Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.
Author's Notes: ATTENTION EVERYONE! I will be making three updates around Christmas - one on the 23rd Dec, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day - I would like at least some reviews in-between - those three chapters so close together are to be my Christmas present to you, and I would appreciate reviews as your Christmas present to me. You have been warned.
duochang97: Thank you - I'm glad you liked it.
jinjo: I actually don't like Dobby - I think he deserves to be kicked around by Lucius ... but that's just my opinion, and I respect your opinion too. There will be more Dobby in future chapters, don't worry.
potts: Well, Draco was the best of a bad lot - which would you prefer: the cane, the spiked heels, or the kid who's just learned to levitate blunt objects at you? Dobby picked the kid.
angelkas: I don't so much like Buffy as I like Spike - when he first appeared, I was like "yeah, kill that Slayer!" same as I like Draco not Harry. But if you don't like it, I understand ... sorta. Draco (in this fic) isn't gay - he's just effeminate. Draco can sing, but he doesn't like to - Lucius and Narcissa can both sing, and are great show-offs at Death Eater parties - Hermione, I dunno, ask JKR - Theo, yes he can sing very well, but all he usually sings is "I know a song that'll get on your nerves", and it always does - Vincent and Gregory, no way in hell can those two sing, they couldn't hit a note if it was mooning them.
Exodia Himself: CONSTANT UPDATING!
Sinical-Sarchasm: *grins* Theo's my fav OC I've ever tried to write - I'm glad you like him.
Devi: Pansy was being silly and girly when she asked if they could pet the dragon ... and I think she was thinking more along the lines of petting Dra- this is a PG13, I ain't gonna finish that line. Draco was the only males in the stand not transfixed by Fleur's clothes catching fire ... and that was only because he was too determined to sulk. Yes, indeed, that scrap book is VERY important to the plot, especially getting into OotP.
Simply Myself: *giggles* the biting chairs are usually strategically placed where Lucius never wants to sit anyway, around Malfoy Manor ... but at the Black house, there were very few seats that didn't bite, just to be malicious, the only one that didn't bite was Cruella's chair, and Kreacher hid it. Theo isn't the only one who will pull a stunt like that on a teacher they don't like, in this fic.
Starre: Yes, weird doesn't begin to cover it.
dragonsprincess: It's a bit too obvious a plot twist for a Slyth to get into Gryffindor Tower ... and someone would have found out, somehow ... but I will keep that in my maybe pile of plot-bunnies, just in case - thanks. *grins* glad you liked last chapter *continues to grin manically for a minute*.
Hrei-siesn: Draco's not quite like that to Dobby - he knows he doesn't own the elf anymore, so he's not gonna try to punish it - basically, Dobby likes Draco, so he's willing to be useful to Draco while they're both in Hogwarts.
Prongs4: Thanks.
Elizabeth: She's annoying, but in a cute-little-sister kinda way ... which is one reason he's not attracted to her (that and her looks to kill, in the Basilisk sense).
"My word is good on over two thousand planets." "There are billions." -Stargate SG1
Chapter 17 - Rita Skeeter
Weasley's stopped hating Potter ... damnit - why do all my evil schemes go wrong, anyway?
* * *
"Vhat is dat girl's name?" Krum asked, as Hermione walked into dinner late one evening.
"Hermione Granger." Theo answered, not even looking up.
"She is very pretty." Krum noted.
I blinked and looked up at him, "You like her?" I asked, making it sound as if I thought this was a ridiculous idea.
"Yes." Krum answered.
"O...k." I said, shrugging.
"Vhy? Should I not like her?" Krum asked, in a challenging tone.
"Well, she's a show off, and a Mud-gle-born ... and a bookworm, and a Gryffindor." I explained.
"You almost called her a Mudblood." Wednesday noted.
"I usually do." I replied.
"None ov those are reasons not to like her." Krum said.
"They are for me." I said.
