'Go,' he told Fleur, 'I'll come to France and see you as soon as I can.'
She disapparated silently, leaving the cloak to fall to the floor next to him. Harry gathered it up and folded it away before choosing to lean casually against the door frame.
'Rita,' he smiled politely, when she stepped out of the fire. To her credit she didn't even flinch.
'Mr Potter,' she quirked an eyebrow, 'this is unexpected, and illegal too.'
'Now now, Rita,' he admonished, ' don't go throwing stones from your glass house.'
'Muggle phrases,' she acknowledged, 'but I'm afraid I don't understand.'
'I believe they sentence unregistered animagi to Azkaban, don't they?'
Her eyes narrowed. 'You must have proof to make an open allegation like that,' she commented bluntly.
'I would not be here if I thought it might go wrong,' Harry bluffed calmly. 'I was hoping we might come to an arrangement.'
'What sort?'
'The sort where you write a highly controversial article and I keep your secret,' Harry elucidated. 'The article will even have the benefit of being true, for once.' 'Who would you like me to enlighten my readers about, Mr Potter?'
'There's a whole list of very interesting files in that cabinet. I had a brief read through and I think Mr Malfoy would make a very nice subject for you.'
'No,' Rita shook her head, 'not worth the risk to me.'
'How about you write the article, then I will swear an oath, an Unbreakable Oath, to never mention your little secret again before I leave. Would that assurance be worthwhile?'
Rita Skeeter's eyes gleamed and she stepped across to catch his hand in between hers. 'We have a deal,' she answered hurriedly. 'I don't particularly want to spend anytime in Azkaban.' 'I've heard it's an unpleasant place,' Harry agreed. 'Now, the article?'
'Of course,' Rita smiled wolfishly, her acid-green quill already writing away on her note -pad. 'Perhaps you'd like some cake while I write?'
'That would be lovely,' Harry agreed, following her down into the kitchen.
'Pound cake,' Rita smiled, cutting him a generous slice, 'a personal favourite of mine.'
'It's very good,' Harry complimented her, taking a bite. 'Is it home baked?'
'Yes,' a touch of genuine pride coloured Rita's tone.
'I'm impressed,' Harry laughed. 'There's a hidden side to Britain's best journalist.' 'To you as well it seems, Harry.' She eyed him curiously. 'How did you get in undetected?'
'Now that would be telling,' he smiled brightly, 'but rest assured that your wards are not flawed, I simply found a way to bypass them. There aren't many wards that can keep me out if I really need to get in.'
'How fascinating,' Rita exclaimed. The quill had moved from notepad to paper entitled with the Daily Prophet's title, writing a more official looking version of the article, presumably that was what her submissions actually looked like.
'May I see?' Harry asked, leaning across to skim the article.
'Of course,' Skeeter waited until the quill passed before proffering him the sheet.
'How scathing,' Harry grinned. 'It's perfect.' 'And now for your side of our deal,' she pressed tentatively.
Harry nodded, finishing his slice of cake, and gently placing the plate back on the table.
'We need a magical witness,' he decided. 'My house elf should suffice.' He didn't wait for Rita to disagree, not that she would, Dobby would be bound by the oath of his master. It was the perfect witness for her.
'Dobby,' he called.
There was a crack and the house elf appeared, looking around in confusion.
'I need you to witness an oath for me, Dobby,' Harry instructed softly. 'It's very important.'
'Dobby will not disappoint Master Harry Potter,' the elf responded enthusiastically.
'Now,' he drew his wand, passing it to Dobby, 'what are your terms, Miss Skeeter?'
Rita reached forward with her right hand, clasping his hand firmly as Dobby held the wand closely to the two of them. 'Will you, Harry Potter, agree to never speak of my animagus abilities again?'
'I will.'
A tendril of fiery, white magic flared from the tip of his wand to encircle their hands. It was cold, and tighter than he anticipated. He could almost feel it binding his life.
'Will you, Harry Potter, agree never to break into any property I own, or into anything that contains my belongings?' 'I will.' A second tendril joined the first.
'That is sufficient,' she decided, releasing him. 'You have your article, and I have my assurance.' Harry nodded mildly, and Dobby disappeared with a loud crack after returning his wand.
'I'll be leaving then,' Harry told her politely, 'it was nice doing business with you.'
Her face spread into a victorious smile at his perceived mistake. She knew that the oath he had sworn fully protected her, but that she had no obligation to actually get his article printed.
'There is one last thing,' Harry paused in the door, his wand flicking out into his palm. 'Morsmordre,' he commanded, and then the top floor of her house was gone, torn away by the conjured skull and serpent.
'The Dark Mark,' she gasped, paling rapidly, her eyes darting to the article that would provide the reason for her death at the hands of Voldemort's supporters and then back to him.
'I see you understand,' Harry smiled coldly. The cracks of apparating aurors were audible all around the house, but he would be long gone by the time they broke through the wards.
'Your vow,' she tried desperately, but she was bluffing and they both knew it. The terms of his Unbreakable Vow were clear and would no longer be relevant in two words time regardless when her magic no longer existed to bind him.
'Avada kedavra,' he intoned, embracing the icy intent in his chest.
There was a single, bright green flash and when it was gone, so was Harry.
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