the_debt_of_time

Rita shrugged and took a seat opposite Mia, entirely calm and collected and showing
her abundant lack of intimidation. "The Daily Prophet is delivered by owl twice a day. If
anything, it's free advertising for my books."
Mia observed several of Rita's awards. "You've done well for yourself."
"I have, thank you," Rita said, her words almost sounding genuine, which they might
have been, considering that the scandals she had written about Hermione Granger's love
life had provided the wretched reporter with attention-grabbing material.
Who cared about important things like Ministry corruption and Death Eater
sightings when the supposed girlfriend of Harry Potter went to the Yule Ball with a
Quidditch star?
Mia could not really fault the readers, though she remembered the cold shoulder
that Molly had given her after the articles in Witch Weekly had gone public. After all, with
rumours of Voldemort on the rise again, it must have been much easier to distract oneself
from the horrors of an approaching war rather than face it head-on. Of course, she, Harry,
and Ron had not had the luxury of distractions like that. Not at the forefront of everything,
where they always ended up.
She wondered who would actually read the truth. Would people care more about
the fact that she had been tortured than the lies about her love life? Would they turn a blind
eye to the fact that two Ministers for Magic had ignored the threats to their world and
instead eagerly eat up the gossip surrounding the men Hermione Granger associated with?
Mia sighed, abundantly grateful that she no longer cared what people thought about her.
The ring on her finger reminded her that once news of hers and Sirius's engagement—and
her true identity—got out, she might not have to worry about rumours regarding Harry,
Ron, and Draco anymore.
"Perhaps you should be thanking all of the victims of war that you've exploited,"
Mia said calmly, not even making eye contact as she looked over a framed photograph of
Rita standing among the Triwizard champions several years ago. Fleur looked annoyed,
Cedric politely smiled, and Harry and Viktor both looked uncomfortable. Especially
Viktor, who was grimacing as Rita gripped his bicep and winked at him.
"You can leave me off of the list if you please, I hardly care what drivel you write
about me these days." Mia waved her hand at the papers as though they were nothing more
than slightly bothersome clutter. "Only the completely ignorant would ever think I've had