Lex didn't need an Obliviator on her heel. She was perfectly capable of obliviating the necessary individuals and didn't need someone slowing her down when she worked. "The job can get very intense at times...most times and you hardly have time to save your skin let alone the skin of someone who's never done a day of YATI training." Which was the bare minimum when it came to Auror work and even THAT was intense. Kinda spoke volumes. It was all too much work and to be perfectly honest, she wouldn't take a curse for 'em. They'd be on their own. "If things go bad as a result, I'd have to end up doing the obliviating myself anyway so to save lives, I'll continue working with Bellaire and do what needs getting done afterwards."

So no, not an Obliviator, and not particularly keen on adopting one either. There was obviously training they underwent and she wouldn't deny that but the training's weren't the same. For as much as she knew, Lex did a good job of making sure her tracks were covered--both on and off the job. That was enough. For large scale operations they could be, and quite frankly were, called in to clean up after and they could stick to that.


The opening in his schedule made it possible for him to attend afterall. Huh. Maddox had planned to be conveniently and otherwise busy regardless (because magical law? As if he didn't have enough problems staying awake on his own) but at the very last minute, and long after he could be considered on time, the Department Head decided to drop by.

Maddox perched himself atop a desk by Purcell, giving her a slight nod and salute of greeting before flashing one towards Gidyun. The others around her also received silent greetings but the man was not here to interrupt, carry on.

He'd missed the question on wizarding laws, thankfully, as he paid attention to very few of them and was in fact, currently and constantly breaking one in particular but nothing of real concern. He was sure not EVERY animgaus got registered like they were meant to. It wasn't that big a deal. Hardly, in fact it paled in comparison to the fact only one of his two present employees had chosen to speak up. Why? Because the silent one WAS an Obliviator.

"Oh don't be shy, Becca, you're an Obliviator and you're proving to not be such a terrible one at that." His tone was light, almost lazy in nature, as it typically tended to be. Speaking up on the behalf of the woman would certainly grind a few of her gears but 1. She was and needed to accept it sooner rather than later, 2. She made it all too easy to ruffle her feathers and 3. SOMETHING had to keep him awake throughout this meeting.

Gid's attention went to Alex next as she spoke and smiled at her nodding. "Good. And how do you feel about your communication and work that you have with the other departments? Do you feel that you have a good team when working with other departments, such as MLE?"



His eyes drifted over the others in the group, particularly the YATI, as those were the ones who would most benefit from these trainings.



Oh merlin, well he was glad that he had a few now from A&C. He also knew she would be watching him closely with how he responded and answered questions. A little smile tugged on his lip as she spoke though. The last time he'd tried to speak about himself that had sort of turned the meeting to dust in a way, but as she had asked him a question, he wouldn't ignore it. "I'm Gidyun Yenorin, the department head for MLE." he said with a smile and nod towards her. "The most common law I work with is the Statute of Secrecy. But it's not the only one I work with. Particularly with Animagus registry, Second wand and underage magic as well."



His eyes went straight to Alexa when she spoke up and nodded making another note. "Most definitely" he said in agreement. He agreed there, even those who had passed YATI training didn't realize how intense it could be until they encountered a situation that warranted it. "Good, so you have training in that. I can't say the same goes for everyone in our department, it's a handy tool to know how to use, but we also need to be able to work with other departments when necessary." It wasn't wrong to know obliviating, but it was always a good thing to have the ability to work as a team with another department as well.



His eyes went to Maddox as he entered and perched atop a desk and nodded his way. He really was happy to see a mixture from the departments, particularly A&C which is what they were discussing at the moment.

--

"As we have a good number from a number of departments around the ministry, is there anything anyone suggests or thinks might help for us to work better together? Not just as departments but also supporting one another in these laws and statutes we have in place."

