Author's Note: I should be able to update more frequently now. Hopefully I'll be able to have this story finished by the end of Summer.

Chapter 19 - Desperate Measures

Padfoot read through Ron's note, trying to suppress a wry smile. He knew he ought to be stern, now it was his job to be the grumpy old man. "Harry, Ron, have you given any thought to why I'm here? Why Arthur's here?"

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, illuminated only by the Gryffindor Common Room fireplace. That brought back memories, how many times had he and Prongs shared that exact look when they'd gotten in trouble with some old fuddy-duddy? Now he was on the other side.

"No," said Harry. "Not the way we should have. I'm sorry sir."

Merlin's Beard, James used to feed that same line to Fleamont. Same look, same delivery, had Fleamont known it was a load of troll bogeys too? "Don't worry about it," said Padfoot. "James wasn't much of a planner either. You lot need your Moony back or you're gonna get yourselves expelled before Christmas."

"Right." Ron blushed- reminding Padfoot of another redhead. "I know that! It's just that she's taking Hermione's side. And Hermione's being completely unreasonable! All I want is a simple-"

"Hermione's Moony mate," said Padfoot, barking a laugh. "Keep up. And yeah, she could have her head deflated a bi-"

"Is it because of The Heir of Slytherin?" Asked Neville. "Is that why you're here?"

Padfoot favored Neville with an easy smile. Maybe he was a bit slow but the boy had some Frank in him. He had a good head on his shoulders, even if it took him a bit longer to get there. "No, but you've got the right idea. I reckon that Dumbledore's worried about your safety, and I've never known him to worry needlessly. I thought it went without saying that you needed to be careful Harry, or have you forgotten the deal we made with him? About this Summer?"

"I'd never forget," Harry mumbled, hanging his head. "It's just…"

Padfoot reached out, and ruffled Harry's hair until it looked like he'd just gotten off his broom. "It's just…"

"It's just that if Hagrid gets caught with a dragon he'll get in a lot of trouble, and he won't get rid of Norbert unless he knows he's safe, and Ron's got a brother who might be able to take him, and so we've got to do this sir, even if it is dangerous and even if it might get us in trouble." Harry said all this very fast while staring at his worn white muggle shoes. Still stylish, mind you, they had a fancy little orange star on 'em. You couldn't find shoes like that in the magical world. It'd been one of the first things Prongs had pointed out to him, the muggleborns always had the flashiest clothes.

"Well then, as your guardian you've left me no choice." Padfoot said seriously. "This plan of yours is rubbish. The tallest tower? Unless you've got an invisibility cloak Filch will get you for sure."

No reaction from Harry about the old Perevell heirloom, he really was a chip off the old block. Padfoot grinned proudly, and continued. "No, let's make the exchange with Mundungus in The Forbidden Forest. That will be much more secure. First rule of mischief boys: it's only breaking the rules if you get caught."

Prongs smiled happily. "We could really use your help."

"Of course," said Padfoot.

He had to wait a few more days for his next grand adventure. He and the trio of new Marauders left for The Forbidden Forest in the dead of night. From The Gryffindor Common Room they went straight to the stairs, and walked down a few flights. Padfoot leapt at every shadow, his heart hammered with every screch from the baby dragon Norbert (Harry was carrying him). If they were caught by Filch it wouldn't just be the boys who'd be in trouble. He'd lose what little trust Dumbledore still had in him. If he got caught. But that wasn't gonna happen now was it?

Merlin's Beard he'd missed this!

"Where are we going sir?" Asked Neville. "Isn't The Forbidden Forest in the opposite direction?"

"You're not ratting us out to Quirrell are you?" Ron asked. "I helped save you from Azkaban! You owe me one!"

"Sirius would never do that," Harry said angrily.

"Oy mates," Padfoot whispered sternly. "I get that you're worried, but no yammering when you're up to no good. It'll only get you caught."

He walked past The Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom without a second glance. Ron and Neville let out a sigh, and Harry's steps had just a bit more enthusiasm. A warmth spread in Sirius's chest. Just like in the old days. And there was the one-eyed witch statue(Gunhilda of Gorsemoor according to Moony), that winking old crone, Morgana's Breath he'd missed her. He tapped her hump with his wand, and whispered, "Dissendium."

The statue moved aside, and Padfoot squeezed his way down the slide. "Follow me boys." It was about an hour to Hogsmeade, and another half hour to work back around to The Forbidden Forest, but Padfoot knew from experience that impatience was the doom of every mischief maker.

"No need for silence anymore," said Padfoot. "Nobody's gonna here us in this secret passageway."

But the boys were quiet. They almost seemed sullen. Moony sometimes got like that too, it was nothing to worry about. They'd come 'round eventually.

