Directly past the lobby sits a door that is usually closed, but never closed off to people. Department Head, Conley Phora will always welcome anyone who wishes to see him. If you are from another department and have made an appointment the receptionist will let you back, if you are a level five employee feel free to knock at anytime. The office is very spacious from previous department head's expansion charms and is filled with a few leather chairs that sit around his desk.

Since Erec had asked him to meet him in his office, Charles approached the door of his boss and knocked on the door at exactly half an hour after he'd been asked. Hopefully he hadn't done anything that Erec wanted to discuss changes with. Charles was pretty sure he'd done everything right and it was all working out. There hadn't been a problem with his paperwork before.

Erec had left the meeting and went right back to his office. He pulled a few employee files and was flipping through them. Everything seemed in order, but he was still concerned with a few things. Maybe it had been first day nerves and they all felt like they had to act in a certain way. He'd make sure to make them feel comfortable around him in time. He made some notes to make a visit to MLE soon and discuss a possible training he was thinking about to. There was so much to get started on, but he had to line up his priorities first.

Hearing his door his eyes lifted for a moment, "Come in", glancing at the time he assumed it was Charles, but he would wait to see the person behind the door to be sure. As he waited he stacked the files and placed them back into his desk. No need for personal files to be left out where just anyone could see. If it was someone other then Charles or another employee in the department.

Opening the door, Charles entered the office and just looked at his boss. "You requested my presence?" he had his notepad and pencil just in case. Hopefully he hadn't done anything wrong! The man chose not to sit until invited, if there was one thing Charles had, it was manners. He was too polite to just make himself at home, even if those armchairs did look comfortable.

"Yes I did, come in and have a seat." His smile warm and welcoming as Charles came into the room. He had sat back in his chair and allowed the man to get comfortable. Pulling out a parchment that looked like a crazy to do list the department head made a few extra notes, "I swear as I get older if I don't write it down right away I never remember. I've even gotten to the point of reminding myself to stop working to use the loo." Probably a bit of a TMI moment, but ah, he probably understood.

"So Charles you over see all of our ambassadors set up in the other countries. How has that been going for you?" The man had been here for awhile according to his files and Erec was eager to jump in to pick his brain a bit, but he figured he'd just start slow and move into the other things in a bit. Find out how he was enjoying what he did and making sure everything was okay on that surface.

Charles gave him a small smile and moved to sit down now he'd been invited. "I understand. I've been going that way for years, though I find to-do lists are more efficient than just trying to remember." Yeah, that was pretty much the whole reason he did lists. "It only gets worse." he told him, tilting his head.

The question caught Charles by surprise, but he didn't let that be known. "I've been thoroughly enjoying it. I enjoy being able to help people communicate." Yeah, that was always fun! "I also enjoy being able to learn all new languages and use them frequently within my work and actually make relationships between countries strong and bountiful." Yeaaah! He liked making things work!

It only gets worse, that wasn't something Erec wanted to hear. He tried not to let that show on his face, but getting old wasn't something he was enjoying. His own daughter was fourteen and he couldn't for the life of him figure out how time had moved so fast. His eyes glanced to her picture on his desk before moving back to Charles. "I guess it's all part of the passing years. Sometimes seems hard to accept though, but we do what we have to." He didn't mind the connection talk he was having. It was always good to relate on certain levels with people and Charles certainly seemed like good people.

This was very wonderful to hear. He was glad he liked his position so much. "Fantastic, it's always good to know your employees are sitting in the correct spots and doing the job they enjoy not the one they would hate. I haven't gotten to the Ambassador files as of yet, but I'm very sure you have it all under control. In due time I'd certainly like to get to know them." He wasn't as fluent in many languages, but Erec liked to think he was pretty well balanced in knowledge of different cultures. "This is always a good thing to have, especially with a new minister. I think she will be an excellent one from what I've seen, but keeping our ambassadors informed and communication open is the best way to make sure our foreign relationships stay smooth with our new transition. It was always good to not be overly confident that things would run smoothly on their own.

"Speaking of running smoothly I'd like to speak to you about our department. With having a daughter in France still there could be times I need to leave if anything were to come up or if I'm out for something with work. I want to know our level is in good hands." Was this coming out correctly? He wasn't sure, "I'd like to know I could count on you to step in if needed."