Evie had slipped in right at the beginning and quietly sat in the seat beside her partner. The questions were interesting and made her wonder if there was something going on she didn't see. She had always thought that the MLE worked well with A&C, even if she didn't always like the employees she had to deal with. It was her job. The discussion almost seemed a little silly, being so simple, but Evangeline knew it was important. She was almost finished with her third year as a YATI and if she performed well, she would be an Auror in the new year.

"Communication is key," the young trainee chimed in. "We can't work together if we don't know how to talk to each other. Professionalism and respect should be key in all communication."

The half Veela tilted her head a bit as Gid spoke and she let her grey eyes drift down to her red soled grey high heels for a moment. Taking a second to let her thoughts fully from as she crossed a leg over another.

" I feel communication could be better actually. " The blonde said with a nod. "There have only been a few instances where I've had to work closely with other departments, such as the MLE and I felt the team could have gelled better. " Alex gently put a hand on her stomach, absently rubbing at it while she spoke..

She hasn't had much breakfast and she could feel her tummy growling.. or turning.. it was sort of hard to tell these days.

The look she received from Gid made Becca just stare at him until he spoke. His answer was... acceptable. She nodded to let him know she approved enough for him to not be embarrassed in present company, but then turned her attention to the others in the room.

Becca's eyes turned to the woman (Lex) who spoke and then her eyebrows raised. "So are you saying that if Obliviators are going to join you outside the ministry, they should at least be able to pass a week of YATI training?" Because that was a good idea. A really good idea. It was hard enough to focus on keeping yourself safe, never mind other people, but it came with practice. "And are you also refusing to work with the oblivators because they might slow you down?" That one was a bit of a trick question. If she said yes, then she obviously needed more extensive training in how to guide a team and if she said no, she would have to explain herself. Ha. For now, she'd also ignore Gid's comments to the woman.

Her department head's comment got him a quick glance that looked surprisingly like Becca rolling her eyes. Not such a terrible one. Right. Thanks for that assessment. "Thank you for that comment there, Mr. Quigley, but my silence was to assess the attitudes of the Law Enforcement officers toward the oblivator teams without them being potentially tactful." Honesty was always easier when people didn't know that someone they were talking about was IN the room.

The young one who spoke up got a glance from Becca. She was right, of course, but also naive, it seemed. That didn't always happen, especially when departments were overstepping boundaries. Gidyun's question about suggestions finally made Becca speak up to contribute to the conversation. "I would suggest that the Aurors who have an ego big enough for all of us remember that they once knew nothing too and were taught how to react to those situations that they now face as part of their job." Not naming anyone. Lex. "People can only become part of a team and a help rather than hindrance if they are schooled in how to act, react and deal with the situation at hand." Basically, those aurors that thought they were too good should get put with the most inexperienced of people to help them with their reflexes and spellwork. That should knock them down a peg or two.

"I've found that humility, patience and perseverance are key to making things work between people who have several different skillsets and a hugely different knowledge base." That comment finished with a nod toward Alexandrina to let her know she was listening. She'd also noticed the tummy thing. Was the woman pregnant?

Yep, she was bored already.

That was fast.

Gabby resisted the urge to sigh as she felt the urge for coffee stronger than ever. Nope, she would resist the temptation and stick things out. No one was thougher than her - besides Archer - and she would get through this effortlessly the same way she got through a lot of painful situations.

"Competence. It's easier when everyone knows what they are doing."

"I don't think anyone should be learning on the job." If that was what was being suggested then maybe those persons would be better off working in a bakery or something.

"It would be most irresponsible sending anyone out in the field untrained. I stand with Alexa on this."

And that was all Tyler had to say on that matter. Still in his corner..still listening.

She didn't completely agree. Scratch that, she didn't agree at all. Sure, Departments were meant to be able to flow well but that DIDN'T MEAN stepping into each others shoes. It meant staying in your own lane, working on your own thing that when put into the bigger picture, helped the machine to flow.