"You boys looking forward to The Winter Dueling Tournament?" Asked Padfoot.

Harry shrugged. Ron scowled. Neville didn't so much as break stride.

Touchy eh? Padfoot frowned. He'd have loved something like that as a pup. The only competition would have been Prongs, and he'd have looked forward to knocking down Snivellus a peg or three. And if he managed to get past Prongs he'd be able to throw a few curses at his cousin Bella in the championship rounds. But dueling wasn't for everyone, Moony hadn't much enjoyed it either.

"I heard that Snivellus is being a right prat to you," said Padfoot. "What've you got planned for him?"

Neville kept walking forward, his strides a little too rhythmic for Padfoot's liking.

"Nothing," Harry mumbled. "We've got nothing planned. Sorry sir. But… Um… In one of the detentions I had with Professor Snape, I washed one of his vials with water instead of disinfectant!"

…Well… That was… Something…

Yeah, it was something, that was what mattered.

"You're just like your father," said Padfoot proudly. Harry finally perked up. "Always sticking it to ole Snivelly. Albeit perhaps a little clumsily. You're lucky I'm here. I know all the tricks. For example, if you add three blobs of flobberworm mucus instead of two in a sleeping draught, and then add seven valerian sprigs instead of four, it'll release a-"

"Does Headmaster Dumbledore know about this passageway?" Asked Neville.

"I dunno," said Padfoot. "Me and Prongs used to use this all the time, and we never got caught, so maybe not. But with Dumbledore you can never tell."

"Then we should probably let him know," said Neville. "Just to be safe. After all, if we can use it to get in and out, and people are after Harry, Ron, and Hermione…"

"That's a good catch, Neville," said Ron.

Harry glanced helplessly at Padfoot.

He sighed. "You're right I suppose. Can't deny that letting Dumbledore know is the responsible thing to do." Harry looked relieved. None of 'em mentioned where he could stick his responsibility. Oh well. "Wouldn't want anything happening to my cute ickle little firsties." These three were certainly cautious. Not that there was anything wrong with being cautious of course. It was a good thing actually, it'd probably keep 'em alive.

Soon enough, they came to The Forbidden Forest. Dark, spooky, and with creatures most dangerous. He'd always heard there were manticores and acromantulas hidden away in there. It was the one part of Hogwarts he'd never properly explored, and it was finally time to rectify the only hole in The Marauder's resume. Padfoot wandered along its edge, until he found a small dirt path. He ducked under the bare branches of a beech tree, and headed into the unknown.

The path was easy to follow, as overgrown thorns and knotgrass made it almost impossible to wander around freely. His bloody cloak was getting stuck on low hanging branches and brambles, and he almost tripped over a stump. Bloody impossible to see in the dark, what a horrid first experience marauding! He should've scouted the forest as a dog yesterday!

Padfoot sighed. Oh well, no use whinging about it now. "Lumos."

Now that was more like it! His wand only illuminated about ten feet in every direction before being drowned in a sea of fog and barren tree branches. Prongs would have loved this and Moony would've felt right at home!

Neville shivered. Harry's eyes darted from shadow to shadow. Ron screamed like a girl, and flung a branch off his shoulder. Padfoot shook his head. These three had a long way to go. But they were here. They still had the spirit of The Marauders, if not the confidence.

"Oy… Oy mates! What the bloody hell is this!" Ron pointed at the ground. The soil was moving, like tumbling sand in a breeze, and produced a faint clicking sound. Actually…

Padfoot whistled, and picked up one of the scurrying spiders. He inspected it closely. Its fangs were huge, and were dripping in venom! "Newborn spiders."

"Newborn?" Ron asked, his face pale. "These things are the size of a baseballs! They're… I… I can't be here!"

"Yes newborn," said Padfoot excitedly. "These are acromantula. Full grown, they can be as large as fifteen feet!"

"I've got to go," said Ron, breathing heavily. "I hate spiders. You know I do Harry. I won't tell on you, but… No… No. No! I can't do it! I won't do it! I'm going back; I don't care if Filch catches me and gives me a thousand bloody detentions, I can't be here anymore!"

Padfoot nudged Harry. It was his job to get the troops moving in the right direction.

"Ron," said Neville softly. "They're already gone."

He was right. The herd of acromantula had already come and gone. Still though… "We're going to have to head deeper into the forest," said Padfoot. "We might stumble into them acromantula again. Or worse, likely. We can't have you freezing midway through Ron. Make your choice now. Are you with us, or not?"

"I… I…" Ron trembled.

"Hagrid needs us," said Harry solidly. "We told him we'd fix this. It would mean a lot to me, Ron."

Ron nodded. He didn't say a word, his face was pale, but he continued on.

