Office of Department Head Emily Browne
 

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The large office reserved for the Department Head, has been stripped wall to wall and ceiling to floor, and extensively laden with security charms creating a net of impenetrability. These charms, hexes, jinxes, curses and a multitude of advanced spells cross over and intertwine in numerous places making it impossible to get into and impossible to eavesdrop upon. Anyone who has tried have found themselves permanently without ears - how unfortunate for them.

The office contains a distinguished mahogany interior, and there are two large wall-to-wall shelves spanning the back and side of the room occupied by thick tomes of various colours and sizes. A large world map has been fixed to the wall beside the door, with a deliberate tangle of coloured string with photographs and newspaper cutouts fixed to the areas of importance. The focal point of the room, is the large desk and leather chair which is reserved for the Department Head, though it is usually unoccupied. Emily doesn't wish to encourage people to visit and 'chat' for extensive periods of time, preferring to keep people on task and active in their roles, so the two chairs reserved for guests are less comfortable than the norm.

The handsome fireplace on one of the walls has only a few direct floo links, and these are password protected – restricting those coming in and going out. The password changes every week but the links are always active. If anyone were to try to floo their way in or out without the correct password, they would find themselves in one of the holding cells on Level Two. In addition to this, Emily keeps a monthly calendar engraved in the desk. It changes as the month turns and is only visible with a spell Emily would have to teach you herself, should she consider you to be significant enough to be privy to her plans.

Emily keeps her work extremely organised and secured, the only papers you will find on her desk when she's not present are those which have not long ago found their way into her in-tray. But there have been a recent addition or two to the room, giving it a personal touch it was previously lacking. A photograph of her adopted son Zeke is one such example which sits on the corner of her desk, though one would typically not notice it, owing to the fact it is facing her, and her alone.

As a result of the nature of MLE, Emily spends as little time in her office as possible, preferring to be out and about on business, or mingling with her employees, feasting in the food court or stocking up on coffee for the copious amounts of paperwork which will need to be done when she indeed confines herself to this room. For this reason, her door is always locked and well secured, so unless you're the Senior Undersecretaryyou know the password of the hour, and are exceptionally skilled in the art of survival, you could, avoid dismemberment and spontaneous combustion, and get in.

The office can be used, with permission from the Department Head, for division meetings if the conference room is in use, or if a smaller, more intimate setting is required.

You are here.

Please read the thread description before posting here! This is not a public thread, but anyone is welcome to have their character knock on the door, assuming they have come through reception first. Emily probably isn't in, though, so it would be best to make an appointment first.

With each spray from the bottle, dozens upon dozens of chizpurfles keeled over and twitched their tiny clawed legs. But only for a short time as the solution in those bottles of yours is quite potent!

IT'S WORKING IT'S WORKING! BYE BYE CHIZPURFLES!

"It's amazing, you're doing yourself a disservice by passing it up." Then again, that meant there was more for her - something she wasn't at all going to complain about. It was instances like these where she found people to be interesting, and perhaps a little neurotic. Like now. She'd commented on how grand coffee was on a level that wasn't Vic's.. and bam! defensiveness regarding level seven coffee. Or at least, that's how she interpreted the woman's justification. How very, amusing. She had simply held her smile and nodded along with all of that, there was no need to take the conversation on coffee further than it had already gotten. "Always swamped... but it's fine, you can watch me sort papers and and get some filing done." And by filing, she meant into her waste paper basket. Honestly, some of the rubbish that came through her office was astounding.

Getting a laugh out of Vic was always a good indication of socialising gone right, good work Browne, good work. "See that's just the thing, I don't need to try, it just happens. If my life was a pie-chart, my free time in which socialising would be acceptable would only account for one maybe two percent on a good week." Did she want a break down of how many minutes that might be? Because she could do the math. Taking a right hand turn, Emily guided them up the next corridor before pausing in front of her office. Negating her multitude of wards, she pushed her door open and gestured for Vic to enter first. Being a guest and all. "Aaahhh... ice cream," she noted, perhaps more amused than before. It was a trip they all made on a too-frequent basis, but again, she wasn't one to complain.

She'd hadn't missed the bit about Alana and the Healer, but didn't think it was necessary to pass comment... that was normal right? Little ones? Healers? It seemed that way, so she wasn't going to ask. "So how have you been anyway?" she asked, more broadly. "And congrats about the promotion." She'd heard, obviously.

Amazing? Hmm, she'd have to possibly check it out the next time she was taking a walking break from her desk. "I'll take your recommendation next time I find some time to be away from things." Which anymore wasn't often, but she forced the time at the moment. Watch her work? Well not what Victoria had hoped from her visit, but then again her thoughts were at the fact that she had come unannounced and she was interrupting the woman at work. "All right, but I won't stay long. I don't want to distract you."

She chuckled more as she went into Emily's office, she knew what Gavin talked about her being a workaholic. Emily and Vic were very much alike in those aspects. She was just a bit more social than her MLE friend it seemed. "Well I'm glad I could be that small percentage to socialize with you today." Beaming a bit, she knew she forced it, but still it was giving her probably a needed break as well. Nodding at her ice cream she didn't feel like Emily was all that surprised, so maybe they did that often.

"Oh thank you." She assumed Gavin told her or maybe Mariel if they spoke, but she wasn't sure how much her boss and Emily spoke to each other much. "It was a great surprise last year during everything that had been going on in my life. Probably a great push in the best direction." They all knew Vic wasn't the strongest of people, especially last year. That was then though and now things had been getting better.
"Great really, super busy here, but that's the great part I think. We have that amazing Quidditch event coming up so that has been super occupied. Then between time with the girls when they aren't with Charely and spending time with Cosgrach when he can get away from the school, it's just been good." She was smiling bigger, did Emily know about Cosgrach, maybe not, she wans't one to lab her relationships around and since he hadn't come to the Gala with her, no one would really know.