Lex sipped at her coffee, taking very little notice of the exchange between the Not-Aron Accidents and Catastophe's Department Head and the woman from his Department. It was all the same to her how they interacted, until the woman finally spoke up and Lex couldn't help but think the woman was trying to wipe out an entire Division within the Ministry. Surely there were more humane and less bothersome ways of doing it. She would answer Gidyun's question, but not before responding to this one's. As it so happened, she wasn't a sugar-coater so the woman would have nothing to worry about here where that was concerned.

"No. No and yes." To be very blunt about it. "A week of YATI training will only let you appreciate just how far you truly have to go. The YATI program runs for three years and if after that, you prove to be lacking then you go another year. You'd have to be negligent to throw them in for a week then expect them to perform at a standard that won't have us looking over our shoulders every two seconds to make sure you aren't dead." Lex sipped at her coffee, her tone as calm as if she'd just explained her choice of chocolate frog card or the reason her kid owned no pink dresses. "Which leads to the yes, I am saying I won't be signing up to babysit Obliviators on my missions. We all have a job, let me do mine, then when it's safe you lot jump in and do yours. It's not astrophysics, it's common sense. You'd find your resources and your teams stretched thin if you decided to take up the YATI training. Our YATIs are just that. They're job is to learn to become Aurors. They train constantly and pick up skills on patrols. When will you get your jobs done, if all your time is spent doing the same and if you don't do the same, what makes you competent enough to storm a dark wizard cell and take down the most notorious and infamous among the lot?"

To say Alexa Christina Cambridge was not a team player was both a lie and an understatement. On the one hand, she'd work with her fellow Aurors and hell, even the YATIs because they were receiving TRAINING, but don't stick her with the incompetent and expect her not to leave them for dead. It wasn't her job to build bridges and spread good will, she was here to protect the wizarding world.

The comment of the big egos got something of an amused smirk out of the Auror who would happily claim the carefully bred and groomed ego she'd had since childhood. "The problem isn't that we big headed Aurors who know everything have forgotten that we once knew nothing, it's that we DO remember. We remember going out there and getting our butts saved and getting hurt and Hospital visits at odd hours and we remember how tough it was when it was the only focus. That's how we know asking Obliviators to step out into the field with us will prove a problem more than a help. The difference between taking an inexperienced YATI and an inexperienced Oblivistar is that it's the YATI's job to get better at this. It's not the Obliviator's job so why create problems and put people in danger--on both sides--when working together can be as simple as coordination. We don't need them hanging around while we try to get the job done, it's not in their job description. They can do their part when they're needed after."

Lex believed in absolutely brilliant and epic and phenomenal deaths, NOT deaths because your inept side project didn't know how to react quickly enough. To be sure, SHE would never die that way but only because she wouldn't give them a second thought. What about Aurors like Legend and Vivi who WOULD try to save the hopeless, lost causes? They'd DIE and she'd never forgive the Obliviator for it. It wouldn't foster togetherness ad communication. How many Aurors would be willing to take on that liability after watching their colleagues begin to drop like flies. "All I'm saying is working together doesn't mean trying to do each other's jobs. In such a dangerous field, we can't be concerned with hurting each others feelings and hoping each other doesn't get left out. Pragmatism is crucial. These are real lives at stake and telling me Obliviators are trained 'like YATIs' isn't enough for me to throw my life away--not for this, never for something that can be avoided if people stopped trying to walk in each other's shoes and just tried figuring how to complement each other."

Ah, forever making friends this one. Never a dull gathering when this particular employee decided to speak her mind and the Department Head simply gave a shrug of his shoulder in response. By all means, whatever helped her get through the training.

By the sound of it, tact wasn't one of those things Becca had to worry about among some in this lot. It was.....refreshing? At the same time, he couldn't see it sitting well and the man propped himself up somewhat, prepared for the show to come.

Should be interesting.

Amrita really did not want to do this. She wanted to get through the talk with as minimal effort as absolutely necessary, not actually have to discuss the obvious implementation of the law and survive this meeting without any sustainable injury to anyone in the vicinity, be it intentional or otherwise. All she wanted was to sip at her tea in peace and be left to her thoughts, but that was seeming less and less likely to be the case as the day wore on. She had been getting progressively more on edge until her boss decided to ask what would help them to work better together.