Padfoot led them deeper into the forest, until they came to a clearing. A meadow full of blue and red wildflowers, with a glistening pond in its center. As they came closer to the water, he spotted something underneath. A creature?

Harry sprinted ahead of him, and stared into the pool trembling. Padfoot jogged after him. The pool was tinged red. Blood. One of the creatures in the forest had hidden its kill in the pond. Neat.

"Only a little farther," said Padfoot. "With any luck, we might get a glimpse at whatever did this. Fingers crossed, right boys?"

Harry was still staring into the pool. Neville was distracted by the wildflowers. Only Ron had followed.

"Boys?" Asked Padfoot.

"We're turning back," said Harry, staring at the pool. "What am I doing? If Voldemort is after us, I've just given him the perfect opportunity to kill us. Dumbledore wanted me in Hogwarts for a reason, and I… I…" Harry trembled. "We've got to turn back."

"Harry…" said Padfoot, meeting Harry's eyes. "We're so close. James would have never turned-"

"Well I'm not James," said Harry, his green eyes resolute. "And I can think for myself. Dumbledore won't expel Hagrid over a baby dragon. He- he probably won't expel me either. We should've just gone to him in the first place. I'm sorry Sirius."

…Huh…

Strange…

Of all the scenarios he'd envisioned, this hadn't been one of them. It should have been like the olden days! He'd been around Harry long enough to know he was no coward- for magic's sake, Harry had already tried his luck against a death eater! He'd already made Seeker on the quidditch team. Why were things different?

"Harry," Padfoot pleaded. "You've got to trust me. You can't just throw an adventure like this away! We won't have an opportunity like this again! Do you have any idea how hard it is to obtain a Norwegian Ridgeback egg?"

"Sir," said Neville. "You should look at this."

Neville handed Sirius a wildflower. But there were no stems, only petals, and the petals were reflective and almost felt scaled. Actually they were scaled. You could rub the colour right off 'em… because they weren't flowers.

They were butterfly wings.

Padfoot looked into the pool. He couldn't make out its exact shape, but it kinda looked a lot like a horse…

Right then. It turned out that the boys were acting differently because things were different than when he'd been in school. He should've known… He'd even lectured them about it. Things were different, Hogwarts wasn't safe. That sometimes, the next grand adventure got you killed. Prongs was dead.

He clapped his hands together. "Time to go." He hurried them out of The Forbidden Forest, led them back to Hogwarts through the front entrance, and escorted them safely back to The Gryffindor Common Room. Righto, now that he'd prevented disaster, he had to report to Dumbledore that You-Know-Who had started gathering unicorn blood.

"Sir," said Harry, coming down from the boys' dormitory. He was holding Norbert to his chest protectively. "You're going to Dumbledore aren't you? Let me go with you. I've got to make sure Norbert gets to Romania safely. I made a promise to Hagrid."

Padfoot shook his head. "Give him to me. I'll take care of it. No need for you to get in trouble."

"No," Harry said. "This is my responsibility. If I get in trouble, I get in trouble. It's what my father would have done."

Padfoot could have laughed… Because Harry, sweet, sweet Harry who reminded him so much of James, didn't know the first thing about his father. There was absolutely no chance that James would have gone to a teacher over such a trivial matter. Not a chance. After all, Prongs hadn't even gone to Dumbledore when-

"Let me level with you Harry," said Padfoot quickly. "I gave Hagrid the egg. This whole mess is my fault."

Harry stared at him with those green eyes that had always enchanted Prongs. "I know you did." Harry stared into the fireplace, took off his glasses, and wiped his eyes. "And I know you wanted tonight to be special, but… I'm sorry… Couldn't be like my dad… Not special… But… But still-"

Padfoot took the newborn dragon from his godson.

"Harry forget tonight," he said. "Your friends were right, it was stupid. So let's start over. You-Know-Who is after you. You shouldn't be wasting your time on silly adventures, let me teach you to defend yourself. How's that sound?"

Harry smiled broadly. "It sounds good sir."

"Call me Sirius," said Sirius. "Let's get some practice in. See if we can't get you prepared for The Winter Dueling Tournament. I'd like to help you master a spell. It's called Expelliarmus…"

XOXOXOX

"A few more weeks," Rita begged. "The fate of the wizarding world may rest on it! Please sir, just until Christmas, that's all I'm asking."

"The fate of the world rests on you staying at Hogwarts," repeated her boss skeptically. "C'mon Rita, do try to be a hair more discerning. I quite obviously needed you in the West Shetlands and the Voring Basin. When I arrived there was no trace of the Blibbering Humdinger at all! They had already stolen the ethereal creature and vanished without a trace, things would have been different if you'd been there. But I fear that it was a mere appetizer for something far larger, I can feel it like an Umgubular Slashkilter. It's a true global conspiracy. They are trying to hide the remains of The Rumpled Snorkak itself from us, only sharing it with those who suit Their nefarious needs! I need you on the case Rita, you've a nose as powerful as a hell-raising heliopath. I'll give you a day to wrap things up at Hogwarts, then I want you in the Guyana Basin, before They can monopolize the energetic Rumpled Snorkak for themselves!"