Watch her work, yes, because a second lunch break wasn't an option, and even if it was... she wouldn't take it. There wasn't much wrong with watching her sort things, it hardly demanded much attention, so Emily was quick to dismiss Vic's claims at being distracting. "I'm not easily distracted, but if a work matter does demand my attention, I'll be sure to let you down gently," she mused, almost teasing. But here they were regardless, talking and whatnot, so yes... she was part of her 1-2 percent for the week, a glowing statistic if ever she heard one.

Closing the door behind them, Emily moved straight to her desk and claimed her seat, her in tray already looked a mess, and she'd dealt with it just that morning. Sigh. "Oh, well that's even better then," she acknowledged with a nod. Of course, she couldn't comprehend Vic's struggles the past year, but she knew enough to know the woman had a rough go of it. Work always made for a good distraction in that case. She heard a lot, Vic was good like that, carried a conversation all on her own. Work, the event thing, girls, Charley, Cosgrach. Why did that name sound so familiar? Cosgrach. And then it dawned on her. "Wait... Bachelor of the Month guy?" she queried. Considering though that the title was shared with two others that issue, it was hardly flattering. Pulling the pile toward her, Emily started scanning the trays contents.



After going over the girls file - not a particularly thick one, and full of commendations to boot - she poured a glass of water and set to responding to a memo when a knock at the door signalled Branxton's arrival. Or at least, she could only assume it was Branxton. Timely and well mannered, two qualities she liked in her employees.

"Come in," she called, the door opening slightly with a wave of her wand, her eyes still trained on the memo card in front.

And now was the moment. Genevieve took a HUUUUUGE breath, and then another, before opening Emily's door and slipping into the office. She didn't do nerves very easily, and she felt like her uneasiness was written all over her face.

"Hey, Boss Lady. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me." Pleasant chatter or jump right into it? Genevieve took a seat and folded her hands in her lap. "I'd like to talk to you about next steps in becoming a full Auror."

Going into the office Victoria looked around. Had she ever been in this office? She couldn’t remember, but goodness that inbox and she thought she had way too many things to do on her desk. Emily sure competed and maybe one that. Though the event had her more than swamped with inbox things. “Of course” She nodded knowing that things did come up and that was completely fine. “I do prefer being let down gently. Though I’m getting better at the blunt get lost.” She joked of course, but there was some truth under that statement as well.

“Yes it is, I was really even thinking a change in my career might need to be done to help me through things, but I’m so glad I stuck it out, because the promotion was just a shock.” She had never expected it and she really had thought about leaving just before it, but now she was Manager and Charely wasn’t even working at the ministry anymore. Things just worked themselves out. “How’s Zeke doing?” That was his name, right? “You should certainly bring him to the Quidditch Event, I bet he’ll love meeting the players.” It would be perfect for him.

A blush fell of her when Emily made the connection, “Oh yes, he was over the summer.” She chuckled almost forgetting about it really. “Bart had actually tricked us on a date last school term and we had went out a few times over the summer, but started dating right before he had to go back for the start of term.” It had been going well, until well they couldn’t talk at all. She was going a bit stir crazy over it.

Her prediction had been correct, and the sound of the trainee aurors voice was all the confirmation she needed. Quickly scrawling a few words on the back of the memo, she slipped it in her to-deal-with-later tray, and fixed her attention on the blonde.

"Not at all," she mused in reply. She would have liked to check in with all the aurors when they returned, but that was the nature of MLE. Busy, busy, busy. At least they were here now. "Of course, and how might I help you with that?" she asked, casually leaning back in her seat, swiveling slightly.



Vic was, for the most part, easy enough to get along with, and Emily could appreciate her sense of humour at times. Like now, the whole get lost thing elicited a quiet smirk from the Department Head. "I'll keep that in mind," she added as an after thought. Though it was hardly necessary. She could be crude and rude at the best of times, but she was developing an unusual patience for people she didn't care for, which made dealing with the ones she liked, even easier.

... and that, that was news to her. "Considered a career change, that sounds more serious than I thought." Nothing, or.... very little, could convince her a career change was in order. She was where she was supposed to be. "Glad things worked out in the end..." yep, all those good things. As for Zeke... "He's well," she started, tilting her head from one side to the next in consideration. She spared a glance to the photograph of him that he had made her promise to have on her desk. Something about not forgetting he existed and remembering to pick him up from school. As if she could forget - and if she did, he would probably cross London and make a scene in the Atrium just to get 'escorted' up to her level. The boy had strange notions of what was 'fun'. "He already told me we're going, and I can hardly say no since he's been stroppy all year because of the ban at Hogwarts, really enjoyed the matches last year." All her fault for getting him hooked. Circe help her. So long story short, yes, they would be there. In one form or another.

The blush was unmistakable, and it actually made her skin crawl a bit. She didn't much like reading the Prophet, ever, and certainly not about bachelors seeking love and the like - but in an effort to get Zeke working on his reading, she still heard second hand about these things. Go figure he didn't seem to understand that she didn't need other men in her life. One was enough, and two was borderline too much... she didn't need to hear about how 'desirable' those bachelors were. The boy was nuts.
"Ahhhh... one of those," she mused, considering how embarrassing it must have been in the beginning.

Genevieve straightened up at Emily's question, not entirely sure if the Boss Lady was being sincere or was pulling her leg. It seemed kind of obvious to Genevieve what her anticipated next steps might be, but maybe it was something she had to prove she was ready for. And maybe part of being ready was asking.

"Last year was my third year as a YATI, and I was scheduled to complete my last five assessments: Magical Psychology, Concealment and Disguise..." she trailed off with a sheepish grin. That was all in the file. She didn't have to tell Emily. "I've completed them all with a passing grade. And... I'd like to know if you think I've completed the YATI program and can come on full time as an Auror."

It clearly meant the world to the young woman, as her shining blue eyes indicated.

