Heather wasn't the most coordinated person on the planet, in fact, she had a habit of falling, repeatedly, over air. So imagine the horror that had befallen upon her when she realized that her new job location was a decrepit old building where tripping and falling over things, other than her own two feet, seemed to almost be a guarantee no matter which way she went. Not only was she prone to tripping, but she was prone to all sorts of dangerous situations. Things like falling bits of ceiling were surely to put her out of a job rather quickly.

However, it was rather important to prove that she was determined to do her job, no matter how dangerous the area was, by showing up for the first meeting of the new year. In fact, she made it a little more of a priority to be early, because she was never one to be comfortable with being late. She carefully navigated her way to a sturdy looking seat that was accompanied by a loud SQUEAK as she perched herself upon it. Yes, this was looking to be a dangerous situation indeed.

...WHAT. WAS. THIS.

Their new work place, it said. It wasn't that bad, it said. It was temporary, they said.

Honestly? João would like to be as far from the place as possible, as of now. If the assistant didn't like the place, how was the Minister going to? Who was responsible for this? Did they still have a job? Because, honestly, they ought to be fired--and fired good.

He didn't want to enter the building, but he had to. He found the 'conference room' and stood in at the door to examine and determine the safe spots to stand on. He didn't even trust the structure, even though he thought they were strengthened with magic. They--they were, right?! He frowned. He wanted to hit his foot to the ground to check it really was safe to step inside, but resisted the urge, because there was already someone in there. He greeted her with his head instead, but he was far too troubled to use words. After a minute's examination, he took a deep breath, composed his face into an expressionless one and stepped carefully inside the room. He was walking carefully so as not to step on something unwanted, and he was also careful about the rods hanging from the ceiling. He sat somewhere not too middle but close to centre in the first row--the middle was probably reserved for Minister and undersecretaries--and tried not to touch anything.

Hopefully, there was going to be an explanation to all this.

When Lawrence first heard of his work location, he was not very surprised. Well, it would be to experience muggle's working place. But this, was not what he expected. The new Ministry Advisor could not help but look around with his eyes wide, nearly popping out. Not very nice, but ok, if the Minister and the 'important people' thought that this was the best place, he would have to agree. Lawrence thought, as a small rock dropped onto his head.

There was only a witch and a wizard in the Conference Room. The very first two colleagues he is meeting, if he was not wrong. The woman was perched dangerously on a chair. Lawrence went over to her first, which was like going through an obstacle course with all the debris and dust. Finally, he reached her and flashed her an embarrassed smile. "Hi. Er... Nice place here." He said, nervously sitting next to her. He had to stand back up immediately, as the chair broke down completely. "Oh well. Reparo." Though the chair repaired itself, Lawrence remained standing.

He walked to somewhere middle of the two people, so that he did not look like he was talking to only one. "My name is Lawrence, Lawrence Lee. Please call me by my first name." He said, becoming a bit serious, his voice not really fitting the atmosphere. "I'm the new Ministry Advisor. Hope I have a great time with you." *Grin-*

"Yes, yes, pleasure meeting you too." He said, holding the door open for her to enter. Good Merlin, even this door was questionable. He didn't want to hold onto it too tightly in the event it came right off in his hand so he'd prefer she entered quickly. And she'd received the owl, excellent, something in this Department was still working. "It's not the best way to start the term but over the last year I've come to realize I do need a personal assistant so I'm happy to have you regardless. After we've gotten through here I can take you to see your work area." If the front lobby and Conference Room didn't deter her the work area would. Merlin.

Entering the room, he spotted the early arrivals, two of which were new. This was perhaps even more promising than the start of last year...despite their present location.

"Mr. Neves, how are you?" There was the smallest hint of an amused smirk on his face. He could see the way the young man was taking in everything around him. Truly it brought some humour to this grave situation. "And you must be Mr. Lee." He said to the other man present. "Glad to have you."

Oh? Wasn't this interesting. Another of their new employees was perhaps not so new. Not after they all had such a rousing mutant hunt back in the cafe sometime last year. "Ms. Malfoy. Glad to have you on our team. I hope Emily isn't too disappointed." Yet another amusing thought. Though in all honesty MLE had enough. He wouldn't feel guilty of robbing them of man power. Nope.

Where were the others? They needed to get started soon.

Heather looked up from her hands and smiled at the man who walked into the room. He looked like he was composed but she could tell from the way that he walked around the room and attempted to avoid everything that he too was just as concerned as she was over the location.