Rita clenched her fists. "No. I'm staying at Hogwarts. Some things are more important than a job."

Her boss sighed. "Well then you leave me no choice. The nargles have gotten to you, and I've no need for employees under their insidious influence. You're fired."

XOXOXOX

"You probably can't see the horsies because you've never been accosted by wrackspurts," explained a blonde-haired girl knowingly. "It's nothing to be ashamed of Hermione."

"Wrackspurts?" Hermione asked, quite scandalized. "I've never heard of such a creature, except in that rubbish publication that employs Rita Skeeter! Don't tell me you expose yourself to such nonsense. As my mum always says, 'Unsubstantiated hypotheses are the carbonated beverages of the brain!'"

"Daddy's the editor," said the girl serenely. "I suppose you must be part of The Rotfang Conspiracy too. I can tell."

"The Rotfang Conspiracy?"

"An evil group, trying to bring down the ministry using a combination of dark magic and gum disease," said the horrid girl. "It's strange that you don't know your own secret society's intentions, or that you're a part of it, but then secret societies are quite secretive about such things. And the nargle growing inside you can't be helping, but don't worry- it's still rather small. You might be able to rid yourself of it."

"Now listen here," said Hermione crossly. "There's no such thing as a-"

"Err…" Ginny rudely interrupted. "Even if there are horses flying over the lake, don't you think it would be safer if you climbed back up?"

"Yes, much safer," said the blonde girl serenely, hanging upside down from The Covered Bridge. She continued to stare over the lake with a rather vacant smile. Hermione had hoped to save her initially, but after getting to know the girl a little better, perhaps she'd be better off as a splatter stain on the branches of the pine trees dotting the bottom of the valley.

"Then shouldn't you…" said Ginny. "You know? Climb back up?"

"Why ought I do that?" Asked the girl curiously.

"Well… You know, because it's dangerous, hanging off the bridge like that," said Ginny.

"It is quite dangerous," the girl agreed readily. "Why ought I climb back up?"

Hermione scowled. "Let's go Ginny. I've no idea what this loon is on about, but it's hardly our responsibility to help her."

Ginny didn't budge. "Because if you fell, people would miss you."

"Would they?" Asked the loony girl curiously. "How can you be sure? We've only just met Ginny."

"I'd miss you," said Ginny.

The girl climbed off the edge of the bridge. "That's very sweet of you to say, I'm Luna Lovegood."

"More like Loony Lovegood," Hermione muttered.

"C'mon Luna," said Ginny, glaring at Hermione. "Let's get you back to your Common Room so you can be with your friends until you're feeling better. What house are you in?"

"I don't have friends," said Loony shamelessly. "Nor a house. I'm still too young. I'd very much like to keep viewing the horsies until daddy is done with his business."

Ginny smiled. "Then you're in luck. You get to see Hogwarts early! I know- I'll show you our common roo-"

Hermione subtly kicked Ginny, and pulled her aside. "Have you gone mad? Slytherin will eat Loony alive!"

"What?" Asked Ginny. "Why? Is she a muggleborn?"

"No- but she's rather… Odd."

"What's wrong with being odd?" Asked Ginny stubbornly. "I like her."

"Ginny… She's spewing such rubbish- I've the best dental hygiene in this school! She'll be bullied endlessly in Slytherin, and that's hardly the environment for someone suicidal."

"She wasn't trying to kill herself," said Ginny haughtily. "You heard Luna! She was observing a herd of flying horses."

Hermione gave Ginny a flat stare. But even if Ginny couldn't bring herself to explicitly concede the point, she did end up bringing Loony to the Gryffindor Common Room instead. Naturally Hermione followed.

"Harry, it's so good to see you again," said Hermione cheerfully, wrapping him up in a hug, pointedly ignoring Ron and the Evil Neville Longbottom. "I've missed you ever so much. It's quite a shame that I can't see you more often. Certain people can be so needlessly stubborn.

"We're here because of this girl." Hermione nodded at the blonde loon. "Loony Lovegood tried to jump off The Covered Bridge until I managed to talk her out of it. You're to make sure she doesn't do anything crazy until her father comes for her- then she'll be his problem."

"That wasn't what happened," Ginny lied needlessly. "And her name is Luna Lovegood. She was just trying to get a better look at some invisible horses flying over the lake."

