When you enter the Conference Room, you can see that the room has been remodelled by the newest Department Head.

Where the oak table was, is now a large brown round table with comfortable bright orange chairs for the employees to sit in. As you can see, no one can sit at the head of anywhere - everyone is equal when it comes to discussions. Plus, this will make it easier for everyone to see eachother well and not have to move your chair around.

The big window at one wall has been super-duper enchanted to let in even more light than before, to make the room bright and happy.

Please come in, make yourselves comfortable - the conference will start shortly.

Antigone strolled into the conference room, arms laden with files. Dropping them down in front of HER chair, teehee, she plopped down and let out a huff, blowing hair out of her face. Headmaster Tate should be along any moment and she was ready to get down to brass tacks.

Now here was the annoying part of his job... paperwork and answered to boring hacks who never saw the sun. Why should they have any power over him?

Oh, right. They didn't.

"I got an owl from a McArdle?" He paused in the doorway. "They told me to come here."

Hearing a rather lovely voice Antigone sat up a bit straighter in her chair and turned to see... oh my... he was yummy wasn't he. Seems it wasn't just the Ministry that was growing hot guys. Teehee.

Giving him a tight smile she said, "I am McArdle. But I prefer to be called either Miss McArdle or Antigone the choice is yours." She put on her game face then and rose from her chair, extending a hand to the man. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, do come in and have a seat we have a lot to talk about," she told him in a level tone.

"No fancy titles and elaborate ways to stick me with a quill?" Tate quipped as he slid into a seat nearest the door while still managing to face it. He was at ease in the room, even offering the woman a smile, but his posture was alert.

"It is not my intention to antagonize you, Miss McArdle, but I feel pressed for time and I'm not really sure what you hope to accomplish today. If we can jump right to the bit of action...?"

Okay if he wanted to be rude and ignore her offered hand that was fine by her, she would get down to business. Sitting her little behind right back into her chair she furrowed her brow and began to thumb through a file. "Well, Mr. Tate I wish to speak with you about the current state of Hogwarts. I was just confronted by a frantic employee who has recently received a letter saying that children have been wandering up seriously wounded. Do you care to explain that?" she said as she turned her eyes back to the man and stared a hole in him.



Clearing her throat and easing her gaze up a bit she leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. "Look, we have the same concerns here, the safety of those children. There is no reason we can't work together here. I think it was a great choice, hiring you as Headmaster, you seem to be a no nonsense kind of man and I admire that. YOu understand that I need to do my job as well. My employees and I have been looking into the staff members, trying to see where there may be some trouble," she told him, again diverting her attention.

"I believe the staff is not to blame, although we haven't yet pinned down the culprit. I have several of them working on various aspects of the investigation. While I welcome your input, I can assure you... we have things well in hand."

He rolled his shoulders and glanced at the door before glancing back at the woman with a rueful smile. "There have been about 6 children who have odd, unexplainable injuries. Nothing consistent with normal wear and tear."

Antigone narrowed her eyes at the man and chuckled a bit. "Well, Headmaster, seeing as I head the Ministry's Education Department it is my duty to see to it that Hogwarts is running efficiently and that those children are safe. So, if you please, I will continue to do my job. Either you can cooperate with me, or not. That is of course your choice. Our investigating your staff members is not just about recent incidents. I am simply curious to know who is working there and what they are up to," she said in a level tone, although she felt like shouting at the man.

Noticing his glancing at the door she smirked, "Am I keeping you, sir? Is there something more important you need to be doing other than speaking to a Ministry official about the safety of the children under your care?" She tried with little luck to keep the shock off her face when he announced that six children had been harmed.

Oh. Touchy. He appreciated the feistiness. "Not keeping me. I'm just trained to be vigilant and I don't find I feel particularly safe at the Ministry. Someone out there is stalking my students and hurting them, and it isn't a stretch to imagine that taking me out would give them better access. So..." He glanced at the door again.

Lock it?

"I'm not sure why you believe I don't want to cooperate. I've answered your questions and given you solid and true information."

Antigone fought the urge to roll her eyes at the man. She instead unholstered Precious and flicked her toward the door, slamming closed and locking it. "There, how is that?" she asked him very insincerely. Tunring her full gaze on the man now she said in a grave voice, "I feel as though you aren't being completely forthcoming with the information you are sharing with me, Headmaster. I can't help but feel as though you are holding back."

