Jade Rince, 6th year prefect of Slytherin, was a Slytherin to the core. As such, when she arrived at the Headmistress' office, she brought with her a small bundle. After an introduction and a brief, curt bow to the assembled reporters, Jade rounded on Hermione.

"Hermione, your robe is filthy," she snapped, tossing her the bundle. "It looks like you were rolling around on the floor. Here; go change. There's a loo around the corner in the back of the office."

Hermione felt a flood of gratitude for the older girl. "Yes, of course."

Jade started demanding to know what sorts of questions the reporters intended to ask as Hermione scurried around the corner to the bathroom, unfolding the bundle. Jade had brought her a better robe, a regal purple one cut in an adult fashion, as well as her makeup kit and her monarch butterfly, now jinxed onto a hairclip.

Tracey must have helped, Hermione mused fondly, turning it over in her hands. Some of the Slytherins were awful to Hermione, but she felt that she'd found soul sisters with some of the others. 'Slytherin' wasn't just a house; it was a way of thinking, a way of looking at the world, a way of life.

Changing and taking the time subtly enhance her face, Hermione was satisfied as she jinxed her hair into submission and clipped part of it back over her left ear.

"Ready?" she asked herself in the mirror, taking a deep breath.

"If you're not ready now, dear, you'll never be ready," the mirror advised her, and Hermione nearly leapt out of her skin in surprise.

When Hermione returned, Jade had moved the Headmistress' chair out from behind the desk – a cushioned, fancy chair – and conjured up another chair from nowhere that she was now sitting in.

"They'll all ask questions together, if you're okay with that," Jade told her, as Hermione settled herself onto the cushioned chair. "There's probably going to be a lot of overlap, and this will help save time."

"That's fine," Hermione murmured, arranging her robes. "Thank you."

Once settled, she sat up straight, set her shoulders, and looked to the reporters with a smile.

"So," she said. "How shall we begin?"

It began with a summary of the events of the previous night – Rita Skeeter had told the other two reporters only vaguely of what had happened, and Hermione found herself retelling the entire story again, this time pausing to answer questions the journalists posed periodically.

"What were you wearing?" Selene Skylark wanted to know. "Witch Weekly readers will want to know."

"Err – just a casual robe?" Hermione told her. "It was after school hours. It was green; I think Rita has a picture. It had been covered in grime, of course – I had to Vanish all the muck after the fight, as I didn't want the robe ruined. And I was in my general boots, which was lucky – a softer shoe would have been hard to run around in on the stone floor."

"You Vanished it?" Rita's eyes were alight. "A second-year, knowing the Vanishing spell? That's very advanced, Miss Granger."

"Hermione has been breaking academic records ever since she started here," Jade said, bored. "She broke Dumbledore's own Transfiguration record her first day of classes. That she can Vanish things will come as no surprise to anyone who knows her."

Hermione's eyes widened slightly, and she made a mental note to master the Vanishing spell as soon as possible.

"But which style of robe was it?" Selene pressed. "Where did you get it?"

Hermione haltingly described the robe style to Selene, saying she'd gotten it from Madame Malkin's. Selene nodded knowingly at that, writing more down.

"And it didn't hinder you in your fight?" she asked. "No sleeves getting tangled up, no tripping on hems?"

Hermione's eyebrows went up.

"The robe itself is fairly fitted through the waist," she said slowly. "It's flared at the legs, so there was plenty of room and mobility to run. The sleeves were never an issue."

"Our readers will be excited to hear that." Selene looked pleased. "So few witches' robes are ever tested in actual combat."

Hermione boggled to consider what type of readers her magazine had.

"In the chamber," Miranda asked her, "did you see any other creatures?"

"The basilisk had shed its skin at one point," Hermione said. "I thought that was the actual monster at one point."

"I was rather more wondering if you saw any Moon Frogs," the woman clarified. "They're known to congregate in areas of great slime with little light."

