Samantha smiled. "Well, that's certainly good to know, Clay. And it's a pleasure to meet you, as well." She paused a moment. "Was there something I could do for you today, Clay?" It seemed that every time the liaison's came for a visit they were needing something. She was prepared for whatever request might be forthcoming from this young man.

Clay shook his head. "No, not really," he said truthfully. It was his first day back and he'd yet to get any assignments. "I'm just here to introduce myself to you and the other employees and familiarize myself with the department. I've been on leave for a while, and it seems as though I've got to relearn everything."

He smiled sheepishly and scratched his head. "So I thought I'd start here."

"Well, welcome back," Samantha said warmly. She knew that it could be difficult if you were away from the job for a while getting back into things again. "I'm honored that you've decided to start with my department, and I'd be more than happy to show you around a bit or answer any questions, if you like."

Clay smiled at Samantha and nodded. She was really nice, and he could see that he'd do well here. At her suggestion of helping him out, his smile grew. "Well, if you're not busy," he began, "I'd certainly love that. There's a lot to take in, and I'm not sure where to start first." He glanced around, wondering what exactly he had to do.

"Is there any..uh, assignments or anything I could do?" He hated to be idle, especially on his first day back.

"Clay, I understand perfectly what you are saying," Samantha smiled at him. "You want to get involved, and I can relate to that. So, let me give you a quick overview of what we're involved in here in this department. Basically, we are in charge of the education standards for the magical schools in the United Kingdom, the chief of which is Hogwarts, of course. In addition to that, we oversee the building standards and make sure that everything is up to par in that respect. Just recently, we revamped the OWLs and NEWTs completely, and we have begun implementing them and grading them at Hogwarts, that's been the main project we've been working on. If you'd like a quick tour, I'd be happy to take you through." Samantha had only one Division Head and only two sub-units, but that was okay. They still did important work for the Ministry, as the education of the youth was in their hands. Every department was important, Samantha reminded herself, none more than any other. Clay struck Samantha as bright and intelligent, perhaps he would enjoy the tour and meeting a few employees of her department along the way. He should certainly meet Jake, her division head, she noted.

Clay nodded and listened to Samantha go over what they were in charge of. "That doesn't sound too difficult," he said after she finished. As a matter of fact, it sounded quite interesting. He wondered absently if they'd be able to actually interact with the school. The thought hung idly in his mind before he turned his attention back to Samantha.

"A tour sounds excellent," he said, smiling at her. He wanted to see how many employees there were for this particular department and wanted to know what exactly he was there to do.

"If there's anything you need me to do, don't hesitate to ask. I am here for anything you need." He knew it sounded corny and childish, but he really wanted to become more active an employee in the Ministry.

"That's good," Samantha said. "Enthusiasm is definitely an important quality. I like that, myself. And I'm more than happy to show you around the department. It really is a small one, though, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. Some of the other ones are much larger, like the Department of Mysteries. Mine is tiny by comparison!"

Clay shrugged. "That just means that the employees are much more like a family, right? Close-knit?" He didn't mind that the department was smaller. With any luck, he'd help get it to grow, and possibly be one of the most active departments, aside from the Department of Mysteries. They had a lot of important things, sure, but in Clay's opinion, this department was more important.

"I think, even though this department's small, it's one of the most important," he began, crossing his arms over his chest. "We are, after all, the department that helps build the future of the wizarding world. How and what we teach our students now affect the future. If it weren't for us, then the schools would be in disarray, and thus, the entirety of the wizarding world." He shrugged as he finished, as though this were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I couldn't have said it better myself, Clay," Samantha said. "I agree with you 100 percent, our department is a very important one and we do help shape the future. You are very perceptive indeed, and I'm really happy to have you on our team. I think you are going to be a great help to this department and I'm glad to have met you."

Clay smiled at Samantha and his chest swelled at the praise she was giving him. It was corny, but he couldn't help it. He nodded to her, crossing his arms over his chest as he gazed once more around the room.

"I'm glad to have met you too as well. This seems like the perfect place for me. Glad I came out of leave," and he was too. He hoped that the Ministry would prove to be a very rewarding place. Already it seemed so.

"I hope it is," Samantha said. "Remember, you can come to me with any problems or anything you want to discuss, anything at all. My employees know that my door is always open and the same goes for you."