Nothing about Genevieve's response surprised her. She had gone over the girls file, and was perfectly aware of her passing grades - something that was to be expected from a top recruit. What amused her most in all of this, was perhaps the manner in which Branxton was approaching this. "I'd like to know if you think you're ready to be a full time Auror," she returned with emphasis. "Your grades are indication enough that you're capable, and your conduct on the job supports this."

Did she see where she was going with this?

"What I'd like to know is, where you do see yourself in five years from now? What are you hoping to achieve?"

In any other situation, this would be laughable. Genevieve was always straight-forward, sometimes abruptly so and sometimes well ahead of when it was appropriate. So for her to be sitting here, beating around the bush and asking politely for something she wanted was so out of character for her. She was infuriated with the whole situation. Maybe even a bit with Emily, and definitely with herself.

And so she sighed a little heavily before answering. "Yes, I think I'm ready. I know I came in young, green, and... impulsive, but I know I've made great strides over the past three years. I'd like to be able to contribute more fully to the department, and I can't do that being a trainee." And she did have top marks, but she'd already pointed that part out.

What did five year plans have to do with this year plans? "I see myself here. I'm taking courses at university in potions, specifically to specialize in poisons and antidotes, but that's to further my own specialization in law enforcement. I suppose I'd like to be a team leader someday, but mostly I just want to pull my weight and do good work as part of the team."

Switching the leg she had crossed in her seat, Victoria just chuckled a bit more over the getting rid of her thing. Not that she thought Emily couldn’t do it, she knew she could, but she knew she was just kidding. Keep it in mind, her friend had a great sense of humor whether she knew it or not.

This wasn’t a surprise really, as social as Victoria was she kept her hurt hidden as much as she possibly could. “Well it had been bad enough that I did end up seeing a healer.” If that wasn’t serious nothing in her eyes was. “I had no clue what I was going to do and I love being here at the ministry , so I can’t see myself going far if I left level seven, but yes you are right it worked out.” She was happy it worked out the way it did as well. She loved her position and everything for the most part seemed normal between her and Mariel again. No more awkward was always nice. Oh and Zeke was just well, alright. She knew Emily wasn’t one for many words so she wouldn’t press the issue further. She did beam as she said they’d be at the meet and greet. “Wonderful, it’s going to be exciting. We’ve worked really hard.” She was very proud of her division.

Her brown eyes lifted in question, “One of those?” She was very confused, what did that mean exactly.

Laurie walked up to what used to be Evander's office after stopping by reception and being waved through rather impatiently. She took one second to straighten out her jacket and skirt. She did her best to avoid anyone that she knew as she made her way to this office. Taking a deep breath she raised her hand and knocked on the door. It was now or never.

Was it just her? Or was Branxton perhaps a little put off by the question? If this was the case, then consider her highly amused. Of course, naturally, she nodded in Branxton's direction, resting her cheek in her hand as she did so, and making a minute turn in her chair. She couldn't argue that Branxton was fit and qualified, and hiring her full time was an obvious choice, but as with all choices, she liked to consider them before - go over the evidence, so to speak, before sentencing.

There was only one thing she needed to know in terms of the blondes five year plan, and that was, in some ways, telling of her loyalties. As it was, she ticked that box easily.

"Well then, there's little more to be said on the matter," she mused, slipping out a single, multiple-paged, document from the top-inside Branxton's file.
"So if you're ready to sign you're life away, then welcome to the Department, officially."

It was best to put the girl out of her misery, no?

Emily slid her a quill and parchment containing various details, job descriptions, pay levels and so forth, across the desk between them.



She wasn't quite sure what Vic was chuckling about. But if there was one thing she had learned about social situations... it was to just roll with it, and so she did. Emily emitted a faint chuckle before letting it fall short so she could sip her coffee instead.

Bad enough to see a Healer, right, she did recall that... though she still didn't see how it might result in one parting from their career. Call her crazy, but if something in life was off, her first instinct was to cloak herself in her work, bury herself so deep that there was no reaching her, not to give it up. Never, to give it up. How people even contemplated it, was beyond her. In the end she didn't have much of anything to say, other than "Mmm," and "Ahhh."

For once, she was actually grateful for 'normal' topics of conversation, things that she could understand, and Zeke and Quidditch was certainly that. "I don't doubt that for a second, and I'm aware of the length your Department has gone to ensure the event is a success." She was of course, privy to some information - with how closely their Departments had worked together concerning the security of the event... and the rest was easy enough to imagine.

As for it being one of those... yes, one of those, Emily just nodded, not realising that Vic was actually asking for clarification. Though, she was, wasn't she? "A setup, I mean..." she noted. "I imagine it must have been excruciatingly awkward."



She was seldom late, and if she had it her way, the world would run like clockwork. As it was, some people didn't understand the value of being timely, and so she'd moved briskly through the levels toward her office after cutting a meeting short.

The figure at her door did not surprise her, the appointment was expected and naturally Emily was already going over what she'd read in the woman's personnel file. "Ms Henderson, I hope I haven't kept you waiting," she greeted upon approach. Instead of offering a hand - pleasantries could wait - she moved to disarm and unlock her door. They could hardly conduct an interview in a corridor.

Laurie glanced slightly at her watch and raised an eyebrow. Department head that's late. Interesting. Even the best of them have things to do though.

Hearing someone come up she smiled and watched as she opened the lock of whatever secret spells she had there on her door. "Not at all, Ms. Browne." She stepped back to let her pass into her office first. "Thank you for meeting with me," she said with a smile at what would be her new boss. Sigh. She kind of missed Bole at least he was cute to look at. Oh well she was back and time to make the best of it.

Emily was torturing her. On purpose. And enjoying it. And darn it, if that didn't make Genevieve like the woman even MORE than she had before. She twitched in her seat as she waited for Emily's response, and when it finally came...

