Sirius will be revealed by...

[fuzzi95]

Sirius will be revealed by Rita. She was on the window sill when he transformed from being a dog. Right after he left, Hermione caught Rita. But she was there, and she saw what happened. She has to keep her quill to herself for a year though, so doesn't that mean Sirius has about a year to get his name cleared properly. I don't think it would come lightly to everyone if Rita told it her way. They may just think she's nuts, or they maybe may look into it. Either way, the magical world will know the truth about him. How do you think it will turn out???

By the way, where's Buckbeak???

[zent]

fuzzi: we already discussed this in another thread.

First of all, Hermione will probably deal with Rita in a way consistent with her rationality. She may bring her to Dumbledore (who could possibly cast a Confundus Charm on her).

Second, we don't know if she saw the discussion with Sirius, or Sirius at all. A bit of time had passed between Sirius leaving and Rita getting caught.

[Crookshanks1974]

Actually a couple of us have been in a (somewhat) heated discussion about this very thing in the "Who Will Die" thread since I posted a reply there saying Sirius may be the one to die.:??: One of the reasons I used then WAS that Rita was there when Padfoot's true identity was revealed to Molly and Snape.

My personal oppinion is:

1. Sirius CANNOT clear himself until either Wormtail is caught or turns himself in, neither of which seems possible at the moment.

2. [And this is really more in answer to your question, I think] Rita was definitely there when Sirius' secret was revealed. She will not heed to Hermione's threats to turn her in to the proper authorities for being an unregistered Animagus if she says anything. Why? Hermione is still just a kid--mind you, a highly intelligent kid, but a kid none the less--and it would be her word against Rita's. True, Rita writes only lies and partial truths, BUT people obviously BELIEVE what she says. AND this information is way too BIG for Rita to ignore. She would absolutely relish the idea of being the one to provide the information that might lead to the capture and/or death of Sirius Black.

So yeah, Sirius MUST clear his name in a jiffy. But like I said . . . he CAN'T.:sigh:

[zent]

Crookshanks: As we said in the other thread, we don't know exactly when Rita got there. We don't know what she heard.

Perhaps a solution would be that Sirius would cast a Fidelius Charm, and place his location within Dumbledore, Hermione, Harry, Ron, etc. Who knows, he may even use Lupin!

[GryffindorSeeker]

Yes, Sirius does need to clear his name, and it is impossible ( or so it seems at the moment). Dumbledore has even said it "Harry, it's too late, no one will believe the word of two thirteen year old wizards, and the fact Lupin is an old friend of his..." and to top that off, those Thirteen year olds are on the infamous side no thanks to dear old Rita. :sigh:

[Barbara Kennedy]

This is also discussed in the thread "Sirius Black -- will he ever have his name cleared?"

[harp230]

Well if Rita, even anonomusly(sp?), revealed Sirius then Hermone surely would revael that she is an illegal animagus. How would Rita get all of her good stories? How much trouble would she be in? Rita would be ruined too if she even muttered a hint about Sirius....

[Lestrange]

Originally posted by harp230 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=325826#post325826))
Well if Rita, even anonomusly(sp?), revealed Sirius then Hermone surely would revael that she is an illegal animagus. How would Rita get all of her good stories? How much trouble would she be in? Rita would be ruined too if she even muttered a hint about Sirius....


True. Maybe they have a charm like the opposite of the one done to Wormtail in Prisoner of Azkaban, so they can foce her to show her animagi state....*ponders*

[dumbleedore]

Hermione could have put a memory charm on Rita before she put her in the jar. Hermione is certainly smart enough to do so.

[harp230]

But is Hermone powerful enough to put the charm on?

[zent]

I would have suggested a memory charm earlier, but I had the same concern harp does. Maybe, just maybe, she brought Rita to Dumbledore before leaving school. It seems logical-Dumbledore was in the room anyway. Dumbledore could have dealt with Rita.

