Rufus Scrimgeour was sworn in as the new Minister of Magic shortly after Fudge was forced to resign following the battle at the Department of Ministries. There was no longer any denying that Voldemort had returned, and his year of ignorance meant he had failed to protect the magical community. The most important development of his appointment, however, was that Rufus Scrimgeour owed Albus Dumbledore a favor. Fifteen years too late, Sirius Black was given a trial, and he was proven innocent.