And then Cambridge saved her from having to do most of the arguing. Thank Grindelwald for her. "Cambridge has a point," she said, looking up from her mug of tea just to address this one issue. Just this one. "Staying in your lane helps everyone. It's foolish to think that because you can do Task A under pressure simply because you can do it when there isn't any. Experienced personnel already die on the job. How much blood do we want on our hands?"

She'd know, having lost a parent that way. But she would say nothing further. Returning her attention to her mug, she sighed. Her work spoke for itself, she was good at training and it was almost in her blood, even more so coming to the close of her third year of Auror training. She'd make no more comments on the matter, her qualifying as a Junior Auror the next year depended heavily on decisions she made now.

He agreed with Evangeline completely. “I agree with you there completely. We have to have full communication. We also need to know what we’re each capable of when working on a team, even between departments. We can’t have us out in the field arguing whether we’re right or someone else is right. No matter if it’s for a law, decree, spell, or even what someone should have for dinner with an upset stomach.”



He nodded when Alex spoke as well. “I agree here as well. I want to see our team, no matter which division in MLE but all divisions to be able to communicate better with the other departments. We are not just MLE we are a part of the ministry and we need to remember that.”



When Becca spoke to Alexa, Gid blinked listening to her side of it. He could see how in both instances they both had a point. He didn’t want it to turn into this whole entire scene of an argument but he wanted each of them all to see how much a difference in communication could help them in their positions. “I am not saying that I feel that a person should take just one week of training as a YATI and that they are fully trained and aware of what could happen and how they should react. But it is our duty to help not just our partner but also the team as a whole. The biggest issue here I think is communication and knowing where your team stands as a whole.”

When Gabby spoke he nodded “Exactly. If we are aware of what we’re doing that will absolutely help. I wouldn’t expect for instance a first year YATI to be thrown into the field on their own. They just are not ready.”

“Tyler and Alexa I’m in agreement here. We don’t send people into the field until they are ready. That is what we have these trainings for. You two work well as a team. But what we’re saying here is that there should be much better communication between the departments. You may be able to obliviate others. But wouldn’t it be more reasonable for you to be expected to do your part, and allow the obliviators to do their part as well? There are circumstances where we have been with A&C and both are there. What is it you’re going to do out there? Argue that you’re going to obliviate and not say, Becca or Alex here?” He sat forward a little more as he took a breath. “Our job is to focus on the position we have and work as a team. Not argue back and forth about the logistics and who’s doing what.”

Wow, this training had taken a flip hadn’t it? “What I want you all to think about isn’t so much about who you are out there with right now. But I want each of you to think on, how can you improve your performance and the performance of the team. You are not out there on your own you have either a team behind you or at least a partner, as much as possible. The laws, decrees statutes and all mean absolutely nothing if all we’re doing is arguing amongst ourselves, or worried that someone isn’t capable of taking care of themselves in the field. I’m not talking about new YATI but I’m talking about those of us who have been here for years.”

When Amrita spoke he nodded as well “That’s exactly it. Stay in your position, if there comes a need for obliviating, and this is only one situation, and there is no one there to do so of course take a step and do it. But don’t squabble over the fact that there is an obliviator right there beside you, just let them do their job.” Okay did that make him sound like some huge jerk and really didn’t care if they liked it or not? He wasn’t, he just wanted to impress on them that they should know one another’s abilities, and in the least do their job and not worry about other’s jobs and positions. “We need to learn to focus and communicate with one another. We are the ones who are holding up and standing behind these laws. It doesn’t show very well that we are in agreement with the law if we are squabbling about matters that don’t honestly matter. I want to see our departments in the ministry become more like a team and work together, than saying A&C are completely separate from MLE. I don’t say you have to pair with another person from the department. I say you should get to know them so you know who it is you might be working with tomorrow, next week or a year from now when a situation arises.”

