The conference room is large, and magically adjustable so that it can expand to fit the entire department if necessary. The tables and chairs are arranged in a huge oval with an open interior. This is where information and demonstrations can be magically projected for presentations and briefings, without worry that those outside the room will overhear. The room has been redecorated to a modern, clean look, complete with weather windows at the far end that look out over whichever location they are charmed for. They're not real windows so defenestration is not an option and opening them will not give you fresh air. All the chairs are exactly the same, the Department head simply sits at the top end of the table, needing no indication of his role and not particularly desiring to distance himself from his employees.

All divisions of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement are permitted to make use of the conference room, but meeting times must be booked so that there are no clashes.

You are here.

To book the room for your division, please PM Hera.

Room is in use by the Department Head.

After recieveing the official memo .... son of a banshee!... and then hearing about the meeting, Emily made her way to the Conference Room, she wasn't in a mood to go home. Really the only thing on her mind has been the Cult and how they could possibly sort out this huge mess.

Armen Recard hadn't done them any favours, and it would be interesting to see what Van had to say about it all... But either way...

She was here now.

Emily promptly took her seat at the large table and waited for the others to show up.

Evander was not far behind, having detoured first to his office and then to check on proceedings in the holding rooms. But now he came into the office and spared a glance for Emily before withdrawing his wand and methodically going around the sides of the room, re-establishing and layering new wards, protective enchantments and complicated runic charms.

Nobody would get in or hear anything they weren't supposed to, that was for sure.

He really felt like a squished bug if he was going to be honest. First, apparating licenseses were revoked. Now, they wanted to test them like they were in school again. It was bloody insulting and had put a rather significant dent in the possibility of any good mood he would have had for the evening.

Slipping into the conference room, he gave a quick glance about, nodding to Evander before moving over to sit beside Emily. "Tests. They've got to be joking." Shifting his weight on the chair, he yanked a folded page of the Prophet out from his back pocket and dropped it on the desk. "I'd like to see Berty apparate a foot without splinching himself in half."

Benjamin was still upset about not being able to apparate- Even more upset that he found out through the Daily Prophet. But not too long after the official memo was released, and, well, time for a meeting. Time for a word with the head-honcho.... And it would be the first time the two halves of the MLE would be together in a while.

Benjamin entered the conference room in his suit and tie, and found Emily, Sabel, and Evander. "Hello," he said, before finding a seat. "I'm glad our two tribes may come together and break bread." Someone had to keep the mood light. And that was Ben's trademark... Besides being generally awesome.

Van looked up from his work and grunted.

"I may be able to get you and Emily cleared quite fast, as it was not long ago that the two of you took your first license tests, with Armen's department, which of course means he must either reinstate the two of you or agree that his own department has faulty testing."

Van's wand traced the wall and a series of interlocking runes flashed briefly before apparently melting into the wood and stone.


And as for that. Van looked up and quirked a quick smile. Yes he WAS aware of the tension as of late.

That would be part of the meeting too. While this apparition thing was a big deal, it was still business as usual and there was plenty of that.

Dacs entered the conference room. For the first time in a long time she was tired but squared her shoulders and headed for a seat. When she sat down, she looked at Evander and "Hello Evander.". She in turn looked at Emily, Sabel and Ben and nodded to them.

She leaned back and said,"So what's up boss?"

Emily offered Sabel a small half smile... she just wasn't in a good mood, and neither was he it seemed. Then again, who was in a good mood these days?
"I know.. I feel so... insulted. Fat lump couldn't apparate full stop, look at the size of him.... I'm surprised he can move at all."

Ok... so not everyone was angry and bitter. But then again that was just Ben, always the first to crack a joke. Emily smiled, a little bigger this time.

Emily offered Van a nod in greeting.... she probably could have offered to help, but he didn't need her help.

Oh.. quicker, that was good.
Emily smirked a little, "Oh that's brilliant." Heh, yeah she could just imagine Recard's face if he had to admit his department had.... made a mistake.

Emily returned Dacs' nod of greeting as she joined them.

She would normally wish for a familiar face in the room, but Caedwyn was just happy to get there early enough to get a seat and spread out her little notepad and quill. It was important to take careful notes.

And not to join in the conversation about Lord Borr. Everyone was absolutely entitled to their opinion, but Cade couldn't bring herself to bad mouth someone who was her superior. Especially because she rather felt sorry for him and the terrible indigestion that was surely contributing to his bad moods.

Despitie his sour mood, Sabel couldn't help the faint smile that came at Benjamin's ice breaker. It wasn't enough to lift his mood, but at least some people knew how to keep a level, reasonable head in moments like this. At th very least, it was relieving to see.

With a sigh, he poked the paper in front of him as Dacs entered, casting a side-glance to Emily that slowly turned into a grin. If there was one thing that could butter up his mood, it was hearing another bearing the same opinion as him of the Lord Borr.