"I was convinced that I would die as soon as I hit fifty. It felt like I was falling apart. I'm now in my sixties, so I can assure that you'll last as long as I have, maybe longer." That was laughable that he genuinely believed he'd die a few years ago, but now was dealing with daily aches and pains and just accepting them.

"I do enjoy keeping them informed, being updated by them and just generally having a good working relationship." Charles settled back, looking fairly happy. "I'll be happy to show you them all and discuss them individually with you if you wish." Charles knew them all pretty well, even the new ones. He took pride in remembering faces, names and languages. "Definitely, I think the new Minister will be more hands on and I get the feeling she'll want to have a translator for meetings because she'll want to be there herself." Yeah, just putting that out there. Charles was a good translator.

When Erec spoke about the department, Charles tilted his head and listened curiously. He nodded to show he understood, but when Erec pretty much asked him to be his back up or second in command, Charles fell quiet for a moment. It had caught him by surprise. "Of course... I apologise for the silence, you surprised me." Yeah, like... REALLY surprised him. "I'm more than happy to help out where needed. I used to run my own department in the muggle world." He'd just wanted to get back into the wizarding world and be able to use his skills for other things too.

He enjoyed being able to relate to Charles. It was nice to meet someone that you connected with and so far it seemed that he had with him. "I felt like when I hit forty that things started to hurt as I moved. You are just painting such a wonderful picture to look forward to at fifty." He laughed jokingly. "Do you have any children Charles?" He was genuinely interested in the mans life. He was hoping to get to know all his employees if he could.

This was very good news to hear. He was glad Charles knew the ambassadors so well. "Yes when I get situated with everything here I would like to get to know them and know more about everything going on with the ambassadors." For now he knew they were in good hands with Charles. He would let Erec know if anything was needed, he was very confident in that. "Yes, she seems very hands on and ready to jump right in. I want to review the squib stuff to be on top of that and get a team together. Maybe possibly set a team up and open it up to any ministry worker who might feel inspired to give opinions on the topic." He nodded about the translator thing, "You are the liaison to the minister so I'm confident you can handle all that or get someone to handle it if needed." No need to find someone else if he could do it.

He smiled a bit at the surprise look on Charles face. Really he expected the man to already be the backup for anything for his knowledge and years experience. "Of course it would mean a bonus when you did step in. I can't give any promotion or raises just yet being I'm just starting, but I can offer a bonus amount for any time you might need to step in." He was glad he seemed to want to take it on, this was good.

Smiling a little, Charles leant his head to the side. "Well, it all comes with time. You won't realise it's happening until you look back at what you used to be able to do and then you see that you're older and more crippled." That was how it had happened for him. "I do not." he replied to Erec. "I never had the chance." Unfortunately... though the thought of snotty noses and dirty nappies made him recoil now.

"That's not a problem at all. I will even create a shortlist with their talents so you know who would be best for which situation." That would be really good! It would help decisions be made quicker and keep things running smoothly. When Erec mentioned the squib stuff, Charles nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. I know many of them are frustrated and feel isolated." Maybe Squib support meetings? "Actually, I'm not the liaison. Dmitry has the honour of that job." It was a simple mistake. "Dmitry and I can work closely with that, though."

Oh! A bonus?? Charles looked genuinely shocked. "I wouldn't be doing it for a bonus, but if that is offered for me to step in, then I'll take it." He was really surprised at the bonus thing! "I'm more than happy to help keep this whole department running smoothly."

More crippled? Merlin what was he in for? "Maybe we should start getting into a workout routine. I've heard my niece on level seven has a great workout facility." It was always good to have a workout buddy, "Maybe we could make it a level five thing. I could give incentives for fitness." Possibly a day off here and there? Oh he didn't have children well that was kind of sad, but sometimes children weren't for everyone. " only have one, a daughter. I would have liked more.. but it just wasn't meant to be." Though he had thought about possibly fostering, maybe he could still.

He nodded at Charles, the man seemed to be brilliant at his job and very organized. Things he could really appreciate. "Thank you, I would appreciate that. I would like to get them all back here if possible for a meeting sometime. That way they can know who I am and I can get to know them." That wouldn't be soon though, he had to get everything organized here first.


