"I enjoy singing, dancing, ice skating and magic of course! I don't know how I'd survive without it?" Bella spoke, phrasing it so it sounds like a question. She wants to know all about the magical world. I mean she had just came out of school and is extremley inexperienced.

A light blue memo in the shape of a paper airplane zoomed into the office and unfolded itself for everyone to read. But this was no regular Ministry memo; as soon as the memo was fully unfolded, the voice of Rex Vindictus echoed through the room:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memo

British & Irish Quidditch League Headquarters

Quidditch Public Relations Office - Create 5 slogans for the league and turn the best one into an advertisement.

Quidditch Regulation Office - Broom accidents are on the rise. Create a Public Safety Announcement (PSA) on safety.

Pitch Administration Office - Reports needed on Dartmoor, Rannoch Moor and Bodmin Moor - are these sites suitable for an event?

Mascot Office - Select a Mascot of the Month for the Daily Prophet and interview them.

Slogans, Slogans, Slogans... Time to crack down and get to work on those Slogans. Harvey came to his desk with gusto and purpose, despite the limp in his leg there was a bounce in his step.(which must have looked very weird to onlookers in his office). In reality he was masking his inner emotions at the moment. In about a week from today his sister, Xaria would have passed away 7 years ago. Harvey needed to get a this work done because next week would involve lots of mourning and making sure his mother wouldn't do anything stupid.

So he sat down into his cubicle rested his cane beside him and pulled out his quill from it's ink pot on the desk.

Bella sat down in her cubicle and got cracking on her first assignmet. She glanced at the memo, making sure she knew what she had to do to continue with her job. She had visited all of these places before a simple report would be easy.

Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers 954 square kilometres (368 sq mi). The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. the moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m (2,037 ft) above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeology. Dartmoor is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority whose 22 members are drawn from Devon County Council, local district councils and Government. Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public enjoy extensive access rights to Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination. The organisation responsible for tourism on Dartmoor is the Dartmoor Partnership. So therefore Dartmoor would not be a very good site to use due to the muggle tourism and the risk of magma coming through cracks in the earth, which could hit anywhere we use as a site.

Rannoch Moor is a large expanse of around 50 square miles (130 km²) of boggy moorland to the west of Loch Rannoch, in Perth and Kinross and Lochaber, Highland, partly northern Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Rannoch Moor is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation. It is notable for its wildlife, particularly famous for the sole British location for the Rannoch-rush, named after the moor. It was also frequently visited by Horace Donisthorpe, who collected many unusual species of ants on the moor and surrounding hilly ground. Today it is still one of the few remaining habitats for Formica exsecta, the "narrow-headed ant", although recent surveys have failed to produce any sign of Formica pratensis, which Donisthorpe recorded in the area in the early part of the 20th century. Peat deposits pose major difficulties to builders of roads and railways. When the West Highland Line was built across Rannoch Moor, its builders had to float the tracks on a mattress of tree roots, brushwood and thousands of tons of earth and ashes. Therefore Rannoch Moor is a suitable area for a site because it is remote and has very few wildlife.

Bodmin Moor is a granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is 208 square kilometres (80 sq mi) in size, and originally dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. Bodmin Moor is one of five granite plutons in Cornwall that make up part of the Cornubian batholith. The name 'Bodmin Moor' is relatively recent, being an Ordnance Survey invention of 1813. It was formerly known as Fowey Moor after the River Fowey which rises within it. Dramatic granite tors rise from the rolling moorland: the best known are Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall at 417 m (1,368 ft), and Rough Tor at 400 m (1,300 ft). To the south-east Kilmar Tor and Caradon Hill are the most prominent hills. Considerable areas of the moor are poorly drained and form marshes (in hot summers these can dry out). The rest of the moor is mostly rough pasture or overgrown with heather and other low vegetation. The Moor contains about 500 holdings with around 10,000 beef cows, 55,000 breeding ewes and 1,000 horses and ponies. Most of the moor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Bodmin Moor, North, and has been officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), as part of Cornwall AONB. This area would be a good area for a site as long as it was in a summer time because of marshes drying out which makes it easier for local wizards and witches to transport to the event.

-Bella-Luna Malfoy

Bella satisfied with her work signed her name at the bottom. Hoping she'd done well she rolled up her parchment and left it on her desk. "Where should I leave it now?" she asked hoping someone would know where to place it.

Keylee sat down in her cubical thinking of a great PSA anouncment and started to draw it out on the paper placed in front of her. Sticking her tongue out in concertation. She wanted it to be perfect.

