Incendio

Samantha began her weekend with high hopes. Their most recent Gazette had actually gained readership. She'd seen far more students reading it and several new parents had subscribed. Genevieve had been quick to state she thought it was because her article was about the two schools coming for the Tournament. Samantha had a feeling it wasn't, considering it was all stuff you could read in a library book. Not to mention, one older student in her house, Lee Jordan had even made it a point to compliment her personally on the profile about Professor Moody. So she was pretty sure her article had made an impact.

She was stopped by Professor Moody after leaving the Great Hall for the Transfiguration classroom to begin the interviews for new Gazette Members.

"I read your article." He confessed and her knees started shaking. She'd been brutally honest in her article about him. She'd really honed in on some details about his alternative teaching methods and had included the incident with Malfoy. His class the following day after the interview had been intense. He had demonstrated the Unforgivable curses, something that had affected a few classmates.

She was worried he would take the article the wrong way, she had meant to match his personality and display him as he was: Terrifying, but incredible and brutally talented as a teacher.

His gruesome smile returned as he mumbled, "It'll definitely get some attention."

Samantha wasn't sure whether she should breath a sigh of relief or be prepared to live a short life as a ferret.

"Five Points to Gryffindor." He said before limping away.

"Thank you Professor Moody." She said smiling a bit to herself. It could be the start to a very good day. She found a spring in her step as she made her way to the Transfiguration classroom. Today, it would only be herself, Genevieve and Ernie. They would then discuss together on their top choices then decide officially with the other members at a meeting later.

Samantha only felt slightly disheartened to discover only six people had signed up. Two of the applicants were first years, a scary prospect indeed. The first applicant was Colin's little brother, Dennis a first year with the same tiny frame as his brother.

He sat nervously as they asked him questions and read over his essay. He looked and acted so much like Colin had two years prior, enthusiastic to simply be a wizard. Samantha didn't want to admit that Dennis Creevey was not quite qualified for the Gazette. His essay was full of grammatical errors and fantastical language. They needed more technical skills and down to earth realism. Samantha hated to disappoint Colin but it seemed the best option to ask Dennis to wait a year or so.

Samantha of course knew the next applicant, Neville Longbottom, he was in her year and house. They were partners in potions, something they were both horrible at. She wondered if Professor Snape had done that on purpose because they were both so impossibly dreadful. They never made conversation outside of class, and he looked absolutely terrified of everyone and everything. In second year he had carried garlic around so as to not be attacked by the heir of Slytherin, even though he was a pure blood.

Samantha passed Neville's paper to Genevieve and Ernie who gave her a similar look. It wasn't an incredible essay, but it was competent. He wrote a very decent paper about the vegetation of a rare meat eating plant. It didn't have much passion, but compared to the other applicants, it wasn't half bad. Samantha suspected the paper was a copy of an essay he had written for Herbology.

"Why do you want to be on the Gazette?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well to be honest, my Gran sort of insisted I join something." He admitted looking nervous. "And this is one of my last options. She also said it may help me in Transfiguration, I'm rotten at it."

"Alright." She nodded uncomfortably. This obviously wasn't his first choice. He wouldn't be their first choice either, but he was there if they ran out of options. "Well, we will let you know Neville."

The next applicant shocked everyone, a Slytherin girl also from Samantha's year, Daphne Greengrass. She had wide blue eyes with long blonde hair and she confidently answered every question they gave her. Her essay, about cursed blood malformations, was excellent and very descriptive.

After Daphne left, the three discussed intently about Daphne.

"She's a Slytherin." Genevieve looked Daphne's essay over with a turned up nose.

"So's my brother." Samantha insisted.

"Not a great example of a good Slytherin." Genevieve insisted with an eye roll.

"But she's the best writer we've had audition so far." Samantha admitted deciding to ignore her brother's reputation.

Ernie added, "And we could use a Slytherin's opinion, maybe they will stop accusing us of bias towards the other houses."

