Hermione still looked a little puzzled and was about to ask more questions when Su Er held a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.
Then, under Hermione's puzzled gaze, Su Er crouched down, picked up a stone from the ground, and turned it into a transparent glass bottle with a Nonverbal Spell.
If Su Er was right, that beetle was the Daily Prophet reporter who loved using exaggerated or untruthful language in her reports, the famous-
Rita Skeeter.
Her method of gathering information was to turn into a beetle, fly around, and lurk in people's homes to eavesdrop. That also explained why she had all sorts of sensational revelations.
Rather than a journalist, she was an out-and-out paparazzo, because the targets Rita gathered dirt on were usually famous wizards.
This beetle was Rita's Animagus form. More importantly, she was an illegal Animagus who had never registered with the Ministry of Magic, and this was Rita Skeeter's most deeply hidden secret, unknown to outsiders.
With so many beetles around, how could Su Er be sure this particular beetle was Rita Skeeter, whom he wanted to find and teach a harsh lesson?
Oh, don't forget what time of year it was.
It was December, winter in the Scottish Highlands, where daily temperatures fluctuated around freezing. Even with temperature-regulating magic here, an ordinary beetle could not possibly have appeared here in such a short time.
Even in the magical world, even Fantastic Beasts had to follow the laws of nature.
What an unexpected bonus.
Holding the glass bottle, Su Er silently cast a Silencing Charm at his feet and crept toward the giant stag statue under Hermione's uncomprehending gaze.
Rita Skeeter was perched on the statue, listening intently to Hagrid's conversation in hopes of getting a major scoop. She