"Yes it's been a long road for them and even though they have made strides there can always be more we do." Erec wouldn't mind them even working in his department. There were things they could do. "I think a ministry open session could be good to get some ideas on what is needed. A support group is an excellent idea." He jotted that down to make sure he kept it in his notes. "Oh..." That was his mistake. He looked into his notes again and saw where he had Dmitry as the liaison. "Yes well I have full faith in both of you." He'd want to meet with Dmitry soon, but if Charles said they worked good together that was a plus.

"Wonderful. I'm glad I can count on you."

Charles laughed softly. "It would be interesting to see." Desk jobs did tend to make people get lazy and suddenly they'd put the pounds on and not realise why. "That might work well, maybe the Minister would roll that out to keep people healthier?" Healthier people didn't take days or weeks off for illness. "Ah, at least you have a daughter though." Charles smiled at him gently. "I hear children are a blessing." And a curse at the same time, but he'd leave that bit out.

"No problem at all." He nodded to his boss. "I'm sure we can gather them and get a joint thing going on so they know who to approach when they have an issue." That would be really good and Charles liked it when they knew who to approach, it made things much easier and helped the department to flow easily.

"That's helpful for them to actually air their concerns and be heard by people who can make a difference to their lives." It was very much a good thing for people to feel like they'd been listened to. "Thank you very much, I'm sure Dmitry will be as honoured as I am at being trusted." Heh.

"You can always count on me. I'm at your service." Charles bowed his head respectfully to his boss and settled back in his seat, writing a few notes.

"I think I'm going to post about it. Get the employees out there and exercise. Our immigration officers need to stay fit anyway in case they have a difficult person. Don't need to give another reason to call MLE, right?" He was just joking of course and he smiled a bit from the joke. "Yes well, she is at that age that no parent is right and she will do what she wants." He couldn't help but smile at her picture. She was his daughter and she was so proud of her for her ways of standing up to what she believed in, but he just hoped she wouldn't end up arrested for it. "She's a little activist in the making. She likes to get involved with everything she believe in." Not a bad thing, but he did worry.


Good good a meeting sounded like it was in the works with the Ambassadors, but first they needed to get the training and meetings squared away here. "I'm going to be having a meeting with the immigration employee with a self defense training just as a refresher for them. I was concerned with the amount that seemed to think MLE was always needed." Had they relied on MLE that much in the past? His eyes were scanning a document that had been laying on his table, "I'll also be working on a international trade show so if you have any thoughts or any of your Ambassadors do please let me know." He was meeting with the international trade division here shortly as well.


He was glad that Charles seemed to be on board with everything and was confident enough in Dmitry to say that he would be honored with having trust as well. This was all turning out to be good. [b] "Yes I do think that's a good start. So I will speak to the minister and make sure that is where she is seeing things headed and I'll start setting things up for that.

"That sounds like a good idea." Charles nodded, but also spared a smile for Erec's joke. "Ah, I hear they only get more passionate as they grow up." Hopefully Erec's daughter would not go into the dangerous side of activism and would stay safe. He'd hate for his boss to be distraught over her actions.

"Okay, and yes, I do agree. They are using MLE as a fallback instead of using them in an emergency situation like they should." Hopefully they could nip that in the bud and make sure MLE barely heard a whisper from them. Charles knew they had more work to focus on and hadn't much time for dealing with their department. Maybe that was why things had been so strained between the departments lately. "I will be sure to contact and discuss with them and bring anything feasible to you." Charles nodded to Erec. It would be interesting to see how this turned out. He did love going to places where there were so many languages and he could switch between them.

"Fantastic. I'll get right on contacting the ambassadors and making sure they know what they need to know. Will there be anything else?" Just so he didn't leave if Erec had something to say to him.

"We can only hope that she goes in the positive direction as the passion grows. She's a brilliant young lady, I do look for her to go far in whatever she decides to do." He shuffled his papers that had been laying on his desk.