There were three more interviews to get through.

A Ravenclaw friend of Marietta's, Cho Chang was definitely interesting. Her essay was solid, but she seemed more interested in the Sports Editing position which was already taken by Cedric and soon after, Ginny.

A first year Hufflepuff, Owen Cauldwell who could barely speak and had forgotten to bring his essay was next. He was quickly dismissed, not even being asked the full list of questions.

Lastly there was Hannah Abbot a friend of Ernie's. She had a decent essay about House Pride and her interview was very good. She seemed like she would be a great fit.

Samantha, Genevieve and Ernie were all very sure who they were going to choose from their options. They weren't on the same page, but they decided to let the team fully make the decision.

Tomorrow, Samantha would inform Daphne and Hannah that they had been selected. She was excited to ask Daphne as she was very intelligent and everyone except Ginny and Genevieve had been on board with the idea of allowing a Slytherin on the team. Samantha adamantly argued they needed the perspective of all houses and that not allowing her would show bias.

Marietta and Ernie then began passionately arguing on which of their friends should be allowed to join the team. In the end Ernie won the argument, as Hannah seemed like she would be more dedicated.

The walk back to the dormitory had been a quiet one, as Ginny and Colin needed to leave the meeting early to prepare for an upcoming Astronomy lesson. So Samantha was the only Gryffindor making the dark journey to the tower. After discussions and arguments with the team, it was very late in the evening. It was becoming dark and there were only a few lanterns lit.

Samantha rounded a corner into a hallway close to the staircases. She heard an aggressive discussion from the end of the dark hallway. Dressed in his normal dark and flowing cloaks, was the Potions Master, Professor Snape standing over a student Samantha couldn't make out.

"Again, out of your dormitory with no excuse." Snape snapped to the student and Samantha considered whether she should walk past or not, she did have a reason, but Snape wasn't the most forgiving of teachers. He didn't scare her, but he was intimidating. She decided it was still the quickest way to her dorm and she could always talk to Professor McGonagall about it if she were in trouble.

"I forgot the p-p-pas-s-sword again Prof-f-fes-s-sor." Samantha recognized Neville's terrified tone, she was used to it after sitting next to him in potions.

"Do you enjoy wallowing in your own stupidity Longbottom." Snape asked and Samantha stopped abruptly.

"Excuse me Professor." Samantha interjected, praying she wasn't in trouble.

Professor Snape's eyes rolled and a sigh came from his throat. He turned his attention to her, "I presume you have some excuse to also be out this time of evening?"

"Yes sir, The Gazette meeting ran late." Samantha nodded and handed him her pass. "You can ask Professor McGonagall."

"That will not be necessary" He nodded and Samantha breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well sir, Neville was at the Gazette meeting." Samantha insisted, trying not to shake. She was lying and she was sure she'd be eating her words later.

Professor Snape looked between the two of them. "Is Mr. Longbottom now a Gazette member? I wasn't aware journalism was one of your many talents." He said talents like he knew Neville wasn't talented at much, something Samantha wouldn't exactly deny.

He looked at Neville who stood still, wide eyed and seemingly shocked. He nodded slowly. "I auditioned today."

"And we invited him to join our meeting." Samantha continued. "He'd even offered to walk me back to the Common Room, but I had to stay later than the rest of the group to finalize a few things. Neville, why didn't you just show him your pass?"

Neville looked at her wide eyed, as if confused, "I, I, I lost it."

Samantha rolled her eyes. "Already?"

He nodded.

"Well in that case, five points from Gryffindor for loosing your pass Longbottom. I will however, look forward to your contributions." Snape said looking like he knew Samantha was lying. He smiled slyly. "Will Longbottom be contributing to the next issue?"

Samantha nodded trying to smile and seem genuine, "Of course Professor. I was also hoping maybe we could interview you for an upcoming issue. One of our new members, Daphne Greengrass is in your house, I'm sure she would enjoy the opportunity."