She sighed dejectedly... some people just had serious issues with Ministry workers... Trying to lighten up a bit she pulled her feet up into her chair and smiled tightly. "Now, it would be nice to know what you intend to do about the current state of Hogwarts, Headmaster Tate," she told him in a much sweeter voice. Flies and honey and all that.

"I intend to keep them alive and to prevent any more from getting injured than absolutely necessary. I intend to find the source of this disturbance and turn him or her over to you. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to what the Ministry sees as a course of action."

Now he was a bit touchy! Hehe. Sighing Antigone summoned forward two bottles of water from the mini fridge in the corner. Catching the both of them she slid one across the conference table and said, "Look, Headmaster, I am not trying to tell you how to do your job, or even bashing you on the job you are doing. I commend you for handling things with such a level head. I am simply curious as to whether you have put forth any extra security measures or anything of the like. We would not hesitate to place Aurors around the school and Hogsmeade if that is what you wanted. I am simply trying to get a clear view of things, sir." She unscrewed the cap of her water bottle and drank deeply. He was quite the looker, but that stinky attitude ruined him in her opinion. FOCUS, Antigone!

Shaking away the silly thoughts she smiled and said, "I would personally have no idea what course of action to take, sir. That is why you are head of the school and I a Ministry employee. I was simply asking what plans you had in place. If there is nothing more that you want to share with me then you are free to go." She straightened up in her chair and put her feet back on the floor. "But I do intend to call several of your employees into the Ministry over break. There are some questionable people working in that school and I need to meet with them to decide whether they are serving the best interest of the children's educations, Headmaster," she said with a smirk that clearly stated Try and stop me.. nananananana. Teehee. "Also I expect to see you back in here after the term has ended. We are going to have some more to discuss come that time," she added as she rose from her chair and waited for him to do the same.

"We have put in a few extra measures. Increased patrols, increased vigilance, and an extra staff member," Tate mused, taking a long pull from the water bottle. "As for the rest of my staff, they're good people. The children love them and they are consummate professionals. I don't appreciate the implication that they are somehow unworthy to be there, but I will permit them to come speak to you so that you can see that the staff at Hogwarts couldn't be better."

And because they were somehow done, Tate rose from his chair in a flash. That was fast.

Antigone momentarily floundered around in her head... Allow... did he just say he would allow me to do something. Narrowing her eyes a bit she brought herself up to her highest height and said in an icy tone, "Well, thank you so much, Mr. Tate. I would hate to do something without your expressed permission. Now you are dismissed, but know that I will be seeing you again at end of term." With that she turned on her heel and headed toward the door. Stopping with her hand on the knob she looked back over her shoulder and said, "You know Headmaster it is a shame that you have such a bad attitude. We could have worked well together. Now, I am sure you can show yourself out."

With those lovely parting words she opened the door and stormed out, heading back toward her office.

HE had the bad attitude? Clearly he had a mirror pasted to his forehead and the woman failed to recognize herself.

Tate gathered himself and strolled back out the door and toward the lift.

When you enter the Conference Room, you can see that the room has been remodelled by the newest Department Head.

Where the oak table was, is now a large brown round table with comfortable bright orange chairs for the employees to sit in. As you can see, no one can sit at the head of anywhere - everyone is equal when it comes to discussions. Plus, this will make it easier for everyone to see eachother well and not have to move your chair around.

The big window at one wall has been super-duper enchanted to let in even more light than before, to make the room bright and happy.

Please come in, make yourselves comfortable - the conference will start shortly.

-----------------------------------

Leo had been arranging the room all morning, getting a new table and chairs and making sure there was enough light in here for what they were going to do.

Infront of every chair was an easel, propped upon that was a blank canvas, ready to be used. There were also empty jam jars which were now used as brush holders. Ofcourse, you can't do any painting done without paint, so many a paint tubes were somewhat dumped onto the table. Have fun searching for the one you want.

In one corner, away from the round table, is a smaller table full with things to eat. Breakfast had been prepared and made appear, for all the employees to enjoy. There's coffee, tea, sandwiches and FRUIT, ofcourse.

Looking around to see that everything was inplace, Leo nodded and waited for his team to come inside.

Looking tired, for he had been suffering from that insomnia again, Ryan walked in the conference room and stopped for a moment at the entance to check his tie. If one failed to sleep the whole night, wearing clothes in the morning was getting harder to deal with. Hopefully the tie was ok so he made his way further into the conference room which now looked like an art course class.

