LFAM36: Skeeter gets swatted
Disclaimer- Don't own it, don't make any money off it – it's JKR's
Chapter 36
Sirius eyed the Healer nervously, James sitting at his side looking anxious. Rufus Scrimgeour and Amelia Bones were nearby, trying to look neutral. Auror Black's career depended on the decision made today.
James shook his head slightly, Sirius still had holes in his memory – but they only showed up now and then. Mostly things about Sirius that Remus or James didn't know about, so they would make themselves apparent at odd times. Like the occasional girl that would come up and yell about Sirius never calling her, and of course not believing the 'losing his memory' excuse. Luckily Rosemerta found this more amusing than anything else.
Worse, Sirius would occasionally call Charlus by the wrong name – Sylvia would always come unhinged when Sirius called him Harry, or when he would look at Sylvia oddly – like he didn't recognize her and ask where Lily was. He always remembered after a few minutes, but Sylvia would already be storming to her room.
It was also unsettling when Sirius would look at the framed edition of the Daily Prophet Sirius had hung in his rooms - it had Regulus featured on the front page as having heroically faced Voldemort and then saving Harry & Draco at the cost of his life. Many times he would look at it, puzzled, and ask what had happened. Once told - he would always be once again grief-stricken and guilt-ridden – those were the worst moments.
James, at least, realized that Sirius was in no shape to rejoin the Auror ranks, even if Remus remained hopeful, and Sirius was trying to pretend that all was well.
Healer Shankwell completed the last of his tests, and sat across from Sirius and James. "Auror Black, I'm sure you are aware that your healing is still on-going, although you are now cleared to return to some form of work. I don't believe you are ready for regular Auror duties, however."
Sirius slumped in defeat, and James fought to not look relieved.
"The problem is that we can't really know what you do and do not remember; I would suggest that you either completely redo your Auror training – perhaps in an accelerated manner, or go to a different department of the ministry. You won't have any difficulty remembering things you learn, now – it's just things before the Insano curse that you may have difficulty with."
Sirius nodded unhappily. The Healer continued relentlessly, "I notice that there are a few areas of the brain that the Insano curse has caused some small scarring in – are there any memories that you repeatedly have difficulty with?"
Sirius started to shake his head, then shrugged hesitantly. "You tell them, James." His voice was hoarse.
"He calls my son Charlus, by the name Harry, at times. He forgets who my wife is now and then, and asks where Lily is. He forgets what happened to Regulus, a lot." James listed the problem areas tiredly.
The Healer looked unsurprised. "I would guess that those 3 were at the forefront of his mind when he was hit with the Insano that was mixed with a confundus – this makes his memories of them tricky. He had been guarding Harry for Lily, and he had just learned of Regulus' death. So those 3 are likely to always be a problem, although we will continue to work on it."
Sirius sighed, "I don't know that I want to go through the Auror training again, and I don't want a desk job."
"Actually, Sirius, the Minister has a job for you – definitely not at a desk. The memory problem should not be a factor – since Remus will be with you, he can help you with any difficulties." Rufus sounded smug, and he smiled at Sirius' surprise.
The Healer took his leave, and Rufus and Amelia sat down with the three marauders.
"Greyback's pack is becoming a problem. The general attacks for food and money are bad enough. If they bite or kill anyone it will give Umbridge and her pack of rats ammunition. We need to track them down and capture or kill them. We don't want to alarm the peaceful werewolves, and this must be subtle. Mr. Lupin will be a key factor in this, of course, since you will need to make contact with other werewolves to track Greyback down. Auror Potter will be your contact in the ministry; you are going to say you are on a mission under his direction. People will likely think we are inventing work for you, but, if successful – we can reveal your part in this." Rufus explained the work succinctly.
"I can say I've got him researching some information that Dumbledore wants." James said, considering the possibility of looking for Horcruxes at the same time as searching for werewolves.
Madame Bones nodded, "People would believe that. This does not require total secrecy – we just don't want to spook the rogue werewolves into hiding, or the peaceful werewolves into a panic." Amelia smiled slightly, "You will need to learn subtlety Auror Black."
All 3 Marauders snorted and laughed.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
The book 'Magical Mom's Handbook' hit the stores like a rocket, the publishers – Obscurus Books - were on their second printing within 2 weeks, and translating it into French, Spanish and Italian immediately, with more languages planned. There was some criticism, of course. They had attacked some dearly held beliefs, of course, and totally debunked a few others.
Narcissa and Lily had attended some signings, and –as suspected – they were asked more questions about Harry and the defeat of 'He who must not be named' than the book. They invited a few reporters over –one at a time for interviews from Witch Weekly, the 'Paris Commerage', and even the Quibbler. They allowed a very few pictures of the children - they rather liked the picture of Draco and Harry petting Nettle, who was trying very hard to be a camera-hog.