"How can you look at something invisible?" Asked the Evil Neville Longbottom reasonably, proving that even the most vile person could occasionally be useful.

"Because I could see them of course. I'm very lucky, I often see creatures that others can't. The horses were so lovely," said Luna dreamily. "Their faces looked reptilian and skeletal, and they had the wings of a bat. I wish I could have observed them longer, I might never see such majestic creatures again."

"You'll be alright," said Harry, smiling kindly. "They fly over the lake all the time. I'm sure you'll get another look at them next year when you're a student here."

Hermione scoffed, skeptically. Hogwarts was the finest school of magic in the entire world, they surely wouldn't let Loony's sort in.

"What house would you like to be in Luna?" Asked Ginny. "I'd love to see you in Slytherin. It would be nice to have another girl to talk to."

Hermione sniffed.

"That's very sweet of you Ginny, but wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," said Loony. "I'll be a Ravenclaw."

Hermione tittered politely at Loony's joke.

"I think you'd make a great Ravenclaw," said Ron sharply, glaring at Hermione. "You're obviously keen on magical creatures, and that's what Ravenclaw is all about: learning stuff."

Loony nodded. "You're very kind Ron Weasley. Not at all like Miss Skeeter made you out to be. But then, too much devotion to the written word will lead even the most brilliant ascunder."

Hermione gasped at the dangerous blaspheme.

"That's brilliant," Ron said, blushing, too distracted by Loony's compliment to uncover the rot hidden by her admittedly clever turn-of-phrase. "To be honest, I hope you're sorted into Gryffindor. I could use another friend."

Hermione smiled sweetly.

"Well I think you ought to be in Hufflepuff," she said, giving Loony a gleaming smile that thoroughly disproved that she might ever be a part of any organization that promoted something as despicable as gum disease. "They'll accept anyone in Hufflepuff. Even someone like you. You'll still be bullied of course, but less than in any of the other houses."

"Hufflepuff is the best house of course," said Loony serenely. "Everyone knows it's the only house with no nargles, and it's very nice of you to say I belong there, but I'll be in Ravenclaw."

"Hermione's not wrong," said Wise Neville. "You'll be bullied. I begged the hat for Gryffindor, but looking back- I wish I'd let it sort me into Hufflepuff. It'd be much easier."

"Yes, I suspect you're right," said Loony. "And it will likely be rather horrible. But I'm Ravenclaw. Just like you're Slytherin, Hermione, muggleborn or no."

Hermione's smile froze. "Yes well… You'll have to convince the Sorting Hat to put a nattering halfwit like you into Ravenclaw. And that's assuming that Hogwarts even accep-"

"A student from Devon," Neville rudely interrupted.

"Why wouldn't they?" Asked Ginny. "I'm from Devon."

"Really?" Asked Neville. "You're really lucky then. I'm sure you guys had loads of fun together. Gran never let me meet anyone, I think she thought I was an embarrassment- even if she never outright said it."

"That's not true Nev," said Ron.

"This was our first time meeting Luna," said Ginny.

"Really in all this time?" Hermione asked slyly. "That seems rather strange, don't you think? But then, Luna's father Xenophilius does own The Quibbler. If I didn't know better… But that's surely just in the muggle world…"

"What is?" Asked Ron.

"Why in the muggle world, back when I was attending Eton- that's the most prestigious private secondary school in Britain by the way, it's very difficult to get into- there were many students who wouldn't associate with me because of my parents. I'm the daughter of dentists you see," Hermione admitted, quite red-faced by the humiliating revelation. "But even if they were proper doctors they wouldn't have been accepted, because they weren't rulers- they didn't own a company or lead a political party. They weren't good enough, and by extension I wasn't good enough. But surely such trifling matters are immaterial in the magical world."

"People are people, magical or no," said Loony serenely. "You're quite right Hermione, Daddy wouldn't let me associate with the Weasleys. He told me they were the wrong sort."

Ron and Ginny leveled Loony with a couple of well-earned glares.

"Servants of The Evil Ministry," said Loony. "But now that I've met you, I know he was wrong. You're all quite sweet, in your own unique way. Even if three of you have nargles, I think they're quite splendid."

Hermione folded her arms. Thankfully, Xenophilius eventually took the shameless girl away. Unfortunately, a bad day got even worse as she and Ginny made their way down to the Slytherin Common Room.

"Hem, hem," said Skeeter.

Hermione told Ginny to go on ahead, and Skeeter led Hermione to an abandoned classroom, probably to lecture her about Professor Lockhart. Perhaps fairly. While Professor Lockhart had made an Unbreakable Vow, Hermione had read enough history to know that binding promises could be quite misleading, and she couldn't quite shake the thought of him altering Ginny's memories with a gleaming smile. She'd be a fool not to sense his danger. She was always quite careful around him, not that she'd ever admit to Skeeter of course.