She didn't say anything and tried not to turn in her chair for the squeaking noise it gave out didn't sound too particularly safe. However, it was still rather rude to remain silent so she turned wincing at the sound of the chair and gave him a welcoming smile. "Hello. I'm Heather." No need to use last names. These were her coworkers after all. They weren't going to hurt her.



She moved in her chair and it chair protested pretty loudly. "Lawrence it is then." She really didn't mind. In fact, she would have much preferred it that way. "You can call me Heather since that is, in fact, my name." Plus by neglecting to give her last name she was also managing to avoid the confusion of people calling her Ms. Malfoy. It just never sat right with her. Mitterbill. Mrs. Mitterbill. That was nice. She liked that.

She gave a smile to the man. "I'm the new Personal Assistant to the Minister of Magic." Oh. She hadn't really said it out loud until that moment. Not even when she told Jasper. Even then all she had said was she was moving to the Minister's Office. How panic inducing and weight on the shoulder bearing the title seemed as it rolled off her tongue. Never the less, she was determined to do her job and do it right.

She shifted her attention to the next person who addressed her which was accompanied by a loud squeak from the chair. "Glad to be here." She gave him a small smile and avoided the flinching at the sound of her last name. However, there was not much she was going to do to change that. It was already stuck in his memory. "We didn't really say much to each other and she didn't put up a fight either, so it's all good." Nothing was said, actually. She had kind of just packed her desk and moved on. It was for the best though, right?

She turned back to face the front and with a load groan she flinched in preparation for what she had a sinking feel was about to come. She had shifted one to many times and their chair collapsed under her and she went to the floor. Welcome to the Minister's Office. First day and she had already found herself on the floor.

Ezra's heart fell as when he pushed the conference room door open with a loud creak. When he heard he was to be working in the minister's office he had expected something at least a little classier than this. The place looked like it would crash down on top of them at any moment. With a sigh he pushed the door closed quietly and turned to face the large table, determined not to make a fool of himself. He plastered his trademark smile on his face as he surveyed his coworkers seated around the rickety table, making his way towards the nearest seat with long, careful strides. He would not fall. he would not fall. First impressions are important, after all. Ezra sagged with relief when he finally reached the chair and grabbed onto it as it practically collapsed under his weight. Now that he was safely standing in one place, he took another opportunity to glance around at the faces of the people seated him. They seemed nice enough. Ezra had no idea who anyone was, not even his boss. With another sigh, he smiled at them all again, wondering who he should talk to first.

Suddenly, a woman to his right fell to the ground with a loud crash. Startled, Ezra's legs slipped from under him on the spongey floor. He landed on his backside with a thud. He groaned again, putting his head in his hands. It was going to be a long first day.

What in the name of Merlin's full muttonchops had Gavin been thinking when he had selected this place? Granted, safe locations for magical groups were few and far between, but... but there were holes in the wall of his office! Albert had started to unpack the pictures of his sons and daughter and grandchildren and then immediately packed them up again. They couldn't be in that room.

Now Albert was searching for the conference room, in hopes of speaking with the staff. He had a new PA, someone he hoped would work closely with Mr. Neves, as well as a new Media Liaison and Advisor. Plenty of staff to greet... and then Albert stepped into the room itself.

He glanced around once, blanched considerably, and retreated back to the hallway. "Mr. Isaacs!"

To be honest she was glad the man was gentle enough to hold the door for her, something in her didn't want to touch its handle. Fear of splinters and many other things. She cautiously slipped into the room and nodded back at him. She was internally very glad that her job turned out to be real and not a joke. Regardless of the state of the place that was supposedly Level-one, where the minister's office was.

Lavone walked further in and took in the presence of the people. She nodded at them all in a greeting manner. Did she need to speak? She didn't see the need to, not now. But she registered the names that Mr.Gavin called out on. She was registering everything. Her eyes that flickered from face to another probably indicated that. Though she was trying her best to not look mortified by the state of the room. The Lobby's roof looked steadier and stronger, could they go there?

Since they obviously were having this meeting here, she decided to pick a seat that wasn't going to break if she sat on. Should she sit next to Mr.Isaacs? She eventually picked a seat not far away from, it probably would have been easier if all the seats were fine to use and occupy, which wasn't the case.

More people joined and none looked pleased about the situation. And last not least, someone entered then was back in the hallway, she couldn't blame him. That's the most natural thing to do. .But hold on? Where did she see that face before? Not personally maybe but it looked rather familiar.

The door of the Conference Room opened and a man and a woman entered. The man, Lawrence could only tell as the Senior Undersecretary and he headed towards him immediately. "Yes, sir. I assume you are Mr. Isaacs?" He said to his boss, with his kindest smile. "It's great to meet you." He extended his hand politely.

