In Fudge's Minister's Office.
"Minister, something's very wrong at the Auror Office lately," Umbridge said. "Rufus Scrimgeour has gone mad! He keeps reassigning Aurors, breaking up teams and putting them back together.
"Partners who worked perfectly together have been split up and paired with strangers. He's undermining the Auror Office's fighting strength. He could be plotting something."
Fudge sat behind his desk, looking distracted.
"Come now, Dolores, calm down." Fudge waved a hand, looking rather weary. "Scrimgeour is just venting his frustration.
"Who does he think he is, the Minister? Let him carry on. I've already made preparations. This will be settled soon."
Umbridge froze, plainly caught off guard by his casual response. "But Minister, if he really throws the Aurors into disarray..."
"He won't." Fudge cut her off, a calculating glint in his narrowed eyes. "He understands the situation better than anyone, and he certainly won't go against me.
"Besides, Dolores, I asked you to look into the Death Eaters' movements a few days ago. Have you found anything?"
Umbridge's expression stiffened.
She'd been so busy watching Scrimgeour and the Aurors that she'd had no time to worry about Death Eaters. Besides, were there even any Death Eaters left?
She had sent a few people to investigate earlier, but once they found nothing, she had put the matter out of her mind.
"Well..." Umbridge answered vaguely. "As you know, there haven't been any Death Eaters in England for years. Our people haven't heard a thing. Even Mr. Malfoy, who volunteered to help, couldn't find a trace of them."
Fudge nodded, apparently taking her at her word, and set down his Quill. "Tell the heads of every department there's a meeting in half an hour. Scrimgeour in particular must attend."
"Yes, Minister." Relieved, Umbridge sprang to her feet and sashayed