Rita groaned audibly and Selene rolled her eyes. Hermione hesitated.

"I—I didn't see any frogs down there?" she ventured. "If there had been once, I imagine the basilisk would have eaten them…"

"Miss Granger, how did Draco Malfoy react to being saved by a girl?" Selene cut in. "Was he grateful? Embarrassed? Ashamed? Proud?"

"He was grateful," Hermione said, relieved at the change of topic. "He was so relieved to be rescued…"

The questions continued, with Rita Skeeter mostly asking for clarifying or vivid details around the encounter, Selene pausing to ask odd questions about Hermione's thought process at various points, and Miranda asking completely off-the-wall queries regarding if any of the stones spoke to her, or if she had any hallucinations of centaurs from the mist in the chamber (though there hadn't been any mist). When Hermione mentioned that the school was safe for sure now, now that both the monster and the Heir had been caught, Rita Skeeter immediately pounced on that, and Hermione found herself relating the story of her and Harry's chase through the halls.

"Hadrian Rookwood's daughter!" Rita breathed, her eyes alight with a greedy glint. "And you say you suspected her?"

"I knew she and Draco had argued fiercely that day, and then Draco went missing," Hermione said. "When I found the basilisk had taken Draco, I had wondered…"

"How was running down the hallways in your school uniform?" Selene wanted to know, and Hermione frowned.

"Actually, now that you mention it, it was rather hard to run in," she said. "My legs kept getting tangled up, and I kept nearly tripping."

Selene nodded with certainty, sniffing.

"The cut of the school uniforms has been a polarizing issue that our readers have definitive opinions on," she told Hermione. "They will be pleased to have more concrete evidence to argue for changing them."

"What did you see when you caught the Rookwood girl?" Rita pressed.

"There was a circle made of blood with a necklace in it," Hermione said. "Some kind of skull pendant, but that's all I could tell. There was a container of blood and a vial of something nearby, and a few books around her. One of them was open, but I couldn't say what they were." She shrugged, helpless. "I was rather more occupied with dodging her spells and fighting for my life."

"You say Harry Potter heard her hissing in the corridors?" Selene asked. "Are you and Mr. Potter good friends? How would you describe your relationship to him?"

Questions got weirder and more general as the interview went on. Rita was asking her opinion on all aspects of Hogwarts remotely tangentially related to the matter, which Hermione was glad to give.

"This would have all been much more easily handled if we actually learned history in History of Magic," Hermione said emphatically. "Professor Binns is a ghost. He has no ability to form new memories, and he hasn't taught the history of anything from recent years. If the students had learned about You-Know-Who and his rise, or learned about the attacks fifty years ago, more people would have been able to realize what the monster might be, and who might be behind the attacks."

"You find your education in History of Magic to be inadequate?" Rita pounced.

"Yes," Hermione said emphatically. "All Professor Binns ever seems to teach is ancient goblin rebellions and witch burnings. He can't talk in anything but a monotone; it's not uncommon for students to purposefully fall asleep in his class. And the history of magic is important – without learning our history, how can we ever make sure we do not repeat our mistakes or learn to grow?"

"If you dislike Professor Binns, who would you say your role models are?" Selene asked. "What women do you look up to?"

Hermione was more careful to give a socially acceptable response about that one for her answer, giving Morgana Le Fey, Professor McGonagall, Professor Vector, and Amelia Bones as a response.

"Ms. Bones overcame incredible obstacles and the death of her family to rise and run an entire department," Hermione elaborated. "That is a powerful woman if I've ever seen one. It takes determination and strength to power ahead and beat the odds in the face of such adversity."

"Do you think Amelia Bones and Celene Warbeck are the same person?" Miranda wanted to know. "Our readers have never seen them in the same place at the same time."

Hermione was really beginning to wonder what type of publication The Quibbler was.

After what seemed like eons of questions, discussion seemed to be winding down, with the reporters asking small questions to clarify details. Hermione clarified her class ranking for Rita, her favorite color and school subjects for Selene, and that yes, she was certain she hadn't seen any Moon Frogs for Miranda.