''Cool'' he murmured to himself as he examined the paint tubes on a table and once he looked up away from them the man realised his boss' presence. ''Ah, sorry'' he really needed to sleep or do soething maybe drinking a potion ''Good morning Mr Buena''

Leo had opted to stand and stare at the wall, like he usually did, but turned around when he heard someone come in...and he looked a bit tired. But the man, he knew was Ryan, seem to appreciate the things in the room, which was good fun.

Scratching his chin amused, he waited for the Division Head to notice him...and he did. Hehehe. "Good Morning, Mr Chambers. How are you today?" Yeah, he could see the tiredness in his face, and he hoped it might vanish with some coffe. Or waffles. "Would you like some breakfast while we wait for everyone else?" He gestured to the little table in the corner. There was COFFEE. Hint hint. Hehe.

Ronan walked into the conference room after receiving the memo from the Department Head earlier in the day.

He rubbed at his eyes trying to stay awake but realizing that since his sleeping patterns had become a little more interrupted, it was harder to do so.

*BIG YAWN*

"Good Morning Mr Buena, Mr Chambers." Ronan said with a polite nod to both men. He glanced over to the table of breakfast foods, having opted to skip it that morning. "I trust you both are well?"

Seeing someone else walk into the room, Leo grinned and approached Ronan. "Good Morning, Mr. Cavanaugh!" He extended his hand to shake the man's. "I heard you did wonderfully at the Job Fair, congratulations!" What an awesome team he had.

He gestured towards the breakfast table he saw Ronan eyeing. "Please, feel free to get some food into your stomach. We'll being soon, gotta give the other's time to get here." Hard working as these two men were, no wonder they were here first. Hehe.

Ronan shook Leo's hand with a wide grin on his face. "Thank you very much Mr Buena. My life has decided to take me on a journey I could hardly picture myself in a year ago." he said still smiling.

"First the Job Fair, and my wife and I welcomed twins into the world about a week or so back."

When the Department Head mentioned food, the young man's stomach gave a low growl ready for the sustainence it would receive in a matter of minutes.

"Of course, thank you so much. It all looks delicious." Ronan said with a final smile before heading over to pick out some breakfast for himself.

Seraphina glided into the conference room wearing an old black t-shirt dress and her favorite comfy pair of red (faux) dragon hide boots. The dress was a little tight, but it was comfortable and she didn't mind getting it dirty. She smiled around at her co-workers, excited to finally be getting more involved in the program. "Good morning gentlemen, director" she smiled radiantly, brushing her long blonde hair behind her ear.

Ooooh, well wasn't that nice for the man.
It touched Leo, it really did. He smiled at Ronan and was utterly elated to hear he had seen the MIRACLE OF BIRTH. Hehe. "Oh, I'm so happy to hear such wonderful news, Ronan. Congratulations, eh?"

He watched as the man went off to get some breakfast, right as...

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnolia

Seraphina glided into the conference room wearing an old black t-shirt dress and her favorite comfy pair of red (faux) dragon hide boots. The dress was a little tight, but it was comfortable and she didn't mind getting it dirty. She smiled around at her co-workers, excited to finally be getting more involved in the program. "Good morning gentlemen, director" she smiled radiantly, brushing her long blonde hair behind her ear.

...Seraphina entered!

"Good Morning, Mrs Nyx. Lovely to see you here. Ready to get painting?" He asked with a bright smile. "I do encourage you to get something to eat while we wait for the others." Again, he gestured towards the breakfast table at the corner.

Seraphina smiled at the new director, "Yes sir!" she said emphatically. She noticed the table of goodies. "Ooohhh thank you very much" she said, helping herself to an apple from the fruit basket. She sat down in a chair and shined the apple on her thigh.

''I am fine. Thank you'' Ryan replied the Department Head kindly. Maybe he was tired but there was no need to demonstrate it openly for he was in a conference room so he should have looked ready to work. Then when Mr Buena mentioned breakfast his eyed moved to the table with food and coffee. Coffee yay! Actually he would have prefered tea yet coffee was better when one tried to wake himself up from the drowsiness. ''That is a fine idea, i guess'' he replied and smiled making his way towards the table to grap a cup of coffee.

And he grabbed a cup the very moment Ronan Cavanaugh walked inside greeting them. ''Good Morning to you too, Mr Cavanaugh'' and following him Seraphina walked inside ''And good morning to you too dear lady'' Ryan greeted her back paying an extra attention to be extra kind. Now...coffee time. The man took a huge sip from his coffee as the others began to exchange words among one another.