"Vell, you should get over your prejudices, then." Krum said, shrugging, "Vhere could I meet her alone?"
"Why?" I asked, coldly.
"I vant to ask her to the Yule Ball."
"Oh." I muttered.
"Jealous, Draco?" Theo asked.
"Ha, as if." I said, glaring at Theo.
"She hangs out in the Library, most of the time." Theo said, grinning evilly at me. I continued to glare at Theo.
"Thank you." Krum said, standing up and leaving the Great Hall.
"Theo, I'm going to strangle you." I muttered.
"Why?" Theo asked, too-innocently.
"For suggesting I might be jealous of anyone liking that Mudblood." I growled.
Theo just grinned, most probably knowing damned well that I really was jealous ... at least Krum had a chance.
* * *
I was trying to plead out of Care of Magical Creatures class with imaginary illnesses. I missed all of five minutes of the next class, before Pomfrey discovered my 'fatal case of something-or-other' was really 'a pathetic excuse to cut classes'.
I then asked her, "Well, wouldn't you want to avoid those things?" pointing out the window at the six-foot long monsters we were supposed to be looking after.
"That is entirely beside the point." she said, exasperated.
"Oh, come on ... if I have to break my own arm to get out of it, I will, but I was going for fake illness ... please." I said, in the whiniest voice I could manage.
She sighed dramatically, "If you threaten to hurt yourself, I will have to keep you in here through your next few classes for psychiatric evaluation."
"I have Transfiguration next ... I don't want to miss that."
"I know." she said smugly.
"Evil woman." I muttered, as she continued to look smug. I sighed as well, "All right, but if I come back in here with second degree burns, don't say I didn't warn you." I said, and stalked out to class.
I arrived at the class just in time to hear Hagrid going on about trying to put the monsters into boxes and see if they liked it. This seemed ominous.
It took all of five minutes for the Blast-Ended Skrewts to start wreaking havoc. They blew up the boxes, and started attacking random people. Theo backed away from one of them, nervously, "They're not so friendly as last time. Must be claustrophobic, or something." he said to me, as I made sure to keep Crabbe and Goyle between myself and the Skrewts.
"You ever thought those things were friendly?" I asked, horrified at that thought.
"Well, the one I got to exercise was cool ... but I think it got killed off." Theo explained.
"You're crazy." I noted, but then a loud explosion drew our attention to a particularly large Blast-Ended Skrewt starting a rampage.
"Run!" Crabbe screamed, terrified, and he ran.
"First sensible idea you've ever had, Crabbe." I replied, and followed. Goyle wasn't far behind us. Pansy, Milli, Blaise and Cat quickly noticed what we were doing, and followed. Theo did try to handle the Skrewt he was supposed to be looking after, a few moments longer, but then gave up and followed us.
"I swear those things are demonic." Blaise said quietly, while two Gryffindors (Longbottom and Patil) gave up on their pride and followed us as well.
The Patil girl rushed to grab a chair and wedged the back of it under the door handle, so the door was blocked.
"Um, Patil." Cat said.
"Hmm?" Patil replied.
"You realise you've just locked yourself in a room with eight Slytherins?" Cat asked sweetly.
"Better you lot than the Skrewts." Patil said. Longbottom nodded nervously in agreement.
"I have to say it." Pansy said, grinning evilly, "You're both cowards."
Longbottom glared, and Patil took a step forward, "We are not cowards ... we're just not suicidal ... those things out there are dangerous!"
"Cat fight!" Theo cheered.
"I am not going to fight anyone." Cat said, smirking - apparently knowing damned well what Theo had really meant.
"Ha bloody ha." Theo muttered, "You know what I meant."
"And I hate to disappoint you." Patil said sarcastically, moving over to the window to see if it was safe to leave yet.
Longbottom gave all eight of us nervous looks, then went to stand as close to Patil as he could get away with.