Competence was a good idea. If only more people had that. Becca's blue eyes turned to the man who spoke up, making sure that everyone knew his opinion on the subject. Lex drew her attention once more when she spoke. A small smile started to appear as she spoke. Ah, so someone who DID sort of understand. However, the use of 'you' got a small snort from Becca. "And what if I told you that some of the obliviators may have some training. Possibly even more training than yourself." Had that ever occurred to them? The comment on the ego got another look from Becca. "I'll assure you right now that not all obliviators are inexperienced in dealing with criminals and assuming that they are is just showing your complete lack of knowledge of who is in the department and their particular skillsets."

"How would you suggest that Aurors don't overstep into Obliviator territory?" Because just assuming that they could do what they wanted and hope for the best was foolish. It had never been an issue when she'd headed up the department because there was a very good relationship between the departments and there were very clear lines that couldn't be crossed unless there was danger of death if they didn't deal with them right then.

Gid's response made her nod a little. But when he mentioned staying in the position they were in, she looked at Gid. Was he telling her to keep to her own job when he'd told her only that week to work with him and his department? She just blinked at him.

Alexa sucked at her jaw, finding her thirst quickly drying up and her interest her coffee growing dim. Gidyun's suggestion sounded oddly like something she didn't want to hear and the more she listened was the more evident this became. Sure, communication was key and all that but everything else....no.

"Didn't say we'd be bickering over crime scenes, all I said was we do our job then they come do their jobs after. If we're working together, I'd like to assume they wouldn't try to 'help' and get in the way, just as they wouldn't expect us to go obliviating after." That was it. So YES, it was good he wasn't suggesting they pair off but NO she had no interest in knowing any one of them in particular. It was nothing personal, Alexa simply didn't think it would affect anything and they hadn't given her reason to want to know them. Being colleagues was never enough of a reason to sway her. She could be professional and work well with people whose names she did not know, there was no need to expand her social circle. Opened up the door to too many opportunities of running into idiots. A risk she was understandably unwilling to take.

She'd thought the conversation was over until the woman sought to address her again. What would happen if she told her that? "Absolutely nothing. I wouldn't care. It doesn't affect me, nor does it make me any more willing than I already wasn't. Gid's right, we have jobs and should stick to them, that's how we stop Auror's from overstepping, that's the big solution, everyone doing their own part and minding their own business. If there are Obliviators who wanna do Auror work then join the Department, get a desk and find someone willing to ditch their partner for you. Outside of that..." The young woman gave a small, unimpressed shrug. It was all the same to her, experience; no experience, she was not willing.

Tyler rubbed his temples. There was a lot of talking going on. Unproductive talking mind you. He stepped out of the shadow once again.

"This conversation is going in circles. What objective are we gathered here to achieve?" He looked to the department head.

"We're not making head way, maybe if you outlined what exactly you want from us we'd be able to make some head way here." Otherwise he supposed it would be okay for him to head to his desk. He had a case that was growing cold as they bickered.

This was entertaining, though Ivy felt her time was being wasted. She was all for debate and discussion but opinions weren't law and as she spent her time making sure things were running smoothly within the ministry, she couldn't speak much about obliviators or aurors in the field. Working together didn't have to mean stepping on each other's toes, either.

Downing the rest of her coffee, the security officer let her gaze fall on her department head.

Okay, what was with all this debating? Gabby supposed that it was more entertaining than talking about law, but as it was about a topic that she had no investment in, she was booooooored. This whole thing was boring, and she was starting to wonder why she had wasted her time coming here in the first place if people were just going to bicker. There were things in her department that needed doing, and it would be much more productive to get back to it.

Nod towards the man who basically voiced her opinions before she had the chance to. Gaze shifting back to the department head, Gabby waited to see what he had to say next. There had to be some purpose to this lesson or she was out the door.