....Okay there was also the possibility of getting his license back quickly. His attention turned to Evander as the department head spoke, eyes narrowing with thoughtful interest. Of course, the first thought to jump to his mind was that the faster he got the apparition license back, the sooner he could see a certain someone. Brilliant indeed.

"Kinda hope he made a mistake." Well, his whole department had made a mistake, but Sabel wanted them to admit it. To admit what they had done and own up to it.

If that wasn't dreaming of the high life, he didn't know what was.

Isobel had a feeling that this was going to be pretty awkward, considering that it was her boyfriend that had like suspended all of there licenses. But...it wasn't her, so really she didn't see that any of her collegues had any reason to treat her differently, so she wandered into the conference room, wearing a small smile on her lips. She knew what this was about, everyone would obviously. "Good afternoon..." She nodded to everyone, glancing at Emily momentarily. That lunch had not gone well. Clearing her thought quietly, she found herself a seat, and sat in it.

They all seemed to be talking about Lord Borr, but Izzy decided not to make a comment. It really wasn't that professiona, even if the man was a fat jerk. No, she'd just sit her quietly until Evander began.

This was inconvenient. Very, very inconvenient. Skander had been looking things up and now he'd have to go back and re-read things to make sure they made sense. And he'd be out of his groove. Bloody transportation people! If it weren't for them this meeting probably wouldn't be happening right now. Maybe.

Finding himself a seat Skander dropped down into it, nodding at Evander and a few others he'd seen around. He carefully took a pen from his pocket along with a notepad. He may need to take notes, depending on the exact content of the meeting. And if he didn't...well it looked more like he was ready to do work than if he had nothing in front of him.

Laurie was NOT happy as she walked into the conference room with a frown and sat down in an empty chair. One she was being called away from more important work for this and two she didn't even LIKE to apparate. It made her all queasy and just wasn't pleasant in the slightest. So why was she here?

She looked around and spotted Evander and her frown deepened. He could place blame on that other idiot she'd heard through the wall all he wanted but she had heard Bole mouth off before it all. Opening the case file she had brought with her she ignored everyone and started reading. She was here she just didn't have to be paying attention to this stuff.

Damien stomped into the conference room, took a quick look around and then made his way to the seat beside Van and plopped down. He was tired, angry, and MEH. So he took his place and waited...

Yes Iggy was here. He slid in the back. Because he didn't want to be seen by the creepy Aurors. But he was in attendance. He smiled at Evander. SO what was this conference about? Probably the fact that he now couldn't take his child to school before he had to be at work.

A meeting.

Well, it had to happen. There could possibly be people in the department who didn't read the paper, and there were only four of them privy to the Head's meeting. But he had a feeling the atmosphere wasn't going to be pretty.

With his desk backing on to the conference room, Gabe didn't have far to go. Coming to a halt in the doorway, he took a deep breath and forced some kind of smile onto his face as he entered and looked around at those already assembled. "Afternoon everyone," he said, slightly through gritted teeth, as he walked down the length of the table and eased himself into a seat opposite Damien and quite near Van. He gave his friend, and the boss, a knowing look before folding his fingers together across his chest, leaning back and crossing his legs. To wait.

Blaise had been patrolling all day long, and had gotten late notice about the meeting. He did, however, get the official memo.

And burned it.

He stepped into the conference room and his eyes fell on one of the few women in there. He couldn't believe Isobel was sitting there like nothing was wrong. The test would be so much easier for her considering there would be major favoritism on her behalf. That was ridiculous, because he knew it would happen.

He unhappily took a seat next to Gabe, and looked around the room at everyone else. Emily was across from him, and in his eyes he started to smile but didn't let that go any further.

After the Prophet this morning, Dorian had settled down the tiniest bit, even though he'd had to get a second cup of triple espresso. The official memo delivery hadn't really helped, but at least he was resolved to make the best of the situation. Namely, figuring out how to get around the ridiculousness that was Recard's animosity and the cult's, well, existence and infiltration of the Ministry. As long as Level Two could stay separate, and sane, at least they had a safe zone, so to speak. He'd taken a moment to decide not to destroy the memo, though. Instead, it now had a prime position half underneath the issue of the Prophet, lying in his wastebasket.

The department-wide meeting was more intriguing, and he made his way there with his cup of espresso, slipping in behind the two Security employees and sending Evander a nod. And then he made his way to an empty seat, without saying a word. He'd already essentially said his piece that morning to Ben and Laurie, well, and Miss Browne. Saying more would just make him need to control his temper again, so he'd wait for what Evander had to say. At least he could imagine it wouldn't be supporting the other department head.

Right. The conference room was about as secure as it was possible to be. There was no way that anyone could hear a thing from outside.

Evander put his wand away carefully fixing it to his holster and disillusioning it by reflex. He straightened up and walked over to his usual seat, by Damien. But instead of sitting down he pushed it out of the way and leaned against the table, most of his weight on his fists as he looked around, surveying the MLErs. He made eye contact with each of them, and waited until the room was silent and all attention was on him before he spoke.

