Yeah that must be it... Dia trailed of. What was with the confused look on Greti's face; had she said something wrong again, she had a habit of doing that. But just as she was about to ask she remembered that she had suddenly started laughing; that must have done it. She gave an apologetic smile, Sorry, I find humour in the simplest things. How could she not? With the mother that she had she had to grab every bit of humour available and harvest it then store it somewhere safe. So have you always lived in London?

Anna was way too busy making herself a cup of coffee with a big headache she was having and in all this there was a party as well. Why in Merlin's name did they have to throw a party only when she was having a head ache? Damn she couldn't help but make the coffee dropping a few thing beside her. Finally her coffee was ready and she was just about to drink when she saw someone enter and the crowd grew louder. Now, what's this for she thought and looked to see what was causing such noise? To her surprise Armen had entered while she was busy with her cup of tea.

She quickly kept her cup down of the table next to her and drew a smile on a face even when she was suffering from a terrible headache. She moved towards him and said "Hello! Welcome back Mr. Recard. Did you have a good time with the ministry?" she said and smiled. Was she even to mention the ministry after what had happened? Maybe the headache was too strong to make her think.

Gerti then found herself laughing too. "Oh, that's good, actually. Better than being grim, at least." Then she stopped to answer Danu's question. "Actually, I was born in Spain. I moved to Saudi Arabia for a short while before moving to England a few years ago. What about you?"

Well let's see, she said suddenly searching her mind to find out what she had done with the last few years of her life. I've actually always lived in England, my dad moved here when he met my mom--but not this part of England; no I didn't start living here until after my friends and I graduated Hogwarts, then we found a found a place just outside London for a while but now we decided to rent an apartment together so we've been here for about a month now. She smiled fondly at the memory of sharing a living space with her favourite people in the world--next to her parents of course.

Gerti listned with sharp attention as Dani talked about her past. "So...are you staying in London? I actually am not, I am staying with a friend in Hogsmeade nearby. It is close enough for me to come here on time every day, but not as uncomfortable as Diagon Alley is."

Eh, it's not so bad...definitely a very interesting commute on a day to day basis. She said with a chuckle. There was always something going on somewhere which was great for her short attention span. Plus it gave her friends something to do without them actually have to spend much. That's great that you live with a friend though, I find it amazing living with mine....though they can sometimes be a pain. She admitted the last part in a mumble. And why would you think Diagon Alley's so uncomfortable. It was great!

Gerti smiled politely. "The muggle side of London is just fine. I go there all the time. But you probably have not seen the entire llondon if you think it's not so bad. Knockturn Alley is repulsive, I am always amazed that the Ministy hasn't cleared that out. Also, I was afraid that I MIGHT have gotten mixed up with someone who is wanted, so I avoided London."

Forgive me for laughing. Dia said through her chuckling, how did that happen? For a moment she tried to imagine what would happen if she as mistaken for a wanted person but soon realized that that could easily happen if she was walking anywhere with either James or Cameron--Thank Merlin for Lizzie. And well yeah maybe Knockturn Alley could use a bit of work but come on that's half the fun; walking through the crowded street, watching all the transactions taking place--you know the works Then again.... I actually haven't spent much time in muggle london now that you mention it, what's it like?

Victoria decided to get another drink, she didn't know alot of people here so she sat down and quietly sipped her drink.

While waiting for a reply from Greti, Dia's eyes strayed across the length of the room; no surprize there. What she did find surprizing however was the woman sitting by herself and sipping away at whatever she had put in her cup. With everyone busy socializing she found it a bit strange and sought to fix that. With a warm smile on her face she gestured for her to come over and join the conversation. What better way to meet more co-workers and get herself acquainted?

Katrina smiled back at the man, taking another sip of her coffee. "It is a lovely morning, Mister Monroe," Katrina replied, nodding and setting down the cup of coffee to stick the balloons around the room and allow some of them to float up to the ceiling.

She could feel the excitement in the air and it was a very nice feeling.

"People don't change that quickly," Katrina said, pursing her lips in thought. No, she doubted that the boss man would change that quickly despite being on Level One.