Snape looked less then pleased at her request, but smiled when she revealed a Slytherin was on the Gazette. "I'll consider it Miss Fyre, now please escort Mr. Longbottom to your dormitory."

Samantha's mind raced with curse words she knew she couldn't say out loud. The other members were going to kill her, everyone had agreed Neville was not a good candidate. She took Neville's arm and began walking towards the staircase tower.

Neville whispered to her hastily. "Why'd you do that? Am I actually on the Gazette?"

"You are now." She whispered dragging him behind her. "You have to stop forgetting the password Neville."

"I know, I wrote it down." He insisted. "But I lost it."

Samantha rolled her eyes as they began climbing the stairs. "Snape seemed easier as a Bogart I think."

Neville laughed uncomfortably. It had been revealed in last year's Defense Against The Dark Arts class when they were fighting Bogarts that Neville's greatest fear was Snape. He defeated his Bogart by imagining Snape in his Grandmother's clothes. Samantha wondered how he faced the real Snape every day. "I reckon so. Thank you."

Samantha smiled after reaching the portrait. "Anytime, Neville. Didn't think you needed more detention."

The two had no more than entered the tower when Samantha was practically pounced upon by Hermione Granger.

"Samantha!" She exclaimed exuberantly holding up a big silver button, "So have you made a decision?

Hermione had recently asked Samantha to join her House Elves organization. It was something about their freedom and rights. Samantha didn't know a lot about House Elves. She wasn't sure she was qualified to protest for their freedom. Samantha wouldn't mind writing a piece on it, but she wasn't sure she wanted to be deeply involved in it. She also knew Hermione had badgered everyone in their house to join and she wasn't good at taking no for an answer. She'd been practically tackled by Hermione to put an add in the Gazette for more members.

"With your position at the Gazette you could really put this story right into the limelight. You'd be such a pivotal member of SPEW." Hermione insisted erratically.

"Oh don't worry Hermione," Neville nervously interrupted digging into the pockets of his robe. "I already asked her, she said she'd join." He handed Hermione two sickles. "I offered to pay her entry fee."

"Oh thank you Neville for being so dedicated to the cause." Hermione took the sickles and pinned a pin on Samantha's jumper. "Samantha would you mind putting another S.P.E.W. add for more members in the next few issues?"

Samantha nodded, "Yeah, of course."

Neville laughed as Hermione practically skipped away to talk to someone else.

"If you don't join, she doesn't leave you alone about it." Neville shrugged, "I owed you anyway."

"Call us even then." Samantha shook his hand before leaving to make her way up to bed. Maybe having Neville on the Gazette wouldn't be too bad.

The following day, Samantha was determined to ask the chosen candidates if they were still interested in joining.

Daphne actually stood and shook Samantha's hand after being approached at breakfast. Despite the fact, several Slytherin classmates at the table were whispering to each other, Daphne seemed excited.

Daphne loudly proclaimed, "It's an honor Miss Fyre."

"Our next meeting is tomorrow evening, hopefully that fits in your class schedule." Samantha said nervously as the Slytherin students' continued snickering became louder.

Daphne insisted it would, before giving the culprits a snide eyes and announcing, "I can't wait, it's about time the Gazette had a Slytherin member. I hope to bring a unique perspective."

Samantha humbly admitted, "I couldn't agree more Miss Greengrass."

The Slytherin table became oddly quiet, as if shocked that Samantha, a very proud Gryffindor, wanted a Slytherin perspective.

"Till then." Samantha said before the two parted. Samantha had to privately admit Daphne's sly ways would be perfect for the Gazette.

Samantha was also slightly relieved when she asked Hannah Abbot, who uncomfortably turned her down, citing she'd only auditioned to appease Ernie. With Hannah turning it down, it would give Samantha a decent reason why Neville would be there instead.

