A/N: Okay, this will be a pretty long Author's note, because I feel like explaining what I believe everyone's ages are based on the info we've gotten from the first five books, assuming that Harry is sixteen.  Ginny- 15.  Fred/George/Angelina/Lee/Alicia- 18.  Katie- 17.  Oliver/Percy/Penelope- 20.  Those are basically given.  Now, Snape, Lily, and the Marauders were definitely in the same year, and in an interview, Rowling (I think) said that Snape was 36 in the 4th book and Lucius was 42, which would make Lupin and Snape 38 and Lucius 44.  I think that Andromeda (Sirius's cousin) would've been 47, since Tonks is now 26, and I think that Molly and Arthur are 49, at least, because Charlie (who finished school in '85), is presumably younger than Bill and is 30, which makes me think Bill is probably 31 or 32.  From information gathered in Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid is definitely 67 in Harry's sixth year and Voldie is 69, and I think that McGonagall is probably 68, though with her, it's just a wild guess.  She seems the same age as Hagrid, though, so… yeah.  And I'm assuming that Moody is around the Hagrid/McGonagall/Voldie age group, and that Kingsley is close to the MWPP age group.  Bellatrix is probably MWPP age and Narcissa is prob. Younger than Lucius but older than the Marauders.  Victor and Fleur are probably about 20, which is the reason I am getting suspicions that Charlie could be the oldest, as there was obviously some Bill/Fleur stuff in the 4th book, and how Bill said he hadn't been to Hogwarts in 5 years, which would be the year before Harry graduated, and Ginny says that she remembers Bill starting.  Okay, sorry for rambling!!! Lol!  But I am like obsessed with figuring out ages, and it's been bothering me!  Lol! Now for the chapter!!  Oh, and Barty Crouch is prob. MWPP era, but I think that Quirrel and Lockhart are probably (or would be) 30 or so right now, as Quirrel said he was young when he looked for Voldie and found him, etc.

Chapter 42: Interview with Voldemort

            Harry looked, shocked, at the front page. 

            "This reporter was going through a neighborhood several weeks ago when something caught her ear.  (Name of residency not given for privacy reasons.)  I hurried to the window of a house and heard none other than the Dark Lord musing to himself inside.  Of course, it would be dangerous, but I ventured inside, risking everything, for the People. 

            "Lord Voldemort?" I asked hesitantly as two death eaters immediately tried to stun me. The evil snake-man laughed coldly and ordered my release.  He cruelly asked me what I was doing.  I did some quick thinking, and made up a quick lie.

            "I- would like to join you, My… Lord."

            "I see your lies.  Now, is there anything you would like to know before I kill you, you foolish little girl?"

            "Um… yes, actually.  Why do you want to take over the earth?"

            "Power."

            "Are you, like Potter claims, just a half-blood?"

            "Not if I could help it… but that doesn't matter.  I've killed all those Muggle relations…."  Tears well up in these startling red eyes as I begin my next question.

            "Why do you want to kill Harry Potter?"

            "Enough questions!  I have no more time for this foolish amusement… Avada Kedavr-"  I suddenly bolted away and managed to escape.  So ends my gruesome tale.  I will never be the same. "

-Rita Skeeter

            Hermione looked at the paper in disbelief. 

            "That was nothing to joke about!" whispered Ron angrily.  "Do you think she used her animagus form to get away?"

            Hermione shook her head.  "That wasn't by Rita Skeeter."

            "But it says so, right here, 'Mione-" argued Ron.  Hermione, however, brushed him off.

            "No… Rita Skeeter is too afraid of Voldemort. Remember?  She practically chokes every time she hears the name… Plus, she's never used the same type of line in two articles before, that I've seen… No, whoever wrote that, though I hate to say it, has it in for that reporter.  Not that I'm surprised, but, it seems like a big setup.  The Daily Prophet probably didn't know about the article, Voldemort and his Death Eaters will be furious… and everyone will be trying to kill her…"

            "That wouldn't be so bad," said Harry reasonably. 