Walking up to the office a little nervously, Becca smoothed out her robes and took a deep breath before raising her hand to knock on the door. Pausing momentarily to gaze at the gorgeous ring on her finger, she smiled and wondered about just bursting in. Resisting the urge to just run in and shout it out to the world, she knocked and waited patiently.

Samantha had just finished speaking with Clay when she heard another knock on the door. She rushed over, wondering who it could be, and opened the door to find Becca there looking happier than she had ever seen her. In fact, her glow was actually radiant! "Becca," she said, a smile breaking out her face. "You're looking well today! Do come in and tell me your news." Samantha had a good feeling about her friend, sensing she had some really good news today.

"Samantha!" Becca grinned as Samantha opened the door and then nodded to her "Thanks, you're looking well too" Smiling at the invitation into Samantha's office, Becca nodded and walked into the office, she sighed happily at the thought of Brian "I have a question for you" she smiled and then waited for Samantha's permission to ask

"Sure, go right ahead," Samantha said, surprised to hear Becca say that she had a question for her. She had expected to hear about what was happening with Becca and Brian, and her saying that she had a question for her came as somewhat of a surprise. But that was okay, and she couldn't wait to find out what the question could possibly be. She always gave honest, objective answers to anyone who asked, especially her friends, and Becca was certainly one of those. Her best female friend right now, in fact, as Samantha didn't usually speak to that many people.

"Well, you know Brian and I are engaged now, obviously." Becca smiled and then folded her arms as if she was trying to contain herself "And well... I need bridesmaids and I wanted to know if you'd like to be my bridesmaid" she watched Samantha a little nervously hoping she'd say yes. There really hadn't been any doubt about who she was going to ask. At all.

"Oh, I'm so happy for you two!", Samantha said excitedly, almost giggling, and then suddenly stopped herself as she realized Becca had asked her a very serious question. "Really? You've chosen me to be your bridesmaid? I would be honored," she said sincerely. Samantha had been to very few weddings, it was something she had missed, and to be able to be there as a bridesmaid at the wedding of her good friend, that was exciting! She smiled widely.

Becca watched Samantha getting excited and then realising what Becca had asked. "Of course, I wouldn't be asking if I hadn't" she smiled "Oh! Thank you Samantha! Thank you!" Becca grinned as she tried to hold in her excitement "I can't wait!" She laughed softly and then unfolded her arms to walk forward and hug Samantha "I'm so glad you said yes. thank you" Becca wasn't going to stop saying thank you for this. It was a big deal to her.

Samantha hugged Becca back. She was almost as happy as Becca herself was, happy not only to be asked to be a part of their wedding but just happy for both Becca and Brian, mostly. "Have you decided where the wedding is going to be?", Samantha asked, wondering if it would be held at the Ministry or someplace else.

Smiling as she saw Samantha's happiness, Becca nodded "Yeah, we have. It's gonna be a great place to have it, of course we need to make sure that we're going to get it first, but that shouldn't be a problem" Becca grinned. It was fun to keep others guessing for a while.

"Well, I'm sure it's going to be something everyone involved will remember for their rest of their lives," Samantha said. She could tell that Becca and Brian were the kind of people who would put a lot of thought into something as important as this, that they weren't just throwing things together on a moment's notice. They had obviously put a lot of planning into their wedding and their future together, which was excellent.

"I hope so" Becca smiled "We're trying to get it all sorted out. It's going to be planned, every second of it" she nodded and then gazed at the wall for a moment or two before realising she was daydreaming, She shook her head an then smiled at Samantha "So, you're now my bridesmaid" she grinned as she said it again, it was official now!

"Yes, I thought you would have had it all figured ahead of time," Samantha said approvingly. "I think that's the best way of doing things, I really do. I admire organization, and I know both you and Brian are very organized. And yes, I'm your bridesmaid now. I'm really excited about that!" In fact, Samantha almost felt like dancing! It was a happy day.

"Samantha, hewre is all the N.e.w.T.S. and O.W.L.S. back. They have been checked twice and everthing is in order" J.J. Starr told her. He left the papers on her desk as he waved good-bye to Samantha, Ah, time for the Leakey Cauldron.

"Thank you, J.J., good work," Samantha said. She could count on all her employees, and she knew that J.J. was always thorough. He had seemed even more diligent lately, for some reason.