[harp230]

That was my thought that Dumbledore is aware. Surely it would seem like Hermone to seek an adults(or someone's assistance) rather on her own. Would DD really put Hermone in such a risky situation though? Not that he hasn't before but what would really be gained? Could be a means to protect Sirius?

Hermone is not completely acting as her usual self in regards to Rita. Rita really pushes her buttons and that could be dangerous.

[rusk]

I doubt Hermione put a memory charm on Rita. If she did, the problem is solved immediately. Why go to the trouble of kidnapping her in a jar if she already has forgotten the details?

Hermione wasn't going to take Rita to an adult. She says she was going to release her when they got back to London.

[harp230]

Thats the issue i a m bring up. Whose idea was it to put her in a jar and set her free in London? Is this another mission form DD or is she doing this entirely on her own? My guess is on her own which could be quite dangerous for her. Usually she seeks others help. It is her way to be logical. If she is not seeking help form someone or even a book, maybe she is not behaving as rationally as she should. this could get her in trouble if she is not thinking clearly. and as much as she hates Rita I doubt she is thinking clearly. this could get real ugly.

[Barbara Kennedy]

It is worrisome, Hermione may not be making the best decision here.

[dumbleedore]

I don't think Hermione went to Dumbledore about it. They've never gone to Dumbledore about anything before, so why would she now?

And harp, I agree that Hermione isn't thinking clearly. I think she's tryng to outsmart Rita, but Rita plays dirty.

[harp230]

That is where the problem comes in that she is not thinking clearly. Help comes to them(like DD in POA to save Sirius). She usually gets help, not that she seeks it unless it is Harry or Ron or a book. This time I am sure DD did not come to her and that is what worries me. He did not influence this and She did not seek Harry or Ron to help.

[dumbleedore]

Maybe she read up in books and she knew exactly what she could get away with.

I just want to know why she didn't tell Dumbledore or even Mr Weasley.

[harp230]

But would she be that concerned with books considering everything that has happened? She seems a bit upset with Hogawarts: a history since spew.... Maybe this shows a little more straying from the safety of books(logic).

[Crookshanks1974]

It seems as if Hermione is doing this completely on her own.

If she had gone to DD, she surely would have told Harry and Ron: "Rita won't be causing us any further trouble. I went to Dumbledore [or McGonagall], informed him [her] of the situation, so if there are any incidents THEY'LL go to the MoM and report her."

Likewise, if she had read something in a book, she'd be flaunting her expertise on the subject: "I read it in ___." or "According to the book ___ . . . " She always has to brag a little about what she knows.

No, Hermione--I feel--just isn't thinking rationally. But with everything going on at the time, is there really any wonder? Who has time to think?!

[Moonstone]

It's probably safe to assume Rita heard everything. And it is also probable that Dumbledore knows nothing about what Hermione is doing. Dumbledore would have addressed the problem differently. Trapping Rita in a jar and blackmailing her for her silence just isn't his style.

Now assuming Rita keeps to her word and does not write anything nasty for the next year (by the way, how does one communicate with a beetle to make such a deal?), when Rita is free from this restriction, all bets are off. If Rita resumes her yellow journalism tactics, is Hermione bound to keep Rita's secret? Is a deal a deal, no matter what?

Obviously, this could be very bad for Sirius. But what about the others? They are associating with a known fugitive. They are making plans in defiance of the Ministry. Rita could cause some real problems if her actions cause Dumbledore and company to be distracted from the fight vs. Voldemort.

[rusk]

by the way, how does one communicate with a beetle to make such a deal?

I'm sure she just told her. Malfoy communicated just fine with the beetle-Rita when he was giving her quotes for her stories.

My guess is Hermione trapped her and just told her flat out what the deal was going to be. She is assuming Rita will take the deal because she can't risk being caught as an unregistered animagi.

Who knows if Rita actually will stick to the deal.

