Harry Potter: Eclipse.

Seeing the time, Harry had to convince Remus and Sirius to let him go downstairs alone.

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"I promise I will be fine, I just want to talk to her alone first," Harry said.

"But Harry—" Remus said, wanting to point out, again, that he was acting as his guardian.

"—I will be fine; the pub is a public place. I will literally be five minutes," Harry interrupted.

"Let him go, Remy," Sirius said before he turned to Harry. "But you have three minutes."

Harry contained his eye roll - he hated looking like a preteen. "Fine," he said, rushing out of the door.

Harry only had to wait for a few seconds once he got downstairs. Rita appeared on the dot, her photographer Bozo trailing after her. Approaching the vibrantly dressed woman, Harry withheld his sneer.

"Ms. Skeeter," he said, offering his hand, which she took. Kissing the air above her's, Harry smiled. "It's a pleasure, ma'am. My name is Harry potter."

"My, Mr. Potter, what lovely manners," Skeeter purred, making Harry want to wipe his lips.

"Now, before we begin, I just have one thing to say to you," Harry said, leaning in close.

"Oh?" Skeeter said, her eyes wide as she thought of the gossip she would get, the prestige. "It's a five year sentence to Azkaban for being an unregistered animagus, isn't it? Even for such a small, little bug," Harry whispered. Seeing her panic, he continued quickly, "Now, don't worry, nobody else knows. But it would be such a shame if my favourite reporter got caught. So, perhaps we should take our conversation upstairs. I do want you to be able to hear me properly; it would be a shame if I was misquoted."

Harry was proud of how quickly the woman understood his silent threat - he had feared she would miss it.

"I quite agree, Mr. Potter," she said, her voice losing its sickening purr and gaining an ounce of fear. "None of that now, Rita, call me Harry. We are friends, after all," Harry said, leading the way for her upstairs.

Entering the room with Rita and Bozo, Harry saw that Remus and Sirius had laid out tea on the table and were sitting, obviously anxious.

"Take a seat, Rita, we everything," Harry said.

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Rita moved quickly, eyes widening when she saw Sirius Black. "Lord Black, it's an honour," she said, the purr returning but vanishing before she finished when Harry cleared his throat.

Sirius, noticing this, sent Harry an inquisitive glance but got a faux innocent look in return.

Joining them at the table, Harry sat with Remus and Sirius on either side, opposite Rita.

"Now, Rita, I'm sure you're aware that Sirius here has recently been found innocent of all of the terrible crimes he was accused?" Harry asked.

"Yes, such a shameful misjustice," Rita agreed.

"Well, what is less known is that he is also my godfather," Harry said. "In a few days, he will be going to trial to prove he is a fit guardian for me." Rita's eyes lit up as she realised how important this information was. "And you would like for me to help his claim, Harry?" she asked.

"Very good, Rita," Harry said. "What is not known is that the muggles I grew up with were the worst sort. Physically and verbally abusive. They starved me and hated my magic. Sirius, however, is a perfect guardian; he cherishes me and in the short time I have known him, I feel like I have gained a real family. Remus is, as well. They are the best possible people to raise me, to help me recover from the muggles, and to become the wizard the world needs me to be," Harry said, looking Rita in the eye to get the message across.

Rita's eyes had grown huge. "I see, I think I know exactly how to help. Perhaps a picture of the two of you though, to help sell the article," she suggested, her eyes calculating.

Harry knew she wouldn't betray him; working with him, she not only got to keep her secret safe, but also she gained exclusive rights to stories about him - as long as she painted him in the light he wanted, of course.

~

After the pictures, Rita disappeared, promising Harry the article would be printed how he wanted. Harry had also told her that, if he liked what she did, she would always be the first person he contacted in the press - thus making sure she was firmly in his pocket.

"So, how did you do it?" Sirius asked when they were alone in Harry's room.

Harry turned innocent once again. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked.

"I know you said you had a contact - but that right there? That was almost scary. So, what do you have on her?" Sirius asked curiously. Although he said it was scary, he wasn't afraid of Harry; if anything, he was proud of the boy. Yes, the tactics where Slytherin, but he was proving he could survive, that he would survive.

"Did you know it's a five year prison sentence for not registering as an animagus after you finish school?" Harry asked, smirk widening as he saw Sirius make the connection.

"So, she's...?" he trailed off.

"Yes. People always did say they thought she bugged them to get her information," Harry said, hinting widely.

"Bugged?" Sirius asked.

Harry laughed. "It's a muggle thing," he explained. "But either way, she's an unregistered beetle animagus. I just pointed out the consequences if the wrong people found out and the benefits of our ongoing professional relationship." Sirius was silent for a moment before he barked out a dog like laugh. Eventually, he calmed down. "You're scary sometimes, but I have never been so proud," he said, making Harry smile.

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