Angelo felt, thus far, he'd not learned anything new about the intended topic, and he shot a small glance at his partner, eyebrow going up just slightly to see if she too found this all just a little strange. Particularly when Cambridge started discussing things with the Obliviator woman (Becca). He calmly considered her, listening intently as she spoke.

It was interesting to him because he knew that obliviators had their own intensive training requirements, which weren't necessarily any 'easier' than that which aurors undertook. One might argue that they were more specialised, and really, tinkering around in someone's mind with any real finesse took some pretty serious skill. The subtlety was the important part there. It was not a lesser job by any means. He wouldn't have any problems working with one of them.

When there was a slight lull, Angelo spoke up in answer to the question of supporting one another, and working together.

"I hate to say it, but a necessary evil is the paperwork, which I've noticed has been a little sparse in recent years." He noticed this because, as a YATI, he did sometimes get tasked with the thrilling job of going through old cases. "That's an aspect of communication which is particularly salient for interdepartmental cooperation if cases have overlap or come under multiple jurisdictions." He paused and added thoughtfully, "And when the paperwork isn't thorough, detailed, and up-to-date, then knowledge, standards pf practice, and best strategies can easily be lost to us if an auror, for instance, is killed in action or goes missing. Likewise the filing of this information is important so that anyone who has the proper clearance can actually have access to the reports they may need. It wouldn't hurt to employ someone to specifically maintain the archives, including cross-referencing cases where relevant."

Victoria sat listening to everyone and truly interested in everything they were saying. She thought about the laws she has to deal with in the Quidditch area and tried to compare them to what they were talking about. Though she didn't feel she could compare her job to what they were talking about. This might not have been what she originally thought it was. She was curious to learn more about the laws and things, but this seemed more for MLE and A&C employees. Though now that she was here she wouldn't be rude and leave so she'd sit quietly and listen.


Now paper work she could fully understand. Most of her day was dealing with paper work and making sure laws weren't broken in the quidditch world. She nodded in understanding and listened to the rest of the group.

Evangeline caught the specific look from her partner and returned one of her own. This meeting or.. training was interesting, but not so much related to topic, but of why they were actually having it. She still wondered if something had happened to strike such a discussion.

Still, Angelo's input was helpful and received a thoughtful and agreeing nod from Shacklebolt. Now, would the topic move on?

He was in agreement with Becca there. Not everyone had training in only one specific field. Heck he had been head of A&C in Italy and had done the YATI training during that time, AS a Department head even. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses, not everyone had the same training. "I agree here. Most everyone has training in multiple areas, and we shouldn't take it for granted. "I am not saying flat out not to step into another's territory. What I'm saying though, is that everyone needs to be consciously aware of what needs to be done. Communication is the key and I want each of us here to remember that."



He looked towards Alexa and nodded at her words. "That's the way it should be, yes. But not everything is perfect and clean. As an auror we know that and the unexpected is to be expected. What I'm saying is we shouldn't be narrow-minded here and actually should get to know the other departments, particularly ones we work closely with such as the obliviators." He shook his head and just sighed, she was as stubborn as Becca, this wasn't going to go anywhere.

He nodded at Tyler's words. "I know it is." he said with a sigh. "It's not where I'd expected this to turn. Here's what I'm proposing, if anyone disagrees, they can take it up with me later. Outside this training." Yes he was talking to Becca and Alexa both there as they both seemed quite adamant on their thoughts in this regard.

"I want each of you. I can't speak for anyone besides my department, but I'd like everyone to take this to heart. I'd like each of you to consider another person who you work with. And see their point of view. Whether it's a liaison to the minister having to take into consideration a new law to be passed. Or an obliviator having to work directly with an Auror. We are a team, try not to destroy that because you are worried about someone else messing up your work. If we're only worried about who's doing what and who's not, it's going to show both to our fellow coworkers as well as those who see us in action. We need to be flexible."




His eyes went to Angelo when he spoke and he nodded in agreement. "Merlin if we could just have all of that completely fixed would be perfect. A lot of our paperwork isn't thoroughly detailed and I agree there. Something needs to be changed. Especially with the jurisdictions and the archiving. I'm hoping to fix that soon." Very soon.

