Secrets, Lies and the Daily Prophet (Alt. Fifth Year Fic)

Chapter 9: Harry talks about Rita Skeeter

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Mrs. Figg gave Harry a smile. "As I was telling Sirius, people are looking for the madman with shaggy hair or the young man with long hair they remember all those years ago before you were unjustly imprisoned. They are not looking for a mature man with grey hair."

Sirius nodded as he smoothed one hand over his hair. "Bella made me go prematurely grey, but I've been told that grey hair makes men look distinguished. And she's been feeding me well, too."

"Oh Sirius," she blushed and turned away to the stove to fetch the kettle.

Harry just grinned at his godfather. "You look great."

"Well, I also worried that I wouldn't be able to trust that the Death Eaters wouldn't be made aware of my Animagus form now that Pettigrew has reasserted himself in their circle. I simply need to be able to be in human form but not readily recognizable."

Harry started to feel like he was going to burst with all his questions.

"Tell me, what's going on? I've been dying to know. I haven't heard anything and..."

Mrs. Figg poured the tea into the cups and placed some blueberry scones on the table.

"First of all Harry," she began, "we don't know much yet, and we won't be able to share all of our information with you. There are certain things we won't be able to tell you and that is for your own protection. You should know that the story about Voldemort's return has finally hit The Daily Prophet. It was in this morning's paper."

"Can I see a copy of it?" Harry asked urgently.

"I'm sorry," she said shaking her head. "I don't get owl post here in the house. I think it is far too risky in this Muggle neighbourhood to have them flying about. Instead I subscribe to hearing The Daily Prophet over the Wizarding Wireless Network. This morning's broadcast was particularly nasty in its accusations regarding Headmaster Dumbledore. They seemed to slant it as if he were trying to cover for you and that there wasn't any evidence to support the truth about Voldemort having risen. I'm sure that one of your friends will send you a copy soon. Please bring it over when you get it."

"Was it Rita Skeeter who wrote that piece?" Harry said with dread.

"No. One of the bad things about hearing the broadcast of it is that you hear the reporter's voices read their articles. I cannot stand that Harpy! No, this was the managing editor Hearst Seldes."

Harry looked down at his teacup. He wasn't sure what to say and then he just blurted it out.

"Skeeter's an Animagus. A beetle. Hermione captured her the night of the Third Task. She was spying on us in the infirmary."

Sirius blanched. "She was there?"

"Yeah, but Hermione had figured it out beforehand and was watching out for her. That's how Skeeter had gotten some of those 'scoops' like when my scar was hurting me and about Hagrid being a half-giant. She had heard or seen us from inside Hogwarts grounds after Dumbledore had banned her. She had been a beetle on the wall."

"Where is she now?" Sirius asked coldly.

"I'm not sure. Hermione threatened Rita Skeeter with exposing her as an unregistered Animagus and having violated the rules of Hogwarts. She told her to keep her pen to herself for a whole year. Hermione planned to let her go when she returned to London, but I'm not sure if she did though."