Hermione picked out a desk, and laid out her beta Study Wheez Sheet and quill so she could take minutes for the meeting. "User: Hermione Granger. Password: password. Tags: November 15th. Meeting Minutes. Rita Skeeter. Document Title. Rita Skeeter Meeting Two."

The Study Wheez Sheet blinked the letters, Recorded, before becoming blank. She still needed a quill though. Future versions really ought to have speech-to-text functionality.

"You ignored me! You've been seeing Lockhart, you silly girl! Do you have any idea how much danger you're in?!" Skeeter had the audacity to sound quite like a dentist whose patient had neglected to floss.

"Why none at all," said Hermione curtly, suddenly furious. As if she- Hermione Granger- might be outwitted by somebody who couldn't even fool a lowly journalist like Rita Skeeter. "He's never even asked me about The Heir of Slytherin- so your little warning about False Memory Charms was quite unfounded. I've found him to be quite pleasant, and an excellent wizard. Unlike some people, who ought to know when to buzz off."

And besides, Professor Lockhart was the only one who would teach her legilimency. Perhaps Headmaster Dumbledore would offer her occlumency, but that would hardly be fair! She'd have little chance of winning if she could only defend her mind, and never counter! The best defense was a good offense after all. No, Hermione was merely doing the logical thing, continuing her lessons with Professor Lockhart.

"His hyper-competence is the problem, you silly girl!" Skeeter bellowed. The woman glanced around the classroom wildly, and continued in a whisper. "I had investigated Lockhart thoroughly. I came to Hogwarts to catch him in the act. I know he was a fraud."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, and crossed her legs. "You've my attention Rita. Explain yourself."

"He was using False Memory Charms to steal credit from more talented wizards." Skeeter stopped to catch a breath. "The Bandon Banshee was defeated by a witch with a hairy chin. The Waga Waga Werewolf by an Armenian Auror. For each of the stories he's written, I've found a wake of talented witches and wizards without the ability to so much as recall their own name. I went to school with Gilderoy Lockhart. Aside from Memory Charms, he was about as potent with a wand as a squib using kwikspells."

"That's rubbish," Hermione said. "He beat you in a duel." And the magic he was teaching her was quite advanced. She doubted any of her classmates would ever find the knack for it, even if they tried for years.

"Yes," Skeeter whispered. She shivered, hugging herself, and rocking back-and-forth. "Yes he did. A-and when we were dueling, I- I felt him in my head Hermione. I felt him in my head!"

"Correct," said Hermione. "I'm quite proud that you've admitted your mistake, Miss Skeeter. Professor Lockhart is an excellent wizard. Now all I need from you is a retraction on your article about Ronald Weasley, you to quit badgering me about my lessons with Professor Lockhart, and for you to kindly erase my parents' memories of your ghastly interview with them."

"You- you- you foolish girl! Think for a moment! What wizard would teach Lockhart such things? How can you be so clever, and still not…" Skeeter stilled. "You're not stupid y-you know what this is, don't you!? You just refuse to see it. Yes of course, you're far too clever. But why? I don't understand why you won't listen to me?! But… Allow m-me to make a hypothesis… See if it can be p-proven, and then maybe y-you'll listen…"

Hermione gave a brief nod. Fair was fair, and logic was logic.

"He will teach you… forbidden things. Things that are inherently immoral, that mustn't be learned… Things that you find alluring. In a purely academic sense of course. Afterall, the knowledge is there to be learned, and if you don't do it surely somebody else will. How else will you be able to protect Li- Ronnie?"

What a load of rubbish. And not just because of the rather blatant emotional manipulation.

"And who determines what can and can't be learned?" Hermione asked testily, quite offended by the very notion that her learning ought to be limited. "You? Headmaster Dumbledore? It really ought to be my choice, don't you think? Control of the educated population is one of the hallmarks of a totalitarian state."

"And then," Skeeter continued rudely. "Then he will ask you to do something for him. It wasn't his fault of course, and he doesn't want to ask it of you, but it must be done nonetheless. But of course you can say no, of course, in fact you can change your mind whenever you want. Nobody is forcing you down the path, he's just letting you know that it's there… That it's an option…"

Hermione yawned loudly, although she did record Skeeter's prediction in her meeting minutes.

"And he will teach you. Perhaps help you with a problem. And ask you for just one more favor. He won't do anything evil, everyone else was lying about him after all. But… Eventually… Eventually you'll have to make a choice. Join him or oppose him. But it's not so easy now, in fact… It almost feels like you've already made the choice, a long time ago. It will feel like you have no other option but to join Lord Voldemort."

