Christelle also clapped enthusiastically although she didn't think she could beat Armen. For his commendable behavior, the red-head sent him a playful wink. Her attention on the fervently clapping man didn't last long. There were so many other faces to see. She smiled at all of them, including Ren Sakura. There was quiet Rafael and the less than happy looking Erica.

There was also the Hogwarts' Healer who seemed pretty cozy with Lord Borr. Rochebarron pursed her lips glancing down at the woman's choice of footwear before glancing up with a smile.

"Such manners!" she chirped. "I believe there are ladies yet in this world. My Lord," interrupted Christelle, standing close to His Lordship. She placed on hand on his corpulent arm. "If you're hungry, allow me to fetch you something," she finished. Her offer was unnecessary as Armen, still enthusiastic, seized the day and managed to fulfill Lord Borr's request in an instant.

"Please, call me Christelle," she said over the applause and the other unintelligible voices. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can get to know each other better in the future."

Lord Borr KICKED his pudgy legs like he was being electrocuted by the kisses. "HOOOOO HOOOOOOO! Am I blushing?" Lord Borr was permanently red, so technically he was. "You are a diamond in a bag of marbles, Miss Moretti! YOU MUST meet my NEPHEW. THOMAS. THOMAS?!? What are you DOING BOY? GET OVER HERE. Meet LILYAN MORETTI."

Matchmaker matchmaker! Lord Borr had been KNOWN to make a few PAIRS in his long, successful, epic life.

"I know he's not much to look at Lily, but he's got GOOD genes if you know what I mean. I think he has a good chin. He gets it from me." He GUFFAWED and CACKLED and KICKED his legs like an OCTOPUS.

"I'll let you two get to know one another while I attend to Armen." Armen, Armen, Armen. "Put that tray right here, boy. Right on my lap. Did you get a NAPKIN? You DO have manners, don't you boy? I have big plans for you, so don't FAIL me now!" Lord Borr's beefy finger went from Armen to Christelle, Christelle to Armen.

"Play nice."

OR ELSE.

"I like that! I like a quiet fellow! GOOD ON YOU, MATE!" Lord Borr nodded curtly, all business. "I did GOOD hiring you. YOU CAN APPLAUD ME WIZARDING WORLD. You're WELCOME for this new hire!"

Lord Borr DEMANDED everyone CLAP for this NEW HIRE. CLAP MINIONS CLAP!

Rafael couldn't hide his amusement as the Healer looked his way, and silently inclined his head respectfully towards her once more. She was indeed a brave woman to kiss the cheeks of Lord Borr. Then again, she was the school's healer, and that too took a lot of bravery in his opinion.



His eyes causally turned away from the lovely woman when he spotted a rather awkward wave sent off by Borr's nephew. After a quick moment he decided that the wave was in fact meant to be some sort of greeting and returned it with a small wave of his own.



Of course his attention didn't stay on the man long, and once again he found his gaze turning to another new face. And his new neighbor. Deciding that this would be more interesting than watching the show Lord Borr was putting on for them, he rose from his chair and moved to the free seat beside the man. "It is Rafael." He nodded his head with a smile, gaze flicking to Erica. "And I have a bit of time." Before he decided to mingle with the party goers. His gaze returned to the man. "I don't believe I know your name..."



Rafa didn't miss the smile he received from Lord Borr's lovely assistant either. He smiled back and inclined his head towards the woman. She would have received more than that had his attention not been diverted to someone who was obviously more deserving.

Well he certainly was easy to please. Rafa grinned, more than satisfied with himself and the approval from the large man. And then he bowed his head in appreciation of the praise he was receiving. "Thank you, My Lord." All the applause wasn't necessary, but he welcomed it with a smile all the same before turning his attention back to the amusement that Borr was providing.

Obviously the initial wink caught his eye and was the sealing action that led Armen over this way in the first place, besides the need to suck up to Borr as much as possible in a public setting. Armen was glad to see that his mentioning of her name to the fat man had gotten her attention once again. Turning to face her small frame and radiant features Armen smiled largely showing his sparkling teeth. "Well hello, Christelle." first name basis it was then! "Armen Recard, but Armen will do. Pleasure to meet you." he said reaching for her hand and placing his lips on it briefly. "Are you running off to some matters now? Why not stay a while and allow me to do the decency of at least welcoming you fully to the Ministry?" he said slyly a mischevious grin playing on his lips again.
Beside Armen and Christelle, Lord Borr was having a right leg spasm fit and it was shaking the dias where they stood slightly. Politely saying nothing about the small tremors, the transportation Dept. Head turned to Borr as he addressed him again. "Oh yes Lord Borr, here you go your honor!" the tray of beef-squewers was placed in the large man's, He called that a lap? And they were now in the danger zone, sure to be gobbled up in mere seconds.

