the_debt_of_time

"I don't know where you learnt about right and wrong, Mundungus, but you seem
to have missed a few crucial lessons," Mrs Weasley said coldly.
Fred and George buried their faces in their goblets of butterbeer; George was
hiccoughing. Mrs Weasley threw a very nasty look at Sirius before getting to her feet and
going to fetch a large rhubarb crumble for pudding. For some reason, the glare cast toward
Sirius had Hermione on edge, and she listened closely as Sirius whispered to Harry, "Molly
doesn't approve of Mundungus."
"How come he's in the Order?" Harry asked very quietly.
"He's useful," Sirius muttered. "Knows all the crooks; he would, seeing as he's one
himself. But he's also very loyal to Dumbledore, who helped him out of a tight spot once.
It pays to have someone like Dung around; he hears things we don't. But Molly thinks
inviting him to stay for dinner is going too far. She hasn't forgiven him for slipping off
duty when he was supposed to be tailing you."
Everyone began digging into their pudding save for Hermione, who was staring at
Sirius in confusion. Hadn't she seen him threaten Mundungus a few nights ago because of
what had happened to Harry? She wondered if Sirius was purposely not telling Harry how
he felt about the situation so that he would not worry. She did, however, catch a brief look
shared between Sirius and Mundungus where the latter swallowed hard and reached
nervously for a flask that he kept in his cloak pocket.
"Nearly time for bed, I think," Mrs Weasley yawned once pudding was through and
all the plates had been shifted from the table to the kitchen sink.
"Not just yet, Molly," Sirius said, turning to look at Harry. "You know, I'm surprised
at you. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking
questions about Voldemort."
Next to her, Ron gasped at Voldemort's name. Hermione rolled her eyes at the
noise and turned her attention to Harry, who suddenly looked relieved that someone
was actually speaking to him about something important.
"I did!" Harry exclaimed indignantly. "I asked Ron and Hermione, but they said
we're not allowed in the Order, so―"
"And they're quite right," Mrs Weasley interrupted, "you're too young." She sat bolt
upright in her chair, her fists clenched upon its arms, every trace of drowsiness gone from
her previously tired face.