Office of the Senior Secretary for the Minister of Magic
 

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As you enter the office, you notice photos on the walls of all the famous wizarding schools, with Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry being the most prominent. There are photos featured of some of Hogwarts' most celebrated students, including the illustrious Harry Potter himself.

The room is set up with comfort and style in mind. It features a large oak paneled desk with a black leather chair behind it. There is an armoire and a table in matching wood, and a nicely styled dark blue and white patterned carpet on the floor. There are also plants and a variety of antiques in the room, and the room itself is light and airy. The chairs in the room are comfortable, some are blue and some are rose. They are made of velvet, and quite nice. Taking a look around, you feel at ease here.

A woman is extending her hand to greet you. She has blue eyes and blonde hair and usually has a smile on her face. This is Samantha Rose, Undersecretary to the Minister. No one gets a visit with the Minister without her approval. If you take a close look at some of the photos on the wall, you will see that she is present in some of them.

Samantha smiled at the Minister's request and replied, "Consider it done." She immediately began to prepare the owls for the Department Heads and the liaisons and was just tying the parchments to her snowy white messenger owl when someone walked in, someone she didn't know. This was some new guy saying he had come from Security to help out Minister Taylor, but Samantha hadn't heard anything about that. "I'm sorry, can you take a seat, please? I will have to consult the Minister about this matter, no one gets past this desk without her approval so please take a seat and I'll get back to you on that."

With that, Samantha sent the owl on its way. She wanted to keep an eye on this guy just in case. Maybe he was who he claimed to be, but one never really knew. She couldn't just have people running in and out of the Minister's Office, that's for sure.

numble watched her as she talks he go's and sits down like she says and waits from she to get back at her.

Before closing the door to her office, Reagan overheard the interchange between Samantha and the gentleman from Security. She'd completely forgotten that she'd told him to wait outside her office! Whoops!

Stepping back into Sam's office, Reagan informed Samantha, "He's got clearnance to be up here. He's going to reinforce the protective enchantments of my office. Thank you for not letting him through without approval though. That's exactly what I want." Reagan smiled encouragingly before gesturing to the bloke from Security, "Numble is it? Please follow me into my office. I need you to work quickly though. I'm due for a meeting very soon."

Samantha smiled. Even though this person was okay to go into the Minister's office, she was right to hold him up and make sure first. So far so good.

She watched as Minister Taylor and the Numble guy walked from the office. One couldn't be too careful nowadays, that was certain. She remembered back to some of the things which had happened recently, most notably the mosquito lady and now the incident at Hogwarts, though it seemed things were often happening there, more often that at the Ministry. Still, one had to always be constantly vigilant.

Now, where had she heard that expression before?

numble see the minister come out and say he's got clearnce,as he walks past samantha he smile at her and thanks her for helping him and hurrys along in the ministers office

"You're welcome," Samantha smiled at the young man. She was hoping that most of the visitors to this office would be pleasant ones such as this one had been, but one had to be prepared for anything.

"Samantha, congratulations on your new job" J.J. Starr told her" "I told Jake I will help him like I helped you" Joe Jon Montcenaggio told Samantha, " Has anyone taken Jake's job?" he asked her. " I would like it and hopefully you think I deserve it " J.J. Starr told her.

"Thank you, J.J. You're the first person I've had come up to congratulate me," Samantha smiled. "As far as I know that position is still open, you mean the Division Head one, right? I think you've worked very hard and been a good employee, so we'll see what happens with that. I wish you luck on that. Remember there might be other opportunities in the Ministry, too, so you never know what could happen. Just don't give up!"

"Well thanks for your help" J.J. Starr told Samantha. He walked out the door waving to her.

"See you around, J.J. Feel free to stop in and visit any time you like," Samantha called out as J.J. was headed out the door.

"Thanks very much," Samantha smiled at the young man. "You have a good day, too."

"That's fine. Why don't you take a seat for right now and I shall go and check with Minister Taylor? Just make yourself comfortable in the meantime," Samantha said.

Samantha was shocked by the next person who came up to her desk. Alessia Lupa, she knew that name. She was the professor at Hogwarts, the on who -

Samantha stopped thinking at that point. "Oh, the Minister will want to know that you are here right away, both of you! Just have a seat for a moment and I will run and check with her immediately. I won't be long." Samantha ran out of the room to let the Minister know about the three visitors who had arrived in the office. "I'll be right back," she told the guests, wondering which Minister Taylor would see first. She had a pretty good idea about that.

Divadicus walks into the office. He's not too terribly shocked to discover the spade found its way back to the Lab. Divadicus approaches the desk and introduces himself. "Hello, I'm Divadicus Santus. I'm hear on behalf of the Magical Law Enforcement division and partner to an Edward Lestrange." Divadicus said politely.