Then he turned his attention to the other witch who his boss addressed. So she was from another department? Interesting.



The squeak that the chair made was unbearable. Lawrence frowned. He was just starting to get used to this new surrounding. "Sure, Lawrence is fine by me." Though Mr. Lee made him feel more mature and all that, if she wanted to call him by his first name he couldn't stop her. "Heather. Nice name you have." He said, flashing Heather a smile back.

"You're new too? Have you transferred from another department?" Lawrence asked, because Gavin his boss had said something about Emily or someone being disappointed. There were more new people here than he had expected, and he was both pleased and nervous.



That was when a wizard entered the room and backed out before anyone could say the word 'Ministry'. But Lawrence had seen the face. The face he had seen in the papers before. The Minister himself!

The Minister was calling for Mr. Isaacs. Oh boy, it looked like he was in trouble.

...what?

What. What. What.

She was THE personal assitant? THE? THE? The girl--woman--THE person to hate? Clearly, she didn't know there was only ONE assistant, and that was João Neves. João hadn't had time to reply to her with his own name when the advisor Lawrence or whatever entered the room, and then he was too distracted with their exchange.

THE personal assistant.

He took a deep breath. Someone had to teach her that HE had been there first, so HE was the boss of the assistants. Hmpf. As if she could ever be his match. He wondered WHY the Minister wanted a new assistant, whether he had been surplus to requirements and such, but he was going to find that out later. For now, she needed to be taught.

He cleared his throat. His face had NEVER EVER beaten ANYTHING he felt while they conversed, so there was NO way they could have sensed his jealousy anger. He turned towards them and said "I'm João Neves, the old personal assistant to the Minister himself. Pleased to meet you." He smiled cordially and didn't specify how they should call him. He was going to watch them squirm. He didn't have anything against the advisor, actually, but THE other assistant... He didn't care if the woman was older than him or not. It was going to be his way how they conducted this assistant thing.

Merlin. Why needing a new one, really?


João was far too educated to acknowledge the amused smirk, so he smiled cordially back. "I'm fine, thank you Mr. Isaac, how are you?" Did he know why the Minister requested a second assistant? Any hints?


...João... was going to ignore the drama. Yep. Ignore. He couldn't afford to show his distaste with everything.

Yeah... he didn't even flinch.


Not that João ever looked bad, but he extra-straightened up and had his best demeanour when he stepped inside the room. He was ready to jump and help him with anything he requested, but the man was too disappointed with the place to say anything, apparently, and he disappeared. João heard his call though, and his hopes were up that maybe they would move to a better place.

She wasn't late was she? Ainsley did not have a good first year at her job, and she was hoping to change that and soon. As she made her way into their conference room she tried not to grimace. Not only did it seem like she was the last to arrive, but what was all this mess about? She didn't want any debris falling on her.

"Hello everybody!" she greeted with her normal bubbly personality. She recognized quite a few people and nodded to them. Normally she would go out of her way to shake all of the people she didn't recognize hands, but all the fuss at the ministry had her in a mess.

Ezra jumped immediately to his feet when he caught a glimpse of the minister's face in the doorway. Finally, someone he recognized from his countless readings of the Daily Prophet. Ezra had hoped he would be surrounded by a knot of intrigued coworkers laughing at one of his many witty comments when the minister first arrived. But he didn't even need that. At least he could have been in conversation...or looking professional...or maybe, you know, not on the floor. To his relief, however, the minister's face disappeared even more quickly than it had materialized seconds previously. Ezra looked around the room once more and found that nobody seemed to have noticed or cared about his ungraceful entrance. With another winning smile and a wink in no particular direction, he took his seat and waited for the meeting to start.

Yes yes, of course, not much in the way of communication. He didn't think there would have been to begin with but explaining that might have killed the joke a little more than she just had so he simply nodded, offering a smile.

The smile faded and was quickly replaced with a deep scowl as the woman found herself on the floor.

...

Eh.....that wasn't meant to happen. "Are you alright?" He asked, reaching forward, a hand extended to pull her up. "I hope you didn't hurt yourself. These chairs aren't the best. We haven't had a chance to have Maintenance down here." Petty excuses but they were all he had to offer in the wake of her fall. Really though, being a bit more careful wouldn't have killed her.



Good merlin another one of them!!!

Gavin's gaze fell next to the man - another new one by the looks of it, who'd seen Ms. Malfoy fall but decided he would take a stab at the chairs for himself. For a moment he just stood there, arm still extended to the woman while watching the next to have their butt acquainted with the floor. Critical thinking, it was needed here.

