He did not make anyone cry and he would not be taking the blame for such a thing. No. Only way would be if they'd gotten as far a holding cell. That was his idea and in that case it'd have been his fault but all that, he had little part in.

Gavin walked with the women down to Harmony's Office as the general consensus seemed to be. They would be getting this young woman off their hands then he could get Emily her sweets and the rest of the day could be salvaged in some way or another. Most likely with him spending a little extra time after closing hours.

Sigh.

At the door, he gave a few light taps before swinging it open. No vibe check--what even was that??? Hopefully she wasn't busy--she couldn't be because this was about her employee and his sanity. Gavin held the door open for the other two to enter before he did.

Ember felt like she was back at school...only...Ember NEVER got in trouble ever in her ENTIRE life. She was a perfect student! And the only reason she was in trouble NOW was because the meaaaaaan Undersecretary was against sparkles. And flowers.

Admittedly, maybe he was allergic to flowers. Was that why he had been soooo grumpy? Oh! That would make So much sense. He wasn't again happiness...he just was allergic to flowers. EMBER HAD FIGURED IT OUT.

Her lavender eyes were still a bit red and puffy--but she tried to compose herself. Harmony was a nice lady. maybe she'd argue on Ember's behalf? MAYBE? Sighing, she just followed the two meanieheads and then....

HE JUST WALKED RIGHT IN?!

"You should wait until she says to come in, you know. Harmony is a busy woman--what if she had been meditating?" she said softly to him. How RUDE. She was starting to think flowers weren't the only thing he was allergic to. He was also allergic to KINDNESS and MANNERS as well, it seemed.

Displeased. She was very displeased for having been roped into this mess. Waste of time. Crier. More wasting time. She was going to demand a selection of the most expensive pastries, even if they weren't as good as cinnamon scrolls. She was feeling mildly spiteful in light of recent events.

Emily kept pace with Gavin and the Ember woman - only, she purposefully maintained a half stride gap between herself and the woman. Harmony had best sort out this employee, Merlin knew she did nothing about Williamson when she had reported his behaviour. Woman was probably taken by the appearance of the man and his legs, or something, completely and utterly unprofessional. Nevertheless, this was happening.

The comment regarding meditation made her insides turn to stone. Some people didn't prioritize well. Rather than silence the woman again, or speak out, Emily opted to remain quiet as she moved passed Gavin into the office space - not that it looked like one. It resembled a hippy commune more than anything else. Or a flee market. Too bright, too smelly, too eclectic to be functional.

"You do?" Harmony simply beamed at the woman, pleased with this reaction. She was used to raised eyebrows and question looks so to receive a genuine compliment about her decorating skills was very unexpected. "I'm so glad. I find that it makes it more homey and much more relaxing." Helped her to keep up her positive persona in such a stressful environment.

Willowgrass, yes. "Yes, I've heard of you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Hadley." The red head accepted her hand and gave it a squeeze, trying to get a feel for the woman's aura. Orangey-red. Harmony approved. After releasing Hadley's hand, Harmony gestured to the empty sofa and smiled warmly. "Well welcome back. You can call me Harmony and I'm pleased that you came in for a visit. We've been quite busy around here-"

Just then, a paper crane caught Harmony's attention. She raised her eyebrows and as she caught hold of it, curious. "I'll just be a moment, Hadley." She had said it'd been busy, right?

After scribbling a quick reply, she sent off her own paper dolphin and returned her gaze to the woman across from her. "Sorry about that. As I was saying, we've been quite busy. Tell me, have you heard anything about the recent goings on here while you were away?"




People could say what they would about Harmony's behavior in the work place but she would never just barge into someone's space without being invited. It was rude and not to mention intrusive. Harmony's office was her tiny space in the entire ministry where she could have time to herself to work on things and Gavin, Emily, and Ember's arrival was met with a slightly annoyed and surprised red head.

She stood, hands on her desk, and eyed the three with raised eyebrows. "Ember, have you been crying?" The woman's eyes were quite red and puffy, not how she was used to seeing such a vibrant soul. "What's happened?" That question was addressed to the other two. If they weren't going to bother with pleasantries, Harmony wouldn't either.

