the_debt_of_time

Laurel shook her head. "No, her father retired from the Ministry a few years back,
long after he'd cast his son and wife back into the Muggle world."
"How does no one else know this?"
"Well, look how she goes about. Tells everyone that'll listen how she's pureblood."
Mia already knew that Umbridge was a blood supremacist, touting herself as a
relation to the Selwyns and, therefore, pureblood—something Mia knew to be illegal. Since
the archaic laws of the Wizarding world had always put such emphasis on blood status,
Dolores was breaking laws by selling herself for something she was not. Even Mia
technically had a higher legal standing since she was considered pureblood through her
adoption.
"Her take on Muggles and half-breeds sure drives the point home, doesn't it? And
acting like the bloody Minister's pet cat the way she does, who would bother to question
her?"
Harry will, Mia thought.
"We really need a new Minister for Magic."
Laurel sighed, running a hand through her long golden locks, fidgeting when her
enormous wedding ring got tangled in them. "He's not so bad. A bit of an extremist when
it comes to dementors, really. Just ordered a new lot to be sent to Azkaban." Mia recoiled
unintentionally at the mention of the prison. "But, other than that, he's fairly unbiased."
Glancing down at the Minister's signature on the paper, Mia said, "Not if he's
allowing Umbridge to write and pass legislation like this."
"Oh, I hardly think he just allows it."
Mia looked up, confused. "What do you mean? He signs the papers, doesn't he?"
"Yes, but let's just say after his meetings with Madam Umbridge, the Minister
is.. ." she trailed off, searching for the right word. Mia could see the Slytherin cunning
coming into play. "Quite agreeable and relaxed."
Mia gasped. "You're kidding. Imperiused?"
Laurel nodded her head after looking back at Mia's door, which was still closed.
"Can't prove it, though."
"No," Mia agreed. "But a little suspicion raised could hurt her quite a bit."
"Be careful, Mia," Laurel cautioned with a frown. "She's well connected. You
Gryffindors, always running off to save the day, aren't you?"