Forrester arrived just in time before Edward and Divadicus would enter the office of the Minister. "Edward, Divadicus good I made it just in time." Edward Professor Lupa is here, she is here to meet with the minister and I got instructed to watch her... I will take from here but you are more then welcomed to stay Forrester thought as he made sure to use so Legilimens to send the message to Edward.
"Miss Rose make sure that the minister knows of my arrival as well" Forrester added to the new Senior Secretary.

Samantha came back into the office after having spoken with Minister Taylor. "The Minister would like to meet with the two Professors first before meeting with any of the Auror group," she informed the three Law Enforcement employees. "She will be seeing you in just a little bit, Professors Lupa and Kazimeriz. Then I'm sure she will be meeting with the Auror group." My, the office was getting busy. Ordinarily the Aurors would probably be the top priority, but in view of the recent happenings, there was someone who had to be seen ahead of them.

Edward smiles and nods to Forrester. So the bird is the werewolf, nice legs. Shame about the werewolf part though. Edward perts up when he hears Kazimeriz's name. Edward only knows him by reputation, but he wonders why the professor need a former auror? Protection? In the Ministry of Magic? Under the circumstances a good lawyer might be a smarter companion. The Minister probably plans to throw the book at her. Edward decides to wait until Professor Lupa and her protector are in the Minister's office to talk to Forrester and Divadicus. "Thank you, Miss Rose." Edward takes a seat.

"Thank you Madam." She said trying to put on a smile. It was hard to remain calm with three big bad aurors looking at her... "Gentlemen..." she said in greeting as she sat beside her godfather.

"Professor Lupa" Forrester Hufflepuff greeted back as he moved towards Edward and Divadicus. He turned suddenly and looked at the professor just remembering something important. "Professor Lupa I would like for you to come and talk to us in our department please after you are done with Minister Taylor" Forrester added.

Edward is surprised by Forrester's request. He thought Forrester had spoken to the professor at the hospital. Edward smiles at the professor. He does not envy her. She looks like a frightened kitten not a fierce wolf.

Alessia was a little taken aback by the auror's request. She turned to her Godfather and then looked back at the man. "May I ask why, Auror..." and she let the sentence trail to show him she did not know HIS name at all. "I apologize, I didn't catch your name..." This was done in the most sweetest tone she could muster. He obviously knew hers.

"Forrester Hufflepuff, Auror Head Division... I would like to ask you a couple questions that I think would be crucial to the investigation" Forrester explained. "I won't take much of your time you have my word" Forrester added not showing any sign of any kind of emotion. His face was blank.

Samantha looked up from her desk and saw that the three aurors were trying to interrogate the poor professor right there in her office. "Gentlemen, do you mind?", she asked. "The Minister will be seeing all of you soon, and I think it is best if she sorts all this out rather than hashing the matter out here in my office." Samantha knew that it was very important that Minister Taylor speak with Professor Lupa and her guardian personally, and she looked frightened now, terribly frightened. It was tragic, and she wanted to make sure that she didn't become so intimidated that she was unable to carry through her meeting with the Minister.

Divadicus stood back, allowing his bosses to do their work. He took a moment of silence, not really understanding his situation or his place here. Hey Forrester, mind explaining the purpose of my presence here? Divadicus asked him through Legitimancy.

And there she was. His smile faded just ever so slightly and he hesitated a bit before getting out of the Minister's way.

Alessia was just about to respond to the auror when Pepe walked in. Her heart stopped and her eyes fell to the ground, as he cheeks flushed. She couldn't look at him... she couldn't face him. How could she after what she'd done to him? He was cursed now, like she. He no longer had the freedom he once had... one would argue that at least he was alive... but what kind of life would that be?

Kazimeriz's eyes flicked to Reynard as he entered the hall. "Reynard." he said softly, his voice warm and respectful. Glancing to Taylor, he removed his hat and stood, half-bowing with reverence. He nodded once to the minister. He had never met her, but knew her by reputation.

"Madame Taylor, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance at long last. I am Professor Valon Kazimeriz, deputy Headmaster at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am here in an official capacity as a representative of the school... and also to offer support to Professor Lupa, if you would accept my presence in this meeting. She has asked that I be in attendance as she speaks with you." He glanced at Alessia, giving her a slight but encouraging smile.

Edward watches Professor Lupa's expression when Minister Taylor and a gentleman depart her office. He finds himself feeling things he hasn't felt in years. Protection, desire, fear.... Who is he? What did he do to her to get this kind of response? Edward doesn't have much time to dwell on those feelings. Minister Taylor immediately starts yelling at them. Apparently division reports are low on her list of priorities today. I wonder why Forrester insisted Divadicus and I come here? Something is definitely brewing today. Edward looks to Forrester for guidence. He doesn't want to do or say anything that will anger the Minister anymore than she already is.