"If you would like to come to the meeting I'm having later. I will also be holding a meeting with my trades division. I'd like to start planning a trade show. So if you have any input on that I'd love to hear." Charles seemed to becoming a college that Erec was able to bounce ideas off of, which was always good for him. That's how he did like to work.


"I think that is all for now. Thank you for coming in to see me." He reached out a hand to shake his employees hand.

Charles nodded in agreement with Erec's words about the Minister, but also listened closely when he mentioned a meeting. It seemed like he was telling him to attend in a very polite way. "I will think on it and bring whatever I have into the meeting." He assured Erec, quickly making a note on his paper. When Erec dismissed him, Charles stood and shook his boss' hand confidently. "Thank you for inviting me. Should you need anything, I'm at your service."

Having an ambassador come to the ministry wasn't all that odd. He had seen them come and go at the French Ministry, but it was the words that had got him thinking. So leaving the team gathering Erec made his way back to his office and opened the door allowing both Charles and Krel in. [b] "It's nice of you to come to us, but you didn't have to. We would certainly come to you if you are in need of us."[/]b He hated to put them out anymore than they were. They did live in other countries for the ministry.


Taking a seat behind his desk he offered the other seats to the other two. Glancing at Charles and then back to Krel. "So what is it that you need to speak to us about?" He wanted the full details before he thought anything else, but his mind was already going in different directions.

Charles followed as he was bid and took a seat when it was offered. He agreed with Erec's comment about her not needing to visit, but chose not to speak and instead just listen. He wanted to know what was going on before he could form an opinion or response to the situation. It did help to know the details.

Krel had eaten the proffered slice of pizza as daintily as one could eat pizza without a knife and fork, happy to have been offered something to calm her stomach. She hadn't realized until she had taken her first bite how hungry she had been. She just hoped she hadn't gotten any grease or sauce on her face or clothing.

She followed the two men down the hallway and entered Mr. Delacroix's office still holding on to the papers she had brought with her from Berlin as she sat down. "It vasn't a bother to come," she stated in response to their protests about her coming in personally. Once again, her slight accent was noticeable and for some odd reason, Krel flushed a bit. It had been a while since she had spoke in English for any length of time. She cleared her throat a little before continuing. "I had a per-arranged port key," pause. "Personal matters that need immediate attention. I will only be here for the evening. But since I was coming, I was asked to deliver these." She handed over the stack of reports. Hoping they wouldn't ask about the personal matter. She was not looking forward to stopping home tonight and dealing with the new problems her father was creating. Perhaps it was time to look into sending him permanently to St. Mungo's. Or, maybe she should take him back to Berlin with her. Her father had spent most of his life working in Berlin and in a way it was home to him in a way Acerbus never had been.

But those were thoughts for a different time.

"Germany," she began. "Has seen an influx of illegally imported dragon's eggs." She stopped for a moment so that the two gentlemen could look through the paperwork she had given them. "The few leads we have had, show that the eggs are coming from Britain. They suspect from right here, in London. The German Ministry is hoping that you may have some knowledge about the situation and are requesting your help in tracking down the problem."

Oh she wasn't just here for them, well that was good he guessed. So he just nodded as she said about other matters. He took the papers and started looking over them. Part of him was wondering if he needed to call Regina into this meeting as well. He'd send a patronous if needed, but for now he just glanced towards Charles. Was he reading this? His eys back on the papers he hadn't realized it had gotten bigger. This wasn't good if they were coming here and then leaving here to other countries.

"The eggs from the information I've gotten are not from Dragons that would be found in Britain. So I have been working closely with my trade team to look into some illegal smuggling going on here. If this is the case and they are coming from here, that means they are being sent here and then sent back out. Did your sources know for sure that they are coming from someone here in Britain?"


Looking at Charles again his thoughts were going to different theories. The head person in this smuggle was British and working with different groups to import and then export the eggs. Going back to the papers at hand he thought more about it.

“The last two obtainers of the eggs,” Krel began as she tried to process the information Herr Delacroix had just stated. “The Germans vere able to apprehended with an egg, who vere willing to speak to use about the matter,” she added quickly. “Informed us that the person they obtained the eggs from was British. The description they offered made it appear that the peddler had a cockney accent. However, the egg-obtainers vere unable to provide us with a name.”

