Rita Skeeter Question

[Cindy C.]

No: HPFGUIDX 27865

Diane wrote,

> I have another thought about Rita.  She was captured by Hermione 
immediately after the scene in Harry's hospital room where everyone 
was talking about V's return, Sirius revealed himself to Snape and 
Molly, and the initial plan was discussed.  So she presumably has 
full knowledge of these things and much more.  Yet Hermione says she 
intends to set her free once they reach London.
> 
> Am I missing something here?  Isn't Hermione putting everyone at 
risk by not taking her to Dumbledore immediately and putting the 
problem in his hands (or by not squashing the bug that is Rita, but I 
guess that would be a bad thing to do)?  Or do we know that Rita S 
didn't hear anything or won't do anything about what she heard and 
I'm just too thick to see it?
> 

Diane, 

No, I don't think you're missing anything, and this bothers me to no 
end.  What is the penalty for being an unregistered Animagi?  I don't 
think we're told this information.  Well, if it is nothing more than 
a slap on the wrist, then Hermione is placing them all at risk by 
trying to blackmail Rita into not revealing some pretty critical 
information (like that Sirius is a dog, that Snape is a spy, that 
Dumbledore and Bill are meddling at MoM).  Hermione's decision could 
get important members of Dumbledore's team captured or killed.

But let's assume the penalty for being an unregistered Animagi is 
severe, like time in Azkaban (highly unlikely, IMHO).  Then Hermione 
is still making a terrible mistake to trust Rita.  Rita could reveal 
their secrets and then simply lie and deny she is an animagus.  
Although Sirius and Lupin have demonstrated that it is possible to 
cause an animagus animal to reveal himself (Pettigrew), there is no 
suggestion that anyone can tell who has the ability to be an animagus 
unless that person chooses to tell.  If there were such a technique, 
you would think MoM would check all prisoners like Sirius before 
dumping them in Azkaban.

Also, I see no reason why Rita couldn't just go register herself as 
an animagus upon arrival in London, saying she just learned to 
transform last week.  Then, she could print all the nasty stories 
about Dumbledore plotting to cause trouble at MoM and Sirius being an 
animagus that she wishes to print.

Hermione should have handed this matter over to Dumbledore.  One 
quick memory charm on Rita, and the problem is solved.  As it stands, 
Hermione may well be outsmarted by Rita, and Hermione should be smart 
enough to see that.

This problem with Hermione and Rita is a recurring one in the books.  
Again and again, the students decide to handle things on their own 
rather than raise it with Dumbledore or another adult they can 
trust.  Makes me want to pull my hair right out.

Cindy