Forrester was about to talk to the professor, when the minister and Hogwarts Headmaster appeared from behind the minister's office.
"We will surely do Minister Taylore" Forrester said as he looked at the new minister. She had a point they were way before there's scheduled meeting, but he had reason to send Divadicus and Lestrange to the minister office because he knew that he would lose trail of professor Lupa and headmaster Bontecou.
"Headmaster Bontecou if you would like to come with please... Divadicus walk in front of us... Edward please stay behind" Forrester said as he waited for the headmaster to accompany him.

"Professor," Rey smiled at Kazimeriz. "Can we chat tomorrow after I've had a chance to settle back in at Hogwarts?" he asked, more to let everyone know that he WAS going back to Hogwarts than because he actually needed to schedule a talk with Kazimeriz.

Then, he looked to Less and bit the edge of his lip as he hesitated in addressing her. She looked... well, not awful because she was still beautiful, but he could tell she wasn't well, emotionally anyway. "I'd like to speak with you, too, Less, if you have time sometime soon. Send me an owl and we can meet," he said softly before turning to the aurors, knowing they weren't the most patient of folks.

Pepe followed his former colleagues out of the secretary's office and down to level two. He actually hadn't spent too much time in the ministry when he worked as an auror because his specialty had been long-term undercover work and he'd spend up to a year in a particular place before coming back for a new assignment and heading out again. He'd been at his last assignment 3 years this September, actually. Was he really going to be 34 years old in January? Wow.

ooc: Move this to level two?

Kazimeriz nodded. "Of course. I hope you are feeling better, Reynard...Headmaster Bontecou." he said, his tone genuine and affectionate. He turned back to Taylor to wait for her response, eyeing Alessia and Reynard with interest to see how they would respond to one another.

Samantha was admiring Minister Taylor more and more. She had handled the situation beautifully and in a very ingenuous way by seeing the professors next and sending the aurors on their way to interrogate Headmaster Bontecou in the Auror Division. She felt almost sorry for the man, the aurors had seemed so eager, but she knew that this was a very serious matter and these kind of things were necessary. On her few dealings with the Headmaster of Hogwarts he had seemed a kind man, a sweet man, and she sincerely hoped everything would be okay for him. One thing was for certain, though, this story wasn't going to just go away and she expected the Minister's offices to be very, very busy.

Minister Taylor, a bit surprised and quite honored by the respectful greeting from Valon, blushed ever so slightly as she extended her hand to shake his. "Professor Kazimeriz, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you. Thank you for overseeing Hogwarts at the end of last term when you were most needed." She had almost added, 'When Reynard was hospitalized,' but thought that might upset Ms. Lupa, so she stopped herself.

"Since this meeting is not an interrogation or even an interview, I see no reason why you should not be allowed to join her in my office for our meeting, if that is her wish. I will ask, however, that when the aurors conduct their interviews that you not join Ms. Lupa during the questioning, and vice versa if and when they choose to get your witness account. It is standard procedure for those witness interviews to be done alone.

"But, like I said, this meeting does not serve that function and so you are more than welcome to join us in my office. Please, follow me inside."

And with that, Reagan entered her office.

Samantha had the office to herself for the time being, as Professors Lupa and Kazimeriz were going with Minister Taylor to her office, and Headmaster Bontecou had gone with the three aurors. Everything seemed strangely quiet for the moment, but Samantha figured she had better enjoy it while she could. She had a feeling the office was going to be very, very busy, and that was okay with her.

"Good luck", she thought to herself, thinking of Professor Lupa and Headmaster Bontecou. She knew that the Minister would deal with both of them fairly, the rest of the wizarding world she wasn't so sure of.

Samantha saw something very strange, very unusual and very scary. A patronus flew into the room, the patronus of a phoenix. She knew something major was up just from that sight alone. As she listened to the words the phoenix had to say, a chill went through her body. How was it possible that a professor was killed in the Leaky Cauldron? She recognized the voice and knew that what she was hearing was true. Things were getting worse and worse, and she knew she had to let the Minister know immediately.

She sighed. It seemed as if the world had turned upside down lately. When would things ever be normal again, she thought as she watched the phoenix disappear.

Edward approached the Office door of the Senior Undersecretary and noticed that the man he had spoken earlier was present as well. "Ah I see you have business with the Undersecretary as well!" Edward said. He really didn't know anyone inside the Ministry yet, well besides Dora.

Samantha rushed into the office upon hearing a knock at the door. Generally she had left the door open so that people could enter, but since she had been out for just a moment she thought it was probably prudent to keep it closed. Wouldn't you know that people would show up just in that one instant, she thought with a wry laugh. "Hello, do come in," she greeted the two gentlemen who were standing outside the door. She turned to the man who was standing closest to the door. "Why don't you come into the inner office first, and then I will take care of your business in just a bit?", she asked the other man, sensing that he had arrived just a little later and that whatever it was, the first guest wanted to speak with her in private. "There's plenty of room in my office, don't worry. It's quite comfortable in here."

