"Well, well, well. If it isn't my old nemesis. I can't believe I agreed to do this. Is that thing on?"
"No, Hermione. The quotes quill hasn't started off yet. And nemesis? Please, I thought we were old friends. I love what you've done with your office, by the way."
Hermione smirked. "Friends, eh? Is that why you were always publishing those exposes about Hogwarts, trying to shut us down?"
"The idea I ever tried to shut down this school is patently false, and I resent the accusation," Rita retorted. "A little reform never hurt anyone. It's been more than a decade since the last child died here, no?"
"I suppose the child mortality rate at Hogwarts has dropped precipitously since your series on the Chamber of Secrets," Hermione said. "And I know you'll be fair in this piece, my friend."
"Well, retired or not, I was eager to talk when I got your owl. This has to be your first interview since, well, you know," Rita said, trailing off. "... since Ronnie left."
"So we're starting there?"
"It's what everyone is most curious about. No one has heard from Ronnie since. Rumor is she's plotting the destruction of this school."
"Well, she would have every right to do so. And that's on the record."
"When did you first meet Ronnie?"
"I heard a noise in the attic. I went up there to investigate and found her trying on an old dress of mine."
"How did you react?"
"Honestly? I cried. I'm embarrassed about it now, but I cried. A lot. I think she had tried to tell me before, but, I dunno. I didn't listen much. We were 'The Heroes of Hogwarts' and destined for love. The school had hired some lady to write books about us and Harry. I had this perfect picture of us in our mind. I guess I just blocked everything else out."
"And this was right before Hogwarts expelled her from the faculty?"
"No, no, this was years earlier. We had years of confusion. Er, I should say, I was confused. Ronnie knew who she was. I asked her to keep Ronnie in the attic. Just for a while so we could sort this out. We started sleeping in separate rooms. I told her Hogwarts would never accept her, but I think what I meant was, I didn't want to accept her."
Hermione paused, waiting for Rita to ask another question. But Rita was a seasoned reporter. She knew Hermione had more to say. She remained silent and looked down at her notes, avoiding Hermione's gaze.
Hermione felt a knot building in her throat, as though she swallowed a cue ball and it was slowly moving down her esophagus, choking her of air. When she couldn't take the pain anymore, she spoke.
"I was bigoted," Hermione said, wiping tears away. "And it cost me everything I cared about. I was mean. I was cruel. I lost my best friend and became everything I hated. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her."