Just past the Golden Gates there is a desk and an alarming looking machine. There is always a security officer and a wand-weigher located here, ready to inspect and register the wands of visitors and employees alike.

The machine itself are large and bulky and made of brass. There are tubes and dials, meters and whistles and upon presenting your wand to the wand-weigher, it will be checked by this machine and registered to you. The ministry is charmed so that if a wand is fired, some information can be gathered about who might have been responsible. It isn't an exact art.

On the bright side if you lose your wand or someone else takes it, the wand-weigher can find out.

The Security Office is not very far away and can be found up a flight of stairs and overlooking the Atrium. The windows overlooking the Atrium itself provide a perfect view of the goings-on below. It is a large, circular room divided by a counter. This is where you may speak to security personnel, or where you will be brought if security personnel which to speak to you, in which case you'll be seated in a small alcove to one side. It looks innocent enough until you notice there are subtle restraints attached to the chair, in case of emergency of course. There is a door to one side which leads behind the service desks, there is a sign on this door that says "MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT"

Behind this door there are filing cabinets against one wall and a floo that leads straight to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on level 2. Only DMLE employees are permitted to use this access.

OOC: This thread is ALWAYS manned but you may not always get a response. You are welcome to RP through but you must not RP for the wand-weigher or security officers. If you are confused about this please feel free to ask a ministry department head for clarification.

With trust in the lifts still out, the travel down to the atrium had taken a bit heading down by the stairs. Simon wasn't rushing by any means, though his hand was on his wand at his side as he moved cautiously from level to level. The scene that finally greeted him was much like the offices above except perhaps on more massive scale. Void of activity and chewed and covered with dust.

"Homenum revelio..." he cast over the area, approaching the security checkpoint that was his first stop. It was eerily quiet for an atrium that was normally bustling with workers of the ministry and visitors alike bustling in and out of the blackened stone corridors. Seemingly getting no response, the auror ran through the various spells he knew to check on the magical status of the room, the results a repeat of before.

No magic.

Jory had to take a look at Security Checkpoint. He had, of course, heard all about its condition. Finally arriving there, his eyes surveyed the place. He was shocked to see the condition. So much dust! And the room was unsecured.

It was then he heard a voice. An all too familiar voice. Now, where was the Auror? Jory scanned the place carefully. Oh! There he was! "Hey, Simon!'' The YATI waded across the dirty room towards the man. Was Simon helping out with getting the Checkpoint back into order? "Anything I can do to help?''

That wasn't quite the reaction Simon was expecting when he cast the charm to reveal any humans in the area. BAM and there was a YATI. Not that he minded the additional person in the cavernous space that was the atrium. "Hey," he greeted back as he bent down to examine one of the pieces of furniture

"Plenty actually," he remarked straightening up and trying to think of everything that needed to be gone over and fixed within the area. At least two workers was better than one since Jory was willing to help with it all. "The security spells have to be redone here, and the place obviously needs to be cleaned." Dust was abundant and it was a wonder neither of them wasn't sneezing up a storm.

His attention finally drawn to the wand weigher the auror was reminded of something else. "We probably need to let maintenance know of getting the machine back up and running too." It should certainly be a priority for when they were ready to open the ministry fully.

Awesome! Jory was looking for something constructive to do right about now. Not that anything he did at the Ministry wasn't constructive but he really wanted to help get things back into shape.

First they needed to do the obvious. "Cleaning first then,'' he said cheerfully and cast another eye over the very dirty place. Yep, clean and then redo the security spells. Wand in hand, the YATI moved over to a random dust covered spot. Using the all to familiar Scourgify, he was able to remove the dust in no time. See? This wasn't so hard with magic.

Jory paused and looked over at the Auror. "Yeah, better let them know early in case it takes a while to get fixed.'' Didn't want everything to be ready except the machine now, did they?