"Actually Madame Undersecretary, I simply have a note to deliver to you from Forrester, he says to bring it to you so that you may hand it to the Ministry." Edward gave her a smile and ran his hand through his hair and handed over the note.
And with that he turned to leave shooting a last glance at the Undersecretary.

"Very good, thank you. I shall make certain that the Minister receives this," Samantha said. Before she had finished speaking, the man had already left her office.

She turned to the other visitor, the new liaison for Magical Cooperation. Yes, Samantha had remembered seeing him from the recent conference in the Minister's Office, she was sure of it. What was his name? Ah yes, Mr. Slughorn. That was a name she wasn't likely to forget.

"How are you, Mr. Slughorn?", Samantha asked, smiling softly at the liaison, a man who was several years younger than herself. She paused a moment as she thought back. "I do remember when that incident happened. It's been a while, and I was Head of the Department of Education at the time. I've only been Under Secretary for a short while, but now that you mention it." Samantha had heard nothing more about that case, it was almost as if the whole matter were being swept under the carpet. Now she was becoming curious about what had happened herself. "Hmmmm," she said thoughtfully, pondering things. "I wonder if Law Enforcement has any information on this, for I truthfully have no information at all. Though I would be glad to try and research the matter for you if you like."

How strange!

Claudian smiled, flattered and pleasantly surprised that Under-Secretary Rose recalled his name (no easy feat in a department the size of that of the Liaisons). He gave a quick nod. "Slughorn, yes. Claudian Slughorn." He said, correcting himself and offering his name in full.

He raised his hand in a slightly out-stretchy motion as if about to block an action. "Oh, that's alright, Secretary Rose. I can meet up with the liaison from the Legal Department and see if they know anything should my appointment with the head of International Cooperation turn up nothing." It definitely bore some looking into. "Thank you, Miss Rose...urhm, Mrs. Seen..." He began to stumble. "If you don't mind me asking, what is your preferred title?" He said, quite embarrassed at his blundering of her name, when she'd gotten his perfectly.

Samantha smiled. "Mostly everyone just calls me Samantha, and that's fine with me. That's the name I'm most used to, but if you prefer to call me Ms. Rose, that's all right with me, too," she answered. "And I'm sorry I couldn't help you with your question. It does seem rather curious, though, but I'm sure there must be someone somewhere who has the answer. That was a rather major incident, and there has to be a record somewhere. I can't imagine that there wouldn't have been a follow up investigation of some sort."

Claudian nodded at what Ms. Rose had been saying. It was perfectly sensible. "That had occurred to me as well. And, you've been most helpful, Mr. Rose." He said grateful for what leads she did give him and unable to call her Samantha just yet. At least, he'd know where he might possibly begin in finding out what had happened.

"You've at least given me some direction and that is something." He smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Rose." He said, taking his leave of her office and shutting it for privacy on his way out, not being used to her more open ways just yet.

Samantha smiled. Young Mr. Slughorn was extremely polite, which was good, but perhaps he would become more relaxed once he got to know her a bit better. Most people usually did, once they got used to her approach to her employees.

She thought back to how she had run the Department of Education. She had an open door policy in that Department which seemed to work just fine, and she tried to make herself available to her employees at all times. It was a good policy, it was never a good idea to be closed up and unavailable. People were sure to talk.

"Samantha, I know you heard I am the new liason for the department of Transportation" J.J. told her. " Now where do I get my assignments?" Joe Jon Montcenaggio asked her.

Lcuy knocked twice at the door.
That was a complete sudden decision, givin gthe fact that Lucy hadn't thought about it until she turned to the MInister's Office instead of the Deaprtment of Magical Education but as soon as she was there, she knew what she was doing there.
Samantha Rose had been a great boss, and she had also being a great help when Lucy had first returned to England. And although she didn't seem different after only two years, she was different.
With her job in Britain on the line and having a bad relationship with her boss, Lucy decided it was time to clear up her mind and visit the first person to welcome her back to her country. With a smile that was so much warmer than the polite smilies Samantha knew so well, the woman figured she had something to be grateful for after all.

"Hi, J.J.," Samantha said. "Welcome to the Department. There is a box in your new office, which is right outside this one, where you will be picking up your assignments, or there will be times when I will be giving them to you. In any case, I will make sure that everyone gets their assignments."

Samantha was just finishing up explaining things to J.J. when she heard a knock on the door. She stood up and answered it, surprised to find another former employee of hers from the Education Department, Lucy. This was a complete shock.

Samantha held the door open. "Lucy, how are you doing?", she asked. "How is everything in the Education Department? Were you coming to see me about that, or just to talk?" Samantha was wondering whether this were a social visit or something related to the business of the Ministry, but she was glad to see Lucy again. She had always been a good worker. Samantha wondered how she and Jake, the new Department Head, were getting along. She remembered there had been something between them, and wondered how that relationship was doing.