Well, there was one very VERY happy former-YATI-now-Auror in the room. She bounced from her seat and grabbed up the quill, giving the forms a cursory glance before signing her life away. Maybe literally. This was a dangerous job, after all.

"Thank you, Boss Lady. Seriously. I won't let you down. I won't let the Department down." Maybe her level of gratitude was off immature, but it was certainly sincere.

Good answer. If there was one thing Emily wasn't going to tolerate, was an employee - or perspective employee, giving her lip. Unless she deserved it, which she didn't. So if Laurie could overlook the fact that she was a couple of minutes late, then all the more power to her.

"Not a problem, I'm always looking to increase the skills set in the Department, and from what I can see, you've got the experience.." and yes, the interview has officially started. "Please, take a seat." Emily had moved to her side of the desk, taking a file from her desk and securing it in one of the drawers in the bottom of her desk. Henderson knew how to close doors, yes?



There would be few surprises with this one, and if there were, they were likely to be good ones. Hiring Genevieve was different to hiring Josh or any of the others... anyone who had irrational tendencies at least. Genevieve, was smart, and it was something she valued where Law Enforcement was concerned.

Her reaction perhaps out-shined her nervousness from the moment before, and she couldn't help but smilesmirk in response. Highly entertaining as it was, making someones day by offering them a piece of paper. Of course, she remembered the day she received the very same piece of paper, and it still held a great deal of significance to her now.
"I don't doubt that for a second," she replied honestly, "... you know Genevieve, I see a great deal of myself in you, at times." And yes, she was doing away with the surname thing, this was, after-all, a personal moment. Because she sometimes did those now, apparently.

Laurie shut the door behind her as she walked in and sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk. "Yes, well I take pride in my work and I have had the opportunity to work in some very interesting and educational places."

Laurie spotted a piece of fuzz on her shirt and brushed it off trying to look nonchalant as she crossed her legs. Looking up she smiled at what would be her new boss. "I think it's important to bring in those experiences to the work place. Primarily because everyone who comes from a different background can bring new advice, ideas, and ultimately can help others see a different perspective at times that they might not have before."

Pride, was something that was abundant in the Department. Still, if the woman was proud, who was she to say otherwise? But of course, speaking of her work... "You worked for the Department around the time I started, may I ask why you left? And why you wish to return?" She wasn't much in the mood for beating around the bush, details and straight answers would be appreciated.

Leaning back in her chair, Emily laced her fingers together, setting them on her navel, her elbows propped up by the armrest. "That's a view we both share, it seems," she started, nodding agreeably. "Though, experience, while it is valued, there are exceptions." Speaking from personal experience of course, not that Henderson would know.

Through the standard means and secure delivery postage channels, a very important piece of owl mail is placed on the Magical Law Enforcement Department Head's desk. The missive is on special letterhead and sealed with a lime green wax seal.


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Text Cut:

June 8th, 2084

To the Ministry Department Heads:

If you have not been informed, St Mungo’s Hospital, in conjunction with Mr. Anthony J. Cresswell and his team of Ministry Healers, will be conducting Health Evaluations starting late this afternoon within the Ministry building.

Levels 1 though 4 will attend their examinations in the Technology Lounge on Level 1. Levels 5 though 9 will proceed to the Atrium on Level 8. Appointments are being scheduled for you and your employees and will be sent out via memo shortly.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation during this time.

Wandastian Epitaph
St. Mungo’s Head Healer
M.H.D.

She didn't bat an eyelash as yet another letter settled on her desk in place of the previous one, and to think, she had hoped to leave the office and catch up with her teams on the floor. No such luck if this kept up. After affixing her signature to the bottom of the document she'd just approved, Emily slid the parchment in a return envelope and placed it in her out-tray. Muriel would handle that one when she finally stepped out.

But... the next.

Clearing her in-tray of its new addition, Emily cut through the seal and opened it. Official looking documents were the norm, this one was no different... with one exception. The St. Mungo's insignia. If that wasn't enough to warrant throwing it in the bin, what the letter communicated certainly did.

Health Evaluations?

This afternoon?

Her eyes immediately darted to the clock fixed to the wall opposite her desk. They had to be kidding, right? This was a prank, a gag, something concocted for the amusement of others.

"Circe help Cresswell," she muttered, pushing away from her desk and shrugging on her coat. She wouldn't stop anyone from her Department participating should they feel they needed a once over, but she wasn't about to subject herself to unnecessary poking and prodding, she was perfectly healthy, thank you very much.

Securing her office behind her, the letter scrunched within her fist, Emily moved swiftly for the lifts.

Ugh figures she would ask about that. Really it wasn't any of her business was it? Instead of causing a ruckus about privacy Laurie simply leaned back in her chair. "Well...there was a death in my family and I had to leave to take care of family. And I wish to come back because I didn't want to leave in the first place." There mostly true without the details. "And because of the situation I'd really prefer not to dive deeper into that whole scenario if that is okay."

Well at least they seemed in agreement there. But what was that cryptic sentence. "Well in the Wizengamot both experience and education are very important along with an ability to think quickly." She was a bookworm not a fighter and that's why she wasn't an Auror but she preferred to stay inside anyway. Books couldn't argue with you or worse.....

She didn't particularly care for personal details, just explanation enough for her departure and return... which she got. "Of course, I can respect that," Emily assured her with a curt nod. "The reason that I asked was simply to ascertain your values and whether a departure might be on the cards in the near future should I take you back on board..." because dismissing and hiring was a process she would have been happy to forego.

"I think we'll get along just fine, Ms. Henderson," she mused. There was much to separate the two, but at least they shared a similar level of understanding where a person's capabilities were concerned. "Ludovicus Bones is our Director of Prosecutions now, I'm sure he'll make you feel at home, just do him a favour and don't call him Ludovicus, he hates that." She was done with interviewing, she got what she needed to know... there was only one matter left to address. "Since your last employment here, the Department has experienced a pay cut across the board, inflated wages are hardly conducive of the proper management of Departmental funding, as I'm sure you can understand. Should you accept your new terms of employment, you're welcome to start this week."