"Most of you know at least part of why I called this meeting. Yes we'll discuss this apparition license business, but that is not all we will focus on. Of course it is business as usual and despite.... difficulties, we must continue as we can to do our jobs." Van paused and stood up straight.

"I've noticed," Because if they thought Evander floated about in his own little world and ignored his employees they would be very mistaken, "that there seems to be a little... shall we call it dissent in the ranks." He looked around gravely but didn't pick anyone out.

"This will stop. I don't care what your personal differences are. I don't give a crap if you don't like someone in this department. You'll do your jobs and you'll work together and trust that I know what I am doing in hiring each and every one of you." He looked around again. "I trust all of you and right now, more than ever we need trust." More than ever.

"You'll respect each other, and respect those who have the experience to pave the way here in our department, and all of you -all of you- have something to bring to the table."

Van went silent for a moment to allow this to be digested and then he spoke again.

"And more than ever, we need to be seen as united, and professional. This means I don't want to hear about any of you taking this apparition thing out on any Transportation employees, or on each other." He paused and added quietly, "I will hold myself to the same standards." Which... well, Van had a temper, no denying it so him vowing to do the same was a big deal.

"I said I trusted you all, so I am going to tell you, all of you, what my involvement with the Cult of Walpurgis has been, and I'm going to trust that what I say won't leave these walls."

Emily waited patiently, her eyes fixed to the front of the room. She couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine as Van eyed each and every one of them. It was easy to see why he was Head of Department.

Listening intently, Emily processed what Van was saying... she understood, she knew what he meant by trusting one another. And while she did-in the back of her mind at least- acknowledge that Van was a good man, and knew what he was doing... she still couldn't shake a little bit of that mistrust. But she would deal with it, work around it, bite her tongue if she had to. Its not that she didn't like Isobel, she was just concerned... and she was well within her right to be concerned. Still she nodded in understanding... she wouldn't go against his word.

Emily was all for a united front, and business as usual. Showing the Cult they couldn't ruffle their feathers that easy was necessary. But they would need to do more than just business as usual, and Emily was all for longer hours and more work.

Involvement? What was Van talking about? ...

Emily's curiosity senses were burning, she leaned forward in her seat slightly.

Iggy smiled at Van. He was being nice. Even sticking up for Iggy. Which was lovely. Hopefully all the Aurors will leave him alone now. His mouth dropped open though, when Van said he was involved with the Cult. What????

Skander nodded slightly as the bossman spoke. So this was more important than just having lost their licenses. Presumably then this was also a lot more important than whatever work they should have been doing. The fact though that this was apparently serious enough to caution all of them that to show dissension in the ranks would bring about more harm than usual was worrisome. Were the cracks already starting to show? Well obviously they were since Evander was mentioning it.

Still though Skander wasn't so sure that he would trust the people in the department. He didn't know them and he certainly wouldn't be freely sharing his own views on anything that was really important. After all one never knew who they were really talking too and where that persons loyalties were...

Wait. The bossman was involved with the Cult??

Dissent in the ranks? Well...Isobel could see where that was coming from. She had noticed a few differences within the last couple of weeks, and Evander had noticed it too. It was good that he was doing something abou t it, they wouldn't really be a strong department if they didn't respect, and get along with each other. She nodded at what Evander was saying. She respected everyone in the department anyway, they all played a crucial role in the running of the department, and were all good at their jobs.

But now Evander had said something else, that made her kind of shocked. Evander was involved within the cult? Seriously. Well that would shut some of the others up, who moaned at her for being with Armen. But she trusted Evander, and knew his involvement had to be for the good of the wizarding world, or so she really did hope.

Of course there would be dissent, as Van put it. It was hard not to bear some resentment towards someone if they had a connection to a source you didn't like or didn't appreciate. That much was human nature. The other thing, that was almost a fact, was that Izzy would get her license much easier and much faster than the rest. So of course there would be that... offset feeling with others.

Van was involved in the Cult, eh? Obviously he would be telling them this for a reason, and his involvement would be different than Recard's. Of some sort, anyway. If he was a previous member, he wasn't now because he had a brain and knew it was wrong.

Whatever the matter, Blaise just wanted to know. But he sat patiently, watching Van closely.

Gabriel could do respect. He was a leader of a team himself, so he had to set an example. The boss' words, no doubt directed at everyone, had more meaning for some than others. The security head had a quick look around at Blaise, Emily and Isobel as Van spoke, wanting to see if what he said affected their body language. So far everyone seemed to be calm and focussed on the meeting.

The Cult business did make him sit up a bit more though. Gabe hadn't known that Van was in, or had been in, the Cult. But when he stopped to consider the amount of information they had on them, it became less surprising. At least he wasn't as shocked as some of the other people seemed to be....