Hadley nodded, of course she did. The colours, the comfort… all amazing. She was slightly surprised about Harmony's reaction though, did other people not like it? She agreed whole heartedly, homey and relaxing, this office was. She was pleased to hear a different accent, too. So many british accents around the ministry, obviously, but she liked a change in what she heard.

"And a pleasure to meet you too, Harmony," she replied, following the offer and taking a seat. Oh, SO COMFORTABLE! Did she have to leave and go back to her desk? She wondered if she could have a chair this comfortable there. Although she probably wouldn't get a lot of work done. Hadley watched as a paper crane soared in. She smiled politely, understanding that it had been busy. Obviously.

Hadley listened to Harmony speak of how busy it had been recently. Did she mean in the Ministry or just the Department? Hopefully she hadn't put the team at stress from her absence. Goings on? Hadley frowned slightly, trying to think, "No, I'm terribly sorry. I've had my head in the sand whilst I was away, unfortunately. I'm not sure what's been going on at all." She felt terrible, she should have at least tried to write her boss to see if there was work she could have done to help, but she didn't think to. She had been trying to focus on her research, and also having a break from her life in London, to save her mentality a bit.

"No matter, Hadley. I'm more than happy to clue you in on what's been happening around here." Harmony reached into one of the drawers in her desk and pulled out a tin of fresh kale chips. After removing the lid, she slid them towards the woman across from her. "Just made a batch of these. Please help yourself while we talk." Merlin knew the department head would be.

"Recently, the department has been holding several mutants that escaped from a lab. The Accidents and Catastrophes team has been working closely with us while they try and figure out just what mutated the creatures and how we can return them to their original state, if that's possible. It's been made more stressful given that they've all recently fell ill, acting agitated and self-destructive. We've had to keep people in the holding room just to make sure they aren't hurting themselves while in their cages." That was one of the big things she'd been personally attending to. "The dragon research and restraint bureau recently partnered up with Gringotts to run a seminar for university students which went swimmingly." Let's see, what else. "Also, our department's own Jose Mora from the Pest Sub-Division is running for Minister of Magic as Albert Kettlebern will be leaving his post." So yes, they'd been quite busy around here lately.

After grabbing herself a few kale chips, the red head turned her attention to Hadley's travels. "Would you mind sharing with me what you've been up to while you were away?" Because Harmony was simply fascinated by spirits.

Leaping it's way unceremoniously through the wall of the office, a Tasmanian devil positioned itself at the feet of the Creatures department head and wiggled its nose excitedly for a moment. In the next instance, the patrnous ran semi circle around her chair, lifting itself up into the air as if it were climbing an invisible spiral staircase and stopped right in the middle of the desk.

"Harmony, I hope you have a glumbumble or two on hand because we need it in Greenhouse and Laboratory right away," came Aron's airy voice from the opened mouth of the Tasmanian devil. "Have someone ... preferably not that Ember woman... bring it immediately, and any additional glumbumble treacle you may have on hand "

The patrnous gave a quick turn on the desk and then dissipated into thin air.

"Thank you," Hadley said. She didn't think there would be anything worse than starting back at work, day one, not having any idea what was happening. Of course she could ask her colleagues, but really, mixed messages and everything? She'd rather just go straight to the top. And besides, Harmony didn't seem to mind, which was nice. Then she pulled out something green, probably mouldy. Oh, no, they weren't mouldy. Hadley was glad she didn't say anything to Harmony… that would have been embarrassing. "Wh-what are they?" she asked, picking one up and looking at it. Was it a dried leaf? She put it in her mouth and chewed it. Mmm, not bad. Definitely not mouldy!

Hadley's eyes and mouth widened as she listened to what had been happening. Mutants? Ill mutants? Self-destructive, Ill mutants?!? Hadley closed her mouth and gulped, her eyebrows now sky high. "OH! Merlin's BEARD!" she gasped. "It's… not really my area of expertise, but is there something I can do to help?" she asked. Unless they died, she hadn't the ability to really communicate with them, but she could be shown how to do things, if they needed.
At least that was the worst news. She was pleased her colleagues were doing things like running seminars for university students, and running for Minister of Magic. "Oh wow, I didn't know the Minister was leaving! How come?" Well, how come indeed, everyone had their own reasons for leaving. She, herself, had to leave briefly. "Good on Jose for running for Minister though."
Oh my, they had been very busy indeed.