I rolled my eyes, and looked around the room. Theo apparently had been doing the same, "So this is the gamekeeper's - ahem - 'house', is it?" he asked, actually using air-quotes on the word 'house'.
"Looks like it." I said, careful to stand in the middle of the small floor space, as far away from any objects as I could get. Especially that small box in the corner that was rattling.
"Hey, lookie who's out there." Milli said cheerfully - she was, much to Patil's displeasure, standing next to Patil and watching out the window.
"Who?" Pansy asked, interested.
"Skeeter." Milli said, grinning, "She's the one who wrote the sickening article about Potter, the horrid article about Weasleys, and the nasty article about the World Cup. She's like my hero."
"What's she doing here?" Blaise asked, curiously.
"Dunno. She's talking to Potter and Hagrid." Milli answered, pressing her face up against the window.
Theo sighed, "He always gets all the attention."
"With Skeeter, the only attention you can get is sickly-sappy or tear-your-heart-out-and-make-you-tap-dance-on-it cruel." Milli said.
I sniggered, "That's a lovely description, Milli."
"Thank you, Draco." Milli said, smiling at me for a moment before returning her attention to the window.
After a minute, Milli announced, "The last Skrewt's locked up."
Patil rushed to the door, removed the chair and bolted out of the cabin. Longbottom wasn't far behind her. Crabbe and Goyle vanished seconds later, most likely led by their noses to find food ... and the Great Hall. The rest of us exited a bit more cautiously.
Milli rushed to catch up with Skeeter, and apprehended her, just within earshot of the rest of us, "Ms Skeeter, m'am." Milli said sycophantically, and I sincerely hoped the sickening admiration she was showing was faked.
"Yes, dear?" Skeeter asked.
"I was wondering, if maybe I could have your autograph?" Milli said, offering her a quill and parchment.
"Funny, Milli never even asked Krum for his autograph." Theo muttered to me.
"Certainly, dear." Skeeter said, seeming both surprised and immensely pleased.
"You're my favourite journalist, Ms Skeeter." Milli said, as Skeeter signed the parchment, "Your work is an inspiration to me."
"Really?" Skeeter asked, surprised.
"Yes'm." Milli said happily taking the autograph and pocketing it, "Thank you so much, Ms Skeeter."
"Could I perhaps ask you a favour, Miss ...?"
"Bullstrode." Milli answered, "And yeah, you can ask."
"I'm looking for some dirt on Potter's favourite teacher. Could you help me, junior reporter?" she asked, in a too-sweet voice.
"I know exactly where the dirt on Hagrid is ..." Milli said, and turned around, "DRACO!"
I jumped, "What?" I asked, surprised.
"Come tell her about the Hippogriff." Milli said happily.
"Um ..." I said, looking at Pansy and Theo for advice.
"Go on." Pansy said.
"Tell her something ridiculous, too - see if she prints it." Theo suggested very quietly.
"Like what?" I whispered.
"Like something bit Crabbe or Goyle." Theo answered.
"Like what? A Flobberworm?" I suggested, sneering slightly.
"Yeah, that works ... do they even have teeth?" Theo asked.
"Ok." I said, shrugging. I walked over to Skeeter, and explained in unnecessary detail about Buckbeak's attack, then added as an afterthought that Crabbe had been bitten by the creature that doesn't even have teeth. Skeeter's quill took careful notes of what I said, even though she wasn't touching it. It looked like some sort of Dicta-Quill (there are at least a dozen varieties of them, from Falsifying Feathers, to Neat Notes Nibs, to Quick Quotes Quills).
"Thank you, dear." Skeeter said happily pocketing the parchment with my story on it. I idly wondered why the woman wanted to damage Hagrid's reputation, but her reasons didn't really matter to me since I want him ruined too.
"No problem." I said, backing away from her when she offered me her hand to shake - her fingernails wouldn't have looked out of place on the Chinese Fireball that Krum had faced in the First Task.
"We'd better go, now." Pansy said, also looking warily at the woman's claws.
