CHAPTER 3 COMPLECATING THE MATTER

'Whether Sybil lied or not,' Remus said. 'It is about the Full Moon. And you know Skeeter, she'll do anything in her power to find out what can possibly happen on the full moon of December!'

The four of them were sitting in the library, which was – as usual – absolutely deserted, except for a few first years who were too afraid to come anywhere near them, so they were reasonably safe.

'Come on,' James said. 'Rita will probably do anything she can, no argument there. But she isn't exactly the brightest witch ever. More importantly, she is nowhere near as smart as us.'

'No she's not,' Sirius stated. 'The only thing she's got going for her, is that she is annoying and that's how she wiggles the information out of everyone. Did you notice that she's taken up stalking us again? I swear, everywhere we go, that blonde-haired rat of a witch winds up. I thought we proved our point last time.'

'She stayed in the hospital wing for a week,' Peter said in his squeaky voice, grinning.
Remus still didn't look convinced. But than again, he never looked relaxed or convinced. It was in his nature to worry and worry some more. James understood this, of course. Especially when it had to do with the full moon, after all, Remus did have his furry little problem. On the other hand, no one had ever discovered it before, and they were already in their fifth year.

His train of thought broke when Lily Evans came striding in. She cast him one short glance, than she grimaced and turned her focus on Madam Pinch, the librarian. 'Hi, I'm looking for…'

'Your mouth is open,' Sirius whispered. He received a hard kick from James on his shins. 'Merlin,' Sirius cursed, a little too loudly.

'I'M WARNING YOU LOT!' Madam Pinch screamed immediately. 'KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN!'

'She could learn something from her own guidelines,' James joked. Sirius laughed softly. Unfortunately, Sirius little misbehaviour didn't grace James with the most endearing look from Lily. Instead there was a sort of I-knew-it-look plastered all over her face. Bloody Hell, when would that girl finally loosen up a little?
'Hey,' Remus said urgently. 'Don't change the subject. I'm telling you, we could be in big trouble for this one.'

'Are you kidding me?' Sirius said. 'This could be a blast! We could scare the Hell out of that Skeeter-girl. I say we do our thing like we always do it on the full moon of December. They'll probably be far to scared to leave their room anyhow. And if they do, we'll give them a show of a lifetime.'

'I agree,' James said, his grin spreading even wider.
'Well I don't,' Remus muttered softly. Peter also didn't look to sure of it, but James and Sirius exchanged glances. They'd come around sooner or later. That's what they always did.

Sybil felt very pleased with herself that day. Something horrible would happen in December. She chose full moon because she had heard the rumours of several students. There were werewolves hiding in the Forbidden Forest. Chances were that at least that stupid Skeeter would leave her dorm on full moon, checking out the place, ending up in the Forbidden Forest, facing a werewolf and getting the shock of a lifetime.

She'd drag Gilderoy along with her as well.

Sybil was very aware that there were several risks involved. For one, werewolves did not exactly know what they were doing at those times, so there was a chance that either Rita or Gilderoy would be bitten. Or – even worse – get killed. On the other hand, it was not her fault. She had warned them. Plus, it wasn't like she would advice them to investigate the matter. In fact, if anything, she'd advice them to stay in! If asked, of course. Otherwise it was their own problem. People had messed with her enough. Now it was time for some payback. They had it coming.

She sat down on a couch in the Ravenclaw Common Room and opened her book. It was a book about Divination, written by her very own Grandmother, the greatest Seer of the past centuries, and she was vast on her way to become somewhat like her herself. If only people'd take her a little more seriously! Or at least stop treating her like she was some Flobberworm.
After this was over, people would know not to mess with Sybil Trelawney!

Gilderoy was searching the building frantically. Rita had bestowed him with the task to convince Sybil to give them some clue of what the hell was going on. So that at least both of them knew where to look. Gilderoy had already mentioned, that it was on Full Moon, so that it may have something to do with Werewolves, or Vampires (considering it was during the night time). He also mentioned, that if they'd just shut their windows, lock their dorm-doors and stay in that nothing would happen. Or, he had continued, they could warn professor McGonnagal, head of their House and Deputy-Headmaster. She'd know what to do, he was sure of it. Perhaps she'd even consult Professor Dumbledore, and than everything would turn out to be just fine.

Rita had laughed at him, saying that neither of them would take them seriously. First of all, they both knew clearly what Sybil Trelawney was about, if they had paid any attention to her at all.

If they'd walk up to McGonnagal, saying a student had predicted their downfall, she'd just say to sleep it off and take a few Housepoints of Ravenclaw. Which was not the right path to convince Sybil to help them.
'This is up to us,' Rita had said. 'We have to figure this out on our own.'