--

"Let's get into a few more laws here. What do each of you know about the Underage use of magic?"

Sure he’d worked one on one with oblivators in previous years, back when he was both a trainee and an auror. There wasn’t much call for it for him now since, thank Merlin, muggles hadn’t gotten into the Ministry. There was of course drama when they had been locked out of the building and forced to be places like an abandoned subway and an empty ship at the docks but even that had been years ago. So the security chief was back to listening.

Oh look…Gid’s wife was making sure he got involved.

Sure he caught the tone she was using and that it wasn’t all too positive. But no harm was being done. Of course Maddox’s words got the woman rolling her eyes. But that too was met in stride and her points were quite valid in Simon’s opinion. He might have been an auror himself but he’d met a fair share that met the description she had used and SHOULD learn. And he also got what Tyler and Lex mentioned…in a way. There was a reason why the requirements for the YATi program as well as the classes throughout said program, covered a vast area of disciplines.

But it was getting dramatic. And yes…as Tyler said, going in circles.

Finally…back to something. More talk of laws, this time tailored to underage magic. “Well there's the trace on witches and wizard under the ages of seventeen that allow the ministry to keep track of any magic that might be performed outside of Hogwarts where it shouldn’t be. And allowing for potential prosecution.” Simon had hated that growing up, not being able to practice spells outside of school. Especially with an older brother who could lord it over you when he could and you couldn't.

Okay. So today's training lesson would have absolutely nothing to do with transportation laws. Chloe wondered how feasibly she could sneak out, but decided against it - for one, her boss would probably notice and two, well everyone would because it wasn't a terribly large group.

More talk of laws. Now onto about underage wizards. It was forbidden, yes, everyone knew that. Nothing new. They have the trace on them to detect use of their magic, as was mentioned. Also nothing new. Being that they were all underage at one point or another (some closer to that benchmark than others), they all should have been aware of underage magic laws.

"It's forbidden outside of Hogwarts walls." Chloe said lazily. Well and maybe outside of Hogsmeade, because she was pretty sure used magic on her Hogsmeade visits, but that was an all wizarding village, so it was different...

Was Gid even going to say anything about her background? Was he going to mention it or just let her sit there knowing she could be doing so much better, but keeping her silence? Becca just bit her lip, taking a deep breath at Lex's response. "Trust me, I'm not in your department because of one reason that I find ridiculous and pathetic, for an explanation, I'd refer to your department head. That's the one and only reason I'm not there." Gid could have the pleasure of explaining to his staff that someone above felt he couldn't control himself enough to not play favourites. They'd never had that issue before because Becca was stubborn enough to tell Gid to shove his favours.

Now taking him up on the opportunity to discuss it, that was something Becca was more than willing to do. She'd probably start talking with him after the kids had gone to bed and they'd be up until the early hours going back and forth.

When another person (Angelo) who'd previously been fairly quiet spoke up, Becca looked over at the guy. Paperwork was always an issue within law enforcement. She'd thrown far too many things at Isaac with his paperwork attached and told him not to return it until it was completed. His suggestion got a small nod from Becca. "I'd be willing to take that on with the rest of my work." It was a relatively easy schedule to one she was used to. "I have an extensive knowledge of wizarding laws and both departments. I can ensure all paperwork is filled out correctly, create any missing paperwork that is deemed necessary and chase down those who haven't completed it." Was that proving herself enough, Gid?

Gid's question about the law had Becca sitting back in her seat. She knew it all and knew Gid knew that too, so she'd let other people speak. Her blue eyes turned to Simon as he spoke and she nodded in agreement with his mention, but he'd also missed something. She was wondering if anyone else would pick up on it. It seemed like the woman from transportation hadn't done so though, so would anyone?

Benzi had initially arrived with every intention of speaking his mind, but as the conversation turned he sensed there was some tension that he hadn't yet been exposed to in his few months of being back, and kept his mouth shut.