Cleaning certainly seemed a good enough place to start and there was no telling if temporarily leaving the dirt and debris around wouldn't mess further with reset spells if they attempted that first. Given the size of the area, as Jory headed off in one direction, Simon headed off in the other. The auror sending off scouring charms and other assorted options to try and clean up the place the best they could.

Simon nodded at Jory's comment on maintainance, the group no doubt going to have a lot on their plates to get the ministry back up to snuff. He would have sent off a message just then but opted to bring it up to Emily when he reported back, the department head hopefully having the sway to imply priority to the task. But for now they would continue doing what they were doing and cleaning like a bunch of house elves.

As fast as he would have liked to get to the Ministry, the walk from Diagon took a little bit longer than expected. Without the adrenaline and encouragement of nasty spells, Sabel found the pain in his back a right nuisance. He moved a little slower to humor it, but really, he couldn't wait until he got to sit down again. If need be, he would explain it away that he didn't want Sander to miss any of the sights of London. The better part of the wizarding community. The safer things.

"I hope you have no qualms with letting security check your wand." He spoke half-attentively to Sander they breached the Golden Gates, his eyes scanning the milling crowds.

It was only then, being among the pristine and well dressed, that Sabel realized how utterly disheveled and dirty they looked. He made a half-fuss about trying to shake the dust from his hair and straighten his clothes as they approached the security check-point. "Just protocol." Nothing personal.

A nice rip in his sleeve caught his attention and he poked his finger through the tear. There would definitely be an issue if he did.

SPOILER!!: Lanky RAD Sidekick, yeah, we can do that :

]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

Was he learning? That looked like a learning moment right there. Or at least, the consideration of a learning moment. If it was, good. If it wasn't, well Sabel really didn't want to know what else the man might be thinking about.

And yeah, maybe he should get it checked out, but his legs worked and his toes weren't tingling. So, in Auror words, he was fine. No need to see anyone for anything. Plus, there were things to attend to. It could wait. Still, he appreciated the concern and gave Sander a small smile of reassurance. "I'm fine. Really." Really really sore. "But thank you."

He braced himself for a moment before stepping away from the table. His back protested but he was still upright and good, so...good.

Humor came back at Sander's words, and Sabel glanced at him with a smirk. "You? Come quietly?" Took a turn through Knocturn to get that line out of the man. Sabel chuckled and shook his head, starting them off. "To see my boss."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

As fast as he would have liked to get to the Ministry, the walk from Diagon took a little bit longer than expected. Without the adrenaline and encouragement of nasty spells, Sabel found the pain in his back a right nuisance. He moved a little slower to humor it, but really, he couldn't wait until he got to sit down again. If need be, he would explain it away that he didn't want Sander to miss any of the sights of London. The better part of the wizarding community. The safer things.

"I hope you have no qualms with letting security check your wand." He spoke half-attentively to Sander they breached the Golden Gates, his eyes scanning the milling crowds.

It was only then, being among the pristine and well dressed, that Sabel realized how utterly disheveled and dirty they looked. He made a half-fuss about trying to shake the dust from his hair and straighten his clothes as they approached the security check-point. "Just protocol." Nothing personal.

A nice rip in his sleeve caught his attention and he poked his finger through the tear. There would definitely be an issue if he did.

They were meeting Sabel's BOSS? "Is he the head of all the law enforcement?" the long-legged redhead wondered aloud as they walked. W-o-w! This was going to make for some story later. No one would probably believe him, not that Sander was a big story teller in the first place. Just an adventurer seeking to suck out all the marrow of life.

He followed the officer into the Ministry, his already wide eyes growing even bigger at the sight of the place. Talk about fancy! This place was sure putting that Diagon Alley bank to shame. He could probably see his reflection in the well-polished floors here! Incredible! The amount of galleons that had gone into building this center of government... well well, nobody ever said the Ministry was frugal.