Oh a napkin? "Oh beg my pardon sir!" He looked around anxiously and then pulled out the silk pocket square from the front breast pocket of his suit and handed it to the Junior Undersecretary. "Here you are, do enjoy your meal." Armen began to wonder what the BIG plans were but was sidetracked with the little warning for him and his new 'friend'.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at Christelle with a chuckle. Ahhh Lord Borr stooooop it! *giggle*

Armen instantly as if on que began clapping, it was obvious when clapping waas heard if you were on the dias you did it as well.

Orders were orders and Christelle obeyed the Lord's wishes. She clapped for his new hires, again. Rafael had made a lasting impression on Lord Borr and Christelle found her attention moving towards him again. Her eyes were on her but very briefly. Of course, that was bound to happen when His Lordship was nearby. He was a man with a commanding presence. It was natural that all eyes were on him even.

Christelle cleared her throat and fixed her t-shirt, sticking her chest out slightly.

Christelle tilted her face away from him. She looked up through her lashes when he kissed her hand, a small smile tugging on a corner of her red lips. "My matters lay with His Lordship," informed Rochebarron giving a small nod in the director of Lord Borr. "As long as he is here, I have no reason for leaving. Your offer is a generous one. I hope you know I'll have you stick to your word," concluded Christelle, an auburn brow perched high on her brow.

She retrieved her hand and looked around her when she felt the ground shaking slightly. A moment of observation and Christelle found the source to be her Lord. He was so energetic and cute! The woman laughed behind a manicured hand. His warning forced a louder chuckle from her.

"My Lord!" she exclaimed, pressing one hand against her voluminous chest in mock shock. "Have I ever given you the impression that I am anything but nice? A friend of Lord Borr is a friend of mine."

A diamond in a bag of marbles? That was a new saying to Ocean. He wasn't familiar with it in any case. It sounded very Muggle-ish to him. Ocean shrugged more to himself than to the people speaking around him. It wasn't unlike his Uncle to make up things as well. For all Ocean knew, Bert was just talking nonsense.

Who put Diamonds with marbles anyways? Diamonds belong in jewelry unless you were Ocean then you'd shove them in a secret vault and wait to collect money.

He couldn't very well shove Lily in a vault and wait to collect her later though; well, technically he could--he was deviating and he was supposed to be talking to the woman instead of staring at her dumbly. Ocean blinked a few times before smiling broadly.

"I agree. I do like my chin," he said, rubbing the back of his neck which had grown hot and red. "I don't think I get it from him though," added Ocean casting a side long glance at his Uncle. Which chin was Uncle Bert talking about anyways? The first, second or third one in between his face and neck? "Uh, anyways," he continued with a laugh. Ocean offered her his hand. "It's lovely to meet you. Really, it is, you know, despite the circumstances."

And the stench. The stench which he was slightly used to but it didn't make it any less pungent. He was going to have to limit his Uncle's bean intake again, wasn't he?

"That is very sweet of you to say." Indeed it was! She didn't so much mind letting the man say nice things to her.

Despite the absurdities of the situation she'd found herself in, Lilyan Moretti laughed along with Lord Borr, and managed not to cringe when he called for his nephew.

And so this man was still so very amused by her, was he? Lily didn't mind in the slightest, she nodded to him once, but her attention was taken from him by the nephew who was apparently called Thomas.

"You have a lovely chin." Lily assured with a nod. As far as chins go, she was sure that his was just fine. She took his hand and gave it a shake, pleasant as always, and unaware of these thoughts of putting her in a vault...? "Nice to meet you."

Well.

Alright then.

Ocean laughed nervously, shaking her hand a little too energetically before releasing it. He pocketed his hands thinking it was the wisest decision he could make all day. Nothing good could come from shaking more hands.

"Yours isn't too terrible either!" quipped Jones. His vivid expression clouded when his own words echoed around his head. "I mean...it's...nice. Too."

Yup.

Charles walked towards Lord Borr's throne with one hand behind his back and the other cross in front of his stomach. His father had taught him the proper way to approach with dignity. When he got closer he glanced up at Lord Borr, and did a slight bend at his waist dipping his head down slightly. He wasn't really sure how the Lord would react to him...you just never knew with such an amazing man.