Mariel stepped into the room, ready for work. She was a little more at ease than she had been when she first walked into the Ministry, thanks to the kindness of a stranger, and the hint of a smile played on her lips. The room was rather large.. and empty. Not all that surprising really as the young woman knew she had gotten here early.. even after her little mishap.

The brunette made her way to the Quidditch Regulation department and claimed an empty desk. She set out a few personal touches - pictures of her niece and nephews.. hmm, flowers would look nice too.. Orchideous and a flourish of her wand conjured a lovely bouquet to sit on her desk. Once happy with the arrangement, Mariel pulled out some paperwork from her briefcase and set about starting on her first assignment.

Victoria walked into the office. She was still pretty nervous to start her job, excited but nervous. Stopping at the door she wondered if she got the starting date wrong. It seemed that not many were here, but checking her little calendar she realized she did not get it wrong and continued to try and find her desk. Once she found an empty desk she pulled out her quills, parchments, and a few pictures of her son. Smiling she was excited to begin this new adventure.

Now onto the first task she thought wanting to jump right into her work to prove herself with the department. Coming up with a schedule she thought.. Looking up the teams would be the first part of her priority to find the playing dates and times so that she could make the schedule complete.

Keylee made her way into her office cubical. Getting ready for the day she was excited to be back to work and hoped this year would be better. Maybe she would even find love this year. Theres a couple guys shes liked but to afraid to do anything about it.

Victoria looked at her desk. Why was nothing coming to her. She got up and walked over to Mariel. "Hey Mariel, how are you today? Adjusting well?" she hoped that Mariel was adjusting well. " I have a quick question. Your from London right? You wouldn't have an old schedule would you? I'm trying to make this years but don't really know exactly what they might expect so I was trying to find an example."

She then looked around the office. " I wonder if our floor is always this quiet, doesn't seem like many work in here. So how are you? I feel like I haven't spoken to you since that meet n greet."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

Victoria looked at her desk. Why was nothing coming to her. She got up and walked over to Mariel. "Hey Mariel, how are you today? Adjusting well?" she hoped that Mariel was adjusting well. " I have a quick question. Your from London right? You wouldn't have an old schedule would you? I'm trying to make this years but don't really know exactly what they might expect so I was trying to find an example."

She then looked around the office. " I wonder if our floor is always this quiet, doesn't seem like many work in here. So how are you? I feel like I haven't spoken to you since that meet n greet."

Another report of Quaffle-pocking? Mariel frowned at the parchment as her green eyes scanned the words. Honestly.. these Falmouth Falcons are getting a little too bold for their own good.. something needs to be done.. The brunette looked up from her desk as she heard footsteps approaching.

"Hello, Victoria," she smiled at her coworker. "Oh, I'm fine.. just didn't realize how many rules could be broken before working here." Mariel laughed a little, joking a bit to hide her frustration. She raised an eyebrow to the blonde's question, then thought for a moment. "I might have an old one.. let me check," she said before opening a drawer from her desk and rummaging around.

She poked her head up from the drawer as the other woman continued. "Quiet..?" Mariel looked past Victoria to the doorway. "I suppose it is rather quiet here.. I actually haven't met anyone else from our department besides you and Ms. Black.." Although she had come across one or two others in passing.. and she hadn't really given much thought to it. She'd have to attribute that to her own busyness and distractions. Shaking herself from her reverie, she once again smiled at Victoria. "I've been fine.. just busy, I guess. Between work and all that I have to do at home.. I haven't had much time for anything else. I really should make some time to do something fun.." Yes, now that she had said it out loud, that would be the plan for the weekend.. A little fun.

Aha! Found it.. Mariel pulled a folded piece of parchment out from a pile of papers in her drawer and held it out to Victoria. "This one is actually from the International League last year.. but it might help. I think I have last year's British and Irish League schedule around here somewhere too.. but I'll have to keep looking." She gave the other woman a small sheepish grin. Yeah, she was just a bit unorganized. "So, how have you been? Liking your job so far?"

Victoria listened to Mariel as she talked about rules broke and laughed a bit, "Well I think people have figured out more ways to break things now a days. I don't remember having such rough games when I played." Wow was that an old thing to say Victoria thought. She shook it off, "Oh if you did have one that would be great." She watched as Mariel began looking for a schedule.