"And your birthday?" Rita asked, writing.

"September 19, 1979," Hermione said, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry – I haven't gotten much sleep—"

"That makes you a Virgo," Selene said. "Do you feel you embody the virtues of a Virgo, Hermione?"

"Divination isn't until 3rd year, so I don't know?" Hermione said, unsure. "I don't really follow my horoscope—"

"Did your mother suffer from vagina dentata during your birth?" Miranda asked.

Hermione stopped short.

"What?"

"Did your mother have vagina dentata when you were born, in 1979," Miranda repeated calmly. "That's teeth in the birth canal," she added, as if Hermione couldn't have figured that out.

"No," Hermione said, incredulous. "Why would you think—"

"Your prophecy says 'the she-serpent borne of teeth'," Miranda pointed out. "It is a completely logical assumption to make."

Hermione gaped at her.

"Merlin alive, no! Is that even possible?" Hermione violently shuddered. "My parents are both dentists – muggle teeth healers. I was born to them – that's what 'borne of teeth' means, I think—"

"There is a prophecy about you, Miss Granger?" Rita's voice cut in, her attention suddenly returning, sharpened and alert. "What prophecy is this?"

Hermione winced.

"It—It was given when I met a Seer on my first trip to Diagon Alley," she said, hesitating. "I didn't—"

"How did The Quibbler know about this prophecy?" Rita Skeeter demanded, rounding on Miranda Fawley, who shrugged airily.

"We have a record of it," she said. "We regularly post prophecies Seers or witnesses give to us. This one was one of the rare ones we were able to verify had a confirmed prophecy orb in the Hall of Prophecy, so it stuck in my mind."

"A what?" Hermione wanted to know. "What's the Hall of Prophecy?"

"What is it, then?" Rita challenged, and Miranda merely raised an eyebrow.

"'The viper borne to Muggles shall be the New Blood to change the world, by clearing the cluttered path with those who answer her call," she recited. "Whether gifted or claimed, true, faked, or false, pure magic unfurled, the she-serpent borne of teeth shall rise and triumph over them all."

Rita gave Miranda an unpleasant smile.

"And this was confirmed, you claim?" she said. "Would you care to go on the record with that, Miranda?"

"I would," Miranda said mildly.

"Ooh, you're the New Blood, Hermione?" Selene said eagerly, writing rapidly. "That's so exciting! What's that been like for you?"

Rita whirled on Selene.

"What is this nonsense, 'New Blood'?" she demanded.

"It's in the old pureblood book," Selene said, waving her hand carelessly. "I looked it up after my sister told me Hogwarts had one at Yule. They're like, ultra-powerful people touched directly by Magic and stuff to found their own Great House."

"This is real?" Rita said incredulously. "How have I never heard of this before?"

"New Bloods are incredibly rare, Miss Skeeter," Jade cut in, folding her arms. "There hasn't been one in centuries. And New Bloods are only officially recognized upon reaching the age of their majority, when a convocation is called to verify the validity of the New Blood's claim."

Hermione shot a look at Jade, her eyes wide, but Jade ignored her.

"And yet, other students recognize Miss Granger's claim already?" Rita wanted to know. "Despite her age?"

"Like I said, Hermione's been breaking academic records since she got here," Jade said, her tone bored. "And she just took down a basilisk. At age thirteen. If that's not evidence for being 'chosen by Magic', what is?"

Rita's eyes had gained a speculative gleam, and Hermione swallowed hard.

"Maybe a follow-up interview at another time?" Rita inquired. "After I have time to acquaint myself with this New Blood mythology?"

"Sure," Hermione said, her throat dry. "But really – you don't have to put anything about the prophecy in the paper, I'm sure only Miranda including it in her article is fine—"

"We'll see," Rita said, her eyes glinting. "It might not be appropriate to include, after all. But I will make the final decision on that."