He looked at the crowd waiting for Iridesca to approach the stage so he could congratulate her. He knew the Lord had made the right choice.

Iridesca did a quick check of herself in a local reflection and then headed up to the stage. She had to admit that this was a little bit of a surprise but she was excited. She smiled as she approached Lord Borr.

When she got close, she did a little curtsy and waited for him to acknowledge her. Then she sweetly said, "Thank Lord Borr for thinking of me. I hope that I can make you proud!".

Well, well well finally there was a good reason to have a overly obease, sweating, power hungry man around it would keep Christelle here, and for that he was thankful. He could still feel the softness of her hand on his lips and smell the slight perfume that graced her skin. He had never really felt this intoxicated by a woman before. Sure he had had crushes and relationships before but she seemed different. Definately had his attention.

The Department Head chuckled some more as his new co-worker reacted to Lord Borr's little warning with laughter. Good. "Yes Lord Borr I do hope to stay in good graces with this one." he said turning his head to the side jokingly. Turning back to her and looking at her well-fitting Lord Borr t-shirt, she at least seemed to be able to pull that look off, he spoke again rubbing the slight stubble on his chin. "So Christelle perhaps after the party you wouldn't mind coming with me to the Leaky for a few drinks would you? In celebration of his Lordship, of course." No it wasn't, this was a date in Armen's mind. But any extra flattery for the Junior Undersecretary was a plus.

Lord Borr IGNORED her?!?! With a MASSIVE frown, Erica sunk back down into her chair, her arms folded across her chest and a heavy sigh. A scowl came to her face as she stared out into the audience or whatever, not really paying attention to what anyone was saying any more.

Here is the thanks you get for being a devout cultist is it? Sitting at the top table at some random party where you have to wear Borr's face on your chest. Maybe she WOULD go back home.

Pfft..



Erica rolled her eyes at the man to her left, she would be far more entertained if they made the Hogwarts staff do the singing, instead of letting the children take centre stage. Now THAT would be far more interesting. "I guess SOME of them we're" she muttered, with a slight smile. She could go as far as saying SOME of them we're reasonably precious. And well, the Headmaster wasn't exactly tough to look at now was he? "Well I think that should be made mandatory then. Isn't there a choir master like there used to be? At least then we would know that all the children would have been taught to sing" with the toads. Yes?

"Well I'm glad to see that you have a change of heart then Armen. Its good to see you enjoying yourself up here" Because right now she wasn't. "Being with us certainly does have its benefits after all." The Blonde managed a small wink. Her eyes glanced back over at the newcomers. One she recognised from a meeting a little while back, Ren was it? The new Mysteries head. The thirty two year old sent over a smile at him, he was one of them after all and a welcoming nod.

Was he playing games with her? Inviting over her new neighbour to talk? She frowned slightly at him, before choosing to speak. "I am NOT happy that I have to share my level now, yes everything pretty much. I like my privacy you know" she folded her arms again looking away from him and towards the man heading towards them and Borr.





And there came a finger waggle. The thirty two year old narrowed her eyes even further, clearly unimpressed by the new Department Heads way of introducing himself to her.

"Don't you waggle your fingers at me" she ordered, with a scoff of the head.

Rafael was watching the Lord play match maker with his assistant and his nephew, but that didn't mean he was ignoring the woman he was to share a level with. Head turning back to her, he stroked his goatee absently. "That is no way to welcome a new neighbor," he mused, noting her sudden change in demeanor. "Even if I am... unwelcomed."

He let a small smile spread across his lips. "Shall we try again Miss Radley or do you wish to keep hold of this unwarranted animosity towards me?" He raised an eyebrow, amusement still present though it was obvious he was earnest.

Armen was having far too much fun as he witness/forced the meeting of the new Environmental Department Head and Erica. Not only did he find it hilarious that they had to share a level but the fact that they already weren't getting along promised alot of bickering and fighting to come, for which Armen only had ONE level seperating him from all the excitement.

Trying his best to keep his eagerness for a verbal assult by Erica on the new guy here and there infront of everyone, Armen nodded and smiled at the new-comer. "Nice to meet you Rafeal." He was a bit taken aback that he hadn't heard of him, he had been the Transportation Head for a while now. Oh well. "No worries, my name is Armen Recard, Magical Transportation Head, up on level six. Welcome to the team!" he said shaking the guy's hand.