They finally gave in to Mr. Cuffe's – (the Daily Prophets editor) - pleas for an interview, but insisted it be someone other than Rita Skeeter. The Editor – Mr. Cuffe, himself came over for a very polite interview, and was treated to tea and scones at Malfoy Manor. He left with a satisfying amount of quotes to create an excellent article about 'the Boy who Lived's' mother, his godmother – Narcissa Malfoy, and even a few words about the book, itself.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Rita Skeeter was, of course fuming at the clear snubbing she was receiving from the Malfoys and Snapes; they apparently were taking her articles over the years about them and Slytherins in general rather personally. Well, she thought with malice, they hadn't seen how personal she could be, yet.
She had found the fact that Severus Snape had adopted James' son very interesting. The first thing that anyone said about Snape and Potter was that they hated each other with a rare intensity at school. A few classmates recalled they had both been after Lily Evans. Better and better. If only she could get a look at the divorce papers – but that bitch Amelia Bones still had them in that homicidal file cabinet, and all the papers that were available to the public said was 'irreconcilable differences'. That could mean anything! – So she could print almost anything, and they would have to release information to refute it. This, of course, was what she wanted, anyway.
The new Potter wife would be interesting, - people always giggled when asked about her. She soon found out why, when she finally unearthed someone who had the nerve to reveal 'anonymously' that Sylvia Potter had been a stripper, and that the new Potter heir was either 'a bit early', or 'Sylvia Peverell' had been pregnant before she ousted Lily and became Mrs. Potter, herself. The news of James Potters magical disowning of Harry had made Rita wince – readers would be unlikely to sympathize with James Potter over that.
Now, if she could just steer the story to make the Snapes and/or Malfoys look bad. She needed more information. Rita managed to track down a power-shopping Sylvia at Madame Malkin's. All Rita had to do was toss a few disparaging remarks about Lily and Narcissa, and they were best friends. Soon Sylvia was ranting about how snobbish they and their friends were. Rita frowned – it would be hard to paint the Weasley's as snobbish. Sylvia rambled on, but she didn't really know Lily or Narcissa, and had no concrete facts, just complaints.
The information she had would not likely make the public turn on the Malfoys or Snapes, she needed to get into the Snapes or Malfoys homes – find something incriminating –or at least something that could be made to appear incriminating.
Now she just needed a way in. A few dropped hints at the Prophet brought the news that 'The Practical Potioneer' was sending someone to interview Potions Master Snape about the Murtlap-infused nettle, and it's use in the new potion he had patented. She smiled to herself – she just needed to find out when so she could ride along.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
It was as few days before Christmas when Adrian Bonham gathered his quills and tablets into a bundle and prepared to take the portkey that had been provided to Briarfrost Manor. He was a good potions maker, but had not attained his mastery, and really, - he found writing about potions at least as interesting as making them.
Talking to this Potions Master would be fascinating – the sheer genius of being able to invent these new potions, as well as coming up with new plants to make them with! He had a long list of things to ask Mr. Snape. He didn't notice the beetle fly in and land on his back. The portkey activated, and he landed in front of Briarfrost Manor. He was immediately greeted by a perky house-elf who showed him into the study to meet Severus.
Rita dropped off Adrian's back and waited for them to leave for the lab and greenhouse, talking about their boring Murtlap and nettles, blah blah blah.
Rita flew around for a bit, scouting for a likely place to look for something to use against them. Severus' study was full of potions and herbology books, nothing interesting. She flew to a window – Lily was outside with the two children, playing some game with Harry. She should be alone in the house.
Irish sat at the top of the appropriately massive cat tree located next to the fireplace (right where he had wanted it) in the big living room. He noticed a beetle buzzing from Severus' study, into Lily's workroom. His eyes narrowed; there was something wrong with this bug. He sensed magic in it, and worse – he sensed malice, and evil intent toward his humans.
Irish silently padded into Lily's workroom and jumped to the top of a bookshelf, where he could easily watch the beetle's activities. Irish tensed and crouched when the 'beetle' turned into a blonde woman, this wasn't right at all. She wandered around the room, peering at books and papers. His tail started lashing when she opened the file cabinet. He debated whether to fetch a human, or deal with her himself.
Rita almost squealed in triumph – she had found the file with the divorce papers; she pulled it out and opened it on the desk to peruse the contents.
This was too much for Irish – those papers were obviously Lily's property, and he had become fond of the witch the dark-clad wizard had taken him to. This bug was obviously infringing on Lily's territory. Irish sprang into action and onto Rita's head and shoulders, knocking her to the floor as he let out a full-throated kneazle scream that was soon echoed by Rita when he dug his claws in. Glasses and shoes flew off Rita as she thrashed, trying to dislodge the monster that was tearing her hair out by the chunks.
