"Mr. Brighthall took most of your romance novels up to the attic, but the rest of your books are in the Gryffindor common room," McGonagall said looking down her glasses at Rita. Rita was bothered by the movement but she decided it best not to complain. The two women had to share the same bedroom, and as uncomfortable as it was, Rita was grateful to be protected within the walls of Hogwarts.
"They're my mother's books," Rita replied looking up from the box on the table, "I didn't have the heart to throw them out."
McGonagall seemed uninterested in Rita's reasons so for the rest of her stay Rita made little attempt to talk to the older woman. They would exchange an awkward glance now and again, but mostly they each tried to stay out of the other's way.
Rummaging through the old box Rita found her long green quill and note pad. Now it was time to make the most of her new life at Hogwarts. A devilish smile crossed her red lips and she looked out the topmost tower down to the Quidditch field. Yes, she thought bringing the notepad to rest under her chin, being stuck at Hogwarts might not be such a bad thing.
"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season," said a voice which echoed through the stadium, "Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin."
Rita sat, with quill floating above her lap, next to Minerva McGonagall. Her stay at Hogwarts had been disappointingly uneventful so far. Rita was hoping that with the opening of the new Quidditch season she would be able to find something to entertain her. She had a deadline coming up for the Quibbler but she could not bring herself to write another story about Harry Potter. The Granger girl was still too angry with Rita's stay to speak to her, and Rita took advantage of the situation. The reporter desperately searched for another story to take the place of her usual Harry Potter prattle.
"It's a lovely day for a match," McGonagall said to Rita. The Headmistress hardly said two words to her during her entire stay, so Rita was unsure what to make of the comment now.
"Ah, yes," she replied. Rita Skeeter had more important things to do than figure out the mystery that was Minerva McGonagall. Rita craned her neck around to see who she could see from the professor's box at the match. In the distance she spotted the annoying Hermione and her hideous redheaded friend although Harry Potter was no where in sight.
"Excuse us," Rita heard someone say from the end of the row.
She glanced around to see Jerimus step over Professor Sprout and take a seat. Rita also noticed that Jerimus' hand was attached to someone else's. When Jerimus said down Rita finally got a clear view of whom it was Jerimus brought to the match. Juliana Allured. In an instant Rita went from bored to livid. Jerimus had no taste at all.
"Isn't that the woman who took over your column at the Daily Prophet?" McGonagall asked.
Rita was insulted. Everyone knew who Juliana Allured was. Rita was certain McGonagall was just trying to be spiteful.
"Yes, that is the…child," Rita spoke the words disdainfully. McGonagall gave her a genuinely inquisitive stare. Juliana was Rita's rival in every way. Rita could not compete. Juliana, unfortunately, was a somewhat talented writer, as painful a fact as it was for Rita to acknowledge. The girl was also tall and leggy and had big beautiful brown eyes complemented by her perfectly youthful complexion and shinny hair.
In all honesty, Rita did not hate Hermione Granger. The two of them could not get along, Rita knew, because they were so similar. When it came down to it though, Rita enjoyed torturing Hermione because it was fun. Juliana Allured on the other hand, Rita reviled. There was no pleasure to be had when Juliana appeared on the scene.
"Oh, my dear Rita," Juliana yelled across the row. Rita tried to duck behind Professor Trelawney but it was too late, the vulture had spotted its prey. The girl stood up, dragging Jerimus by the hand, and approached Rita.
"Juliana, hello," Rita replied, her voice flat.
"I wanted to tell you that I just love your articles in the Quibubble," Juliana said, flashing Rita her big perfect white teeth.
"The Quibbler," Rita corrected.
"Whatever. Anyway, I just thought your article on that little Potter boy was so cute! I can't believe it got you into so much trouble. I would actually like to get a statement from you on that, for a possible story," Juliana said in a high pitched charmingly sweet voice.
"Oh," Rita replied with phony sweetness matching Juliana's, "Would you like a statement. I would be happy to give you one. Let me think, how about you can go—"
"I think the game is starting Juli," Jerimus interrupted much to Rita's chagrin. She had the perfect statement all thought up, and it was something she had wanted to say to the little whore that took over her column since the day they first met.
"We'll catch up later, hon," Juliana assured and bounced back to her seat. Rita wished Jerimus had eyes to see with this one time. She wanted him to see the look of absolute loathing she sent his direction.
"I see what you mean," McGonagall said under to breath to Rita, interrupting Rita's fantasy of pulling out Juliana's perfect hair. "She is quite…young."
Rita was not sure she interpreted McGonagall's meaning correctly. It sounded as if the Headmistress agreed with Rita's less than stellar evaluation of Juliana. Rita looked at McGonagall in surprise, but the older woman now had her aged eyes fixed on the game beginning before them.
Rita glanced down to look at her note pad and realized for the first time that her quill had been writing during the conversation with Juliana. With a quick and clandestine movement Rita ripped the last few pages from the pad and sent them up in flames. No one needed to know what the quill wrote on those pages, even Rita herself refused to look.