Turning to watch Erica react to the man some more, Armen winked at her before biting his lower lip in a BAD attempt at hiding a smile when she began to order him to stop wagging his finger at her. This was amazing! "Ahh you two!" he said as if they were a couple of bickering brother and sister. Teh creatures Department Head was probably going to kill him after this, he could see it in her eyes.

"Lord Borr, I must congratulate you onyour promotion. I am looking to join the Ministry. My name is Leonidas Trevors." He said as he bowed to the plump man, looking him over. Ahhh, so many people of the Cult here, including the guest of honor. Now where is that blasted wandmaker? Leonidas was wearing a black silk shirt, an emerald green tie made of silk, a dragon hide vest, and a long leather cape, black on the outside, and emerald green silk on the inside, and of course his black leather gloves. He gathered his new walking stick/wand with the giant emerald top back in his hand and turned towards the shop. Maybe he's over there waiting on me. I just hope he knows that he'd better show up.

His hands began to sweat, so he took the gloves off and shoved them in his back pocket. Every other person he passed by he could sense was a Cult member. His family crest with the emerald underneath seemed to catch every light in the place and shown blilliantly. The stone in the other ring, however, showed up grey and dull and was a little tarnished. That had been a family heirloom as well. His father told him the story about finding it after the fall of the Dark Lord in the Foribidden Forrest of Hogwarts. He always wore this ring in case he needed advisement from his grandfather, also a Death Eater, and his wife, both of whom were dead. He never took this ring off except to use it. He quickened his pace to the wand shop as the lights grew dimmer and dimmer. This man had better not set him up.

She managed to keep a polite closed smile on her lips. His request seemed slightly forward but Christelle Rochebarron could appreciate initiative. In fact, often times, she encouraged it. "Will there be anyone else joining us, Armen? After all, if it's a few drinks in honor of his Lordships accomplishment I'm sure there would be many who would like to participate. Either way, I'd be happy to join you."

Now that the proposition was out in the open like that and Armen was waiting for a reply he felt really vulnerable. He didn't like it. He slowly placed his hands into his pokets and looked at Christelle for a moment and then breathed in deeply through his nose, calming himself more. He didn't allow his nerves to make an impression on his person though, he was pretty good at that, except for big scary Cult members before he had rejoined; they were a different story.

Realizing that his question must have registered to her as being a bit too soon for a date he was ready to fire some sort of excuse as meaning it be a group outing but she answered with a reasonable retort. "Ah, well if they want to join us they certainly can. We can see as the party goes along if anyone decides to come along they are more than welcome." he said with a relaxed grin. Now that was better.

"AH HA! Our Charles!" Lord Borr almost offered the son of Martel his knee. "Are you packed yet? HOLD TIGHT. I'll get you a proper send off!"

Lord Borr waved his cane around his head and kicked his stubby legs wildly. "OY. OY SHUT UP WHILE I'M SPEAKING. I want to introduce you to someone you SHOULD know, but probably don't." Lord Borr then used his cane to corral young Mr. D'Isigny to the front of the dais. "This is Charles D'Isigny. Give him a round of applause for his hard work and time spent bettering this Ministry. It's a damn shame we have to lose him but he has business to attend to abroad. So show your respects!"

Lord Borr clapped the LOUDEST.

"About TIME! I hope dallying is not a habit you make often!" Lord Borr smiled at the new hire with a HINT of warning behind the lips.


"HO HO HO!" Lord Borr CHUCKLED and LAUGHED. "Armen! I know this is a party but please stop flirting with my Assistant." HAHA. Lord Borr SMACKED Armen with his cane from afar and LAUGHED until he choked up a big green glob of phlegm.


Lord Borr spit the big ball of phlegm into his handkerchief and handed it off to his Assistant. He was VERY busy and missed most of the speech from the new arrival to his throne, but waved in a general VERY BUSY AND IMPORTANT way.

"Christelle. Prepare us to leave. Partying can only last so long before we must get back to work." It was in Borr's opinion that the Ministry had been PARTYING for TOO long. Particularly the lazy MLE. His beady black eyes scanned the crowd for Bole before he peeled his body out of the throne to give closing remarks.


"I see the children of Hogwarts are preparing to go. I think we all should take a page from their book and GET BACK TO WORK. CHILDREN? Are you listening?" Lord Borr paused generously to await for their small brains to catch up. "I am very proud of you, in spite of your melodic shortcomings. Even still, I want you to go away with something. I want you to take back a GIFT to your fellow students and you can tell them that YOU - and me - are responsible for the gift."

