Hermione Granger and the Goblet Of Fire (Completed)

Chapter 28 - Beginning

Dedicated to ABooklockedNerd19
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Hermione and Ginny got up at ridiculous o' clock the next morning and took the jar to a nearby girls bathroom. Ginny took the jar and shook it violently
"Oi, Skeeter, wake up" she snapped
The beetle opened it's eyes and hissed in protest
"Oh, honestly, quit whining" said Ginny "Be grateful, she could have done a lot worse to you. If it was me, I wouldn't have given you any air holes"

Ginny opened the jar and the beetle dropped onto the floor. Before the beetle could move, Hermione and Ginny drew their wands and pointed them at the beetle
"If you try anything, Skeeter, we'll stun you" said Hermione "understand? Okay, now transform back into a person - it'll be easier to to talk that way"

The beetle glared at Hermione, before turning back into a person. She immediately went for her wand
"Don't" said Ginny "you'd never be able to get your wand free before we stunned you"
"And why would I believe that two teenagers knew how to stun someone?" scoffed Skeeter
"Who did you think taught Harry?" said Hermione innocently

Skeeter looked at her reflection and scowled. Her glasses were broken, and her hair was full of twigs
"How much of last night did you hear?" asked Hermione
"Enough" said Skeeter "and I heard Potter telling Dumbledore what he believed happened to him. I could tell you, if you let me go"
"No, thanks" said Ginny "I'd never believe your lies, anyway"

Skeeter scanned the room, checking for doors - one, behind Hermione and Ginny - and windows - none, precisely why they'd picked this room
"Here's what's going to happen" said Hermione "You're going to hang up your quill for a year. No articles throughout that time, including what you heard last night. If you do write anything for the Prophet in that time, and I will find out, I'll tell the world about your little secret"
"Blackmail? You could get in trouble for that" said Skeeter
"And you could get quite a bit more trouble for being an Unregistered Animagus" said Hermione "so quite being condescending"
"Honestly, you think a day in a jar messed up your hair?" said Ginny "Imagine what years in Azkaban would do it"
Skeeter's eyes flashed with rage, but there was fear, genuine fear, shining there as well

"Any other demands?" snarled Skeeter
"Yes, turn back into a beetle" said Hermione
"Why?" snapped Skeeter. Hermione shrugged
"You've spent the last year spreading aweful lies about me and my friends. I like seeing you trapped and powerless"
Skeeter snarled, but did as she was told. Hermione put her back in the jar. Ginny let out a low whistle
"Damn" she said "When do you plan on letting her out?"
"Probably on the last day of school" said Hermione "When we get to London. It would be hard to explain to my parents"
Ginny grinned, and Hermione returned it
"That went pretty well, don't you think?" said Hermione
"Yeah" said Ginny "Can we go back upstairs, please? I'm tired. Unless you plan on going on more secret adventures in the middle of the night"
Hermione snorted

***

That morning, Dumbledore spoke to the school. He didn't mention Cedric at all, but merely asked everyone to leave Harry alone, and to not ask about what had happened. Harry left the hospital wing during lunch. He was incredibly distant, barely looking present during lessons and almost ignoring the whispers and stares of people as he passed in the corridor. Hermione seemed to have reached a silent agreement with Ron and Harry not to discuss what was likely happening outside of school. It was a waste of time to worry, especially as there wasn't any information to discuss.

Of course, this didn't stop Ginny, who discussed theories with Hermione at every possible opportunity. She didn't drag her mattress onto the floor again, but she had swapped beds with one of the girls in her year, so she was now in the bed next to Hermione. Hermione prefered this, as they could talk long into the middle of the night, and not disturb anyone else