"Yes, or we'll miss lunch." I said, nodding, and we turned and walked quickly up to the castle.
Once we were inside the castle, and well away from Skeeter, Milli stopped us, "Look at this, guys." she said, offering us the parchment that Skeeter had signed.
"Why would I want to?" I asked coldly.
"Just look at it." Milli snapped threateningly.
I looked, and there was a lot more than a signature there - Milli had unfolded the parchment so the legalese of a magically binding contract was visible. "What is this?" I asked, surprised.
"She is now no longer able to write anything libellous, or negative about anyone in the families listed there." Milli said, pointing to a list near the bottom of the contract. Bullstrode, De Vil, Fenris, Vance, Stone, Moran, Parkinson, Feral, Zabini, Nott and Malfoy.
"Why'd you put half these names here?" I asked.
"Well, a bunch of the firsties bribed me ... and I like the rest of you." Milli said, smiling sweetly, "Also, I expect payment similar to the bribery the firsties offered."
"Oh, that's nice." I muttered, "How much did they offer you?"
"A Galleon." Milli answered.
"You're cheap." Pansy noted.
"Yeah, but I really did want her autograph." Milli replied, "The contract was just easy money."
"Why did they bribe you, anyway?" I asked.
"Because she said something nasty about the De Vil family, and all the firsties got to hear about it. They then overheard me telling Blaise I was gonna try to get Skeeter's autograph, and well it went from there." Milli said, shrugging.
"I notice Draco's thugs aren't on the list." Pansy said.
"Yeah, I don't like them." Milli said simply, "Besides, they'd be too stupid to read the paper, so what would they care anyway?"
"That's true." I said, nodding.
* * *
Later that day, I spotted Hermione leaving the Library in a huff, almost five minutes after classes had finished, "What's the matter, Granger?" I asked coldly, "I thought you spent all your free time in there, did someone let a Blast-Ended Skrewt in?"
"No. Someone let the fan-girls in." she said, glaring pointedly through the doors at the only occupied table in the Library ... Krum was sitting at it, apparently working.
"It's not his fault he's famous, you know." I noted.
"Uh huh." Hermione said sceptically, "Wish you'd apply that logic more often, Malfoy."
"You mean about Potter?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "I don't give a damn if he's famous - he hates me, that's why I hate him."
"You still tease him about being famous." Hermione noted.
"Because it's good ammunition. Do you have anything specific against Krum?" I asked.
"Not really. It's just his fan-girls make it impossible to study in there." she answered.
"Well don't blame him for that." I said.
She sighed dramatically, then totally changed the subject, "How do I get into the school kitchens?"
"Huh?" I asked, "How would I know? Ask those evil twins you seem such good friends with - I'm sure they'd know."
"Ok, I'll do that." she said, turning and walking off still a little huffily.
* * *
"Read it, or I'll start singing." Theo threatened. I've had the misfortune to overhear him singing once before - that's a serious threat, believe me.
"Why do you want me to?" I asked coldly.
"Because half Blaise's recruits have quit, and we need more people to keep pestering Potter." Theo answered, still holding the ancient Daily Prophet under my nose.
"I am not lowering myself to that standard ... besides, I've already heard all the good quotes from you lot quoting them at Potter." I noted.
"Then join us in the plot to make him go mad." Theo insisted.
"You're pushing it." I growled, "The joke is dying - you should put it out of its misery, already."
"Awww, c'mon, Draco ... please ... Blaise'll owe you." Theo said, in a whiney tone.
I sighed, "Someone will owe me big time. And I'm not talking about money - I've got enough of that."
"What are you talking about, then?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow as if I'd made an obscene suggestion.
"Theo, get your mind out of the gutter - it's crowding Pansy's." I said, as if scandalised.
Theo sniggered evilly.
So, I started alternately quoting the article at Potter, and giving Blaise and Theo death-glares.