"That's a good story, Skeeter. Quite the page-turner. I'll be sure to… Keep it in mind." Hermione smirked. "During my lessons with Professor Lockhart. Thank you."

"I gave up my career for this!" Skeeter bellowed, slamming her hand on Hermione's desk. "Our world is just a playground for you, isn't it? You don't care about us! In the worst case you can always escape back to the muggle world- that's what you think right? Well you're wrong! You think Lord Voldemort has any reservations about killing muggles? Your mum and dad will be dead for your arrogance!"

Hermione twitched. She put on a smirk, but it was too late. Peschbel's Canon, Skeeter had seen.

"I'll tell on you," Skeeter threatened. "I interviewed your parents for the article, remember? I know how to get a hold of them."

Hermione seethed. "I remember. Go ahead, tell them you're trying to stop me from receiving private lessons from one of the best wizards on the planet. You know what they're like."

"Yes, I do know what they're like," said Skeeter sweetly. "And I know what you did, Hermione, right near the beginning of the year."

Hermione got out of her desk. "I-I did no such thing. Healthy or sick, I've attended every class of the year. Check the records! I-I've been a model student."

"Yes you have attended every class," said Skeeter. "But... You took full advantage of the school being sealed. Without anyway for your teachers to contact your parents, you began to act like quite the hooligan. And all this culminated during Madam Hooch's first flying lesson, when… When you left class fifteen minutes early!"

Hermione gasped. What was she doing? She could still get out of this. She blinked innocently. "I did no such thing. Classes are ever so valuable. I wouldn't dream of missing even a moment of a single one!"

"Do you really think you can lie about such things?" Skeeter asked, with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps we should confirm with Madam Hooch."

Bugger! Teachers knew where each of their students were and had been at every point of every class. Everyone knew it was so.

"I was only going to the loo," Hermione lied wildly. "A mere ten minutes. It's allowed!"

"Then why do I recall seeing you in the Hospital Wing?" Asked Rita Skeeter. "Did you receive a note to excuse you from class… Or were you perhaps playing hooky to flying lessons like a no-good, out-of-control juvenile delinquent?"

"I don't remember seeing you at the Hospital Wing," said Hermione quickly, her heart racing. "Just how did you come to this information I wonder?"

"Irrelevant," said Rita Skeeter, and unfortunately Hermione had to agree. "Please answer the questions with a yes or a no. Is leaving class against the rules?"

"Yes," said Hermione helplessly.

"Did you leave class?"

"Yes."

"Is it my responsibility as an adult to alert your parents."

"Yes, but you mustn't," Hermione wailed. "You don't understand what they're like. They'll beat me!"

"Do you understand the laws on child endangerment?" Asked Rita Skeeter. "If you're going to tell me that, I will be legally required to alert Child Protective Services."

Fuck!

"You're only doing this because I'm muggleborn," Hermione said desperately, her skin tingling with sweat. "Everyone else skips class too! This isn't fair!"

"Yes well, I'll let your mum know and you can try your luck with that defense," said Rita Skeeter.

"Fine," Hermione spat. "Fine, you've won. I'll stop receiving private lessons from Professor Lockhart and allow myself to become some second-rate sorceress. But you mustn't tell Mum and Dad about me leaving Flying Lessons early."

"It's a deal," said Smug Skeeter slimily. Hermione shook the horrid woman's hand, and walked to the Slytherin Common Room fuming. If that was how she wanted to play then fine! Hermione would play.

She found Draco and Ginny and brought them into an empty classroom in the dungeons for an emergency meeting. "Rita Skeeter is a menace to society, and she must be brought to justice immediately! Innocent people are being harmed by the horrid woman's libel and slander!" Hermione cried passionately. "Luckily my investigations have borne fruit." She revealed her findings so far.

"And that is why Rita Skeeter is quite clearly a beetle. Quid Erat Demonstrandum!" Hermione finished with relish. Bowing would be a little much, but when her audience heaped her with well-deserved praise for her brilliant deduction she would surely accept it.

"Is that all you've got?" Helpful Draco asked, with what could quite easily be mistaken for a sneer. "Typical of someone of your background. You've presented little more than a hunch. You brushed a beetle out of your hair one time, and heard one flapping its wings another. What if Skeeter simply overheard a different conversation? Or what if you told someone, who told someone, who told Skeeter? Your evidence won't hold up in court, not even Father will be able to push it through Wizengemot."

Hermione bit her lip disappointedly. Ginny hadn't said anything, but she didn't seem convinced either. "Ahh, I see. That explains it. Your kind lacks imagination. You can't connect pieces of information. Over reliance on magic has made your minds lazy, unimaginative, and devoid of even a decigram of logic!"

