Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
Snippets From the Potterverse
Chapter 61 - The Rita Skeeter Interview
Grimmauld Place was bustling with activity the next day. Everyone was busy cleaning and decorating the house. It was quite a task, but Harry was confident that they were finally getting an upper hand over the house. It had only taken them a year or so...
But he was surprised when he took a break from decorating the drawing room to get a glass of water, and found his godfather in the entry, putting on a scarf and coat.
Are you going somewhere, Sirius?Yeah. I got an owl from Rita Skeeter. She wants to interview me. You know, tell my side of the story, tell what my life has been like after being so wrongfully accused....She'll have you pointing out all the holes in the wizarding world's justice system, Harry said, handing his godfather a pair of gloves.
Even if she didn't ask, I'd have plenty to say on the topic. Sirius grumbled, pulling on the gloves. Harry kept quiet. He knew quite well that Sirius was furious with the Ministry, partly because of his wrongful imprisonment, but also because of their refusal to believe Harry and their beastly treatment of werewolves.
Can I come too? Harry wheedled. Anything was better than staying in this dank, dusty house.
I suppose... Sirius gave him a Look. But you know Rita'll come after you like a shark who smells blood. Why don't we get Remmie to come, and you two can hide in the background. I don't want her messing with you anymore. She's printed enough lies.She might print lies about you, too, Harry said dryly.
A few minutes later, Sirius, Harry, and Remus were on the Knight Bus, on their way to Hogsmeade. It was a typical bumpy, scary ride, and all three were more than glad to get off at the pub. As they entered the Three Broomsticks, Harry caught sight of Rita right away. She was wearing a hideous, lime-green macintosh over a set of neon pink robes. Sirius blinked several times, winced, and looked at Remus and Harry, who shrugged.
Good luck, love, Remus murmured, standing on tiptoe to kiss his mate's cheek.
Yeah. Try not to say anything that her Quick-Quotes Quill can twist into something unsavoury, Harry warned.
I'll do my best. See you in an hour or so. Sirius smiled bravely and headed off to Rita's table. She looked up as he approached, and Remus and Harry ducked out the door quickly to avoid being seen.
They passed the hour quite uneventfully, ducking into shops when they got too cold, putting their heads together to think of what to get Sirius for Christmas. Remus ended up getting him a silk dressing gown. It was dove-grey and trimmed in deepest black, and for a few extra Sickles he had Sirius' initials monogrammed on the front pocket. Harry got him a book entitled Muggle Vehicles Meet Magic : That's One Bad-Ass Bike', and, as a joke, a bottle of Gilderoy Lockhart's Fabulous Famous Hair Potion.
They hid their parcels under their cloaks before returning to the Three Broomsticks. They had no sooner reached the door when it flew open, expelling Rita Skeeter, who was covered in mush and screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs. Her paunchy photographer followed, cursing as well and wiping furiously at his camera lens with a hanky.
Oh, Merlin, Remus sighed.
A few seconds later, Sirius emerged, his hands in his pockets and his long hair fluttering in the wind. He looked grumpy. Let's go, he muttered.
Sirius, what happened? Harry couldn't help asking as they boarded the Knight Bus.
Sirius growled. She called me a murderer so I grabbed her hair and smashed her face into her dinner, he said simply.
