A/N: Hey! I am trying and giving an effort to update for often. I'm running out of ideas! Arg! Well, I'll just have to ask pigglywiggly for some answers. I'm telling you she's a really good author along with Katuko (if you like avatar: the last air bender). Anyways, I'm just going to say that I do take criticism so don't just say that it's great and all because we all know that it isn't. I have added a bit more description. I think that is what my weak point is. I think that I haven't mentioned that I don't own Harry Potter. It seems that everyone does that so there. On with the story then!

Chapter 12 – Hogsmeade Interview

Hermione had raced up the stairs as quickly as possible to reach the statue and called "candy snappers," The statue had turned and led a narrow pathway of stairs where it led Hermione to enter Dumbledore's office. Draco had already seated himself in one of the two chairs available.

The office of Professor Dumbledore had seemed even more filled with all different sorts of gadgets and neat little trinkets and sorts. The silver bells twinkles against the faint light and the objects clanged together with a light sound of a ping.

"Ah, Miss. Granger," Dumbledore replied. "How nice of you to join us. Mr. Malfoy here has just arrived," He stood up from the velvet seat he was sitting in and said firmly, "You have received what Hagrid had given you I presume?"

Hermione nodded and took out the small bottle that Hagrid had given her earlier. It still had the dark purple liquid look and a slight of metallic now.

"Very good,"

"What is this?" Draco wondered aloud.

"This is," Dumbledore answered, turning towards Draco. "A radare potion. It tells you when someone is trying to trick you or swindle you into something that you might regret,"

"Now why would we need that?" Malfoy asked rudely.

"Not to be prudent or rude Headmaster, but I was wondering the same thing," Hermione chirped.

"Both the Head Boy and Girl have been invited, and we must accept I'm afraid, to get an inclusive interview from the 'Daily Prophet' by the one and only Rita Seeker," Dumbledore explained. "It is to be taken place on the first Hogsmeade trip. Both Mr. Malfoy, and you Miss. Granger are to meet in the Three Broomsticks as quickly as possible," he continued. "Fairly, I don't approve of this. It is quite preposterous that they want two seventh years for something as high of a standard as the Daily Prophet. They might as well take in a first year!" he explained.

"It is," Hermione agreed, "Very queer indeed sir. But we don't have a choice do we?"

"No. That is why, Miss. Granger, I had Professor Snape make the radare potion for me. I want both of you to drink only a sip," he instructed. "It will be enough for the both of you to last about two days,"

Both did as instructed, taking only a slight sip, tipping it lightly with a fingertip.

"I don't feel anything," Malfoy said.

"Are you supposed to?" Hermione asked.

"No, no," Dumbledore replied. "It does take effect. Let me test it,"

He took out a small glowing package that seemed to be a ball.

"How much?" he asked.

Instantly, both Draco and Hermione felt a slight pinch in the stomach. "What was that for!" Draco cried.

"That was the potion in use!" Hermione explained.

"Yes, Miss. Granger is indeed correct," Dumbledore started, "you see, this ball here," he held it up, "is very dangerous. Both of you are still in a very young age and if I had given this to you, you lives would be in great danger,"

"Well, thanks for that," Malfoy said sarcastically.

"Hush Malfoy," Hermione muttered.

"I do suggest that you two get ready for tomorrow," Dumbledore suggested.

They headed down and on the way Pansy had ran into them.

"Oh no, not again," Draco muttered. "Were you waiting for me to come out or something?"

"What are you hanging out with the stupid little bitch for?" Pansy said, snickering.

"Why don't you start by stop being a slutty little bitch yourself?" she spat back.

"Draky, did you teach her all this?" Pansy asked, tilting sideways to meet his eyes.

"He didn't teach me anything,"

"It looks that way to me-"she retorted.

"Well you're probably blind," Hermione interrupted.

"Just stop it," Malfoy had stepped in. Hermione pulled her hair back and stepped off.

"Let's go. We've got to get ready," Hermione said.

As Draco started to turn Hermione felt a pang in her lower stomach. She turned, wand out and ready to find Pansy closer than she would have expected.

"Get away from me!" Hermione cried.

"Expelliarmus," Pansy's wand went flying out of her hand. She bent down to pick it up but then turned to Hermione. Her face flashed with anger as she grabbed Hermione's hand.

"You!" she cried. "How dare you!"

"It was me Parkinson," she heard Draco say. He had just put his want into his robe. "I'm Head Boy now. What would Professor Snape say if he caught us like this?" His tone was usually calm.

"I'm letting this one go," she warned, pointing her finger.

She turned and walked away, making a loud noise and awkward position with her.

"How did you know?" Draco asked her, as they were walking along the corridors.

"The potion, remember? I felt something and I just thought that the slut was about the make a move on me," she explained.

"Really? How come I didn't feel anything?"

"Were you really in any danger? I mean, she praises you too much to even think about losing you," Hermione replied.

The day continued on with them getting money and finishing up last-minute assignments since they knew that they wouldn't have time after the interview.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hurry up Malfoy before Filch won't let us pass." Hermione urged.

"Arg, stop pacing me Granger, it's making me worry,"

She stopped in the middle of her tracks and admired the view. "You worry about these things do you?"

"Yes, yes woman," He had put on his shoes and leapt toward her.