* * *
End of chapter 17
Author's Notes: ATTENTION EVERYONE! I will be making three updates around Christmas - one on the 23rd Dec, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day - I would like at least some reviews in-between - those three chapters so close together are to be my Christmas present to you, and I would appreciate reviews as your Christmas present to me. You have been warned.
duochang97: Thank you - I'm glad you liked it.
jinjo: I actually don't like Dobby - I think he deserves to be kicked around by Lucius ... but that's just my opinion, and I respect your opinion too. There will be more Dobby in future chapters, don't worry.
potts: Well, Draco was the best of a bad lot - which would you prefer: the cane, the spiked heels, or the kid who's just learned to levitate blunt objects at you? Dobby picked the kid.
angelkas: I don't so much like Buffy as I like Spike - when he first appeared, I was like "yeah, kill that Slayer!" same as I like Draco not Harry. But if you don't like it, I understand ... sorta. Draco (in this fic) isn't gay - he's just effeminate. Draco can sing, but he doesn't like to - Lucius and Narcissa can both sing, and are great show-offs at Death Eater parties - Hermione, I dunno, ask JKR - Theo, yes he can sing very well, but all he usually sings is "I know a song that'll get on your nerves", and it always does - Vincent and Gregory, no way in hell can those two sing, they couldn't hit a note if it was mooning them.
Exodia Himself: CONSTANT UPDATING!
Sinical-Sarchasm: *grins* Theo's my fav OC I've ever tried to write - I'm glad you like him.
Devi: Pansy was being silly and girly when she asked if they could pet the dragon ... and I think she was thinking more along the lines of petting Dra- this is a PG13, I ain't gonna finish that line. Draco was the only males in the stand not transfixed by Fleur's clothes catching fire ... and that was only because he was too determined to sulk. Yes, indeed, that scrap book is VERY important to the plot, especially getting into OotP.
Simply Myself: *giggles* the biting chairs are usually strategically placed where Lucius never wants to sit anyway, around Malfoy Manor ... but at the Black house, there were very few seats that didn't bite, just to be malicious, the only one that didn't bite was Cruella's chair, and Kreacher hid it. Theo isn't the only one who will pull a stunt like that on a teacher they don't like, in this fic.
Starre: Yes, weird doesn't begin to cover it.
dragonsprincess: It's a bit too obvious a plot twist for a Slyth to get into Gryffindor Tower ... and someone would have found out, somehow ... but I will keep that in my maybe pile of plot-bunnies, just in case - thanks. *grins* glad you liked last chapter *continues to grin manically for a minute*.
Hrei-siesn: Draco's not quite like that to Dobby - he knows he doesn't own the elf anymore, so he's not gonna try to punish it - basically, Dobby likes Draco, so he's willing to be useful to Draco while they're both in Hogwarts.
Prongs4: Thanks.
Elizabeth: She's annoying, but in a cute-little-sister kinda way ... which is one reason he's not attracted to her (that and her looks to kill, in the Basilisk sense).
"My word is good on over two thousand planets." "There are billions." -Stargate SG1
Chapter 17 - Rita Skeeter
Weasley's stopped hating Potter ... damnit - why do all my evil schemes go wrong, anyway?
* * *
"Vhat is dat girl's name?" Krum asked, as Hermione walked into dinner late one evening.
"Hermione Granger." Theo answered, not even looking up.
"She is very pretty." Krum noted.
I blinked and looked up at him, "You like her?" I asked, making it sound as if I thought this was a ridiculous idea.
"Yes." Krum answered.
"O...k." I said, shrugging.
"Vhy? Should I not like her?" Krum asked, in a challenging tone.
"Well, she's a show off, and a Mud-gle-born ... and a bookworm, and a Gryffindor." I explained.
"You almost called her a Mudblood." Wednesday noted.
"I usually do." I replied.
"None ov those are reasons not to like her." Krum said.
"They are for me." I said.