Lord Borr paused again for dramatic emphasis and for gaseous bowel rumbling relief.

"I have canceled all NEWTs and OWLs for this year! YOU'RE WELCOME! Tell all your peers what we did for them!"


Lord Borr clapped for himself and the students of Hogwarts. "Finish your plates and conversations, then get back to WORK! Get ready for change!"

Iridesca raised up from her little curtsy with a smile on her face...her beautiful blue eyes standing out against her blue shirt and blue hair. She shook her right and left and then spoke, "Sorry sir that it took so long...there are so many people here to honor you that it took me a while to make my way through the crowd up here..." she said knowing that he would like that answer.

She turned towards the crowd and smiled trying to step out of the way. She winked at Charles to wish him good luck but was interrupted by Borr's next announcement..she turned back towards him with a forced smile on her face pretty sure that she hadn't heard him correctly. She scanned the faces of the students and saw her neice, Satine, finally and instantly knew from her face that yes she had understood him correctly...he was canceling tests at Hogwarts....

For the first time in her life she was speechless but kept her smile plastered on her face.

"We'll see," said Christelle politely. She didn't have much time for conversation as Lord Borr had begun to speak. Immediately, Rochebarron turned her attention towards the corpulent man.



Charles D'Isigny had somehow managed to miss her attention. Christelle punished her lower lip for such an unforgivable act. Now that Lord Borr was directing everyone's attention to the attractive man, the red-head allowed herself a moment of self-indulgence. She took in his appearance and his quiet and magnetic charisma with a small smile. There were very few men like Charles D'Isgny--in fact, there were none save for his very father.

Christelle clapped, perhaps a little too excitedly. The palms of her hands itched so she rubbed them together briefly, wishing the tickling to go away even as Lord Borr went into a coughing fit. Her left brow rose a fraction of an inch as she took the handkerchief into her hand. Well, she couldn't complain much. There had been worse things on her hands.

She nodded at Lord Borr before turning to Armen. "It seems I have some work to do. If you'll excuse me, His Lordship needs me. It's been a pleasure to meet you," she finished before placing a hand gently on Lord Borr's shoulder. "My Lord, I'm ready whenever you are."

Ren stood quietly by his Lordship, listening to his speeches and conversation with those he considered to be of like minds. Throughout the wall-shattering guffaws and cane whacking and aromatic rumbling he stood steadfast behind him, barely unperturbed even with the scholastic news that he himself also found surprising. Wouldnt those young ones graduating this term need it in looking for work? Perhaps this was part of his Lordship's master plan?

As he heard the Loud One make the motion to leave he shifted his position and nodded his head in deference. As much of a favorable vantage point the dias was, being seen and heard by everyone in the room just wasnt his preferred MO. He wanted to get off the dias and return to being incognito amongst the crowd. Its just easier to get away with things that way.

Armen turned again from his conversation with the attractive woman who just happened to be Borr assistant as he was smacked hard on the back with man's cane. He whinced slighlty leaning forward and holding in the yelp he certainly wanted to fire at the man. But he was NOT going to do that, he would probably be fired for one thing. And he had been blackmailed and made it too high in the Cult to be knocked back down!

"Of course you're Lordship. You definately have a knack for picking eye-catchin assistants though." he said with a wink at Christelle. He then clapped as the annoucement of D'Isigny's soon time abroad. What he was doing was unknown to Armen but he made a mental note to find out. The 'gift' of no exams to the students really didn't phase the Transportation Head because it really didn't effect him very much, now for the people in the Education Department who had all just lost their jobs that was a different story; yet still not him.

After all the final speeches and annoucements the giant man had heaved himself for the chair and suprisingly it was still in one piece. Armen hadn't noticed the chair had a nice red color to it while His Lordship had been sitting covering ever inch in it. They were leaving?! The party was practically over.

Armen looked out at the crowd of people and wanted to stand on the dias longer.
Nodding to Christelle and trying his hardest not to imagine what was in the hankercheif Borr had given her. Armen nodded at his new Ministry co-worker and waved good-bye. "Of course, Lord Borr is an important man and he needs you. Good luck and it was great meeting you too Christelle." and with that he turned and walked back over to Erica and Rafa, knowing that he was going o be making some trips to Miss Rochebarron's desk soon.