She looked around as Mariel did, "Yeah I have noticed it for awhile that it's been super quiet." Then she understood when Mariel said about being busy between work and home. "I can't remember if I asked before, do you have kids or married?" Hoping she wasn't being to personal, but she understood busy. She had her hands full at home with her own child. "I get being busy, Bart my son, just went to be with his dad for a few weeks, so I have some time on my hands. If you ever want to go for dinner or just a girls night, I would be game." She knew they didn't know each other that well, but it was time for Vic to be getting some friends.

Then she found a schedule Victoria smiled, "Oh this will work great. I just need some samples to get some ideas. Thank you so much for looking." Was she liking her job so far, she thought about this, "I still feel a little overwhelmed by it, but once I get this schedule finally started I think I will feel more comfortable." She did like her job, but it had been a bit stressful so far.

Mariel's mind wandered slightly as she wondered just how many employees worked in this department. Four? Five? At least from what she could see.. And were that small number expected to do all this work? Her job seemed much more burdensome now.. Shaking herself yet again from her reverie, green eyes flicked to Victoria as she spoke. "No.. no children, no husband.." she said with only the hint of a smile. "Came really close to making a big mistake once.." she trailed off looking at a spot on the floor. Shrugging to herself, the brunette smiled and turned her eyes once again on her coworker. "My father's ill," she said as a manner of explanation to her obligations. "It's why I moved back to London, actually. He needs a lot of assistance." The situation had been as grim as she was told and St Mungo's was out of the question now. He was far more comfortable at home.

Mariel tilted her head slightly as she listened to Victoria continue. A night out? That was definitely something and it piqued the young woman's interest. "Girl's night sounds great," she said with a genuine smile. "I think I can set aside some time this weekend if you're free.." Yes, that was just what she needed - a little fun and maybe get to know Victoria a little better. Merlin knew she could use some new friends having been out of Britain for so many years.

The brunette chuckled softly. Overwhelming.. yes, she was a bit as well.. "Perhaps that has to do with being short-staffed," she mused aloud. "What all do you have to do, anyway?" She was remotely curious, not to mention that they had similar job titles.. Perhaps they could work together on some of their projects? Or at least converge on some ideas..

Victoria frowned, a sick parent was never good. She didn't know what she would do if her parents would fall ill. No wonder Mariel was so stressed and felt overwhelmed. Was she doing this all on her own. "Do you live far from here?" She wondered if she had to travel far or not to get back to her dad and who watched him when she was at work. Victoria felt horrible for the situation.

A smile did cross her face as Mariel said a girls night sounded good. "That's great. Just let me know when you can. I am free for awhile until Bart comes home, but I can always get my parents to watch him if I want to go out after work." Yes, this would be nice to get out and just have some fun. She didn't have any friends yet and why not have a friend that she worked so close with.

Looking around the office, she wondered if all their jobs were similar. "Well right now, I'm just trying to come up with a schedule for the new quidditch season. I need to find the dates to plug into the schedule and find a schedule template that I like." This was what she was struggling with at the moment. She was so picky at figure this type of stuff out. Looking back at Mariel's desk she wondered what she was taking her away from. "You seem very busy with your own project, I hope I'm not being a bother, what are you working on?"

Mariel knew the work was starting to pile up on her desk, but stress at home was starting to get to her. She only hoped it wasn't affecting her performance at her job. She didn't think it was and so far she hadn't missed any deadlines.. but the brunette was starting to think she was never going to get through all this paperwork. Why did she leave her position with the Macaws again?

It had been a variety of reasons, most of them good ones, and she really did like her job.. she just guessed it was the more personal things getting to her. Mariel pulled the top piece of parchment from the pile closer to her while her green eyes skimmed the writing on it. Sigh. Another rule broken? She didn't remember it being that bad when she played.. but maybe it was just her team. Something needed to be done because she wasn't sure fines were doing it.

Victoria got up out of her chair, she had been sitting most of the morning working on the next set of schedules. She really needed to make a few phone calls and finish up on the new templates she was making, but for now she needed to stretch. Thinking about grabbing some coffee, Victoria turned to head out of the office. As she turned she noticed Mariel sitting at her desk and looking stretched.

Walking over to Mariel she smiled, "Hey you doing alright?" She looked at papers on her desk and knew a little of what was going on at home. Turning she grabbed a chair and pulled it to the desk, [B]"I was going for some coffee would you like to take a break and come with me?" She wasn't sure whether to ask about home or not, but she figured coffee could be a start.

Mariel finished taking note of the latest infractions and tossed the parchment in her out box. Putting her hands and the side of her face, she closed her eyes and began to slowly rub her temples. She could feel a headache coming on. But the sound of a voice at her side caused her eyelids to flutter open.