They both headed down and was approved by Filch, and remembering what Dumbledore had said, headed for the Three Broomsticks.

Footsteps were heard coming from the back of them and it was Harry, Ron, Quincy, and Ginny.

"I thought that we were going together!" Ron cried out.

"We have Head duties at the Three Broomsticks. We just found out earlier yesterday," Hermione apologized.

"That stupid Rita Seeker is always trying to get information out of Hogwarts ever since the war started," Quincy explained, anger in her tone.

"How do you know?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, it's just that I kind of read the Daily Prophet and they make up such ridiculous stories," she answered quickly.

"Well, are you too dating yet?" Hermione said, going on to another subject. She pointed to Quincy and Ron. He turned bright crimson red at the sight of the question.

"What are you talking about? Ron and I aren't dating," Quincy replied with a laugh, "Are we?" she turned toward Ron.

"We'd better be going; I heard that Fred and George are having a special on 'Crushes'" Harry replied with a laugh toward Ron and headed away with Ginny.

"We'd better get going too," Draco replied and they left the two of them.

"Do they always stop you like that?" Draco asked.

"Yes," They turned a corner and she said, "Come on, I think I see her powdering her nose,"

They entered the Three Broomsticks and saw Rita Seeker turn. Her face was bright and when she saw Hermione and Draco she got up from her chair and dashed over, her hands swinging, her lips smiling her to ear.

"Ah! Darlings! You have finally came!"

"Come," Hermione corrected.

Rita looked at her strangely and smiled to herself in approval. "You're those smart ones aren't you? I didn't know they had added Grammar in Hogwarts. I'm sure all my questions will be answered in the interview yes?"

She sat down slowly, and took out her notebook and pen.

"We didn't add anything to Hogwarts," Draco replied sternly.

"Yes, yes I know darlings," Rita murmured, concentrating very hard on her pad. "So to get back on track," she said, looking up, "What are some problems that the school is facing currently?" Her manner was upright and looked at the both of them closely.

"What makes you think anything's wrong with the school?" Malfoy asked.

"Oh nothing, nothing at all," she murmured again. After writing and jotting down notes of 2 pages, she turned her head up as if just remembering she was in at an interview. They both then felt a pang in the stomach.

"May I ask, Miss. Seeker," Hermione started, trying to get somethin out.

"No, no, no! You musent think I'm as old as Merlin now dear!"

"Yes, Rita, but I was wondering why you need an interview in the first place. Why not interview the Headmaster?" Before she could say anymore, Rita interrupted her again.

"That old man is full of rubbish. He wouldn't give me anything but lies and red herrings," she cried out.

"Now on with the interview! Do you think that N.E.W.T.S this year will be harder than the rest because of You – Know – Who?" she asked.

"I think that whatever they do, as in Hogwarts, is acceptable because of Dumbledore. He is the headmaster and you have NO right to treat him with such disrespect!" Hermione's voice was up in anger now. Having a trouble restraining herself, Draco pulled her arm and the three remained silent for a moment.

"You could have read 'Hogwarts a History'," she mumbled.

"Granger! What's wrong with you?" Malfoy said, looking at her.

"I'm sorry for this behavior Rita. I don't usually-"

"I didn't think so," Rita finished.

Hermione's stomach started to pang again. "Ar! I'm sorry," she said and headed toward the nearest bathroom.

Malfoy stood there with a blank face and turned toward Rita. "I'm sorry. Why don't I fill in for her?"

"Yes, yes," she said. "Now, can you tell me anything you've done to protect the famous Harry Potter?"

"What? Why are you only saying Potter? The professors are protecting all of us here in Hogwarts," Draco replied defensively. I don't like this woman. He though to himself. Just then, a small spark went off in his stomach. Grabbing it tightly he whispered to himself, "Shit,"

"Excuse me?" Rita said.

"Nothing, look I think that based on the answers we've given you, you can determine all the answers," he said and quickly left the shop.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the intervening time, Hermione had thrown up in the bathroom.

"Must be the side effects of the potion," she replied to herself.

She walked slowly out and realized that Malfoy had left and Rita was by herself, packing up and getting ready to leave.

Hermione had quickly walked toward her and ask, "Um, did you by any chance, see that blond boy who had left? As in where he headed toward?"

She looked up and smiled. "Yes, darling I need his name,"

"Draco Malfoy," Hermione answered quickly, frantic for an answer.

"Yes, and yours?"

"Hermione Granger. But you have not answered my question!" her stomach made a pang for about the thousandth time but Hermione tried at her best ability to ignore it.

"Oh, thank you darling, Hermione dear, but I don't know," she smiled sweetly again, returning to her books and packing.

With a blank stare Hermione asked blankly, "What?"

"Yes dear, I don't know,"

"You haven't answered my questions, used your little tiny wit of yours to think that you could actually be smart and trick us into giving you answers but Dumbledore make sure of that!" she cried out.

Rita stood back with her hands to her chest in obvious shock. Hermione had paid no mind to that. "Is! It was he who gave us the radare potion. He warned us about you, you Daily Prophet people!" her hands shock with fury.

"My dear!" Rita cried and Apparated out of the shop.

A/N: Hey! Thanks for all the great reviews and I hope that you thought Hermione was way out of character. I meant to do that just to let you know. I hope that all questions were answered and hoped you enjoyed it!