[HPforGrownups] Re: Rita Skeeter Question

[bak42]

No: HPFGUIDX 27875


   <snip>
  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.

  Finally someone else can see the flaw in Hermione's logic in dealing with
Rita Skeeter.  Who is the Ministry of Magic going to believe if Hermione
does claim that Rita is an unregistered animagus a respected (by some)
Journalist, or a few underage wizards.
  ----------------------------------------------------------
  Brandon
  73% Obsessed with Harry Potter

  Earth:  Mostly harmless
    --The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  "You know," said Ron, whose hair was on end because of all the times he
had run his fingers through it in frustration, "I think it's back to the old
Divination standby."
  "What -- make it up?"
    --Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire



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