"Protocol... right." He blinked his thoughts and opinions about lavish spending away and flicked his wand into his hand. A small, amused smile came to his lips as he watched how the awesome officer attempted to smarten himself up, but Sander didn't bother to do the same. The more disheveled and dusty he looked, the better. Right? He was supposed to be playing up the 'I was a victim of a Dark Wizard attack' card for the purposes of putting away Mr. Creepy.

So, Sander stepped up the bulky, funky-looking brass machine without too much hesitation. Should he, er, identify himself? "Aleksander Bunbury. Erm... m'wand is 12.5", Holly and Phoenix Feather." Finicky sometimes, bit like him.

SPOILER!!: Knockturn Duo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

As fast as he would have liked to get to the Ministry, the walk from Diagon took a little bit longer than expected. Without the adrenaline and encouragement of nasty spells, Sabel found the pain in his back a right nuisance. He moved a little slower to humor it, but really, he couldn't wait until he got to sit down again. If need be, he would explain it away that he didn't want Sander to miss any of the sights of London. The better part of the wizarding community. The safer things.

"I hope you have no qualms with letting security check your wand." He spoke half-attentively to Sander they breached the Golden Gates, his eyes scanning the milling crowds.

It was only then, being among the pristine and well dressed, that Sabel realized how utterly disheveled and dirty they looked. He made a half-fuss about trying to shake the dust from his hair and straighten his clothes as they approached the security check-point. "Just protocol." Nothing personal.

A nice rip in his sleeve caught his attention and he poked his finger through the tear. There would definitely be an issue if he did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: Lanky RAD Sidekick, yeah, we can do that :

]

They were meeting Sabel's BOSS? "Is he the head of all the law enforcement?" the long-legged redhead wondered aloud as they walked. W-o-w! This was going to make for some story later. No one would probably believe him, not that Sander was a big story teller in the first place. Just an adventurer seeking to suck out all the marrow of life.

He followed the officer into the Ministry, his already wide eyes growing even bigger at the sight of the place. Talk about fancy! This place was sure putting that Diagon Alley bank to shame. He could probably see his reflection in the well-polished floors here! Incredible! The amount of galleons that had gone into building this center of government... well well, nobody ever said the Ministry was frugal.

"Protocol... right." He blinked his thoughts and opinions about lavish spending away and flicked his wand into his hand. A small, amused smile came to his lips as he watched how the awesome officer attempted to smarten himself up, but Sander didn't bother to do the same. The more disheveled and dusty he looked, the better. Right? He was supposed to be playing up the 'I was a victim of a Dark Wizard attack' card for the purposes of putting away Mr. Creepy.

So, Sander stepped up the bulky, funky-looking brass machine without too much hesitation. Should he, er, identify himself? "Aleksander Bunbury. Erm... m'wand is 12.5", Holly and Phoenix Feather." Finicky sometimes, bit like him.

Simon had taken some time outside rounds of the other departments to station himself around the atrium. It was here where a lot of focus on security had to be directed seeing as it was the main entrance of the Ministry from many points of access. Granted he was mainly playing supervisor as the wand weighers kept busy with the staggered influx of people into the building, both employees and visitors, but it was a duty to do and he was doing it.

He had opted to stay on his feet rather then sit at any one desk, letting his feet wander at times since there was a decent amount to space to cover. It was for this reason that he didn't readily see his friend side up to one of the machines with his stranger of a companion and looking a little worse to wear. That was until he heard his voice and headed over just as the companion offered his wand to the technician there working.

The security man sent Sabel a look as if inquiring if he should bother asking. His eyes then flitting to the screen on the machine over the woman's shoulder. "Looks fine...Mr---?" As in trying to back up his coworkers ID for visiting records.

"He's the head of the London Division." Sabel humored the man as he twisted his sleeve and the offensive tear, hoping the fold would hide it well enough. While Sander didn't seem to care about his state, and actually seemed rather proud of it, the man wasn't going to his boss.