"Vell, you should get over your prejudices, then." Krum said, shrugging, "Vhere could I meet her alone?"
"Why?" I asked, coldly.
"I vant to ask her to the Yule Ball."
"Oh." I muttered.
"Jealous, Draco?" Theo asked.
"Ha, as if." I said, glaring at Theo.
"She hangs out in the Library, most of the time." Theo said, grinning evilly at me. I continued to glare at Theo.
"Thank you." Krum said, standing up and leaving the Great Hall.
"Theo, I'm going to strangle you." I muttered.
"Why?" Theo asked, too-innocently.
"For suggesting I might be jealous of anyone liking that Mudblood." I growled.
Theo just grinned, most probably knowing damned well that I really was jealous ... at least Krum had a chance.
* * *
I was trying to plead out of Care of Magical Creatures class with imaginary illnesses. I missed all of five minutes of the next class, before Pomfrey discovered my 'fatal case of something-or-other' was really 'a pathetic excuse to cut classes'.
I then asked her, "Well, wouldn't you want to avoid those things?" pointing out the window at the six-foot long monsters we were supposed to be looking after.
"That is entirely beside the point." she said, exasperated.
"Oh, come on ... if I have to break my own arm to get out of it, I will, but I was going for fake illness ... please." I said, in the whiniest voice I could manage.
She sighed dramatically, "If you threaten to hurt yourself, I will have to keep you in here through your next few classes for psychiatric evaluation."
"I have Transfiguration next ... I don't want to miss that."
"I know." she said smugly.
"Evil woman." I muttered, as she continued to look smug. I sighed as well, "All right, but if I come back in here with second degree burns, don't say I didn't warn you." I said, and stalked out to class.
I arrived at the class just in time to hear Hagrid going on about trying to put the monsters into boxes and see if they liked it. This seemed ominous.
It took all of five minutes for the Blast-Ended Skrewts to start wreaking havoc. They blew up the boxes, and started attacking random people. Theo backed away from one of them, nervously, "They're not so friendly as last time. Must be claustrophobic, or something." he said to me, as I made sure to keep Crabbe and Goyle between myself and the Skrewts.
"You ever thought those things were friendly?" I asked, horrified at that thought.
"Well, the one I got to exercise was cool ... but I think it got killed off." Theo explained.
"You're crazy." I noted, but then a loud explosion drew our attention to a particularly large Blast-Ended Skrewt starting a rampage.
"Run!" Crabbe screamed, terrified, and he ran.
"First sensible idea you've ever had, Crabbe." I replied, and followed. Goyle wasn't far behind us. Pansy, Milli, Blaise and Cat quickly noticed what we were doing, and followed. Theo did try to handle the Skrewt he was supposed to be looking after, a few moments longer, but then gave up and followed us.
"I swear those things are demonic." Blaise said quietly, while two Gryffindors (Longbottom and Patil) gave up on their pride and followed us as well.
The Patil girl rushed to grab a chair and wedged the back of it under the door handle, so the door was blocked.
"Um, Patil." Cat said.
"Hmm?" Patil replied.
"You realise you've just locked yourself in a room with eight Slytherins?" Cat asked sweetly.
"Better you lot than the Skrewts." Patil said. Longbottom nodded nervously in agreement.
"I have to say it." Pansy said, grinning evilly, "You're both cowards."
Longbottom glared, and Patil took a step forward, "We are not cowards ... we're just not suicidal ... those things out there are dangerous!"
"Cat fight!" Theo cheered.
"I am not going to fight anyone." Cat said, smirking - apparently knowing damned well what Theo had really meant.
"Ha bloody ha." Theo muttered, "You know what I meant."
"And I hate to disappoint you." Patil said sarcastically, moving over to the window to see if it was safe to leave yet.
Longbottom gave all eight of us nervous looks, then went to stand as close to Patil as he could get away with.
