Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!

A/N: I wrote this for several challenges.

200 Characters in 200 Days Challenge: 76. Rita Skeeter

If You Dare Challenge: 62. Fourth

Pick a Card, Any Card Challenge: King of Diamonds: Write about an extremely wealthy character. Alternatively, write about the Malfoys. (BONUS: Write a fic involving a Malfoy family get-together)

Who? What? How? Challenge: 108: Rita Skeeter; 699. Star; 21. Rise

Are You Crazy Enough? Challenge: 72: (animal) Horse

Disney Character Challenge: Prince Adam: aka the Beast. Write about a massive transformation. Alt write about animagi.

Harry Potter Chapter Challenge: Rita Skeeter's Scoop - Write about Rita. Alternatively, write about Fridwulfa and Hagrid's dad.

This is gonna be a heck of a ride!

"And they're off! Number 9 in the lead, with Iconic Racer right on his tail!" The announcer at the race was shouting about the race, but talking to fast to really keep up with. Though horse races are hardly the place you would find a wizard, Rita Skeeter was sitting in the stands, eyes fixed intently on the race. She was muttering under her breath something about Nobility, one of the thoroughbreds racing. She had put nearly all her savings into that horse and knew that if she didn't win, she would probably need to go on the run.

One of the men who had accepted a bet with her said with a smirk, "And you're sure that Nobility will win fourth place? No higher, no lower?" Currently, this horse was in about 8th place and falling behind.

"Yes," growled Rita Skeeter, "I wouldn't have bet all my money if I didn't know what I was doing. I have consulted with three of the best Seers in this part of the world! All of them said the same thing." This was, in fact, a lie. She had only visited one very sketchy Seer by the name of Sybil Trelawney. She ran into her in a shop and was offered a free fortune. Rita accepted and was told that Nobility would with fourth place in the next horse race. Apparently, Trelawney saw a lot of money coming to her from this race.

Most people were betting on the two rising stars, Iconic Racer and Striped Winner. Rita enjoyed having a bit of risk in her life, however, and liked testing the limits of her luck.

The horses had just passed the 500-meter marker. Rita was beginning to doubt whether or not she should have made such rash decision on the word a batty old witch when Nobility gave a spurt of speed near the end and did end up winning fourth place. She gave a shout of triumph, then turned to the man who was currently pulling out several Muggle bills. He counted them and handed them over, shaking his head. How did she do it? He pondered this for a few minutes before getting distracted by some beer.

Rita went straight to Gringotts to find out just how much she could get for this Muggle money. She pulled the wad of cash and handed it to the goblin over the counter. After several agonizing minutes for Rita, the goblin counted out 50 gold Galleons and 21 silver Sickles and 3 Knuts. "Here's your change, ma'am. Have a nice day."

Rita left the bank with the coins jangling in her pocket. She spent most of it in a record time of 3 hours. With nothing better to do, she prowled the streets of Diagon Alley, looking for someone to harass a good story out of. It felt so good to be rich and successful.

A/N: Well, folks, there you have it. A short little thing about everyone's least favorite reporter! Next to come: who knows! Please review something nice. Or maybe critique it. I don't care. Just no bullying. Thanks again for reading!