the_debt_of_time

"He's intense," James declared, grinning as they left the classroom an hour later.
"I still can't believe that Rufus Scrimgeour is teaching Defence this year. He trained
under Alastor Moody, you know." He said the name with a reverence that made Mia laugh
until he turned and narrowed his eyes at her.
"I think it's ridiculous. You know why he's here, don't you?" she asked the four boys,
who all looked confused. "Do any of you read the Prophet for anything other than
Quidditch scores?"
"Of course!" James retorted with indignation. "I was just telling you how awesome
Auror Scrimgeour is. He's been all over the Prophet this summer. The Department of
Magical Law Enforcement's been catching Death Eaters."
"No," Mia argued, "they've been chasing Death Eaters; so far, no one they've caught
has actually had the Mark of Vo—The Mark of You-Know-Who. They've been arresting
Imperiused bystanders. We're at war, and our new professor isn't just here to teach us; he's
here to recruit."
"Then sign me up," Sirius said proudly.
Mia growled, rolling her eyes at his brashness. "You don't know what you're saying.
Besides, he's not here recruiting you. He's here for Dumbledore." When none of them
spoke, looking at her in silent confusion, she sighed. "Isn't it obvious? The Ministry can't
get ahead of the Death Eater attacks. It's not just Muggle-borns anymore. A whole family
of goblins was slaughtered last week, and there are rumours that You-Know-Who is
seeking out giants. Who better to have at the beck and call of the Ministry in a war than
Albus Dumbledore?"
"Well, then he should join," Sirius insisted. "Put a quick end to it."
"There will not be a quick end to this war," Mia lamented, turning her gaze down
and huffing. "Besides, Dumbledore won't join them. He does things in his own way, and
in his own time, which I suppose is fine."
"Why wouldn't Dumbledore join the Ministry? Don't they have the same goal?"
Peter asked.
Mia forced herself not to snap at him as it was only the first day of classes and the
other boys had started to get a bit defensive of Peter when it came to her attitude toward
him. Normally, she could blame the stress of revising for exams.