the_debt_of_time

"So, basically, I'm an official member of the Order only because it would look suspicious to the
rest of my friends and family if I wasn't inducted," Mia summarised as she stood in a secluded and silenced
area of Tuts Tower looking across the room at Dumbledore, who had the nerve to fucking smile at her.
"I suppose if my skills and exam results weren't as high as they were, you could have said I wasn't qualified.
As it stands, I'm the most qualified person to be in the Order."
"I do believe you could easily duel any member here and win," Dumbledore said with a strange
look of pride for his former student. "Save perhaps for Remus."
"That was a fluke, and he's a dirty cheat. You really should retest him," Mia insisted, narrowing
her eyes as he referenced her loss during her second practical N.E.W.T.s exam for Defence. "So, what am
I supposed to say? 'I know I'm actually a part of the Order, but I can't attend any meetings because
Dumbledore believes I'll get overly emotional, snap, and confess everything about the future'? Except
I can't confess everything, so I'll probably just throw a fit." She frowned and folded her arms tightly across
her chest.
"The future cannot be changed, and I believe you being involved in meetings would only hurt you in
the end," Dumbledore said, a look of remorse on his face. "The Order will be the front line of defence in
this war, and none of us is too prideful to think that we won't suffer casualties. Casualties of which you
might be aware."
"I am most certainly aware of them," Mia snapped. It was torture knowing what would happen
to James and Lily, and sitting in a room full of people she knew were also destined to die made her feel sick
with herself. She felt like an accomplice to murder.
"Which is why I don't think it fair for you to be involved with people you know may die and hear
them be put on assignments from which you know they will not come back. It is a kindness I am trying to
extend to you, Miss Potter."
"It would be kinder to prevent them from dying. Still, we've been arguing this point for years now."
She took a deep breath and slowly let it out to try and calm herself. "Nothing changes; I'm well aware."
Dumbledore smiled at her. "I have faith that we will win this war."
Mia looked at him, hoping that she nailed the "you're an idiot" stare of incredulity that she really
wanted him to see. "You have my word that we have already won it. That is not faith. That's not even
hope. It's assurance."
She uncrossed her arms and peeked into the room where others had gathered together, getting ready
to be inducted. She smiled sadly at the sight of Sirius and Frank, who were nodding off on the sofa.