Speculation about Rita Skeeter

[beyondthelamppost at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 21298

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., bess_va at l... wrote:
> so, what is the consensus (if there is one) about *what* Rita will 
do? 
> 
> When we last see her, she's under Hermione's physical control 
(glass 
> jar with an unbreakable spell), with a forced promise for Rita not 
to 
> publish for a year.  Now Rita was present (as a bug) during at 
least 
> part of the hospital wing scene between 
> Dumbledore-Fudge-Harry-Snape-Sirius (we don't know how much she 
> heard).  So she may know Sirius is an animagi, she may know 
Dumbledore 
> has been harboring a fugitive, she may know that Mr. Weasley will 
> probably be conducting gross insubordination at the Ministry, she 
may 
> know that Snape goes off to do "something", she may know Dumbledore 
> believes Voldy is back, she may know Fudge ain't playing and 
threatens 
> Dumbledore.  (what I find incomprehensible is that Hermione doesn't 
> tell any adult about this! this woman is dangerous! she ain't nice! 
> and isn't a promise made under duress unenforceable morally and 
> legally?)
> 
> So if she does know all these things, I don't think she's gonna fly 
to 
> Remus's house and say "Hey guys! Guess what! I'm an illegal animagi 
> also and I want to join in your war against Voldy".  I don't think 
> she's gonna be like Fudge, and pretend this isn't happening. I 
wonder 
> if she'll try to find Voldy...that would be one heck of a scoop 
> wouldn't it?  I bet 5 chocolate frogs that she'll at least inform 
the 
> MOM that Dumbledore was harboring Sirius (one way of getting rid of 
> Dumbledore), and that Sirius can now be found at the residence of 
one 
> Remus Lupin.

It seems to me that Rita never does anything unless it helps her in 
some way, so I doubt that she joins with Fudge.  I also don't think 
she would be much use for Voldemort because her writing is primarily 
sensational - not propaganda.  However, I wouldn't be surprise to see 
her go after Voldmort - to get the big scoop.  Hmmmm.

Also, it seems like their are very strict penalties for being an 
undeclared animagi, so Hermione's threat may very well prevent Rita 
from saying anything.  

And finally - Welcome!

- Jamie

P.S.  Strangely enough - I think I had a dream about Rita the beetle 
last night.