Emily pulled a sheet of parchment from her out-tray and slid it across the mahogany desk with her self inking quill, toward the Prosecutor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contract Ministry Prosecutor: Requirements: The successful applicant must hold a good understanding of the Magical legal system and a thorough understanding of Magical Law and Regulations. This role requires people skills and courtroom experience,with a particular emphasis on developing skills in representing the interests of the Ministry and prosecuting those who have broken the laws governing the Wizarding World. 7 NEWTs are required in any subject at an E grade or higher. Further training in Magical and Muggle Prosecution Law at a University level is necessary.Pay scale is adjusted based on experience. Role Description: A Ministry Prosecutor is a core member of the British Ministry legal team. Representing the Ministry of Magic in a court of law, this role is Ministry based and requires a close working relationship with the Ministers Office and the Department of International Cooperation, as well as within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement itself. The successful applicant will run prosecution on criminal cases as required and work at the direction of the Wizarding Director of Public Prosecution, Wizengamot Commissioner and Dept. Head of Magical Law Enforcement as indicated. Paygrade: A - Base + 40% B - Base + 30% C - Base + 20% D - Base + 10% E - Base F - Base - 5% G - Base - 10% Ministry Prosecutor: (750 Galleons a month/9,000 Galleons a year)

"Just sign down the bottom..."

Laurie listened to her brand new boss speak and nodded. Taking the quill she read over the document and signed at the bottom as indicated. "Well...in the end something is better than nothing right?" she said with a slight laugh. Though she didn't really need the pay.

She placed the quill down on the desk and held her hand out to Emily with a smile, "Thank you for the meeting and I look forward to working with you."

Easiest meeting all day. This much she was thankful for. "Of course," she mused in response. It was still a substantial something, the department was still the highest paid in the Ministry, so it was hardly a devastating blow.

With the signing done and dusted, Emily extended her hand to shake on it, thus confirming that the deal had been struck. "No, thank you... and I look forward to working with you also. If you have any questions about getting settled in don't hesitate to ask, though I'm sure the Wizengamot group will look after you." Retracting her hand, Emily offered the woman a polite smile and nod. Was that all?

Had she been the kind, caring, sensitive, sentimental type with ovaries, she might have awww'd and cooed at Legend's reaction. As it was, she didn't care much for shock and looks of gratitude and the like... not that she didn't appreciate that he felt that way, but he could just, get on with it.

"You're welcome," was her reply, in a perfectly steady tone which did NOT hint at weakness. Croaking, perhaps the boy needed a life out of MLE, but who was she to tell him so given her own history? "I'll have these processed immediately," she added partly out of habit, as she retrieved the signed document.

She watched him all the way to the door, and when he paused to leave his parting comment, she couldn't help but chuckle. Uh huh, after her job, good luck to him on that one. "Talk all you like..." she mused as he left, but of course it didn't mean anything was going to change. No cushy office for him, not even to shut him up - because there were other ways.

It wasn't long after her meeting with Legend that there was another knock at her door. No appointments though. And she had been near enough to finishing her document duties for the morning, so a turn of the office and checking up on the divisions was on the cards... or not, depending on whatever this was.

Emily waved her hand for the door to open, and followed that up with a casual, "Come in." After signing the bottom of a long document, she closed its folder and looked up to inspect her guest.

"Rusty... not a social call I take it?" Or at least, certainly not at this hour...

"Nahhh wouldn't want to influence you to set a bad example or anything now would I?" And besides, if it was he'd have brought food. Overstuffed kebabs or something. Rusty gave her a cheerful wink but then sobered up at least somewhat. He had official reasons to be here, yes.

"I have a proposition for you actually -mind if I sit, Em?- an offer, a bit of a you scratch my back and I scratch yours kind of scenario." Rusty sat down even as he asked, perching on the arm of one of the chairs in front of her desk, crossing his feet at the ankle.

"I know you're pushing on training lately, and I want in. That is to say I want to offer my services, training those of your employees who might benefit from my particular skill set, in return for some cross-disciplinary training for myself."

There was a whole lot that could be useful to her people. How to recognize if memories had been tampered with for one, proper memory analysis and preservation as evidence for another, emergency obliviation for those who she judged were up to the task, how to identify if your own memory, or that of your coworkers had been messed with... endless useful things really.

He tried not to grin too much but it was always amusing when you could peg Emily and know what her reaction would be, and so far it was all by the book, or at least it would be if there was an Emily book. Merlin, if there was he could make a goldmine selling copies to her employees so they could try and get one over on her. Hah. Haha. Even a book wouldn't help them much though, Rustin was pretty sure.

Law Enforcement types were so amusing.

"Nahh. He's got none." No objections from Aron. Rusty had got the all clear, of course. "Though I'd probably be putting in extra hours to manage it all." Which didn't bother him in the slightest, it'd be afterhours for him but less so for her people, given their work hours were often more extended and far less 9-5. But now they were down to the nitty-gritty, the more fun stuff. He leaned forward a little and patted himself down, looking for--ah there. Rusty pulled out a folded bit of paper, relevant topics listed in his own pleasantly messy but readable handwriting.

Quote:

Memory Preservation and Analysis -How to appropriately collect memories in the field -How to analyze collected memories for use as evidence -How to preserve collected memories to ensure they can be used in a court of law Tampered Memory Identification - How to tell if a subject (victim, suspect, witness, coworker) has had their memory altered - Warning signs that your own memory has been adjusted, and what to do about it -prevention methods for safeguarding your memory Emergency Obliviation - Obliviation or alternative methods? - How to prepare - Aftercare for the obliviated - Legal Concerns

"We did quite a bit of this stuff with Law Enforcement in the French Ministry when I was there." Shrug. "S'all up to you, Em. If its something you think might be worthwhile for your people." Pause. Grin. "And for yourself of course." Well she couldn't leave all the fun for her minions, could she?