And now it was her turn to talk. "Of course! Well, before I left I had been writing a book, something I hoped might get turned into a text book for a university or school, I suppose, on spirits. Specifically on communicating with spirits. It's divided into areas such as speaking with the recently departed, the very old souls, and Poltergeists, which I had never even thought of including in my book. I went around the word in search of Ghosts, and it was magnificent. I really did spend some time with Poltergeists, trying to understand the way they live and communicate, and how to communicate with them. You didn't attend Hogwarts, did you?" she asked, assuming due to the accent. "There was a, well probably still is, a Poltergeist there. When I was there nobody but one of the House Ghosts could communicate with him, and I just found it fascinating getting to understand how this Ghost was able to control him. I wouldn't say I'd like to control them, but just being able to understand why they do the things they do is information enough, I think."

She paused to have another kale chip.

"I stayed in houses said to be haunted, and indeed I met families of ghosts, ranging from new to ancient. They were mostly very nice, they gave me time to ask them questions. Some of them, mostly the newly departed, didn't want to give me their time. The older ghosts have a much better view on time, you see… they know they have infinite time, but the newly departed don't, their view of time is still how we would view time; precious. Some of the newly departed spoke to me about how they found out they had become ghosts, and how they had to build up the skill to be able to interact with humans."

Realising that she was probably rambling on, she stopped talking, and took a breather.
"That's more or less what I've been doing," she concluded, hoping Harmony wasn't bored with her adventures.

He shouldn't have been quite so amused at the subtle look of annoyance the woman wore but...he was. Turns out he wasn't such a nice person. Go figure. It added some dimension to her though, and that was what amused him; the fact she wasn't all rainbows and pulsating auras all the time. All things being equal, he might start considering her a functioning human being capable of complex emotions that didn't involve creeping him out. This was almost worth the walk, almost but no. The Senior Undersecretary was still largely peeved at the situation.

"Yes, she has been crying." He responded, getting that out of the way from the very beginning. "She'd have flood my level with the tears if she could and it wouldn't bother her anymore than coming onto my level and deciding to have a go at redecoration."

Was she catching what he was saying? "I don't know the tasks you give to pest control," and really it was none of his concern, "but I'd appreciate if in future, it didn't end with her on my Level, brandishing her wand about and changing it's setup. It's a bit intrusive." Like them barging in right now. That was the point. Intrusion didn't feel too good, did it?

Ember nodded at Harmony, but stayed quiet, glancing from Emily to Gavin and then back to Harmony. The MLE head was being oddly quiet--Ember wondered what Emily saw in her poop of a boyfriend. He was clearly--well--A MISERABLE SOUL. But Ember wouldn't judge him OR hate him for that. He probably had reasons behind this. All Ember could do was just.....love him regardless. Which might be hard--BUT THE RIGHT THING TO DO. At least, that's what she'd imagine her mother would say later on.

She shot a look at Gavin, though, when he spoke. "What--I WOULD care if I flooded your floor--that would be HARMFUL--" see? And her sparkles and flowers she had tried decorating with were NOT harmful...like like TEARS, okay?

And then...his tone..his voice...it was all so...accusatory with Harmony, and Ember found herself glaring at him with her round, lavender eyes. "Excuse me--but--" she kept her voice light and friendly, but firm, that was for sure. "This was NOT Harmony's idea--it was all mine--I thought your level could use some CHEERFULNESS. Don't blame Harmony for my actions." She finished and could almost FEEL her lower lip trembling--being so firm was HARD for her and being so....well, Ember felt almost mean. And now she felt a bit bad--but she felt something else much, much stronger.

NO ONE TALKED TO HARMONY LIKE THAT. OKAY? GOT IT?