            "Plus, she has no humor," continued Hermione.  "And it probably would be bad, Harry.  There's no telling how much she heard our fourth year that she's had sense not to tell.  Voldemort would force her secrets out." 

            "Well," suggested Ron, "She could always flee the country.."

            "Very funny, Ron," said Hermione dryly.  "We need to spill her secret to the Order.  Now; before all our secrets are gone…"

            "Who are we going to tell?" asked Ginny quietly, clutching Harry's hand. 

            "Dumbledore," stated Hermione obviously.  "Come on, you two…"

            "Can I come?" asked Ginny. 

            "Oh, of course, Gin… I meant you and Harry; Ron's hardly heard a word, he's so concentrated on his breakfast."  Ginny chuckled, and the four students (Ron looking rather affronted) marched up to the staff table. 

            "Excuse me…" began Hermione, addressing Dumbledore, who's eyes were staring gravely at the newspaper. 

            He looked up tiredly, removing his glasses, eyes twinkling.  "May I help you?"

            The rest of the staff were all watching slightly curiously.  "Um, Professor," began Harry, "Could we talk to you, and possibly Professors Hagrid, McGonagall… and that's all, in private?"

            "Of course.  Come, Rubeus; Severus; Minerva…"

            "We didn't ask for Snape," said Harry and Ron a the same time Snape said, "He didn't ask for me." 

            "Ah… well, I believe it would be a good idea.  Come, all, we will speak in my office."  Harry linked hands with Ginny as they followed everyone to the familiar stone Gargoyles.

            "Canary Creams," said Dumbledore calmly.  He then ushered the other seven upstairs, conjuring comfortable, purple, squashy armchairs (A/N: I always loved the purple squashy sleeping bags in their third year!!! Lol, when Sirius was – OH SIRIUS!!!! *sobs*)  Harry took his seat and began speaking first.

            "Professor, we have something to tell you about Rita Skeeter."

            "I presumed so."

            Then Hermione spoke up.  "She didn't write that article.  And she's an Animagus."  At this the room fell into a short silence. 

            "It can't be," said McGonagall.  "She was hopeless at Transfiguration… Dear Merlin, how many unregistered Animagi did we have running around the school 20 years ago?" she asked incredulously. 

            Dumbledore smiled.  "Quite a few, as far as I know.  My, Minerva, you must have had quite an interesting Animagi class…"  McGonagall slightly smiled. 

            "But how do you know she didn't write the paper?  And what type of Animagus is she?" 

            This time Ron joined the conversation, trying to be helpful.  "She's a beetle, and she spied on us everywhere in fourth year.  Anyway… why couldn't she have written the article, 'Mione?"  Hermione rolled her eyes.

            "I kind of placed a hex on her after I found her secret… let's just say that I would know if she wrote another article without our permission.  Plus, it doesn't sound like her writing one bit." 

            "Curious," whispered Dumbledore.  A few minutes passed and he wrote a letter to somebody, sending it off with Fawkes.  Snape read it over his shoulder.

            "Damn!" he said loudly.  "So now Headquarters is some type of Witness Protection Program?  What is the world coming to?" he asked sardonically.  Everybody ignored him. 

            "It isn't for her protection," said Hermione angrily and boldly to her Potions Master.  "It's for the protection of Harry which is for the protection of the wizarding world, which, to the extent of my knowledge, is what the Order of the Phoenix is all about."  Snape glared at Hermione.

            "Hold your tongue, Granger; nobody asked you-"

            "Enough, Severus," cut in McGonagall sharply. 

            "Who are you to tell me-"

            "And who are you to speak so ill to a student?"

            "Severus and Minerva," said Dumbledore edgily.  "Please; what kind of example are you setting for the students?" 

            "Sorry," the Professors both muttered, reminding Harry of two schoolchildren. 

            Then Hagrid spoke up.  "So that's settled.  We'll find her and hide the piece of filth in Headquarters, but first we should just use Veritaserum ter find out what she knows; don't you think, Professor?"  Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. 

            "Good thinking, Hagrid."  Hagrid's beard twitched. 

            "Who'd ye think wrote that article?" he then asked quietly. 