The Senior Undersecretary sought to overlook the poor judgement on the part of the man and tried his hardest to look concerned. This was going to be a long day.



There was someone that didn't fall. He coudl appreciate this and it inspired confidence in his new Personal Assistant. In all this chaos she seemed to be keeping her cool. It was much appreciated right now. He would have said something to her but the entrance of the Minister proved to be a bigger distraction. Did the man look paler?



Upon close inspection he realized that the man really DID look paler. Not. A. Good. Sign. He watched him, trying to anticipate his next move but all that happened was him turning and leaving again.

Er...was he not planning to attend the meeting?

He would have disregarded that small set back in this sea of things gone wrong but then he was yelling his name. Gavin sighed, dragging a hand along his face. It was too early for this and he knew what would be coming next.



Gavin turned to head through the door after the Minister when he was approached by one of those he'd only just greeted a moment ago before things had gone south. Biting back his hesitation in favour of hurrying things along, he took the man's hand and gave it a firm but brief shake. "Pleasure meeting you as well." He shot another glance at the door.

"If you'll excuse me just a moment."

He had a Minister to appease.



It would seem the humour was lost on this one. No little smirk, not a twitch or quirk of the eyebrows. Something to work on. In an environment like this one, you couldn't afford to be sullen or overly polite. No time to point this out, not after the Minister's scene just now. He gave a small nod and muttered his pardon then finally stepped back through the door and into the hallway.

From the floor it was all a different few entirely. It was worse. "Oh!" Heather watched as another person fell and she cringed. Oh, this was not good. Not at all. It was just bad, bad, bad. "Are you okay? Do you need a hand?" She would offer to give one even when she wasn't in the position to do so. Typical harmless Heather Malfoy. Putting others first.

Heather looked up and the looked down. Oh! If she could only get off the floor. It was not a first impression to make. She didn't want to be labeled as incompetent and uncoordinated. She just wanted to make a first impression that was great, not this. And out the door he went. Maybe she could get up before his return.

"Thank you. I'm rather attached to it myself." She was more than attached to it sometimes. She loved it really. "You have an intriguing name really. I don't think I've ever met another Lawrence." Not even when she lived muggle for two years. Hmmm...

"I was in the Magical Law Enforcement Department for two years. It's a very interesting place, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be much more comfortable here." At least, she would be as soon as she got off the floor and the building was put into one piece.

Heather stared at him and cocked her head to the left. She stared him in the eyes long and hard. Working in the Magical Law Enforcement had done something for her. It taught her how to read people. His face may be a blank slate but it was all in the coloring and light reflecting back in his eyes. People couldn't control that. Not only that, but the emphasis on the word old seemed to poke her towards her conclusion.

He had an inflated ego...The all puffed up and 'I'm better than you' kind of ego. "I'm sure." She said in response to his introduction. "Heather. Heather Malfoy." Just incase he missed it. She didn't want to place out her last name for many reasons, but it kind of slipped off her tongue. Former Holyhead Harpies Champion Beater. Magical Law Enforcement. Wizengamot Administrative Assistant.

Heather gave him a sheepish smile and took the offered hand. "Thank you." She chewed on her lip and looked around. "It's not really their fault or yours. Usually I have better judgment. Thought the chair would hold up better really." When she was righted and on her two feet and she brushed off the dust from her bottoms. She looked every inch the professional she was now that she was standing. She looked over the remaining selection of seats and decided she would just opt to stand.

And out the door he went after the Minister. Should she follow them? She wasn't certain. SHE was his assistant after all, right?

Ah, good. Gavin appeared in the hallway, where Albert was having a mini panic attack about the state of the building. The rain last term had been terrible, but this... he couldn't have his children and grandchildren visit here. They couldn't hold meetings here. It was impossible, and Gaven knew it.

"Mr. Isaacs. I know my instructions were to find a place for us immediately, and I suppose we'll have to make do, but this..." Albert gestured at the paper drooping from the walls, the scattered floorboards, and the moldy ceiling. "Can you assure me that we are making every effort to improve this place? What if foreign Ministers come to call? What if anyone does?"

He was, perhaps, a little taken aback by what the Minister had said. It was obvious this wasn't the most ideal situation and a bit of frustrations would have been expected but it was mostly him seeking reassurance that things would look up.

That he could do.

"I'm already making plans to speak with Mr. Cresswell on the matter of sending Maintenance down here to see what they can do. In all honesty we shouldn't be here very long. Last I heard Level 3 was planning to take another stab at re-gaining access to the Ministry." This place was a minor setback. One they shouldn't have to deal with for two long.