I rolled my eyes, and looked around the room. Theo apparently had been doing the same, "So this is the gamekeeper's - ahem - 'house', is it?" he asked, actually using air-quotes on the word 'house'.
"Looks like it." I said, careful to stand in the middle of the small floor space, as far away from any objects as I could get. Especially that small box in the corner that was rattling.
"Hey, lookie who's out there." Milli said cheerfully - she was, much to Patil's displeasure, standing next to Patil and watching out the window.
"Who?" Pansy asked, interested.
"Skeeter." Milli said, grinning, "She's the one who wrote the sickening article about Potter, the horrid article about Weasleys, and the nasty article about the World Cup. She's like my hero."
"What's she doing here?" Blaise asked, curiously.
"Dunno. She's talking to Potter and Hagrid." Milli answered, pressing her face up against the window.
Theo sighed, "He always gets all the attention."
"With Skeeter, the only attention you can get is sickly-sappy or tear-your-heart-out-and-make-you-tap-dance-on-it cruel." Milli said.
I sniggered, "That's a lovely description, Milli."
"Thank you, Draco." Milli said, smiling at me for a moment before returning her attention to the window.
After a minute, Milli announced, "The last Skrewt's locked up."
Patil rushed to the door, removed the chair and bolted out of the cabin. Longbottom wasn't far behind her. Crabbe and Goyle vanished seconds later, most likely led by their noses to find food ... and the Great Hall. The rest of us exited a bit more cautiously.
Milli rushed to catch up with Skeeter, and apprehended her, just within earshot of the rest of us, "Ms Skeeter, m'am." Milli said sycophantically, and I sincerely hoped the sickening admiration she was showing was faked.
"Yes, dear?" Skeeter asked.
"I was wondering, if maybe I could have your autograph?" Milli said, offering her a quill and parchment.
"Funny, Milli never even asked Krum for his autograph." Theo muttered to me.
"Certainly, dear." Skeeter said, seeming both surprised and immensely pleased.
"You're my favourite journalist, Ms Skeeter." Milli said, as Skeeter signed the parchment, "Your work is an inspiration to me."
"Really?" Skeeter asked, surprised.
"Yes'm." Milli said happily taking the autograph and pocketing it, "Thank you so much, Ms Skeeter."
"Could I perhaps ask you a favour, Miss ...?"
"Bullstrode." Milli answered, "And yeah, you can ask."
"I'm looking for some dirt on Potter's favourite teacher. Could you help me, junior reporter?" she asked, in a too-sweet voice.
"I know exactly where the dirt on Hagrid is ..." Milli said, and turned around, "DRACO!"
I jumped, "What?" I asked, surprised.
"Come tell her about the Hippogriff." Milli said happily.
"Um ..." I said, looking at Pansy and Theo for advice.
"Go on." Pansy said.
"Tell her something ridiculous, too - see if she prints it." Theo suggested very quietly.
"Like what?" I whispered.
"Like something bit Crabbe or Goyle." Theo answered.
"Like what? A Flobberworm?" I suggested, sneering slightly.
"Yeah, that works ... do they even have teeth?" Theo asked.
"Ok." I said, shrugging. I walked over to Skeeter, and explained in unnecessary detail about Buckbeak's attack, then added as an afterthought that Crabbe had been bitten by the creature that doesn't even have teeth. Skeeter's quill took careful notes of what I said, even though she wasn't touching it. It looked like some sort of Dicta-Quill (there are at least a dozen varieties of them, from Falsifying Feathers, to Neat Notes Nibs, to Quick Quotes Quills).
"Thank you, dear." Skeeter said happily pocketing the parchment with my story on it. I idly wondered why the woman wanted to damage Hagrid's reputation, but her reasons didn't really matter to me since I want him ruined too.
"No problem." I said, backing away from her when she offered me her hand to shake - her fingernails wouldn't have looked out of place on the Chinese Fireball that Krum had faced in the First Task.
"We'd better go, now." Pansy said, also looking warily at the woman's claws.