"Oh.. hi, Vic," the brunette gave her a weak yet warm smile as she noticed her sitting next to her desk. Had she really been that out of it that she didn't even hear her come in? Was she doing alright.. ummm... "Well, I'm hanging in there, I guess.." She wasn't really sure what else to say. Mariel sort of felt she was coming apart at the seams with all the stress and unproven suspicions, but she wasn't sure she wanted to drag anyone else into it. She then smiled a little bigger. Victoria really was so nice, she was glad to have befriended her. "A coffee break sounds exactly like what I need right now.. good idea."

Mariel didn't look alright, no she seemed very exhausted was that the word Victoria was looking for. She shook her head, "Mariel, you do know if you ever need anything or even just to chat I'm always around, lord knows I have nothing else going on except this place." Nope her social life was pretty boring and except for going home to her son she had nothing else to deal with.

Smiling a bit when Mariel agreed to coffee Victoria stood up, "Alright, lets head to get some and take a break from all of this. Then once we get back why don't I sit and help you catch up a bit, then at least it will be one less thing on your mind." Vic wasn't completely sure what all was on Mariel's mind, but there was no need to have paper work be one of the burdens going on.

Mariel offered Victoria a small smile in response to her words. That really was very nice of her to offer and maybe she could talk to her about things.. a few things, anyway.. but she wasn't completely sure that she wanted to burden her coworker with her problems, as heavy as they were. "Thanks, Vic.. I appreciate that," she said with the hint of a tired smile. "You'd just think it wouldn't take so long for all the arrangements to be finalized.. for my father's estate, I mean." Just in case she hadn't made the connection, she knew that Vic had known about her father's death.

The brunette pushed herself away from her desk and stood up as Victoria did the same. A cup of coffee or even just a few minutes away from her desk sounded like just what she needed right now. "Oh, that's really sweet.. but I know you have your own work to do. I can handle this.. I just need to clear my mind for a few minutes first.." Hopefully. Though she wasn't sure a cup of coffee could do all that. It would be a start at least and she headed towards the door.

Victoria went to her desk. She had been away picking her son back up from his dad the last few days and she knew she needed to get back to work. She had plenty waiting on her and what better time then now to get started. As she walked into the office she looked around, why was this place always so quiet. Glancing at the door she wondered if boss lady was even here today. She typically was, but that's how eerie quiet it seemed to be. Maybe Vic was just early.

Looking at her notes she needed to contact the Grodzisk Goblins and the Flanders, they had still not confirmed a few of the dates that were needed for planning the new schedules. Then she was thinking of the newest schedules. She wanted to spice them up a bit. She had used the same format the last two years and was hoping for something a little more eye catching.

Sitting there she fell into thoughts of different colors, maybe different styles and quickly grabbed some parchment to write down her thoughts so that she could try and design one once she planned more. Jotting down how many teams and how many matches went onto each schedule she started contemplating on whether she should do individual schedules first or the huge all around season schedule. Checking the time only 9 a.m and she already felt that she needed more coffee.

Cobbing was something of a ridiculous offense in Quidditch if you asked Mariel. Were elbows really that big of a deal? Especially when there were worse injuries to be had.. biting was allowed even.. But it was her job to keep the rules in check and so she had to uphold them.

It seemed that the Kestrals had gotten out of hand with that particular infraction and, despite the fine that she had already issued, felt it necessary to have to visit with the team as the fine seemed to have no effect. And she didn't want to be accused of not performing her job well even if she, herself, thought that particular rule was silly.. and if she had to discuss further punishment with her favorite team. Though she figured she could do that diplomatically.

Picking up a quill, she began to write a letter to the team captain, informing him that she would be arriving in Kenmare tomorrow to discuss the team's inability to keep their elbows tucked in during matches.. and, now that she thought of it, didn't they have a game scheduled for tomorrow evening? That would work out in her favor perhaps and she could watch after she took care of business.

Nope Victoria wasn't running late at all. Nor was she in more of a wrinkled mess as she almost flew through the door spilling her coffee and yelping as it burned her hand. It had been a bit of a long week. An exciting week, but long. Between the drama of Owls caused by a certain boyfriends nephew and the owls from the school about Bart behavior Vic was fit to be tied, but she had to keep remembering the great part of the week. Her move that they had slowly almost had completed now.

Pulling off her cloak she straightened herself the best she could and headed for her desk. Looking at her watch, crickey she was a half hour late.. No not late just rushed. As he got closer to her desk she noticed Mariel sitting quietly busy working. She slowed her quick pace as she neared. Feeling a bit bad that she had been neglecting her friend as of lately being so caught up in her own world.