Draco huffed, upset at Hermione's constructive criticism. "If it weren't for my kind, and all I've done for you, you'd be an outcast in Slytherin House. A proper witch would be grateful, but you've been contaminated by your filthy mother's blood and your barbarian upbringing."

"Oh do shut up," Hermione said, fiddling with her Order of Merlin. It had been charming in a way, to have to lie and manipulate her way to the top of the Slytherin hierarchy, but she ought to be above such things by now. Draco should have acknowledged his station, and realized that it was not his place to challenge her. "Do you want to be a part of this or not?"

Hermione sighed despairingly. Ronald and Harry had never questioned her so. They had understood that she was the Sherlock and they were the Watsons. They had understood that challenging her was simply unproductive, and there was little she liked less than feeling unproductive. It was intolerable, simply intolerable!

"You can't talk to me like that," Draco said. "You filthy mud-"

"We ought to test it," Ginny said quickly, stepping between the two of them. "Malfoy's right, Hermione. You're going to need more evidence to take down Rita. Maybe it's different in the muggle world, but we're not in the muggle world. In Magical Britain we're going to need more. So let's get Rita the same way you got Pettigrew."

"Like it's so easy. Things were different then," Hermione explained. "I had time to observe Pettigrew. I knew his weaknesses. I had multiple hands to set up my bluff, and I was able to lure him into a trap."

"Then do it again," said Ginny. "Lure her into a trap. Rita's not as dangerous as Pettigrew. All you need to do is get her to expose herself in front of a professor and the game is won."

Hermione tapped her wand against her lips thoughtfully. "Not bad Ginny." She quite liked the thought of Rita being outed publicly. But what would make a good lure? Which professor ought to be present to bear witness? There was only one sensible option. Hermione shared it with her most loyal servants.

"Why him?" Asked Ginny quite rudely. "It ought to be Snape or McGonagall, don't you think?"

"Much as it pains me to admit it, I have to agree with Ginevra," said Draco sourly.

"No," said Innocent Hermione, smirking superiorly, her Order of Merlin glinting so splendidly. "It has to be him. Now here's the plan…"

XOXOXOX

"I don't know what you've got planned for Hermione Granger," said Rita Skeeter nervously. Confronting the fraud was foolishness, but she knew better than to ask Dumbledore for help, and she was under no delusion that Hermione would keep her end of the deal. "But I- I'll stop…"

"Really Rita," said Lockhart. "I've a hard time parsing what you were trying to accomplish by confronting me, but you really ought to know better. I'm a world famous wizard."

Rita's mouth was dry. She was finally part of the story, and it wasn't at all fun.

"I- I'll tell the Ministry what you've done," Rita said. It would mean giving up the story of a lifetime, her career, and… so much more… But You-Know-Who was plotting something. And for whatever reason it seemed to hinge on Hermione Granger. The girl was stubborn, delusional, amoral, but far too intelligent, far too curious to ignore a… a…

Mur-murder.

If Rita had to give up her life to prevent You-Know-Who's resurrection, then it was a price that she had to pay.

"Rita, Rita, Rita," said Lockhart cheerfully. "I don't know who you think I am, but I truly do wish you no harm. Everything I've done in my life, I've done for the betterment of wizardkind. That being said, the ministry doesn't understand, and so I will unfortunately be forced to defend myself- for the greater good of course."

The greater good? Was he one of Dumbledore's then, or was that just another tool of You-Know-Who? Which would even be better?

Even now? Even now, at the end she was thinking of such matters? Wasn't it time to reminisce? Regret?

Lockhart pointed his wand at Rita with a gleaming smile.

"You can kill me," Rita said, surprised by how steady she felt. "But no matter what you do, the light will always preva-"

Lockhart's wand flashed, and Rita knew no more.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I'm not very happy with the quality of this chapter, but I can't quite place why. Hopefully you enjoyed it more than I did. The next three will be better. And now onto the reviews!

Cheese12345 - Thanks! I'm pretty optimistic that you'll enjoy the ending. I don't think this fic is the best I've ever written, but it definitely will have the best ending. Thanks for the review!

ViviTheFolle - You've got a shockingly good read on some of the characters. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but to any readers you may want to just skip over Vivi's reviews if you want some of the twists to be a surprise. And I'm glad that the mind reading came across as creepy, as it's my opinion that mind reading is about as big a violation (of privacy) as possible… But yeah, Hermione can be shockingly callous. In her defense, the cause almost certainly justifies the means in this case, but the means are pretty sh#tty. I will admit that I debated writing certain scenes from Lockhart's POV. Let's just say that strings go both ways. And I'm glad you've finally come around to Rita, but now she's gone. Thanks for the review!

merendinoemiliano - We've got three chapters of dominoes from here. Big things are about to start happening. Thanks for the review!