Better keep quiet than look dumb in front of Department Heads.

He did, however, spend much of his time looking curiously at Angelo Toussaint and Evangeline Shacklebolt. An interesting partnership. Something that he should not find interesting, and yet he can't quite help himself. It was difficult for him to let go of past events, and they were no exception.

Alexa Cambridge, on the other hand, was slowly but surely becoming his favourite person in the department. No history, which was fantastic, and a mentality that he appreciated and wished he could have more of. And the whole baby thing, which still a little strange but nevertheless comforting. He wasn't the only one of the young people to have a mini person of his own.

And Benzi Rider was trying very hard to pretend Chloe Adara wasn't in attendance, because Chloe was friends with someone he really did not care to think about right now. He thought about her too much outside of work that he was determined to the walls of the Ministry a blessed Hayley-free zone.

Then the subject moved on to underage magic, and he spoke up. "Following on from what's already been said, there are permits the Ministry can hand out that enable underage magic, like private tutoring or home-schooled programs for children who are unable to attend Hogwarts for various reasons." Something he was familiar with, after all.

Tyler was right. The subsequent agreeing that took place after were spot on. It was bad enough they were here to go over wizarding law, add this discussion she cared little to be apart of and you had Alexa Cambridge wishing someone from the Daycare would send her an memo informing her she needed to check in on Emmerson. THAT was how over this she was. Discussions that went around in circles with people preaching tolerance and humility had never been a staple in her diet while growing up. It didn't interest her anymore than the laws did.

Gidyun's request got little more than a solid stare from her. He was asking the near impossible of her and she wouldn't commit to something she wasn't entirely sure she could do in the first place. Working with people didn't mean you needed to be friends or even that you needed to be on conversational terms so she'd be passing on this one. She preferred to gain friends organically; not because the boss said so. Her tolerance didn't stretch far enough for that.

His wife's after words were dismissed. Hazel eyes locked on her only until after she'd done but it didn't interest her to know why they weren't co-workers. Truly. It was all the same to her. People weren't her business, not unless they held special interest to her. An indifferent shrug was all the response she'd give, hoping the woman truly saw the dismissive look in her eyes and understood how much she...didn't....care.

Aaaaand they were moving on to another law. At least it was progress? This time, Alexa remained silent. She knew enough about the law having been subjected to it for so many years but she was getting restless. There was a reason she'd opted out of more schooling and took a very hands on job; sitting around talking theory wasn't very ...stimulating. Wouldn't be long before she began pacing the room.

Please he just wanted to move on with the training and stop with the arguments between all those involved. It was clear that everyone had a different opinion of why and who they should work with. When Simon spoke up in response, he looked grateful and nodded. "Precisely. Here is a question for you. Do you as a security head, feel that the trace that's a blanket over the UK is enough? Or should we be doing more to be able to have control over the misuse of magic by underage witches and wizards." His eyes went around to those aurors and YATI there as well, when he asked the question, hoping for input here. "I know that parents are to keep an eye on their children, but is this enough?"



"It is." he said nodding in agreement. "Does your department personally have issues with finding underage wizards using a broomstick in sight of Muggles?"



His eyes went to Becca as she spoke to Alexa. She was absolutely correct there. He'd have done anything to be able to have her in his department. He knew where she should have been but logistics... "Alexa, Becca would have happily" Joyfully really "been in our department. It just wasn't appropriate that she would be working as an employee under myself." He said gently and quietly. "Many employees though in and around the ministry could fit well inside of many departments. And that is why we should work closer with those in other departments. Because you just might surprise yourself and find maybe there's someone that is better suited for MLE."



He nodded at Benzie's comment. "Correct. There are permits for that, although they aren't as necessary unless they are used outside of the wizarding home or say in Diagon Alley. As we're expecting to see magic done there. However the parents are to try and have control over the children and keep them from using magic unless for lessons such as your example of homeschooled or private tutoring."