Krel crossed her feet at her ankles as she leaned into her chair a little more. “It’s possible that the peddler may merely be just that, the peddler und not the person smuggling the eggs…”

Listening attentively, Charles glanced over at Erec when it was stated that she was here for personal reasons, but chose not to comment. He watched as Erec was given the papers and looked over them, but also looked at the man's face to see what his reaction was. So far, it wasn't looking so good. Charles' poker face was ever present on his face as the situation was explained. He took everything in and thought on it.

Nodding in agreement with the question that Erec had asked, Charles' brown eyes turned back to the woman and he also thought on her musings too. "Well, we will definitely look into this in more detail." Especially if the accent was 'cockney'. "Erec, I'd hazard a guess at east London for a cockney accent, most others have more of a 'Queen's English' accent." It was just his observation from people watching and being around London a lot. Maybe they could get Creatures involved, or even ask MLE if they'd had anyone on their watch list that would have a cockney accent. It was a long shot, but worth it if it paid off.

Erec leaned back in his chair as she spoke about the information she had found. They had caught someone and he was British. This was the information Erec was dreading the most, but he had to keep a positive attitude about it. Someone was finally caught and she was right it could be just a handler and nothing more. "They are holding him still?" Erec was already thinking about different things. "This has to become a top priority for the undercover employees as well as the entire division. Regina will need to make sure she stays on top of this. I want to get her the file right when we are done." He'd personally be giving it to her and brainstorming what to do next. This had been something they had been looking at and he almost lost one of his employees in knockturn alley over it. Yes, they'd have to bring in MLE if this went any further.

"When you go back to Germany I'd like Charles to escort you. You can speak to the handler and see what information you can gain from him. I'm assuming foreign relations need to be involved anyway since he is British. " Which of course was Krnell's position and why she was in Germany for them, but Charles was the head for the Ambassadors and this was a special case. He had to trust Charles with the accent knowledge since he was French and still was trying to learn exactly where each accent was from.

Krel shook her head. “No,” she said. “They have not been able to make contact with the seller and they have not retained the buyers. They felt fining them was enough of a punishment and have released them with the understanding that they may be required to return to the ministry for questioning. ” The eggs had been confiscated and were in the process of sending them back to the appropriate dragon reserves in the dragon’s respective home countries. “I can arrange for them to bring the buyers back in for questioning if you care to interview vith them.” She felt like the harbinger of bad news. Why was it that they could never send her home with something uplifting? It was always problems.

She wasn’t at all surprised that Herr Delacroix wanted Herr Taylor to accompany her back to Germany. She hoped that her (free and employed) house elf had the guest rooms in the house tidy. It had been a while since she had entertained. “Of course,” she pulled her itinerary for her afternoon in town out of a robe pocket. She was meeting with her father’s doctors at 4. Adjusting times for any issues her dementia-ridden father would provide and allowing for a brief 'hallo' with Edward, she hoped to catch her port-key back to Berlin around 9. “My return portkey is scheduled for 9 o’clock in the evening.” She folded her itinerary up and tucked it away. “If that does not work, for you Herr Taylor, I can arrange for one to be set up for tomorrow afternoon upon my return to Berlin.” She had pretty good relations with the transportation departments of the German ministry. All it took was a well brewed pot of tea to get them to do a favor for her.

He sat and listened to her. He wasn't surprised by anything that was being said. They didn't have a reason to hold them, of course, he could understand that. He was going to have to make a trip to MLE with this as well. This was getting to be a fine line it seemed if an arrest were being made in other countries and fingers were starting to point this way. He had to figure this out before it came down on him and his department. He nodded and looked at Charles. He knew and trusted that Charles would help take care of this. Figuring it out was the first priority they had.

"Very well, you do what you need to do here and Charles will meet you for that portkey." He was alright with that, wasn't he? Glancing at Charles for a moment, "I will get your hotel arrangements set so that you don't have to worry about any of that. Once you have everything you need bring it back here so we can figure out our next steps with Regina." He'd make sure to clue Regina into everything as well. Duplicating the file and set it on the corner of his desk and wrote her name on it so she could have her own copy.

"If that's everything we won't keep you any longer." He knew she had other reasons she had come to London as well.