Katrina hadn't heard the department head step into the break room which was exactly why she had jumped just a bit when she had heard him speaking. "Welcome back, Mister Recard!" Katrina said, beaming at the department head. It was definitely nice knowing that the man who had originally hired her was the department head once again. "I hope you've been well." Because the last time she had seen him at the ministry ball and he hadn't seemed too happy then with his job.

And right, why weren't they working?

"We're throwing you a welcome back party!" Katrina exclaimed, looking around the place. Which was why there was cake and balloons and banners.

Victoria show someone gesturing to join her so she walked over and said "I am Victoria Starr!"

Dia smiled, glad that she didn't just decide to look away but instead came over. When she thought about it that would have been a rather embarrassing thing. Nice to meet you, I'm Dia Thriftwood, I'm pretty new to just about everything here from this job to this side of London. She said with a chuckle. So, why'd you decide to sit by yourself? Was she allowed to ask her that? She only hoped that she hadn't just offended her or anything like that...

"I have worked here for three years, I don't have many friends in this department" Victoria told Dia.

Three years and limited friends. Dia thought that was very strange, especially when everyone in the room seemed so warm and welcoming. She herself had barely been here for more than two hours and she could already see how nice the people were...with each other anyway. Well I think we could be good friends, Dia said with a smile. So tell me, what's it like working in this department?

"That would be nice!" She wasn't going to tell her about her husband so she said "It is alot of fun, I work in the portkey department!"

Oh good, I was hoping to hear that! That was all Dia wanted to hear. once she knew that her job wouldn't be a boring one she was quite content and could now turn her attention fully on victoria. Oh, well I work in the Floo Connection and Repair department. She smiled in spite of herself. I have no idea what I'll have to do or what that job requires but if you say this place is fun then I guess it will be fun too. Somehow Dia couldn't overlook that slightly hesitant look on Victoria's face...

"I am a portkey manfacturer!" She told her so she decided that she was going to tell her "The reason I am so distracted because I lost my husband last year and I am still grieving!"

Dia was left speechless at hearing such news. It was no wonder Victoria had just sat by herself sipping her beverage...she was grieving. This was something Dia had never particularly experienced because there weren't many people that she was close to and everyone she considered family were the three people living in her apartment. She didn't know what she would have done if anything were to happen to them. I'm so sorry to hear that...may I ask what killed him? She asked timidly, not wanting to bring up anything too painful for the woman.

"He was killed in a car crash with my cousin's husband!" Victoria told Dia, she sipped her drink she had never told anyone at ministry about his death before.

That's some twisted luck you both have there! She exclaimed in shock. What were the odds that both her and her cousin would lose there husbands at the hand of a muggle invention. Well how have you been managing? She didn't even want to think of what she would do if something like that were to happen to her friends--or her mother. Her father maybe...but that was a sticky case all on it's own. Her mother though, that would have broken her. She chuckled cynically for a moment. Was it terribly awful that she had no one special except those she was related to in one way or another? Even Lizzie had found someone. She broke out of that train of thought and turned her attention once again to Victoria. So, what's the big deal with this Recard guy?

"I had a few months off but I feel abit better now!" She told Dia and then said to her "He is very popular with members of this department!"

Yeah I noticed. Dia said with a chuckle. He must really have been popular for them to be throwing a welcome back party. She looked over at the people standing around him, all laughing seeming to be having a good time; very popular indeed. Well, Dia said, on a more cheerful note, I'm glad you're okay now. Any kids? Curiosity had gotten the best of her again.

"No, we didn't have any children, we was only married for a year and a half!" Victoria told Dia as she sipped her drink and watch the people around her.

Dia's eyes went wide. Was she being serious? A year and a half was hardly any time to enjoy each other's company. That made it all the more tragic....no....not having children made it all the more tragic.

Being married and having nothing to show for it--though she knew better than to say that aloud. She sighed. Sad news always got to her so she sought to lighten the conversation once more. So what does a portkey department person do? Dia asked, maintaining her tone of curiosity. She wanted to know a lot of things but she would start small.