"And you hardly gave me time to explain. And everything I conjured was to disappear within the day. AND you just whisked me away to your office--and threatened to LOCK ME somewhere--" she reminded him, but turned her gaze towards her boss. She was feeling less.....vulnerable with Harmony around. Because she felt less alone..."I am sorry my actions offended you, Undersecretary." Hmph.

And she was keeping her thoughts to herself about getting his girlfriend involved. But she WAS proud of herself for growing a spine. If only for the defense of Harmony--it was still there.

She pulled out her tin that Dmitry had given her and held it open to Harmony. "Pastry?" she asked softly, smiling at her. She knew Harmony mostly ate super healthy things, so she wouldn't be offended if Harmony didn't want one.

"Kale chips! I just use fresh kale and bake it in the oven. Add a bit of olive oil and salt and you've got yourself a delicious snack." A snack Hadley seemed to enjoy which was definitely a relief. Harmony looked pleased as he helped herself to a chip as well.

The expression on Hadley's face in response to the mutant news was not at all surprising. Harmony wore a somber expression as she placed a hand over her heart, silently hoping the mutants were safe and comfortable as they spoke about them now. "I'm not sure what you can do other than help us keep watch. I so appreciate you wanting to help, though." Teamwork was something the red head valued in the work place.

As for the woman's time with spirits, Harmony sat and listened intently, fascinated by her employees adventures. "That sounds lovely. It's been so long since I've been on a research trip." And being out in the field among the creatures was really what Harmony liked best, though she was certainly at home here in the ministry. "I'd be interested to explore what you said about the newly departed ghosts, actually. Perhaps we can set up some sort of transition pamphlet that might be helpful for them." And she would have said more but just then a familiar patronus interrupted them, causing the department head to smile. So many interruptions today.

When the Tasmanian Devil left them, Harmony clapped her hands together and stood. "Well Hadley, looks like you'll be able to help the mutants after all! Feel like jumping right into things again?" The department head was already getting a container for the glumbumble treacle transport and holding it out. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd really appreciate you getting some treacle and the few glumbumbles we have in the holding room and bringing them over to the Greenhouse and Laboratory on our floor. Tell them Aron from Accidents and Catastrophe's requested the delivery."



Well.

Harmony's mellow was sufficiently harshed at this point and her eyes darted from Gavin to Ember and then to Emily, clearly not a fan of what was being revealed to her. It was only when her employee offered her a pastry that she stood and shook her head, ready to speak. "No thank you, Ember." Now was probably not the time for such things. "First of all, I don't think anyone here should make assumptions about any one else's intentions. I highly doubt Ember meant to cause anyone any harm or discomfort by doing what she did. I also don't appreciate your tone, Gavin, or your intrusion. If this is some kind of passive aggressive attempt at retaliation, it's a bit childish. We're all adults here." And the red headed department head was an adult with a seriously upsetting aura color, okay? "Ember, while I appreciate your want for others to work in a cheerful environment, I do not condone your going to other levels to decorate as you see fit. In the future, please do run your plans by me so that I can communicate your ideas to the other department heads." She was completely calm and even-toned as she spoke, her mood hard to read. "And Gavin, Emily, I sincerely apologize on Ember's behalf though I don't think her actions are cause for threatening to lock her anywhere." Seriously, threatening people was not an adequate way to deal with something as minor as unwanted decorations on your level and she wouldn't tolerate her employees being bullied. She saw no need for it. It made for a rather unpleasant working environment, actually.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

Hmm… Kale huh? She had never eaten Kale before but it was quite a nice little snack."I'll have to remember that recipe," she said, hoping she could make them herself one day.

Hadley nodded along with what Hadley was saying, yes… well sometimes the only thing to be done is observe. Not very thrilling but a job that had to be done. What could happen to these mutants if they weren't being watched? She was pleased Harmony looked interested in her stories about her travels, and wasn't busy yawning her head off. Her heart leapt when Harmony suggested she make a pamphlet for the recently departed. "Oh, what a wonderful idea," she said softly. She would get right onto that!

But then they were interrupted… again. Hadley hoped nothing personal was about to be said, because she didn't want to be there eavesdropping.