"Are we done here?" Jade wanted to know. "Hermione's been busy killing the monster terrorizing the students, catching the Heir of Slytherin, and saving the school for the past 24 hours. I'm sure she's exhausted."

To Hermione's relief, the journalists all agreed that they'd gotten what they needed, and that they'd contact her directly for any follow-up interviews they wanted.

"All that's left is the photos," Rita said briskly, tucking away her pad. "Yuve, get over here."

The dozing photographer in the corner abruptly jerked his head up, quickly gathering his equipment and scurrying over to them.

"A few of her sitting elegantly in the chair to start, I think?" Rita said, and the flash bulb flashed, a plume of smoke billowing out of the camera. Hermione blinked rapidly. "Then some of her standing. Maybe one of her sitting on the desk."

"Taking her photo with her in the Headmaster's chair is going to have certain implications, Rita," Selene cautioned.

"I know," Rita said. She smirked, her eyes glinting. "Why do you think I'm doing it?"

"Ah…" Selene grinned. "Fair enough. She did save the school after all – something the current Headmaster didn't manage to do."

"Far be it from me to imply Dumbledore is getting old and ineffective," Rita said, smiling nastily. "But it's been over a century since there's been a Headmistress, hasn't it?"

"1876," Selene agreed. "Eupraxia Mole. I did a profile piece on her a few months back…"

"After we get some of her standing, can we get a photo of Hermione standing on her head?" Miranda wanted to know. "It's well known that those who can stand on their head can resist the presence of Nargles infecting their aura, and our readers will want to know if she can."

Rita and Selene both rounded on Miranda as the photographer took pictures of Hermione standing, decrying the reporter for being ridiculous and wasting time. As she posed, though, Hermione wondered if she'd have been able to stand on her head – she could probably cheat and use her air magic to help steady her and hold her up, but that would hardly have been discreet.

"Thank you, ladies, for your time," Rita said, bowing to them both. Her eyes glinted as she met Jade's gaze. "You should be seeing the articles soon, I daresay."

"You're quite welcome," Hermione said, sweeping Rita and the others her best curtsy. "Thank you for taking the care and attention to make sure to get the story truthfully and completely. You are a credit to your field."

Rita looked surprised by that, then amused.

Both Selene and Miranda also thanked her, giving her short, polite curtsies, before all three of them turned to the Headmaster's Floo, taking turns calling out their destination and vanishing in flashes of bright green. After they were gone, Hermione turned to Jade, curious.

"Jade," she said. "Why did Selene and Miranda both curtsy, but Rita gave me a bow?"

Jade's eyes sharpened.

"I'm sure her robes were too tight for a proper curtsy," Jade said curtly, "but she still wanted to show respect. Either sex can bow, after all."

"I know, I know," Hermione said, getting to her feet, picking up the bundle of her school uniform robe. "I was just curious. If it was a status thing, like because she was the most well-known reporter, she was the one who got to bow."

Jade's voice was tight as she led her from the Headmistress' office. "It's not."

There was a note of tension to her voice, Hermione noted.

An odd note of tension.

And that seemed off in her mind, too. Whenever Hermione had bowed to people, it'd been in response to them or in respect, like with the goblins. It seemed fairly well defined that in wizarding society, introductions and departures were classed with a curtsy from women, and a bow from men.

"You bowed," Hermione said slowly, "when you got there. And Rita looked back at you when she bowed back at the end."

Jade's eyes narrowed at her. "Leave it, Granger."

Hermione's eyes widened. "What, is it some big secret?"

"Yes, Granger, it is," Jade hissed. "Now leave it be."

Hermione fell silent as Jade led the way down the staircases to the dungeons, her mind running back over things, trying to figure it out. She'd never been able to let an issue just lie.

Rita had been the only woman she'd seen bow in introduction or departure, she thought, besides Jade. Though it wasn't like she was formally introduced to women often, she reflected. The only time she had recently introduced herself had been–

"Jade," Hermione said suddenly, and Jade's eyes flicked to hers. "If she were in the same situation… would Milan bow?"