Any timeline Emily wants
 

*in a mood for a new TL* ^____^
 

She'd had things to attend to all morning - out of office - and so now that she was back in it, there were other motions to move through. This was mostly paper work, fools errands and the like... and in amongst the paperwork that filled her in tray was 'URGENT' 'IMPORTANT' 'DON'T FORGET' mail for her in a hard to miss blue envelope. A permission slip no less, for a field trip... she supposed she ought to sign and send.

When a knocking sound alerted her to a visitor, Emily only had time to utter the word "Enter," when the door swung open. A little preemptive was it not? An eager YATI no less...

Did she have a minute?

"I do, so long as it's worth my while," but nevertheless she was in a good enough mood to gesture for him to take a seat. "And what would you like my minute for?"

Tyler closed the door and grinned. Worth her while? How was he suppose to make a casual drop in worth her while?

He took the seat that she offered and crossed his legs casually at the knees then leaned back in his chair. Yep, he was all relaxed. "I heard about the dragon lady and thought it would be wise to see for myself." She didn't look scary. But he was never one to underestimate...or over estimate for that matter either.

What was more interesting though, was the fact that she wasn't a scared middle age woman. This ministry didn't get much action did it?

......................................... Great Circe.

She knew there were reasons why she disliked first year YATI's. They were incredibly wet behind the ears. Tactless. The Bellaire boy received an arch of the brow and measurable pause before she indulged him in a response. He wasn't a Hogwarts recruit, that was of some significance, and it had worked in his favour until now.

"Sorry to disappoint, but we don't run freak shows here." Not to say she didn't appreciate the title she had earned.

Was there anything else?

She fixed his gaze with a stare of her own before prompting him further. "Will that be all?"

They didn't run freak shows here? Clearly boss lady had skipped that ridiculous orientation thing with ducks and boats and flowers....yeah, that was a freak show in and of itself.

He did smirk though.

"Not exactly." He sat up just a little bit so he could square her up better.

"We don't have desks..or anywhere to put our things." And that was because fat head Chosen had taken them away.

"Are there lockers?" He refused to believe that the ministry of magic for Great Britain didn't even have lockers for their employees.

...

Mmm, this YATI would be one to watch. Then again, Odessa made it through her training, redeemed herself for her own discrepancies... so this one had a chance. One chance. They all had one chance.

But as the kid kept talking, well now that was laughable.

Emily let out a short, but light, silvery chuckle. So amusing. So amusing.

"You're a YATI, we are gracious enough to facilitate your on the job training, you are not an employee of the Ministry of Magic, and therefore are not privvy to a desk. Desks are earned through hard work, patience, persistence and development." Need she say more? The bottom line was essentially, that he couldn't look forward to having a desk until he graduated from his training, and secured a position amongst them.

"You'll find lockers in the mens changeroom..." where else would they be? "I'm sure Josh Carter, your YATIL, could show you the way. He's very familiar with that part of the level."

Just minutes into the lunch hour, a pale violet memo makes it's way to the desk of the Department Head of Magical Law Enforcement. It seems plain enough an unassuming until it is open to reveal the note enclosed.

Dani's memo, and Dav! <3
 

a million years later
 

"Trying to poach me, Em?" Tut tut. "Not sure Aron would approve." Rusty said, smiling at her good-naturedly. He knew she wasn't completely serious, and really he'd gone where his skills and his interest aligned. He didn't mind being loaned out to MLE on occasion though.

He watched as she read over the paper and came to her conclusion. "Conference room is fine to start, but we'll need to do some hands on work after the theory, but lets see who passes muster on the theory first, shall we?" As for when... "My schedule is probably easier to shift than that of most of the largest department in the Ministry, so you tell me when and I'll make it work."

A paper crane flew inside the office and landed on the table. It bears the handwriting of the Junior Undersecretary.

merging TL's cause I feel like it
 

Poaching. She'd never used the word poaching, but the idea was there. "Your words, not mine," she said in mock defense, palms raised. It was the type of thing she'd say straight to Aron's face if she really considered it. Why beat around the bush if there was something you wanted, hmmm? "I wouldn't be against breaking such news to him though, if it were to become a reality." Wasn't it such fun playing the What If? game?

But back to business. Sure sure sure. "Not a problem, I'll see when we can make this work and I'll be in touch." Then they could work from there.

Curiously, Emily peered past Rusty as a memo came floating her way.

SPOILER!!: memo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan arjay (Post 11685650) A paper crane flew inside the office and landed on the table. It bears the handwriting of the Junior Undersecretary.

"Excuse me," she muttered, unfolding the crane and scanning its contents.

Meeting?

Her earliest convenience?

...

A quick glance at her clock told her she still needed to get to her errands, she had division to check into, but she also had a trip to make to level one anyway, so the sooner she got all of it out of the way, the better.

"Apologies, but I have work I need to attend to. I'll catch up with you later with a date and time?" she clarified, pushing her seat away from her desk before rising and extending a hand to Rusty.

"Well you never know." He played along because why not? Honestly Rusty couldn't imagine jumping ship from his current role but he didn't mind a bit of interdepartmental overlap here and there. It was for the best really.

He was about to nod and say something when the memo arrived, so Rustin just watched her read it. Back to work then?

"No problem, Em." He stood up too and with a grin too her hand and shook it, trying for solemn but y'know, business was done with now and she was just Emily again.

"I'll see you later, you know where to find me." And he saluted her teasingly and headed out. That had gone pretty well really.

The department was always busy, if it wasn't then they weren't doing their jobs right... but today, they were doing it a little too well. After a morning filled with meeting after meeting after review and trials, she was finally free to skip her lunch and coffee break and get stuck into the administrative work that had snowballed in her office.