Oh, an opportunity!
Hadley jumped to her feet just seconds after Harmony and nodded enthusiastically, "Of course!" She took hold of the container and made a quick note on her instructions, and gave the department head a smile, "I'm on my way," she said, and turned to leave.

Harmony held the door open for McMillan and once he was inside her office, she took up the seat behind her desk. Her unicorn mug of green tea was still steaming and she stole a sip while she waited for him to get settled, soaking up the soothing warmth. Her aura was a pale yellow today, did he know? He came at a good time.

"So what's on your mind?"

Victoria was on her lunch, but wasn't going anywhere to eat. She decided to use the time to work on her campaign things, and the first thing she wanted to do was speak to a few of the department heads.

So grabbing her parchment and quill she placed it in her bag and made her way to level four. She had looked at both ways once on level four. She wanted to speak to both department heads and possibly their teams, but first she decided to go toward the creatures area. She had seen and heard of Miss. Skylark, but had never had the chance to actually speak to her.

So giving herself one last check she knocked on the door.

Harmony had been preparing a few memos to send out to her staff when she heard a knock on the door. The red head just hoped that whoever it was had checked any bad vibes at the door as her aura was quite fragile these days, given all the excitement and drama she'd experienced. "Come in!"

Standing, the department head smoothed her dress and waited for the visitor to enter. Perhaps she could get rid of the last of her kale chips now that she had some company. She was so itching to make a new batch.

Hearing the department head saying to come in, Victoria took a small breath in ad opened the door. Her brown eyes looked around the office taking in the decor, it was a nice and friendly. Making her relax a bit from her nerves.

With a confident smile, she outstretched her hand. "Hello Miss. Skylark, I'm Victoria Culloden manager of the quidditch division and most recently one of the candidates for minister of magic. I hope you don't mind me stopping by, but I was hoping to get the chance to speak with you."

She left her parchment in her bag for now, but she wanted to pull it out if notes were needed. She didn't want to forget anything that was talked about and she was wanting to really figure out what she could really help with in this department.

"I don't mind at all," Harmony said kindly as she took the woman's hand in her own. She squeezed it twice in an attempt to get a feel for the vibes the woman was giving off and then let go, a small smile playing on her lips. "Please call me Harmony, Victoria." First names fostered a sense of friendship and comfort. The red head preffered things that way. "And please, take a seat." Because the department head was certainly going to do the same.

"So tell me, what would you like to discuss?"

Victoria was glad the department head didn't mind, this was good. She felt very welcomed in this office and that made her relax a bit and not be so nervous. "Your office is very nice. I love how it's decorated." It was just calming and friendly. Nodding to calling her Harmony she took a seat. "Thank you" Setting down her shoulder bag next to her, but still not pulling out her parchment.

"Well I've worked here for six years now in Games and Sports and I've always tried to get to know the other departments. Being a part of the ministry I think we should work all together not just in our department, so I'm trying to take some time to speak to all of you and get to know what your needs are. So that if and when I do become minister I can better help your department the way you see needed." She appreciated everything all the departments did and having a good working relationship was always a good step for a minister, or in this case want to be minister.

"Thank you. I'm a fan of making a space your own as it fosters creativity and a sense of comfort within the work place." Harmony smiled serenely and presented the kale chips with a wave of her hand. "Please help yourself if you're hungry."

As Jose was running and was a part of her department, Harmony's loyalty was with him. It was nice to see that other candidates were taking an active interest in her department's needs, though. Meant that in the unfortunate event that her employee didn't make it all the way to the top, she'd still have support there.

"Team work is always the way to go, I say. As for this department's needs, funding is always important. We have in our possession several creatures in the holding room and are responsible for their care until the time we are able to send them elsewhere." That was her top priority, making sure the creatures were receiving fair and proper care.

"It really works" Shew as feeling the comfort, it just had a nice atmosphere to it. Her nerves she was having were not there any longer. Seeing her bring out kale chips, well she could probably take at least one. "Thank you so much." Taking a chip she as quietly as she could ate it.

