Force Interrupt

by Right What Is Wrong

In which canon scenes are interrupted, and matters progress... in an alternate manner. In this chapter: Ginny points out that, if you're supposed to automatically distrust any sentient magical artifact, the Wizarding world has a funny way of showing it.

10. The Will of Rufus Scrimgeour

Author's Note: Slightly different this time - from The Will of Albus Dumbledore. Less about pure logic errors and more about a somewhat strange leap on the part of a character.

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"You seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you - what Dumbledore - desired. We ought to be working together."

"I don't like your methods, Minister," said Harry. "Remember?"

For the second time, he raised his right fist and displayed to Scrimgeour the scars that still showed white on the back of it, spelling I must not tell lies. Scrimgeour's expression hardened.

"You are blaming me for something that happened under my predecessor, a man who was taking bribes from Lucius Malfoy, hellbent on suppressing rumors of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return, and eventually forced out in the face of undeniable evidence of his incompetence?" he spat. "When I am discussing how to stop He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"You-" Harry began, but Scrimgeour only cut him off with a slashing motion, lips pressed together until they turned white.

"You speak to me of wasting time, Potter, and here you grandstand and sneer at someone trying to be your ally? This is not a game, Potter. People on the same side of a war should not conceal information from each other simply for the sake of pride. Dumbledore may have loved secrecy and believing he was the only man strong enough to stand against Voldemort, and it got him killed. By one of the men he refused to divulge his reasons for trusting, in fact."

Harry had had enough; Scrimgeour had gone too far. "How dare you suggest Dumbledore was - was - some kind of arrogant git?" he spat. "He was the most humble man I ever knew - you know nothing-"

"Yes. Precisely, Potter. I know nothing." Scrimgeour's yellow gaze drilled into Harry. "Don't repeat your mentor's mistakes. Share whatever information you have so I can know. If you don't-" He took a deep breath, as though admitting something immensely shameful. "The Ministry will fall. And, though perhaps not at the same time, perhaps not for precisely the same reasons - you will fall with it."