With a stack of files in the crook of one arm, and a pocket watch device in the other, Emily marched down the corridor, only looking up when a figure was sighted in her peripheral.

.... Vic.

Shoving the watch in her jacket pocket, Emily put on a smile and offered the woman a nod.

"Vic, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, knowing full well they didn't have a meeting booked.

Emily disarmed the wards on her door and let it swing open before waltzing in ahead of Vic. Was she coming too?

There were just some things that could relax a person, familiarity of a friend or a setting, and right now the sight of Emily did relax Victoria some. She had been tense from previous meetings. The familiarity of a fellow workaholic and friend did make Vic relax a bit. "Can't a friend bring another friend a coffee?" She smiled knowing she did have some business, but she had time for friendly as well.

Following the Department Head into her office she smiled, "How are things going with you?" She hadn't caught up in awhile, but her schedule was so packed she wasn't getting much breathing room and the chances she did get she was spending with her family. Not believing Bart and Cossy were heading back to school soon. She hated knowing she'd be alone in the house some nights again.

She needed a second in-tray... or not. After rounding her desk and seating herself, it came to her attention that half of her in-tray consisted of bulky envelopes. Some of those envelopes were familiar enough to be discarded for the time being, so extracting those few she opened the cabinet behind her desk and shoved them into her handbag. Later.

Hearing Vic mention things of friends and coffee... well, her initial response would have been a resounding NO, but her stomach said otherwise, and a caffeine boost was very much needed. "Oh... thanks," she replied, allowing a small smile to grace her features as she gestured to the empty chair opposite her. Sit, stand, lay down, it mattered not to her right now, but that coffee certainly belonged on her table.

"Busy," was the only word that came to mind. "More-so than usual, but things will settle."

"And yourself? How's Bart and the girls?"

Following Emily into the office she noticed all the work her friend had in front of her. It kind of reminded her of her own desk, but it was a mixture of campaign and quidditch things now a days. "No problem. I like bringing coffee to friends." She hadn't done it in awhile and wasn't sure why. She knew life had gotten in the way a bit lately, but she would make note to try harder.

"Is Zeke excited about going back to school? Bart says he's a real good Gobstone's player." She couldn't help but beam at that thought, remembering there little game a few summers ago.

"The girls are wonderful, just turned three in July, Bart's doing great. He had made the U17 league, so I think that kept him out of trouble this summer." She was very proud of him for making the team and very glad he wasn't able to cause any trouble. She feared the day she would have to come here to bail him out.

"Everything else is going well. Cossy is getting ready to go back and I've been busy with the campaign, which is actually another reason I came here today." She did come down as a friend and to catch up and wanted that to be fully known, but since she was here, maybe she could talk business a bit. "I've went to all the department heads just to ask them what they want to see in a minister and what they feel is some areas that need improvement in their department that I could possibly help out with if I do become minister." Hopefully she'd get to know some of MLE's areas of need while here.

Well she wouldn't object to coffee. Emily accepted the cup and sipped from it, thankful to have something more to fuel her attempt at catching up on the paperwork that had accumulated. And then there was Zeke. Emily's hazel eyes peered to the right where she had a photo of him propped up on her desk. She'd miss his incessant questions, his laugh, his smiles... mmmm.

Grunting between sips, Emily shrugged her shoulders lightly. "He's excited enough, and so I've heard," she mused. Gobstones and that boy, who'd have thought it? Of course, that hadn't been the only thing he surprised her with. "He seems to be settling in and adjusting well enough..." in fact, his results have been far better than she had anticipated.

Hesitantly releasing her grasp on the coffee for her quill, Emily quickly scrawled her signature on the bottom of the pages of a document package, clerical boring unimportant documentation... one less thing she needed to worry about. In doing so, she continued to listen as Vic spoke of her children, and Merlin, the girls were three? Already? When had that happened? It occurred to her then that time was passing, and it wasn't taking its time. Great mother of Circe. The news about Bart was good though, pleasing. "How wonderful, I suppose congratulations are in order." It was an achievement after all.

She fell back into silence, putting aside another document in favour of a red folder emblazoned with the MLE crest. Being the good listener that she was, Emily did pay attention, and nodded at the appropriate places, Cossy... oh, right, Cosgrach... the new husband. And then there was that. The matter of the elections. So this was about business, not just coffee. Shame.

.....

She was after ideas? Say what?

"I don't know, you tell me," was her reply. How was she supposed to say otherwise. Frankly she was pleased with Kettleburn, but that wasn't going to happen. "I'm sorry it's just, last I checked, your task was to woo the public, not ask me what I want if you get the position."

Oh that was just wonderful news and Victoria smiled brightly. "I so wish we could get to see some of those Gobstone matches. I'd love to see him play." She loved her sports though so watching wouldn't be an awful task and he was so interested when they had played. "Though I do wish they'd bring back Quidditch. It would make one less issue for me." Trying to keep managers happy with tryouts and not having time to see them play was just a headache. "That's so good that he is doing so well. Bart had said he seemed to be a popular first year." That was about as much as her fifteen year old would tell her about school though.

She was very proud of her son, it felt like all the money she had spent on his camps through the years had finally paid off for him, though the money was well spent just by his enjoyment of the sport too. "He was very excited and very dedicated. I didn't see much of him really, most of his time was at the pitch." Part of growing up she supposed, but it was still sad not to spend a lot of time as a family.

She saw the look, but tried to ignore as she chuckled, "My job is both actually. I have been getting my thoughts and views out there, did you see my article in the Prophet?" She was rather proud of that article, "Plus we've been placing posters up and I have been speaking to the public, but I want to know what I can do to help the departments if elected. I feel our ministry runs very efficiently most of the time as is, so I'm not looking for major changes, so coming in and finding out how I can best serve departments is a way to make a transition, if elected of course, smoother. " Shew as still smiling brightly towards her friend hoping that made sense.