The game was not as entertaining as Rita had hoped. Slytherin took the lead early in the match and only increased it as the game wore on. Small drops of rain tapped lightly on the canopy overhead, but by the middle of the second half of the game the field and players were completely drenched. Along with the rain Rita swore she heard a strange mechanical clinking sound overhead, but finally decided it was her imagination.
Slytherin delivered a final blow in the last few seconds, although their seeker Draco Malfoy was unable to catch the Snitch, they had more than enough points to win the game. Rita looked down at the notepad and spied such words as 'no contest' and 'massacre.'
"It looks like the rain stopped," McGonagall told Rita, relief in her voice.
Apparently the old woman had not wanted to return to Hogwarts in the downpour. The stadium slowly emptied out. Rita could see pointy hats and robs in every direction as the crowd began migrating back to the school. Once she stepped off the slippery wooden steps onto the soggy grass, Rita thanked herself for wearing her brown boots instead of high heels. McGonagall was not so clever and had not anticipated the rain. She latched onto Rita's arm for support as they walked back to Hogwarts.
The crowd thinned, and Rita realized that Jerimus and Juliana were walking arm in arm right in front of her. Harry, Hermione, and the redhead were standing close by as well arguing loudly about something. At least, Hermione and the redhead were arguing. The reporter wasn't paying attention to McGonagall until she felt a light tug on her arm. Rita balanced the older woman before they both had a nasty spill.
"Careful," Rita said looking at the huge puddle of mud McGonagall almost fell into. With a sigh Rita switched sides with McGonagall so she was nearer to the mud puddle in case of an unfortunate incident. Rita could shake off the mud and humiliation much quicker than McGonagall should the Headmistress fall. Before McGonagall could take Rita's arm once again, the reporter heard the strange clinking sound. This time Rita knew it wasn't her imagination.
She saw Jerimus ground himself and stop right in front of the two women. He turned his head so Rita was looking at his profile. The sound all the while grew louder and louder. Rita was about to see what was behind her but for she could Jerimus flew to her side, wrapped a solid arm around her waist and yanked her away from were she was standing. Her hands flew wildly and finally landed on his chest. The situation was awkward to say the least, especially knowing McGonagall, Harry and Hermione were looking on.
"Of all the nerve," Rita began in protest as she tried to push Jerimus away from her. She was not successful and before she could object further a golden metal object whizzed by her. A mechanical owl squawked in dismay as it missed its target and hit Juliana square in the shoulder. The bird bounced off the woman and landed at the feet of Harry and Hermione. Juliana landed face first in the mud puddle.
The owl shook its head and the metal clink of the grinding gears came to a halt. The mechanical bird's eyes closed and a high pitched ring echoed through the air. The small crowd that had gathered peered at the strange creation with curiosity. Rita did not. She knew what the creature was; she had seen this kind of magic before. She reached for her wand and quickly aimed it at the owl.
"Wingardium leviosa," she shouted and the bird screamed upwards to the sky. Rita knew Jerimus had recognized the magic as well for he moved to shelter Rita from the blast about to take place. The owl burst into a bright brilliant explosion that sent tiny sparks swirling to the ground. Everyone was stunned for a moment, as they watched the bright flares fade as the fell.
"What was that?" Hermione asked but she was ignored due to Juliana's screaming.
"Someone get me out of here right now!" The woman demanded. Rita hid a delighted smile at the form of Juliana covered in mud and gazing up to see Rita in the arms of Jerimus. Juliana did not look so young and beautiful with lumps of slimy mud dripping from her chin. With a jolt Rita felt the hand around her waist fade away. Jerimus strode over to Juliana and extended his hand with a grunt. Rita thought she saw him smirk.
"It appears someone still feels you are a threat," McGonagall said to Rita placing a soft hand on her shoulder.
"We best get back inside the school," McGonagall said quietly to Rita then addressed the students and onlookers. "Everyone, the show is over, please return to your dorms."
Rita started to walk with McGonagall back to the school but Juliana, covered in mud from head to foot, stood in their path. Rita noticed the Hermione stopped to watch the confrontation. Juliana said nothing. With a sharp, tense movement Juliana's mud covered hand caught Rita across the cheek and knocked her glasses to the wet grass. Once the stinging stopped Rita drew her anger filled eyes up to meet Juliana's.
"I don't know how," Juliana began, her voice a growl, "But this is your fault! Stay out of my way. I'm warning you, you washed up hag, don't play with me or you'll get burned." With that said, the young woman lifted her chin and strutted defiantly back to Hogwarts. Jerimus did not appear pleased. He followed her back to the school, his continence growing darker with each step.
Rita turned to pick up her glasses but Hermione had beaten her to it. The girl smugly gave the glasses to Rita and then sent an irritated stare at Juliana's muddy from shrinking into the distance.
"I think you have your next story for the Quibbler," Hermione stated. Rita faintly smiled at the girl, unsure of what to make of the comment. Perhaps Hermione was trying to call a truce.
"Yes," Rita agreed, wiping the mud from her cheek, "I think you're right." Rita could see the headline now, Prophet Reporter Muddies the Facts and Herself.