The screaming from both woman and kneazle had everyone running inside to see what was happening. Severus calmly called Irish off, who left the fray with his lions-tail lift triumphantly and his nose in the air, and sat imperiously between Lily and Severus. He was feeling rather superior that he had vanquished an enemy.
Severus bound Rita to a chair with a wave of his wand, and had Jimmy and Larkin summon Aurors.
Moody and Kingsley responded, alarmed that there was trouble at Briarfrost Manor. Moody removed the gag that had been placed on her.
"How did you break in?" Moody thundered.
Rita only quailed a moment, then answered angrily. "Why, Adrian Bonham brought me – I'm meant to interview the Snapes, and then I'm attacked, like this!" She thought she had played that well.
"I didn't bring her, I swear it – I'll swear it under veritaserum, if you like." Adrian was appalled to be named in such a despicable invasion of privacy.
Severus put up a hand, "I realize she's lying, Adrian."
Lily summoned Trixie; the only house-elf left that didn't work elsewhere at the Manor most of the time. "Did you see this women enter with Mr Bonham?"
"No mistress", She squeaked.
Lily looked at Rita triumphantly.
"You can't make me take veritaserum, unless you have charged me with something rather dire. You haven't charged me with anything, and I maintain that Adrian Bonham brought me here. And you have denied me medical attention – just look at me, you will be hearing from my lawyers!" Rita spouted gleefully.
Moody waved his wand, and muttered. "The truth spell says that's right, but it can be circumvented." He patted Adrian's arm sympathetically, taking in the man's distressed look.
Severus had been eyeing the damage done to Rita, Irish had been quite merciless, he looked down at the cat, considering some options. "Larkin, Jimmy – would you take the children to see the Granians – Harry hasn't picked a name for Nettle's brother, yet." The pair looked curious, but complied. "Lily would you firecall Minerva to come over – tell her it's an emergency." Lily looked baffled, but left to do so. Severus looked at Rita calmly – chilling her slightly. "We do have a witness, you know."
Moody looked at Severus askance. "What witness?"
Severus nodded at Irish, and Moody laughed, now understanding, and beamed at Minerva as she entered.
Minerva looked at Rita with loathing, and then spotted Irish. "What a magnificent creature!" She cooed.
Irish swelled up a bit larger and his usual cat-smile got bigger, as Minerva crouched beside him. Severus quickly explained the circumstance. "So, if you could ask Irish what happened, we would be grateful."
Minerva changed into her tabby cat form, startling Irish a bit. They nosed each other, then seemed to stare at each other, for endless moments. Minerva morphed back into herself and glared at the now-nervous Rita. "Moody, do you have Rita registered as an animagus? She arrived as a beetle, apparently. She was going through Lily's files when Irish attacked." Moody huffed angrily.
Lily gasped and ran to the desk, the divorce file, with all the sordid details laid out to be read,. She looked at Rita's smirk, wondering how much the reporter had read. Kingsley firecalled the ministry and found that Rita was not registered. Her smirk was gone, now.
Moody stood her up and bound her again with ministry shackles. "I assume you wish to press charges?" He asked the Snapes.
"Yes!" Lily broke in, a bit tearful. "All you can think up, Moody." She had thought all this mess was behind her. Now it was obvious Skeeter was going to drag it all up, again.
Moody smiled smugly and flooed away, taking Kingsley and Adrian with him. Adrian was trying to think of a few charges for Rita, himself – he promised to owl Severus to reschedule the interview.
Minerva patted Lily's shoulder. "If you need to talk, you know where I am." And she also left.
Severus wrapped Lily into his arms, soothing her back gently. Irish sniffed in disgust and retired back to his cat-tree to take his place as guardian – he could see out the living room door, down the long and wide front hall, and straight to the front door from there – perfect. He and the dark-clad man had an alliance of sorts, now. They both intended the family to be safe. He felt a feline smugness that he had brought down the first intruder, not the dark-clad man.
Severus kissed her deeply and embraced her again. "It will be okay, Lily – I'm sure that Rita will be too busy with legal tangles to write anything. Lucius will know a lawyer to sic on them to make them to afraid to write anything about you." Severus hoped his efforts would get through. Lily sighed and snuggled in.
"If I can look forward to more comforting, I may start letting reporters sneak in." Lily purred.
Severus huffed in mock annoyance, but was relieved she had cheered up. "Shall we join the children – I think Harry has named the other Granian – I can hear him shouting 'Thistle' from here."
They strolled slowly, arms linked, to the Granian's pen.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
A/N Yeah for a defeated Rita Skeeter (at least for now) The hits are over 23,000!!