Lucy held a fake smile torwards her new ex-colleague, J.J. It wasn't his fault, of course, but the young woman was starting to wonmder wether that had been a good decision or not. Samantha's reaction cheerd her up a little and she, yes, was able to make her smile.
"Hi! How is my lovely former boss doing?" she greeted. She quickly added: "This is a purely social visit... I hope. I just... I think I want talk and who better than you to give me a proper advice?" she asked, her expression fadding slightly. She looked up to face Samantha:
"Honestly? I could easily get fired and I'm still trying to figure out if that is wether a good thing or a bad thing." she paused, thinking about a way to say what the meant that at the same time Samantha could understand clearly what she was talking about. "I don't really have something that keeps me here, you know?"

Samantha listened to Lucy very carefully. She seemed to have a very lacklustre air about her for some reason, and that was not how she remembered her at all. She remembered Lucy as a go getter, a very determined person who set out to get what she wanted. Something had very clearly happened to Lucy to make her suddenly apathetic, but what? Samantha wanted to get the whole story, but she wasn't quite sure where to start. "What do you mean, Lucy, that there's nothing here that keeps you here? I remember you as always being very determined and never giving up. What has happened to change that?" Samantha really wanted to know, and if she could help, that would be great. She would like to see the smile come back to Lucy's eyes again.

She looked into Samantha's eyes and found comprehension and, somwher ein the middle, friendship. She held out a sad smile.
"Let's just say I don't have that many friends here right now. There are two people, or three, that would miss me if I was gone. And believe me when I say none of them would be Jake." Now she was getting more to the point. What happened to her? She wondered the exact same thing. If she wanted to go back to being who she was? She didn't know that answer either.
She smiled, a true smile this, when Samantha mentioned her older self and for a second that was exactly how bshe felt. Determined and passioned about her matters, which pretty much included her job, travelling and the will to learn more. Apparently she had to learn more about keeping bonds with other people.
"A lot of things happened, but still I think that was the main thing. Because... I came back and... I know I never tried hard to get to know other workers and relate to them, but it is sad to think about leaving again and knowing that only a seventeen year old would miss me. But I look back and that's the story of my life. I'm always that 'shadow' on the group, who rather be alone. And that's where I stand..." she concluded with the same hopeless expression. Lucy had learned to do one thing really well: running away. If she had a problem, she could always ran. And it just getting another job or going to another city in the suburds. No, when Luce walked away, she walked away from pretty much everything and would leave, to a new country, a new culture and new people who didn't know who she was. That was why many times, she was her biggest enemy.

Samantha was very surprised by what Lucy told her. She just couldn't believe that only a few people would miss her, why, that didn't seem possible at all. And Jake! The last she remembered, Jake and Lucy had been extremely close, as a matter of fact, Samantha thought there was a very good chance the two of them would be getting married at some point in the future. Now, to hear that the two of them weren't speaking, that was indeed a shock to her.

After listening to what Lucy had to say, Samantha began to speak. "Some people are just naturally more solitary than others," she said. "I can relate to those who enjoy their solitude, there is a certain peace there and perhaps something more. I truly believe that those who seek solitude do it for the same reason that I did, because they are afraid that if they put their trust in others, come to care about them too deeply, that they will leave them and they will be left alone to grieve. They feel they would rather be alone than bear that kind of pain and would rather not take the risk. Does any of this sound familiar to you?" Samantha didn't admit that the reason she knew so much about this was because she, herself, had once been a solitary person, and that she had come to find out what her greatest fear was, the reason for her desire to be alone. If she could somehow reach out to Lucy, that would really be something. She was prepared to devote as much time as needed to try and help her, to reach her.

Lucy looked at Samantha with curiosity when the older woman started talking. It was so... true. She was amazed to find out that someone actually understood her deepest fears.

Luce looked down at the floor and listened. Yes, she could relate to that.
She had always been a more quiet person, but since her older sister had died, she had gave up on trying to relate with other, because those people, for some reason, always disappeared from her life. THere was one person, though, in the world that had left and came, and kept on leaving that she could never blame, because they were one and the same. Nicholas Finche's brother dated Lucy's sister and he died along with her; therefore, they were family. He was the brother she had never had, the one person she didn't feel obligated to write or give any kind of explanations, because he never asked for it. Nick just understood her, and her need to run away.
And now Samantha.
"I had no idea..." she said, raising her head. "You understand." She paused and felt tears that could start failling. She focused, made an effort to hold them back and began answering Samantha, who was clearly waiting for her to say something else.
"But so far, that was true. The people I trusted left me, when they didn't backstabbed me or tried to kill me." she said, trying to addopt a relaxed posture. "So... Why should I trust people?" she threw the question into the air, forgetting she was already doing one important thing: she was trusting her feelings to someone else other than Nick, the man she knew since they were just children.