"Mariel. It's been to long since we have gotten together. Shall we have dinner one night this week?" She gave a smile, "I'm ready for a night out after this crazy moving." She sighed, looking around to see if Lourdes was around. Charely and her weren't exactly hiding their relationship anymore, but she wasn't sure if Lourdes really knew about it yet either.

Mariel looked up a bit distractedly from her paperwork when she thought she heard something of a commotion. Well.. not really a commotion, per se.. but more like brisk footsteps and other vague noises that seemed to indicate someone was rushing. Running late perhaps? Not that Mariel was much fussed by it, she had been late more than once, but her paperwork was growing tedious and she had gotten curious.

A light smile laid on her lips as she caught Victoria's eye. "It has been a while.. That sounds like a perfect idea." She really could use a night to unwind after her workload. Then she tilted her head and eyed the other woman curiously at her words, especially after she started looking around furtively. "Moving? What do you mean?" Had she been told of this and had been so busy that she forgot? Or was this something new? Spill it.

Victoria smiled a little happy she wanted a night out as well. "Great than it's done. We will go out tonight, sound good to you? Let's go to that little restaurant near my house. " That would give her a chance to check the house once more before being done with it completely. "How does seven sound? That would give them both time to go home after work change if they wanted and get to the restaurant, plus she would make sure Charely knew she as going to be out and stuff.

Another smile grew on her face, with all the chaos of the moving did she forget to tell one of her closest friends she was moving. Oh my that wasn't good now was it. "Oh my didn't I tell you any of this." Well she had a lot of catching up didn't she. Victoria took a chair from the empty desk and pulled it over sitting down. "Well about two weeks ago Charely and I were talking and he made the comment about staying there during winter break for Bart so everyone could be together. Well I just jokingly said it was stupid to have two houses anyway." She felt herself blush telling the story, "Well he agreed and we kind of agreed to move in together. So all week we have been moving things from my house to his or just getting rid of things that we didn't need." She hoped Mariel wouldn't get upset that she didn't tell her it really did slip her mind.

Mariel smiled a bit wider as Victoria finalized their plans. She was rather eager to go out now.. it felt like ages since she had much fun.. and tonight would be prefect since she had plans for tomorrow. Business plans, though she intended to have some fun in the process. "That sounds fantastic," she nodded. "Tonight at seven would be great.." And she did enjoy that little restaurant close to Vic's house. Decent food and service, plus it was quiet and quaint. They could catch up without being disturbed.

She leaned her elbow on her desk and rested her head in her hand, turning towards Vic to give her her full attention. She listened, her faint smile growing as her friend continued. "Oh.. moving in together? Well, that's quite a big step.. but I can't say I'm surprised. You two seem so inseparable." At work.. or they always seemed to be at each other's places.. those two seemed right for each other. "Well, I'm happy for you.. what do the boys think about it?" She didn't know Charley's two at all.. but wasn't so sure how Bart would take it. Hopefully they'd all adjust well.

Victoria was excited she hadn't spent much time with her friend lately and Mariel had become such a close friend to her. So in her head Victoria was putting her to do list together, get home, change, make sure Charely knew where she was going, go check her house one last time, then head to the restaurant. "Fabulous, we need to start making these weekly or at least monthly." Could never have to much girl's night and Vic didn't want to have a friend think just because she was dating someone that she wasn't still around to do things. No way would she do that again in her life.


Victoria felt herself blush as Mariel said she wasn't surprised. "Oh.. are we that obvious." She chuckled a bit, she really thought they were being a bit more discrete at least at work, but maybe not. So maybe Lourdes already knew of the relationship, not that she cared. They had been together seven months now. "It is a big step, but I don't know it feels right I guess." She hoped it was right at least. She didn't seem to have any doubts about it at least. She laughed, "I swore I wasn't doing this again and look at me." Wasn't once enough, but it seemed different with Charely at least.

Oh the boys where was Vic going to start. "Well.. That is an interesting story with in itself." She rolled her eyes a bit laughing. "I had accidentally placed in Luc, Charely's nephews owl that we had big news, but Charely would be owling him about it. He took it upon himself to decided I was pregnant and owled both Wade and Bart." She shook her head at the memory. "Bart flipped of course and was so mad, I had to explain and sort everything out." She sighed, "I think it's going to be an adjustment to him, but at least just moving to a new house is better than a sibling I guess." Honestly Luc might have helped in the long run. "As for Wade I don't think it matters to him either way." Since he was older and in his last term at school he seemed to just go with everything.