However, the tip that perhaps a werewolf or a vampire was involved, was greatly implored. She had immediately started investigating in the libraries, as to how to stop werewolf attacks, how to ward of vampires, etcetera.
She had been writing down several items they'd have to buy on their next trip to Hogsmeade. When had complained that it'd cost a lot, she'd simply said: 'Either losing some money or your life, Gilderoy. I think the first is less dramatic.'
Of course the maggot was right, not that he had told her.

He needed some kind of plan. How to seduce Sybil. She wasn't easy. But his charms and good looks would break any woman given time. Unfortunately, he had a tight schedule. Rita said that it was best to know everything they needed to know within a couple of weeks, two at most. That way they could prepare and be ready at December.

So. He just had to tell her… how beautiful she looked? That he liked her jewellery? That she was the most amazing girl she'd ever seen?
Problem was, word of his little 'adventure' with Sybil, would of course travel far and wide through the school. Downside of being as popular as he was. Melinda was bound to find out. Than she'd think he was not only cheating on her with Hyacinth, but also with Sybil. Two ugly girls in a row. Yes, that'd do his reputation good. Just when it was on the bloody lift. He didn't need the full moon of December to wait for his terrible fate to start.

He sighed. If he'd just explain to Melinda! But she refused to talk to him, the little… he didn't finish the thought. Just at that point, Sybil came walking past him.

'Sybil, Sybil my dear!' He called out.

The young girl quickened her pace, all though she didn't know why the Hell she'd do that. In fact, after hearing the words 'my dear' leave his mouth, he'd expected her to drop everything she was doing, turn around and look at him with excitement!

'Sybil,' he said, a little louder this time. His voice also gained a slightly nasty edge to it. 'Sybil, pumpkin. Would you…'

'I BEG YOUR PARDON?'

Oh for the love of Merlin! 'Melinda!' he said, turning around, smiling as widely as he could.

'Did you just call her pumpkin?' Tears were welling in Melinda's eyes. She looked as if she was about to break down.

'Look,' he said urgently. He grabbed her by the arm, trying to take her to the boys' bathroom just around the corner, so that they'd have more privacy. But she would have none of it.

'I thought that was my nickname!' she said.

'It is, honey, it is,' Gilderoy felt his face growing hot, he really didn't have the time for this. He looked over his shoulder, Sybil just went round the corner. Great, it'd be impossible to track her down today. 'There is just a minor problem that I need her help with.'

'And for that you require to call her by MY NICKNAME do you?' She put her hands in her side, 'I've had it with you, Gilderoy Lockhart! You arrogant, pompous idiot!'

'No, no, Melinda. You are seeing it all the wrong way. See, she told me that something…'

'I don't give a damn what she told you,' she hissed. She had an expression on her face that he had never seen before. It looked as if she was about to burn him alive or kick him off the highest tower of Hogwarts. Her beautiful features were twisted with anger. It was not a side our young hero particularly liked, he took a few steps back and laughed nervously. 'Of course you don't, she's just a stupid girl. Who is she anyways? I don't know her! Never seen her before in my life.'

'And you better as Hell make sure you don't see her again,' her voice was terribly low. Not at all suiting and not making her very attractive. 'I will not have you cheat on me. Do you understand?'

Speechless, he nodded.

'Fine. Now you're going to help me with my homework.'

'But, baby…'

'NOW!'

Rita skimmed through the books. Silver bullets, yadayadayada, the usual. Sunlight wasn't good for vampires, neither was garlic, crosses would do the trick, Holy Water. Basic stuff. Silver bullets she could get. She wrote it down, but garlic! She was not going around the school wearing a couple of those things around her neck. Holy Water… There was no Priest nearby here. It wasn't like Hogsmeade had a church or anything, but perhaps one of the people there knew how to get it.

I shouldn't just limit it to magical creatures though, she decided. After all, the threat could be coming from within the school as well. Maybe someone in here had something against her. Which was not to hard to imagine. Not that she wasn't a very kind and giving person, but being the future reporter that she was, she had revealed some ugly truths about several students here. And Gilderoy had the entire male half of the school ready to jump his throat. Some of the girls he'd dumped and mistreated as well. Silly boy as he was. Thinking he could win everyone over with one of his charming smiles.

Though – she had to admit – it was pretty charming.

She would have to make a list of all her enemies… where to begin?

Ah! That fourth year, with all the acne. What was her name again? Lo Lybough. Like it was her fault that her grandmother was a vampire! (or great-great-great-great-grandmother) Wait… Of course!

It was Lo Lybough. How come she had not thought of that before! Lo lived with her grandmother, no doubt that she had some connection with the vampires and she had send one after her.

But what was the connection with Gilderoy? She'd have to ask him about that soon, perhaps he had dated her at one point, or perhaps one of her friends. Or she had a secret crush on him and Gilderoy turned her down!

She was brilliant. She quickly wrote down her theory. As soon as she'd met up with that Lockhart she'd confront the little wart with it. Mess with Rita Skeeter, and have Hell to pay!

A/N: Well, said the next chapter'd follow soon after the second didn't I? ;) Enjoy.