[Goldie]

I know Rita's a pain, and causes more trouble that the libel laws allow, but she also remembers what it was like when Voldemort was in power.

There's a great deal of difference between making people look bad and revealing facts that could get someone killed.

I'm betting that somewhere, waaay deep down inside, Rita Skeeter has a conscience. If she saw Sirius transform, she may keep her mouth shut for the greater good. Or because she knows Hermione will turn her in. Either way, I have a hunch that's one story she won't write.

[HPviolinist85]

I'm hoping it's because Peter screws up and Siris is declared innocent and is repayed beyond his wildest dreams..... Sirius is amazing. That's what he deserves.

[miri]

I read a fan-fic that started off with Hermione putting the jar (sealed, with Rita) in a muggle microwave... It's one way of ensuring her silence ;)

By the way, I've just thought - is there a connection between Trelawney (who resembles a bug) and Skeeter (who is)? They are two of very few adults Hermione has no respect for whatsoever.

[Crookshanks1974]

[i]Originally posted by Goldie

I know Rita's a pain, and causes more trouble that the libel laws allow, but she also remembers what it was like when Voldemort was in power.

There's a great deal of difference between making people look bad and revealing facts that could get someone killed.

I'm betting that somewhere, waaay deep down inside, Rita Skeeter has a conscience. If she saw Sirius transform, she may keep her mouth shut for the greater good. Or because she knows Hermione will turn her in. Either way, I have a hunch that's one story she won't write.


Sure, Rita remembers what things were like during Voldemort's reign of terror, but the real question is if she cares. We don't really know anything about her except that she's a big nosy snoop. Where do HER loyalties lie? Who did/does/would SHE support? I don't trust her; not a all. After all, she trusted the Slytherins for much of her "information" in GoF. Would you trust any of them for a scoop? What house was she in at Hogwarts (if she was there, that is)? I have only one guess, and it's neither Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, nor Ravenclaw.:evil:

[flibbertigibbet]

I agree with you, Crookshanks.
Besides, Rita was there to witness Sirius Black but aside from Ron's "Mum, it's ok!", she has no reason to believe he's innocent. In her eyes, which as we know love a sensational story, Hogwarts is acting against the Ministry and concealing a murderer who escaped from Azkaban - and she now has a pretty good idea of how he did it, too!

My thinking is, Hermione had better rethink the deal she made because Rita is not going to think that a little girl accusing her of being an Animagus is worth ignoring the story of a lifetime.

Great theory, by the way!

[Nickel]

Personally, I hope we've seen the last of Rita Skeeter, she just plain got on my nerves.

If we do see her again, I think the first thing she would do is reveal Sirus, because from what we've seen of her, she isn't a very respectable person.

Sure Hermione would reveal she's an unregisterd animagus, but will they believe her, as she's only a child. Besides wouldn't Sirus incure greater problems, after all he's an unregisterd animagus and they think he killed people, so by Rita revealing this, she would probaby get a slap on the wrsit.

God I Hate Rita Skeeter.

[Virtuousdream]

Perhaps Hermione's spoken to Dumbledore or someone for advise without Harry knowing, he'd keep the secret, yet if she broke her promise, he could say?

[harp230]

Well regardless of how Rita would be punished or doubted, Many people would get awfully quiet in the presence of beetles just in case. In that sence she would be ruined. Plus in a guarded state, someone would eventally discover the truth.

[Goldie]

Hurry up, call Orkin!

Look, I wouldn't trust Rita any farther than I could throw her either, now, but was she always like that? At some point in her career, she was probably an honest reporter, or she wouldn't have gotten her first job to begin with.

Of course, you'd probably have to go back before the invention of moveable type to find out .....

[Severely Snapped]

Originally posted by Crookshanks1974 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=329516#post329516))
What house was she in at Hogwarts (if she was there, that is)? I have only one guess, and it's neither Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, nor Ravenclaw.:evil:


Oh, here we go again. She's scum = she was in Slytherin? :rolleyes: