Rufus Scrimgeour

Rufus Scrimgeour succeeds Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic in the wake of Voldemort's return, a former Head of the Auror Office whose appointment is greeted with enthusiasm by a Wizarding community desperate for decisive leadership. He is first described as looking rather like an old lion, with streaks of gray in his mane of tawny hair, keen yellowish eyes behind wire-rimmed spectacles, and a rangy, loping grace despite a slight limp. This immediate impression of shrewdness and toughness contrasts sharply with Fudge's portly, flustered demeanor, and Harry Potter thinks he understands why the Wizarding community prefers Scrimgeour as a leader in these dangerous times.

Rise to Power and Initial Actions

Scrimgeour's first official meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister reveals his no-nonsense approach. He locks the door with a tap of his wand, closes the curtains, and immediately discusses security, informing the Prime Minister that his new secretary, Kingsley Shacklebolt, is actually a highly trained Auror assigned for protection. He also addresses the case of Herbert Chorley, the Junior Minister who has been impersonating a duck, correctly identifying it as the result of a poorly performed Imperius Curse and arranging for his transfer to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. When the Prime Minister protests that wizards should be able to sort out anything, Scrimgeour exchanges an incredulous look with Fudge, who delivers the sobering reply: "The trouble is, the other side can do magic too, Prime Minister."

Conflict with Dumbledore and the Ministry's Agenda

Scrimgeour's relationship with Dumbledore is fraught from the start. Rumors of a rift between the new Minister and Dumbledore surface within hours of Scrimgeour taking office, and the Daily Prophet reports that Scrimgeour's representatives admitted he had met with Dumbledore at once but refused to comment on the topics under discussion. The fundamental disagreement centers on Scrimgeour's desire to use Harry Potter as a symbol of hope for the Ministry. He tells Harry that people believe he is "the Chosen One" and that he is a symbol of hope, suggesting that Harry should be seen popping in and out of the Ministry to give everyone a boost. Harry refuses, pointing out that this would make it seem as though he approves of the Ministry's actions, including the unjust imprisonment of Stan Shunpike. Scrimgeour's response reveals his pragmatic, almost cynical, worldview: "It's all perception, isn't it? It's what people believe that's important."

Confrontation with Harry Potter

The confrontation at the Burrow on Christmas Day crystallizes the antagonism between Scrimgeour and Harry. Scrimgeour, accompanied by Percy Weasley, engineers a private walk with Harry in the garden. He attempts to persuade Harry to stand alongside the Ministry, offering to arrange his ambition to become an Auror very easily. Harry sees through the manipulation, accusing Scrimgeour of wanting to use him as a mascot while locking up innocent people like Stan Shunpike. When Scrimgeour asks what Dumbledore is up to and where he goes when absent from Hogwarts, Harry refuses to answer. The exchange ends with Scrimgeour's bitter accusation: "Dumbledore's man through and through, aren't you, Potter?" Harry's response is unequivocal: "Yeah, I am. Glad we straightened that out."

Role at Dumbledore's Funeral and Final Encounter

At Dumbledore's funeral, Scrimgeour is present with a delegation, looking grave and dignified in the front row. Harry spots Percy Weasley among his entourage. After the ceremony, Scrimgeour approaches Harry again, attempting to extract information about where Dumbledore went on the night of his death. He offers to place Aurors at Harry's service, but Harry laughs it off, knowing Voldemort wants to kill him himself. When Scrimgeour brings up his earlier request for Harry to act as a Ministry poster boy, Harry asks if he has released Stan Shunpike yet. Scrimgeour turns a nasty purple color and limps away without another word, leaving Harry to reflect that he is, indeed, "Dumbledore's man through and through."