Samantha took a deep breathe as she finally sat to eat her Sunday breakfast, Black pudding and sausages with a large glass of Pumpkin Juice. She had no more than made it through her pudding when she was approached by Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall was Samantha's favorite teacher and she was an old friend of Samantha's mother and Godmother. Professor McGonagall had trained her mother to become an Animagus during her mother's years at Hogwarts. The two had remained in close contact ever since. However, at school the Professor was known to be rather strict and if you were really in trouble, she would really let you know. Samantha, nor anyone else for that matter, had ever divulged to her peers that McGonagall was in fact her Godmother, she didn't want anyone to think she was receiving special treatment.

"Miss Fyre." Professor McGonagall leaned down closer to her, "The Headmaster and I would like to have a word with you in private?"

"The Headmaster?" Samantha asked before standing and gathering her things. All semblance of hunger left her. She was being asked to see Dumbledore himself. What could she have done? Was it the article about Professor Moody? Was it the interaction with Snape? Was she not doing a good enough job as Editor-In-Chief?

Samantha nervously followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall. She'd never been to see the Headmaster before, she'd honestly never even spoke to him before. On the journey to his office she nervously tried to fix her pig tails and wished that she had dressed more appropriately, but it was Sunday they didn't have to wear their uniforms or robes. She was wearing her favorite bright red and gold sweater her mum had made for her that sparkled a different way every time you looked at it. It was certainly a fun wardrobe item, but it was not nearly appropriate for her to meet the Headmaster. After following for a bit, they arrived to see a stone Gargoyle guarding a passageway.

"Earl Grey and Lavender" The Professor said to the Gargoyle and it moved aside revealing a stairway into the Headmaster's office.

The Headmaster's office was covered in portraits of wizards who were all sleeping. Samantha realized they were all former headmasters and she wished she could come back and ask them each questions about their lives. There was a large beautiful bird perched beside the Headmaster's desk and she wondered if it was a phoenix. She'd never seen one in person before.

Behind the desk, sat Headmaster Dumbledore wearing silver edged robes and a lovely silver cap. "Ah Minerva, I see you have procured Miss Fyre. Have a seat my dear."

McGonagall nodded and motioned for Samantha to have a seat across from the professor. She was shaking.

"Are you are having an eventful school year Miss Fyre?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked looking over his spectacles.

Samantha nodded. "As always Headmaster."

"I've been very pleased with your job so far as Editor-In-Chief, and as Creative Director last year. The Gazette is possibly my favorite piece of literature at present." Dumbledore revealed with a twinkle in his eye."I'm sure you are curious as to why Minerva and I would like to speak with you."

Samantha nodded.

"With the Triwizard Tournament approaching, I have made the decision to allow you full press access to the events surrounding the Tournament. You will be given special access for each of the tasks and any other surrounding events." The Headmaster revealed and Samantha's heart began beating at about fifty miles a minute. "This will require a good amount of secrecy. Seeing as you will be allowed knowledge of the tasks before even the champions and fellow students."

Samantha nodded, "Of course sir."

"I assume Mr. Creevey will be more than pleased to do a bit of photography. So you may reveal what you please to him, but please use discretion with the other members." Dumbledore smiled, "Mum is the word, until the information is public if you don't mind."

Samantha nodded again. Colin would be so excited.

"I expect you will represent Gryffindor and the Gazette in a mature and exceptional manner. You will need to give this quite a bit of focus and dedication." McGonagall interjected.

Samantha couldn't believe it.

"You will be allowed interviews with the three champions alongside Rita Skeeter from the Daily Prophet on the Tuesday after the selection. I've already informed Professor Binns and Professor Snape that you will be excused from your regular classes that day." Dumbledore handed her an envelope. "We will have a few more events for you to attend as well. Minerva will give you more information as needed. Until then we'd like you to publish this information a week before Halloween."

Professor McGonagall began to form a large smile across her face. "Now I hope we can count on you."

Samantha insisted with a smile before reaching her hand out to shake the headmaster's hand, "You can count on me."

"Excellent" McGonagall smiled with pride before leading her from the Headmaster's office.