A/n: sorry it's been taking me forever to get up this next chapter. Rather than make stupid excuses about my failure, I'm going to thank you reviewers for filling up my hat! A huge thank-you to all the regular reviewers, because it's really you that have been encouraging me to continue. Quite honestly, if it weren't for people like ZONKOFRED, stardust, and RavenLady, I wouldn't really be continuing with this fic. I know there are way more of you out there, and I have been saying thank you by reading and reviewing your own fics…they're all very good! If I missed any of you, please email me and with full apologies I'll read and review three of your fics for missing you. Okay I'll stop babbling now – again, love ya! ~Jerry
Hermione stared at Dean. He only looked back, not understanding.
"Dean, I don't understand," she said at last. "The article…it's right here, see?" She handed him her copy of the newspaper. Dean glanced down and saw the article, but then he showed Hermione his copy of the Daily Prophet, and Hermione saw a follow-up story on the dragon tariff.
"I don't understand," she whispered, repeating herself. "The article…has it been written?" To Ron she asked, "Who else gets the Daily Prophet? Anyone around here?"
"Hmm…nope, can't think of anyone."
"I know Draco Malfoy does," Dean said helpfully, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione groaned back.
Finally they wandered to the Hufflepuff table, and Justin Finch-Fletchley was kind enough to give Hermione his copy of the Daily Prophet when she showed him what was wrong with her own.
Hermione, as well as Harry and Ron, had to go to class, so Hermione could only stash the newspapers in her backpack before rushing over to Charms with Professor Flitwick.
The Gryffindors had no afternoon classes since Astronomy was that evening, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione were able to find time in the library that afternoon to investigate the newspaper mystery.
"What do you make of it?" Harry asked when the three sat down. He had to speak softly because Madame Pince, the librarian, was nearby, reshelving books and listening for potential troublemakers.
Hermione shook her head at Harry's question. "Actually, I'm wondering whether that first article has been written at all," she said.
"You mean that it could be like this article today?" Ron said. "A little brief on your paper, and only your paper?"
"Yeah."
Hermione went over to the newspaper archives and pulled out last Thursday's paper. She brought it over, and her expression could be easily read as fearful.
"Look," she said, her voice shaking. She held up the paper for Harry and Ron to see. "There isn't any article here, too, just like Langston Hearst said."
Ron looked at the paper, which was missing the controversial article on J.K. Rowling's book. "That is so strange," he said.
But Harry was obviously thinking of something else. He looked over to Hermione, who was biting her lip.
"Hang on a minute," he said. "Do you have Mr Hearst's letters to you, Hermione?"
Hermione whipped out the two letters. Harry gave them a really good look.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"I'm trying to see if either of the two were forged."
Ron took the letters from Harry. "Ooh, look," he said. "See how in the first letter, he curves his g's, but in the other one, they end with a hook? And look – the pen stroke seems lighter."
"Let me see, I'm the one in Arithmacy," Hermione piped up. Ron handed the letters to her.
She hardly glanced at them before gasping audibly. "Oh, my gosh," she said. "It's obviously two different people, why didn't I see before?
"Look here," she continued. "Like Ron said, the strokes are way different. The second one has a lighter stroke, most likely written by a woman, judging from the slightly smaller handwriting. She's obviously trying to copy Mr Hearst's handwriting, because the slant and height is about the same, as are most of the letters. But, check out the signature. It's very hard to forge someone's signature, especially if they write in cursive, or with simple handwriting, and Mr Hearst does both. See?"
Hermione showed Harry and Ron the two signatures, and Harry saw that the second one was obviously a fake. It was slightly larger, and the loops seemed more forced.
"So…you think some woman is behind this?" Harry asked.
"Not just any woman…" Ron said, making a connection. "But…"
"Joanne Kathleen Rowling!" Harry and Hermione both said.
The three looked at each other.
"So those letters you sent…do you think she somehow intervened with them? Before they got to the addressees, I mean?" Ron asked.
"I'd bet my life on it," Hermione said, her anger growing. "And I'm writing a letter to her, asking her what's the big deal. Mean old cow. I can't believe anyone would go this far just to make some money off of Harry's story." She looked at Harry for support.
Harry sighed. "You do what you want," he said. "But I'm not sure if a letter will work, she can just deny whatever you accuse her of. If I were you, I'd go see her in person or something. Look her up in a Muggle phonebook, we'll visit her at our next Hogsmeade trip." Harry laughed. "But until then, I'm late for Quidditch practice." He stood.
"Crap, so am I!" Ron exclaimed, looking at his watch.
Hermione could only stare at Harry and Ron as they went up to the Gryffindor tower to change their robes. Harry grabbed his Firebolt and told Ron he'd meet him at the pitch. He wasn't kidding; he really was late for practice, which didn't look good, since it was the first one all year. But, Harry was able to slip in quietly (followed by Ron shortly thereafter), while Alicia talked about hopes for next year and beyond. Then she made Harry release some Quaffles and help the reserve kids with new tactics and general practice.
Harry didn't mind helping the new members, but that was mostly because he knew Seamus and Ron so well. Even Dennis Creevey proved to be a good Chaser, as he and Ron seemed to be one in formation and scoring with Quaffles. When Alicia blew her whistle, ending the practice, she looked incredibly pleased with the new kids.
"Ginny Weasley, you're a dream," she said, and Ginny, who was quite flushed, burned red at Alicia's words. "And I have been watching the rest of you. The Cup is ours for certain this year. Good work, everyone! Now hit the showers."
Harry went into the Gryffindor Tower, full of good spirits. He and Ron were able to bother Dean Thomas into getting the password to the Prefects' shower room, so they messed around in the giant bathtub for awhile, until finally Moaning Myrtle came in and told them both to get out because they didn't belong.
Harry and Ron both got dressed and exited the Prefects' bathroom, which was lucky because Hermione was coming their way. She was waving a piece of paper, and Harry was immediately able to guess what it was.
"I wrote her a letter, asking if we could meet," she said, looking excited. "I mean, I'm sure she'd like to meet you, Harry, since she only wrote an entire book on you. What do you think?"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, sounds good," he said.
The three were silent for a moment.
Hermione sniffed the air. "I smell perfume," she said. "You guys haven't been sneaking in the Prefects' bathroom, have you?"
"Of course not," Ron lied.
She gave them a look. "I'd take points, but not from my own friends," she said at last. Sometimes Harry forgot that Hermione was even a Prefect, even when her pristine badge gleaned from being polished so many times – Harry guessed that same badge was once Percy's. Harry didn't mind not becoming a Prefect – as Fred or George said, it'd take out all the fun in life – but he did wish that Hermione didn't have to become one, because now there were so many tales of rulebreaking that he and Ron had to keep from her.
"So…about that letter?" Harry prompted.
"Oh, right," Hermione said. Again the moment was strange. "Can I borrow Hedwig? And did you want to sign it too?"
"Hand it this way," Harry said, sighing. He read:
Dear Ms J.K. Rowling:
Recent investigation shows that you may have been intercepting valuable letters to the Daily Prophet, Bloomsbury Publishing, Plc., and the Ministry for Magic that I have written. Further, I believe you may have written certain articles appearing on the front page of the Daily Prophet. I am sorry for having accusing you of such actions, but if you know what I am talking about, I would like to arrange to meet you somehow. I am a friend of Harry Potter and a fifth-year at Hogwarts.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger
Harry took a look at it and then added under Hermione's signature: "Please include me in whatever you arrange, signed, Harry Potter."
As though reading his mind, Hedwig appeared at the nearest window and came, ready to deliver whatever letter Harry had ready for her. He attached the letter to Hedwig, and she was on her way.