"Plus I'm very interested in your department functions. Your training program, it's along the lines of the idea I have to push ministry wide to get younger employees the experience they need to be successful and possible slow the turn over rate we have." Using MLE as the example in this program would be exceptional.

Spectating school gobstones matches... that wasn't high on her list of things to do. Crashing at the end so she could say she witnessed him play and make sure he was in one piece, and a healthy piece at that... that was more likely. "Mmm, who knows, I sometimes wonder if sending him to that school was the right thing to do." Nevertheless, he was happy, getting good grades, alive. Those were good things. The running of the school was out of her control, so whether or not attendance to gobstones matches was allowed or not, wasn't high on her list of concerns. Bring back quidditch, that was something else entirely - and for Zeke's sake, probably a good thing. "In time..." The sport wouldn't be banned forever, it wold lose a lot of business if it was. As for the matter of Zeke being a 'popular' first year, she found that difficult to believe, though she wouldn't have thought him as 'promising' either, and yet there it was in the yearbook.

It was nice the Vic was one for gushing about her children, it was something she limited in conversations, and thus her conversations were brief. "I'm glad to hear it," she replied politely. Granted, aside from their time in France, she didn't see a great deal of Zeke either, but he kept his nose clean for the most part.

And then the can of worms spilled all over her office, metaphorically speaking of course. Merlin, Vic could talk.

Emily nodded her understanding as the woman went on her spiel, and while her motivation was good natured, she had a department to run, and paper work to complete before her pending schedules.

"In that case I wish you would have set up a meeting." She sighed, leaning back in her seat a moment, fingers lacing together and resting in her lap.

"Honestly, since I've come in, I've made a number of changes with the support of Kettleburn and his administration, spending has been reviewed, as has staffing, training and security." Did Vic see where she was going with this? "All I can say at the moment, bearing in mind that you do not have the clearance to be privy to the most inner workings of this Department at this stage... is perhaps a little more funding, a little less red tape, and to let us get on with what we do best." Which was work cases, for which paperwork was an inconvenient necessity.

"If you need anything else, it's best to make an appointment with our secretary. I wish you well for the election race, but that's all I can do for you at such little notice." And really, there wasn't much more to be said anyway.

Her brow went up as Emily said she wondered if sending him to Hogwarts was a good idea. She had those same thoughts about Bart and it was why she wanted to look into the communication and trust between the school and the ministry. "Well thankfully nothing horrible has happened for a few terms. I mean things are always seeming to happen, but nothing as bad as our children growing old." That to her was the worst and Bart having that stroke because of it, Merlin if it wasn't for Cossy being there he would not be. "I hope, but we have heard no word and it would be nice if Games and Sports were kept into a loop, since we deal with many aspects of the sport." She'd be all for working up a plan with the headmistress and even sending professional officials to help out in the matches to make things easier. They just had to get scouts back doing their job.

"I'm not looking to fully get in depth with all things yet. Just wanting basics and I like the informal approach." Plus she was there more for the social, but since she was there she figured she'd bring up a few things. "Plus I like bringing my friends coffie, especially the ones that I know are workaholics like myself." She gave a small grin, though Emily knew she was a woraholic and Gavin had said it a time or two.

Hmm she listened very intently, this was all very fasicinating and she had come to find how incredibly interesting this department was. Taking a few notes to remember, like the red tape and funding she nodded to show she was still very much interested. "Well if and hopefully when I do become minister I would like to take a look at your training program to see what we could implement throughout the ministry and maybe connect it with the shool/work program that I would like to start." Seventh years were wanting to be MLE's as much as they wanted to do other things, why not get them some idea of what it involved before grudation.

"Oh this has been perfect, no need for any appointments, I'm not going to take up your anymore of your time. I know you are busy. I just wanted to come and make sure you haven't been over working and to see how Zeke was, while here I figured I'd just ask you those simple things. Nothing more." She did enjoy her visits, but sometimes felt she wasn't really wanted or maybe stayed longer then she should have. "I have a meeting with a few players that can't seem to keep their focus on a clean match, so I should be going anyway." She got up so that she wouldn't bother Emily any longer. "It was nice seeing you and getting to chat. Give Zeke my best wishes for this terms Gobstone season."

Was Vic hearing herself? Nothing horrible has happened for a few terms?... years... and how wrong she was. It seemed the old castle was a constant source of mayhem - who's fault it was she didn't know, nor particularly did she care. The fact of the matter was, her son was at that school. That is what mattered. "Enough happens, Vic, if we continue to compare the school's happenings to one grievous occasion, then we would always be satisfied, after all, even that was no Battle of Hogwarts." But it was no place to draw the line. Keeping Games and Sports in the loop of school sports was hardly a concern of hers, and one she couldn't appreciate. Teams still help try outs, the world continued to revolve around the sun. She entertained a reply on in grunt form, before taking another sip of coffee.

Friends, coffee, workaholics and basics were all used in a single stream of consciousness from the blonde. Circe have mercy on them all. Only, if she thought that was reason enough to raise her brows and stay silent, then what followed only solidified her resolve to utter as little by way of reply as possible. She didn't do these discussions well, not when there was proper work to be done.

There was an exception to this. Take a look at her training program? School-work program? Oh hell no. She was already concerned that the YATI institute was dropping their standard, and where school scores were concerned they only admitted the best. No. Children did not belong on MLE, unless they were fetching coffee's, lunches or filing useless non-sensitive documents in the rubbish. "If and when," she replied with a smile and nod. Because saying anything else might prove to be hurtful and she didn't do well with making up.

Thankfully, this was it. "Cheers for the coffee," she thanked, smiling as Vic was preparing to depart. Clean matches? Seemed dull in the light of homicides, burglary, counterfeit and the like. "Lovely seeing you too, good luck with the campaign."

...

Seeing her out, Emily waved a hand to signal her door to shut, and lock. Busy.