"I know," Samantha said. "Believe me, Lucy, I know. There are many times in my life when I have asked myself the exact same question. Why should you trust people? Why should you trust anyone in your life except yourself?"

Samantha continued. "There was a time when I felt the same way you do. I didn't want to care, didn't want to trust anyone and for a while, it seemed like I was the only person I needed. It seemed that everyone I cared about left, left me alone with my pain. Being on my own was fine for a while, but soon I began to feel empty, like a husk or something. This will happen to you, too, if you cut the people you love out of your life or any risk of being hurt. It sounds crazy, but it's true.

It is true that you are the only person you will be able to trust and know 100 percent, and that's because you can't control what anyone else does. But each person that we meet is unique, and brings a special joy to our life, somehow makes it better. It has taken me years to understand this, and I know that it's a little hard to grasp. Without trust, without having people in our life or letting them in, we would be nothing but an empty shell, not really experiencing life or everything it has to offer. There is a certain joy that you can never feel unless you receive it from another person, and love is something you will never experience without trust." Samantha smiled sadly. "Other people need us just as badly as we need them, and they really are worth the effort, even though there is always the chance of being hurt. Our lives are so much richer, so much better with them there than without them. It is worth the effort, because your life will be so much better for the people you bring into it, who you allow yourself to care for. There is as much joy as pain, actually a lot more joy It's definitely worth it, even if it doesn't make sense now. One day it will, I promise you."

Samantha hoped she was making sense. This was just an important conversation, so difficult to express, and one she understood so well. She really hoped she was getting through to Lucy.

Lucy listened carefully. She had to admit she felt it. Alkthough somethings in Samantha's words made her raise an eyebrow, at the end she just nodded.
"Nothing new there. Believe me, I'm not insulting you. it's just that... Lately I have been in both sides." she paused and looked down, but only to raise her head one second later.
"I didn't want to trust Jake. But he was so..." an amused smiled came to her lips. "He had that amazing energy and nobody could feel down or annoyed around he. He had these great arguments and he always made me feel like I was being unfair with him, for not trusting him. But, mat some point, I started to trust him. I never told him, of course, but he should have known. He knew me... or at least I thought he did." the woman paused with a resigned smile. What was she bringing that up? It was all related and truth be told she needed soemthing from Jake. It could one of two things, but she had to get it to overcome the situation.

Taking a deep breathe, Luce re-started:
"Also, Rachel came along and... things got harder. You have no idea what it's like for me to be around young people." she knew perfect.y the reasons why she avoided any contact with non-grown ups but she wouldn't admit it. It is too personal and too depressing, anyway.
"Things between us got serious and I thought... I don't know what I was thinking. Jake asked me to move in. I said yes. We had an argument because I made him more questions about moving and he said it was enough. That he was tired." she paused. "I don't blame him. I find it quite hard to live with myself more oftenly that I'd like." she said with a soft chuckle. "But you say that will happen if I let someone in, and I trust that person... I had already happened. Regarding me, that part is a closed chapter." It had happened once. It wouldn't happen again.

"I... I don't know what to do. If a certain friend of mine wasn't here, I'd be already gone. That's what I do. Tell me, Samantha: do I have a good reason to stay?"

Samantha was focusing her full attention on everything Lucy had to say. Her heart went out to her, especially since she was experiencing some of the same concerns which she had faced throughout her own life. How could she address her, what could she possibly say?

Samantha knew she had to say something. It was best to be honest, as honest as possible. "Yes, young people often complicate situations," she admitted. "There are many relationships between two people which don't go as far as they could because of the presence of children or teenagers. It's very hard to come into a relationship like that, both for yourself and for the kids. As a matter of fact, I don't even know how to advise you on that. I'm afraid I haven't done particularly well with that matter in my life myself." That was true enough. Samantha had once loved a man, a man who was perfect in every way, except that he had been married before and was raising a 9 year old daughter. That was the main reason the relationship hadn't worked, and Samantha knew it. It was very difficult, indeed. But there were cases when things could work, and Samantha knew that, too. She had seen it happen before.

"It is hard, but I think love can conquer anything, even that," she concluded. "But it takes a very strong person to be able to deal with it. It won't be easy if you do decide to give Jake another chance, because Rachel has needs of her own. That is a decision I definitely cannot make for you, nor would I ever try. You have to ask yourself, how DO you feel about Jake Rider? If you find you can't live without him, that life has no meaning without him in your world, then you would definitely be making a big mistake by not giving him another chance. But if you don't feel that way, it's the best thing to move on. You have to search your own heart to find the answer."