"If we should by chance have dignitaries I have a file of Department locations, not all have had the same run of luck as us. I know of at least two with decent enough venues." Had to be prepared for any eventualities afterall. He took a quick glance at his watch. "It's just about time to begin the meeting. The staff would appreciate you're being there despite the...er...quesitonable stability of the room Sir."

Gavin gave the Minister a polite nod before re-entering the room. No time to waste. Had to have them out of the room as soon as possible.

"Good day." He said, opting to stand as he addressed them. They were free to sit but after two people went crashing to the floor, he wouldn't advise it. "I'll keep this brief." Just in case the roof caved in while they were in here, but he wasn't about to say that outloud. "We won't be working under the best conditions this start of the year but it doesn't mean we'll continue on like this. There are attempts that will be made where getting back into the Ministry's concerned and until then I expect we'll handle this like the Professionals we are. It goes without saying that the building is questionable. I'm asking that you all exercise caution as you go about your work." Nobody do anything stupid. He could do without injuries, what with the Healer station being Merlin knows where.

"In light of this, I trust you've all been made aware of the training seminar that will be hosted by those in Level 3?" He'd placed it on the noticeboard earlier but wasn't sure how many had seen."[/b]

It wasn't a perfect answer, but it renewed Albert's faith in Gavin. Not in the building they'd chosen, per se, but at least they were all on the same page. They would have to work together to make the place presentable, but at least... it had charm. Of sorts.

Albert slipped into the room to stand behind Gavin, giving the man his solemn attention as he spoke. Ideally, they wouldn't even have to wait on Maintenance, if some of these employees here were willing to step up for menial tasks as well. "In light of our location in a Muggle neighborhood and our distance from the Accidents and Catastrophes and Law Enforcement employees, I would appreciate that everyone take the offering of this class very seriously."

Lots to take in as she sat and watched. Although not many words were said but people's faces contained various expressions. Some looked as new as her others looked comfortable, not in the terms of the place but in terms of the entire meeting. And that one who fell. Cautiously, Lavone shifted in her seat her hands on the armrests testing if it was going to hold. She hoped so.

Then the minister and the senior undersecretary seemed to be discussing something, in the hallway. Where they going to move the meeting there? She found that she wouldn't mind. But apparently that wasn't going to happen since the two men entered the room and Mr.Isaacs started talking.

Encouraging words, she thought, and it was very natural to be discussing the the state of the place they were in. Although, she found herself wondering why they had to be there in the first place. She kept quiet despite the question roaming in her head.

Having seen the announcement, she nodded answering Mr.Isaacs answer. Her eyes flickered to the minister who spoke next. And she nodded again. That might be her answer to whether she wanted to go check the Gymnasium thing out or not.

Heather nodded once. Caution. She would just have to figure out how to be less danger prone for the time being. She might even just hold tighter onto her resolve to stand for a good bit. Especially if they had any more meetings in this room. Better safe than sorry. Her attention was then brought to the notice she had saw and she nodded to both of them. "I'll go. I could use a refresher." She lived two years around muggles using the bare minimum of magic, blending in as one of their own, but recent circumstances had her relying it to do everything lately.

Lawrence turned his attention back to the meeting. It seemed really serious matter. Oh, good. They were not going to continue working in this place after all. And also the training seminar. The one he had seen on the noticeboard. "I'd be going too, and I'm taking this lesson very seriously." He nodded.

João didn't have time to answer Heather Malfoy or whatever as Mr. Isaacs entered the room again after conversing with Minister. He would catch Miss Malfoy later.

...

As the professionals we are... João would like to beg to differ, but instead he nodded like the professional and well-educated politician he was.

"Of course, sir. I will attend." Of course. Even though he was a hardcore muggleborn.

Oh, so that was his boss. Ezra scolded himself for being so stupid as to not recognize the Senior Undersecretary. He sat up quickly when the two wizards re-entered the room, doing his best to look as if he had experience with these sorts of situations.
Ezra nodded as Mr. Isaacs explained the ministry's predicament. He had been investigating the case extensively whenever he could, but in spite of this he found himself to be just as baffled as the rest of the ministry seemed to be. He admired his boss's official air as he spoke, his face cool and collected. If he was at all thrown off by being scolded (Ezra presumed some scolding had taken place behind the door) by the Minister, he didn't show it.
"I'll be sure to make an appearance there as well, sir." Ezra was relieved there would be a training session, though he would never admit it to anyone. This was his chance to impress his coworkers and, more importantly, his boss after his less than graceful entrance. And to learn things, obviously, but that wasn't the point.