            "Your guess is as good as mine," said Dumbledore quietly. 

            "Oh.  Well, then, I'd best be goin'.  Me third year class will be studying Unicorns today…" He then turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  "You three need ter come visit soon!  There's something I want ter tell ye, an'-"  He then received a glance from Dumbledore.  "Oh, Professor, I can tell these three!  They won't tell anyone abou' the- you know…"  Dumbledore smiled.

            "Yes, Rubeus; you may tell them.  But I believe classes are starting soon, so you'd best be on your way.  Thank you for the information, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry.  It is greatly appreciated."  Snape rolled his eyes in the corner.

            "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione.

            "It was no problem," grinned Ron.  They all then left, and Harry headed to Transfiguration with Hermione. 

            As they headed down a corridor, Harry spoke to Hermione in a hushed voice.  "Who do you think wrote that article?  I mean, Ron was right; that's no joke…"

            Hermione frowned.  "It's obviously someone who would have some type of access to the Prophet, or who was in the Prophet a lot, and knew how to do the Imperius curse.  I don't think anyone in the Order would be that stupid… and Rita Skeeter must know something about this person…" she said thoughtfully. 

            "Why don't we ask her who she has dirt on?" suggested Harry.

            "Not a bad idea," said Hermione, nodding, as they reached the classroom.  "Actually, that's a very good idea.  I think it's time to send a letter to our least favorite beetle…" 

            During Transfiguration, Hermione uncharacteristically didn't take the notes they were doing on Metamorphmagi and other Transfiguration-inclined birth affects; instead, she wrote a letter to Rita Skeeter.  When she finished, she nudged Harry and asked to copy his notes. 

            "Uh," he whispered… "I didn't exactly take notes…"  She then rolled her eyes and allowed Harry to read the letter.

Rita-

            We saw the article in the paper and know you didn't write it.  Some people in a secret organization are going to get you and hide and protect you for the time being.  We were wondering if you could please reply to this letter and give us the names of every person you have any dirt on whatsoever.  Thank you,

            Hermione Granger

P.S- Doing this will help ensure your safety and the safety of others.

            The reply came the next Tuesday, which was Harry's 'free' day besides Quidditch and everything he needed to catch up with.  He entered the toasty common room with Ginny and Ron, after a hard training session.  Katie, as was expected, was becoming worse than Angelina had been.  Their next match was in two weeks, against Slytherin, and Katie wanted the team completely in shape by then.  As they reached the fireplace, Hermione hurried over. 

            "Look!  You guys!  The reply came!"  Harry stood up instantly. 

            "What reply?" asked Ron, once Ginny had gone upstairs for a shower. 

            "We wrote Rita Skeeter a letter last week asking her to send us the names of everyone she has dirt on so we might be able to find out who wrote the article," explained Hermione hurriedly. 

            "What's it say?" asked Harry.  Hermione pushed the letter towards him.

Granger, Potter, and Weasel-

            Listen, I appreciate your concern, but this 'hiding place' isn't the best of accommodations.  Of course I didn't write the article- I've been abstaining from writing for two years, all because of you, you horrible ugly Mudblood. 

            Anyways, I have stuff on you, Potter, Percy Weasley, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Victor Krum, Fleur Delacour, Diggory's family, Marcus Lovegood, Arthur Weasley, Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Hagrid, Olympe Maxime, Ludo Bagman, Lupin, Snape, Datarius Parkinson, Narcissa Malfoy, Rudolphus Lestrange, Dumbledore, Trelawney, Neville Longbottom, Weasley twins, Dolores Umbridge, and a bunch of goblins I don't know the names of.  Oh, and Minister Fudge.  So you think it's one of those people?  My bets are on your little boyfriend, Potter; he hates me.  He had those stupid articles coming, though.  Oh, and Lockhart. 

~Rita Skeeter, Order of Merlin, fourth Class

A/N: Long chapter (kinda!):-D  Please review so I can update soon!! : )  Who do you think wrote the article?? *evil grins* Only I know!!  REVIEW!!