The more they talked, the more Lucy had the feeling Samantha was talking about her own experience. She was looking for the time at someone she now knew that what gone through what had been her whole life... Almost.
"I think... I think it wasn't Rachel who brought the problem up, it was more my own thoughts about my and her needs. If Jake wasn't such a confident person and he hadn't tell me what he did, he'd think that he was afraid I'd get cold feet." she pointed out. At least, it was what Nick told her it could have happened. Men are much more simple and basic that you think, sweetie. It's you, women, that turn everything into major complications; Nick had told her the night before and remembering that fact, the woman smiled.

"My friend, who I'm living with now, has a little girl. If you can little to a 13 year old and there aren't half of the problems I had when I was dating Jake." Lucy told Samantha. Making comparsions, it was really easy to live in Nick's house than it would have been with Jake, but she was ready to give it a try... But the break up had made it impossible for her to show him she could adjust to the circunstances.

Lucy looked down at her feet, brushing away the tears that threaned to start falling again. When she faced Samantha again, her eyes were bright and her face showed all the hiden emotions.
"It's him, Samantha. I know it's him." a short pause. "But there is nothing I can do, if Jake stopped loving me, as I'm sure he shall claim. Because it happened the other way around..." she thought Samantha had understood it, but apparently she hadn't and maybe Luce hadn't been explicit enough in that point. "I didn't break up. He did. When you say to give him another chance... I can't, because when I went opver to talk to him after the fight, Jake made it very explicit that he doesn't want another chance nor is he going to give me one." It was sad, because she only had one conclusion. "It seems pretty clear that doens't love me." she forced herself to smile. "How about this one?"
There was one thing she could do, of course. Twice, actually. If she wanted to move on and decide to move on. I can run away again... or I can become Mrs. Finche.

Samantha's face registered shock at Lucy's words. The best word to describe her expression was pure astonishment.

"I just can't believe it," Samantha said. "I'm sure I read the signs correctly, the way he looked at you, and I would be very surprised if I were wrong. But there is only one way to find out for sure, and I'm not certain how you would feel about it. The only way we can possibly know how Jake feels would be if I were to have a talk with him in private. It would have to start out casual and then lead to this subject. It's the only way we can be certain of the truth."

Samantha didn't know how Lucy would react, but she knew that it was their only chance.

Lucy smiled sadly.
"A casual conversation? Please! Me and Jake don't even agree in work-terms.. Can you imagine how a private conversation will go?" she paused. "It doesn't help much that I think he's making bad decisions, now does it?" she stood up from her chair and tried to find the proper words to speak.
"Thanks, Samantha. For this moment. I neded some good advice, and I knew you could help me figuring out what to do. Especially now, with the proposal." she said with a stunning honesty not stopping to think that revelation would make Samantha even more shocked.
Shelookedat her former boss with caring look and... was that friendship? Lucy couldn't tell, but that conversation and that kind of trust felt ice.
"Thanks for listening to me. And... anytime you want to talk, you know where to find me. If you need something, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be around." it was easy to make that offer because Samantha seemed to understand her situation, which she thought it cold only be driven from personal experience. And that... made her feel she could be useful to other people, Samantha included.

She didn't leave immediately, waiting to hear Samantha's next words.

A proposal? My, this was getting more and more interesting. Samantha could see that things were getting deeper and deeper, that there were so many layers here to Lucy's situation.

"Of course, you are the one who has to make the final decision in the end, so just promise me that you will give it careful thought," Samantha said. "It's something you will have to live with for the rest of your life, and I am here for you any time you need to talk about it. You see, I can't tell you what to decide, only you can make that final decision. But if you ever want me to speak to Jake privately about this and get back to you, I am there for you. I will help you in any way I can. I really want to see the old Lucy come back again, the one with the beautiful smile. She's there, just waiting to come out again, and I'm sure she will."

Making the final decision? Lucy was so not following Samantha's thoughts.
"What final decision? I think Jake already did that." she pointed out. The woman shook her head, refusing the offer. "Even though I really would like to accept it, I think it wouldn't exactly help. This.. the relationship was between me and Jake, so now any responsability is mine. I doubt he would appreciate you coming to talk to him about me." she stood there, having and idea. With that more usual glow in her eyes she gazed at Samantha:
"There is one thing you could do.... But Jake shouldn't know I was the one bringing it up." she warned with a lopside smile. She couldn't make things right herself, but maybe Samantha could do something for the real, funny and charming Jake Rider to come back.

Samantha was intrigued, really wanting to help. "Really?", she asked, trying not to appear anxious. "What would you like me to do, Lucy? Tell me what you have in mind."

Lucy held herself not to laugh at Samantha's curiosity.
"Why don't you pay him a visit someday? Just to talk about a few light subjects and you can check out how magical education department is doing personaly." she said mysteryously, "I think Jake has been way to cold and... he needs a wake up call. You can do that for him.. Maybe then he will remember how he used to be... And how good it was to work with Jake Rider, before his position started more than anything else... It seems like he sold himself now that he his the boss.. Am I making any sense?" the woman looked´down at her former boss. Without knowing it, Samantha had already been great help. If she could remind Jake ho he used to be, Lucy would be eternally thankful.