As the department head started talking, Vic slipped out her parchment, "You don't mind if I take some notes do you? I want to make sure I keep full notes on everyone's ideas, because if I do become minister I'd like to look back on these notes and make as many of these ideas and wants possible." Becoming a stronger ministry really meant listening to the people that ran it, all the employees and department heads.

Would it be wrong to ask to see the creatures? She had always been an animal lover, for all but felines due to her allergies, though after the potion she was fine with them as well. "I would imagine you would need plenty of funding to take care of and train the animals that come into your possession. If you don't mind me asking, what types of creatures do you have here at the moment." That was more for personal information, because she was curious. Anyway back to ministry things, "I know funding can be difficult in every department, I know my own has to make sure to get sponsors for all our events, so as minister I would help make funding top priority especially for something as sensitive as creatures." They were living things with needs they needed a top priority.

Harmony shook her head, eyes shining. She didn't mind at all and the fact that this Victoria was taking notes showed her visit wasn't simply for show. She actually cared what the creatures department head had to say and it was appreciated.

"We're a bit crowded at the moment," Harmony revealed. "We've got the mutants that were recovered from Diagon Alley and around the ministry a while back. We've also got an assortment of creatures taken during confiscations. And there's always the albino bloodhounds." The population was always growing and changing, to be honest. It just depended on the day and how soon they could relocate the creatures they'd taken in.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, really." The red head smiled and nodded her head in approval before helping herself to a kale chip. "I've also thought the ministry could use an area for stress relief. A gym or yoga studio might be nice. I've always been partial to laughter yoga." Not her area of expertise but she'd be happy to teach a class or two if such things ever were requested.

Seeing the shake of the head, Victoria pulled out her quill and got it comfortable on her lap. She had always been very serious about her job and taking on this campaign was just another determination she had.

Crowded did not sound very good she frowned a little and thought on that. "I actually crossed paths with one of those mutants." She couldn't help but chuckle thinking about it. [b ] "I was pregnant with my twin girls at the time. It was an interesting day to say the least."[/b] She remembered the man jumping on the table, yes interesting. "Has the ministry ever thought of and maybe the funds aren't there, but it could be something we could work toward, building a shelter or location outside the ministry so that you could be able to hold more creatures so you don't get so crowded?" They'd probably still have crowding problems, but there own creature location on top of what they had here might be helpful. "Albino Bloodhounds, I haven't seen one of those in awhile. Are most of the tame?" She knew some could be, but others were a bit more wild. "I'm just asking, because I wonder if some could be fostered out to people you would personally train." She was fully thinking outside the box to help Harmony find some ways to help the crowding and as far as she knew her ideas could be rubbish.

Jotting down some of her thoughts and some of Harmony's words, she looked up as she spoke of a gym or yoga. Now that was something that Victoria could relate to. "Yes, I think that would be a wonderful idea. I've been thinking about ways that we could show our ministry works more appreciation for what they do. I'd like to find ways to bring more light on the daycare to help employees with children, but a gym here with possible yoga classes would be an excellent idea. Employees could use it before or after work, maybe during a lunch hour. Then they wouldn't have to make an extra stop at another location for their workout before going home." Bringing out endorphin would mean happy employees and upping productivity in the work place. She continued to write on her parchment.

Through the door enters a silvery dolphin. Behind the floating image can be heard the urgently-speaking January Pennifold. "Harmony, we need you in the Holding Room, immediately. We have a mutant down." Once the message is relayed, the dolphin takes a leap and disolves into the air.

Check your harsh vibes at the door. Alright, check! William had no harsh vibes today. He was a little bit bouncy because he'd had an idea come to him over the Ministry break and it was one he wanted to share with Harmony. He thought she could get behind it and maybe even other department heads too. And it was fun! It would be a fun idea.

So, slight smile in place, Willy raised his fist and knocked on Harmony's door lightly.

Harmony simply couldn't be any happier to be back to work. She was well rested, in good spirits, and looking positively radiant due to a natural face scrub she'd mixed up. Yes, life was good.

Hearing a knock on the door, the red head grinned and called out cheerfully, "You may enter!" She was going to stay in the lotus position and not meet whoever it was at the door, okay? She was far too in the zone to move now.