Jade's eyes were dark and tense, frustration warring with resignation.

"Yes," she said finally. "She would."

Hermione felt a flare of triumph, but it was quickly cowed by a sharp look from Jade.

"That is something that is given from woman to woman, upon learning of another's need for it," Jade told her quietly, her voice deadly. "That is not yours to use, nor yours to spread. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Hermione hurriedly agreed. She paused. "…though, if I do need it someday, can I use it? Or do you want me to come to you first to tell you, so you know I'm not ruining your secret?"

Jade's eyes went wide.

"You, need it?" she said in obvious surprise. "With your little harem of boys around you all the time?"

Hermione flushed.

"I do not have a harem," she defended hotly. "And I have no power over who chooses to—"

"You have Malfoy and Zabini," Jade ticked off on her fingers, "and the Goldstein boy from Ravenclaw. I could even make an argument for Potter and Longbottom, as much as they hang around you, and now rumor in the halls is that Diggory is making a play for you too." She gave Hermione a pointed look. "Sounds like a harem to me."

"You're exaggerating," Hermione shot back. "Harry and Neville don't have any interest in me—"

"Are you sure about that? Have you asked them?"

"—and Blaise is my best friend, that's why he's always hanging around!" Hermione bit her lip. "I can't deny Draco and Anthony, or Cedric, even, but that's only three! Daphne has at least that many formal suitors, and you don't hear her being accused of having a harem!"

"Daphne has formal suitors," Jade stressed, "not boys she's leading on."

"I am not leading anyone on—!"

"Well, you're wearing that now, in public on the front page of the Prophet, no less," Jade said, nodding toward the butterfly clip in Hermione's hair. "So we'll have to see about that now, won't we?"

Hermione flushed, and Jade chuckled darkly.

"Just because they're interested in me doesn't mean I'm interested in them," Hermione said sulkily.

Jade's gaze flickered over her. "Oh? And you're interested in girls?"

Her voice was dry, scathing, and Hermione bit her lip.

"I mean, I've only just hit puberty," she argued. "I'm still figuring all this out, you know? I'm pretty sure that I like some boys, but—like—there's been a couple girls who—"

Jade stopped walking, looking down at Hermione with dark eyes.

"If that's the case," she said finally, "pray that you can hide and just like the boys."

"But if it happens," Hermione argued, "what do women do when they like both? Do they bow and curtsy? Or what?"

Jade groaned.

"In that case, I'd say only bow back to a woman you are actively interested in who you would risk everything in your life to be with," she said. Her look was dark. "If you'd be happy with either, Hermione, trust me – take the easier path in this."

Hermione nodded.

"…I'm sorry," Hermione said quietly. "That things should be so hard for you."

Jade gave Hermione a long-suffering sigh.

"Don't worry about it," she said, resigned. "I've had a long time to acclimate to my end fate."

Hermione bit her lip. "Will you and Milan—"

"We both have another year here at any rate, and who knows if we'll even last to the end?" Jade's smile was bitter. "I'll worry about that when I come to it."

Hermione fell silent, and the rest of the walk back to the Slytherin common room was quiet. As they reached the door, Jade paused.

"If I could give you points, I would," she remarked quietly. "Slytherins pride themselves on being observant, but you're quite sharp, to pick up on a tiny detail like that and put it all together."

Hermione grinned sheepishly, and Jade rolled her eyes.

"Keep it to yourself," she reminded her sharply.

"I will," Hermione promised. "I will. It's not mine to use or share."

There was a pause, and Jade's lip curled, smirking.

"Besides," she commented, raising an eyebrow. "You'd be better served by using your time to quickly master casting a Vanishing charm, wouldn't you, Hermione?"

Hermione groaned aloud as Jade laughed darkly, opening the door to the common room and letting them inside.