Letting out a breath, Sabel looked up and for a moment was surprised to see Simon moving behind the desks. It took him a moment to remember that his friend belonged there now. He felt a little more relaxed about having to go through security from now on. That was, until his friend gave him that look. He had the feeling he'd be getting it a lot.

Stepping up to the counter himself, he gave the redhead a sidelong glance. "Phoenix core, huh?" It was fitting.

As Sander went through the process, Sabel turned his attention to the silent, waiting question of his friend. "Had a bit of a run-in in Knocturn." He stressed his words, hoping Simon would be able to pick up as to with whom he was referring to.

This wasn't the place or the time to drop details. "We are on our way to debrief Rainey."

At least his witness was checking out. With all that had happened, he hadn't even thought to ask for the man's ID.

SPOILER!!: Auror Buddiez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

SPOILER!!: Knockturn Duo

Simon had taken some time outside rounds of the other departments to station himself around the atrium. It was here where a lot of focus on security had to be directed seeing as it was the main entrance of the Ministry from many points of access. Granted he was mainly playing supervisor as the wand weighers kept busy with the staggered influx of people into the building, both employees and visitors, but it was a duty to do and he was doing it.

He had opted to stay on his feet rather then sit at any one desk, letting his feet wander at times since there was a decent amount to space to cover. It was for this reason that he didn't readily see his friend side up to one of the machines with his stranger of a companion and looking a little worse to wear. That was until he heard his voice and headed over just as the companion offered his wand to the technician there working.

The security man sent Sabel a look as if inquiring if he should bother asking. His eyes then flitting to the screen on the machine over the woman's shoulder. "Looks fine...Mr---?" As in trying to back up his coworkers ID for visiting records.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

SPOILER!!: The S Gang

"He's the head of the London Division." Sabel humored the man as he twisted his sleeve and the offensive tear, hoping the fold would hide it well enough. While Sander didn't seem to care about his state, and actually seemed rather proud of it, the man wasn't going to his boss.

Letting out a breath, Sabel looked up and for a moment was surprised to see Simon moving behind the desks. It took him a moment to remember that his friend belonged there now. He felt a little more relaxed about having to go through security from now on. That was, until his friend gave him that look. He had the feeling he'd be getting it a lot.

Stepping up to the counter himself, he gave the redhead a sidelong glance. "Phoenix core, huh?" It was fitting.

As Sander went through the process, Sabel turned his attention to the silent, waiting question of his friend. "Had a bit of a run-in in Knocturn." He stressed his words, hoping Simon would be able to pick up as to with whom he was referring to.

This wasn't the place or the time to drop details. "We are on our way to debrief Rainey."

At least his witness was checking out. With all that had happened, he hadn't even thought to ask for the man's ID.

Head of the London division! That was awesome. This guy would probably be slightly more awesome than Sabel, or so Sander was hoping. "This is Mr. Dakest, sir," he looked up from watching the wand weighing, not sure why the blonde guy was questioning his companion's name. Didn't they know each other? They all worked in the London offices, right? Maybe Sander had misunderstood. "And I'm Bunbury, Sander Bunbury..." hadn't he just said that though??

Phoenix core, yeah. Sander gave his wand on the brass machine a small smile. "Yeah. The wand chooses the wizard, ya know." And he'd say they had had a run-in with Knockturn... that was understating it, but he could probably guess why. Sander stepped off to the side once his security check-over was complete, pocketing his hands as he waited for his guardian guide, Sabel.

SPOILER!!: Frick and Frack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

SPOILER!!: The S Gang

"He's the head of the London Division." Sabel humored the man as he twisted his sleeve and the offensive tear, hoping the fold would hide it well enough. While Sander didn't seem to care about his state, and actually seemed rather proud of it, the man wasn't going to his boss.

Letting out a breath, Sabel looked up and for a moment was surprised to see Simon moving behind the desks. It took him a moment to remember that his friend belonged there now. He felt a little more relaxed about having to go through security from now on. That was, until his friend gave him that look. He had the feeling he'd be getting it a lot.

