent some time on the run? From goblins, as I recall it."
"Yes, yes. A nasty period of my life I am not too proud of. I let myself get swept up in the glamour of being the Head of a Ministry department and thought myself infallible. After all, how could the Head of Magical Games and Sports possibly be wrong when betting on the outcome of a sporting event?"
Mr. Bagman laughs nervously and darts his eyes around the room once more, sipping from his tea.
"Why don't you tell me more about your time on the run?" I ask politely, quill and parchment in hand.
"Not much to tell really. I disappeared shortly after the Third Task of the 1994 Triwizard Tournament to avoid some rather shady goblins who were after me for a bad bet. Although I still argue they were playing dirty." He clears his throat, seeming disgruntled. "I spent a lot of time similar to that of Mr. Potter, wandering around the English countryside trying to avoid my enemies."
"Speaking of Mr. Potter, did news reach you of the state of the wizarding community and the rise of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"I heard rumors. Such things don't remain quiet for long."
"Did you consider coming out of hiding to help Mr. Potter fight back? It is noted that you always expressed great favoritism towards him." I ask.
"Well... I wanted... that is to say... I felt it would be in everyone's best interest if I were out of the picture. I had enemies on both sides of the war and my help would have been a favor to no one. So I stayed out of sight, with ears perked waiting for the news that it was safe... I, uh, mean opportune for me to return. When that news came I immediately checked myself into rehab."
"Do you think rehab was successful for you?"
"Oh my, yes. I picked up a lot of new tricks from the other patients," he laughs. "Um, and by that I mean, uh therapeutic tricks, to help control my... gambling urges. Anyways...." he clears his throat loudly.
Taking this as a cue to move on, I skip to my final question.
"Do you have any plans for the future, Mr. Bagman?"
As he ponders this, I refill our teacups and offer him sugar.
"I hope to get my foot back in the door at the Ministry and work my way back towards my old position. I miss working, and quite honestly could use the money to finish paying off my debts. Say, are these spoons silver?"
There you have folks, you read it here first. Ludovic Bagman is back and wants to reclaim his old 'glory.' How you read into his answers is, of course, up to you. On a final note Mr. Bagman wanted me to add that if anyone wanted to make a 'contribution' to his rehabilitation that owls addressed to him will find him.