"Yes, or we'll miss lunch." I said, nodding, and we turned and walked quickly up to the castle.
Once we were inside the castle, and well away from Skeeter, Milli stopped us, "Look at this, guys." she said, offering us the parchment that Skeeter had signed.
"Why would I want to?" I asked coldly.
"Just look at it." Milli snapped threateningly.
I looked, and there was a lot more than a signature there - Milli had unfolded the parchment so the legalese of a magically binding contract was visible. "What is this?" I asked, surprised.
"She is now no longer able to write anything libellous, or negative about anyone in the families listed there." Milli said, pointing to a list near the bottom of the contract. Bullstrode, De Vil, Fenris, Vance, Stone, Moran, Parkinson, Feral, Zabini, Nott and Malfoy.
"Why'd you put half these names here?" I asked.
"Well, a bunch of the firsties bribed me ... and I like the rest of you." Milli said, smiling sweetly, "Also, I expect payment similar to the bribery the firsties offered."
"Oh, that's nice." I muttered, "How much did they offer you?"
"A Galleon." Milli answered.
"You're cheap." Pansy noted.
"Yeah, but I really did want her autograph." Milli replied, "The contract was just easy money."
"Why did they bribe you, anyway?" I asked.
"Because she said something nasty about the De Vil family, and all the firsties got to hear about it. They then overheard me telling Blaise I was gonna try to get Skeeter's autograph, and well it went from there." Milli said, shrugging.
"I notice Draco's thugs aren't on the list." Pansy said.
"Yeah, I don't like them." Milli said simply, "Besides, they'd be too stupid to read the paper, so what would they care anyway?"
"That's true." I said, nodding.
* * *
Later that day, I spotted Hermione leaving the Library in a huff, almost five minutes after classes had finished, "What's the matter, Granger?" I asked coldly, "I thought you spent all your free time in there, did someone let a Blast-Ended Skrewt in?"
"No. Someone let the fan-girls in." she said, glaring pointedly through the doors at the only occupied table in the Library ... Krum was sitting at it, apparently working.
"It's not his fault he's famous, you know." I noted.
"Uh huh." Hermione said sceptically, "Wish you'd apply that logic more often, Malfoy."
"You mean about Potter?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "I don't give a damn if he's famous - he hates me, that's why I hate him."
"You still tease him about being famous." Hermione noted.
"Because it's good ammunition. Do you have anything specific against Krum?" I asked.
"Not really. It's just his fan-girls make it impossible to study in there." she answered.
"Well don't blame him for that." I said.
She sighed dramatically, then totally changed the subject, "How do I get into the school kitchens?"
"Huh?" I asked, "How would I know? Ask those evil twins you seem such good friends with - I'm sure they'd know."
"Ok, I'll do that." she said, turning and walking off still a little huffily.
* * *
"Read it, or I'll start singing." Theo threatened. I've had the misfortune to overhear him singing once before - that's a serious threat, believe me.
"Why do you want me to?" I asked coldly.
"Because half Blaise's recruits have quit, and we need more people to keep pestering Potter." Theo answered, still holding the ancient Daily Prophet under my nose.
"I am not lowering myself to that standard ... besides, I've already heard all the good quotes from you lot quoting them at Potter." I noted.
"Then join us in the plot to make him go mad." Theo insisted.
"You're pushing it." I growled, "The joke is dying - you should put it out of its misery, already."
"Awww, c'mon, Draco ... please ... Blaise'll owe you." Theo said, in a whiney tone.
I sighed, "Someone will owe me big time. And I'm not talking about money - I've got enough of that."
"What are you talking about, then?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow as if I'd made an obscene suggestion.
"Theo, get your mind out of the gutter - it's crowding Pansy's." I said, as if scandalised.
Theo sniggered evilly.
So, I started alternately quoting the article at Potter, and giving Blaise and Theo death-glares.
* * *
End of chapter 17