Samantha listened very carefully to what Lucy said. Everything she said made perfect sense. She nodded. She truly believed that what Lucy was saying was true, and maybe the time was right for a little wake up call. "I think I WILL pay Jake a little visit," Samantha said. "That seems a very good idea indeed." Samantha knew how easy it was to let power go to one's head. It was something which happened frequently, and she was sorry to see it happen to Jake. He had been a great guy, so warm and sincere. "I have a feeling the old Jake is still there, he just needs to be brought out," Samantha confided. "We will see about that."

Lucy took Samantha hands in her own hands.
"Thank you. For everything." she aid with a small smile. She knew now that going there had been a good idea. Ws heading torwards the closed door when she turned around:
"If you ever feel like doing the same... You know here to find me." she conjured a small piece of parchment, alongside wih a quill and wrote down Nick's adress. "Whenever you want, I'll be around." she promised. Even if she decided to leave the country, she would like to keep contact with that woman that had given her such support.

"Thank you, Lucy, I will," Samantha promised. She was feeling a real kinship with the younger woman, and did want to keep in touch with her no matter what might happen down the road. She considered her as a friend, and the conversation today had only deepened that feeling.

As Lucy left, Samantha pulled out her parchment and made a note to contact Jake Rider for a little discussion.

Samantha smiled. She had a pretty good suspicion of what was going on between the newly appointed Head of Magical Creatures and the Minister, but that was their business and if she was right, she was happy for them. "I believe she's in her office, but I will check for you, Mr. Stryker," she said, standing up and exiting out of the office for a moment. It had to be difficult for these two to have to go through her all the time. A bit convenient, certainly. "I'll be right back," she promised.

Samantha came back into the office. "Sorry for the delay, Mr. Stryker," she smiled. "Minister Taylor says that you may go directly to her office. She's expecting you."

"Oui?" Chad smiled widely when Samantha told him that he could go in. "And...no worries about the delay, I'm sure it's standard," he nodded, showing that he understood. "Thank you!" With that, Chad headed towards the Minister's office with one thought in mind...

Don't run..don't run...don't draw attention...

Samantha smiled to herself as she went back to her work. She was happy that Minister Taylor had someone who cared about her, it was so obvious in Chad's eyes that anyone could see it. Everyone deserved some happiness.

J.J. Starr knocked on Samantha Rose's door. He can't wait to tell her the information.

"Hello, J.J., how are you doing?", Samantha asked as she opened the door and saw the Department of Transportation liaison there. "Please come in. Would you like some tea?"

"No thanks, no tea for me" Joe Jon Montcenaggio says to Samantha. " I finished my assignment , made my poster and turned it in already" J.J. Starr told Samantha. " I also helped with sugessting portkeys and some of them were accepted" he told her.

"Really?", Samantha said excitedly. "That's great news, J.J., but I'm not surprised. You've always been a really good worker, but I've told you that before. Good job, you should be proud. What were some of the portkey ideas you came up with, just out of curiosity?"

" Some of my portkey ideas were a microphone.a baseball bat, doll/dollhouse and tennis racket" J.J. Starr told Miss Rose. " There is a lot of portkey ideas" Joe Jon Montcenaggio said to Samantha.

"Those sound like good ideas," Samantha said. "Hmmm, doll and dollhouse, huh?" She grinned. "Well, I'm sure your ideas were well received. You have a lot of imagination and those all sound like good portkeys to me."

" Thanks, just wanted to report on my assignments for the World Quidditch Cup" J.J. Starr told Samantha. " I will be going now, bye" Joe Jon Montcenaggio said to Miss Rose.

"Okay, J.J., thanks again," Samantha said with a smile. It was good to have employees here in the Minister's Office who were conscientious about their jobs.

Samantha received the poster with interest. No creatures other than house elves were to be allowed at the Quidditch World Cup, yes, that sounded reasonable to her. She would make sure that all the employees were aware of the policy.

Samantha recognized the Headmaster of Hogwarts immediately. "How are you, sir?", she smiled at him. He was such a nice man. "It will be just a little while," she said, realizing that the Minister was in a very important meeting concerning the Quidditch World Cup. Everything was so important right now, it was too bad it all to all happen at once. "If you'd like to have a seat and wait for her, that will be fine, but I'm not entirely certain how long she will be."

"Of course. I understand completely, and I've got some parchment right here," Samantha said assuredly, slipping the paper to the Headmaster. "I'm sure the Minister will get back to you soon."

"I shall make sure the Minister receives this the moment she is free," Samantha vowed, seeing the urgency in the Headmaster's eyes as she took the parchment back. "I have a feeling she will be in touch with you very soon."

She smiled softly. "I hope things get better for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't sure what the problem was, but she could tell that it was a very disturbing one whatever it was.