the_debt_of_time

Rita paled. "What?"
"It's a simple spell. I'm surprised most Animagi don't learn it. I had it used on me
once by a dear friend," she said, thinking of her Defence N.E.W.T. with Remus. "The dirty
cheat."
"You're an—?"
"An Animagus? Yes, for years now. How long did it take you to learn how to do it?"
Mia asked Rita, breaking out a haughty grin when the other witch gave her a bitter glare. "I
hadn't even taken my O.W.L.s yet. Now, back to this amusing little charm. It's very simple,
see, just a wave of the wand."
Rita flinched and covered her head in an attempt to protect herself while screaming,
"You wouldn't dare!"
Mia chuckled at the sight of the terrified and yet still stubborn reporter. "Well, not
right away, no. If I shift you into your tiny little bug self, then I don't get to see you cry
when I do this," she said and aimed her wand at the stack of Golden Trio books, setting them
on fire.
"You can't do that! I'll call the Aurors!"
Mia sat back down in the chair, crossing her legs at the ankles. "No hurry, dear,"
she said casually, turning her head only when the door to the office burst open to reveal a
wand-holding Harry Potter followed by Sirius and Remus. "Oh, look, the Aurors have
arrived."
Harry stared at Mia, eyes filled with worry, despite the fact that she was reclined in
the chair opposite the desk. Rita Skeeter was screaming and trying to put out a fire in the
corner without a wand. "Hermione! What're you doing?"
"I think that's fairly obvious. I'm lodging a complaint about Miss Skeeter's article."
She twirled her vinewood wand in one hand, tossing the ash wand to Sirius. "Narcissa,
Laurel, and I worked very hard to get Draco's engagement the attention it needs, and it was
pushed aside so easily. Plus, I look awful in that photograph."
Sirius grinned at her as he pocketed Rita's wand. "I think you look lovely."
She smiled up at him. "You're biased."
Harry stared between the two incredulously, turning back to gape at Remus, who
only shook his head. His silent I told you so hung in the air.