Stepping up to the counter himself, he gave the redhead a sidelong glance. "Phoenix core, huh?" It was fitting.

As Sander went through the process, Sabel turned his attention to the silent, waiting question of his friend. "Had a bit of a run-in in Knocturn." He stressed his words, hoping Simon would be able to pick up as to with whom he was referring to.

This wasn't the place or the time to drop details. "We are on our way to debrief Rainey."

At least his witness was checking out. With all that had happened, he hadn't even thought to ask for the man's ID.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: Auror Buddiez

Head of the London division! That was awesome. This guy would probably be slightly more awesome than Sabel, or so Sander was hoping. "This is Mr. Dakest, sir," he looked up from watching the wand weighing, not sure why the blonde guy was questioning his companion's name. Didn't they know each other? They all worked in the London offices, right? Maybe Sander had misunderstood. "And I'm Bunbury, Sander Bunbury..." hadn't he just said that though??

Phoenix core, yeah. Sander took his wand back with a small smile toward it, re-holstering it on his wrist. "Yeah. The wand chooses the wizard, ya know." And he'd say they had had a run-in with Knockturn... that was understating it, but he could probably guess why. Sander stepped off to the side once his security check-over was complete, pocketing his hands as he waited for his guardian guide, Sabel.

He knew Sabel got the meaning of his unanswered question. It wasn't like they hadn't worked together enough, even if they were both getting back into the swing of things since the other man's return to London proper. At the mention of Knockturn, Simon raised an eyebrow, his turn to catch the drift of the unspoken word of his friend. Peverell was all he could think of and if so, the security man was relieved that his advanced training and experience had improved his chances over Genevieve.

Simon nodded in understanding. "Sounds like fun..." he remarked before turning his full attention back to the visitor as he remarked with the wrong info. Wise guy eh? He didn't seem that stupid to him to have gotten mixed up any other way. "Yes...I know he is," he said, fighting the urge to eye the man. "I was asking about your name actually." As in the one belonging to the person that didn't work there at the ministry.

Sabel waited for his words to spark the light of understanding, and he wasn't disappointed. He could tell by the change in Simon's expression that he had got the drift of the statement, and the nut of the story. A shrug left him. "A dance with death always is. I'll fill you in on the details later."

Or Rainey would. Someone would. At least Sander wasn't jumping to the task. He seemed more preoccupied with either trying to provoke Simon or be humorous. There seemed to be a repeat pattern in effect between here and Knocturn. Or maybe that was simply his own perception, given the sirs were how it all started between the two of them.

In any regard, it seemed like an appropriate time to put introductions on a level base. "Sander, this is Simon Bennett. Internal Investigations Liaison, Auror," former but he wasn't going to make that distinction, "and longstanding friend of mine."

If Simon wasn't going to eye the redhead, Sabel most certainly had no qualms doing so, however briefly. "Simon, this is," as he just said, "Sander. He helped me out today."

Would they play nice?

"But I just told you my name," Sander blinked, wondering what was up with this guy. Ohhhhhhh he was Internal Investigations was he. AND an Auror. AND a friend of Sander's personal hero new best friend awesome stalker. That explained all the suspicion. He glanced over at said stalker and smirked, just a little bit, at the corner of his mouth. No need for any stink eye, sir.

He'd behave himself and not annoy more law enforcers than necessary. Scout's honor, amirite? "I've never been to your Ministry before," he informed Simon Bennett with some amusement. "Faaaaaancy, huh? You like workin' here?" Just curious and friendly was all.

SPOILER!!: Oscar and Felix

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

SPOILER!!: Boys boys <3

Sabel waited for his words to spark the light of understanding, and he wasn't disappointed. He could tell by the change in Simon's expression that he had got the drift of the statement, and the nut of the story. A shrug left him. "A dance with death always is. I'll fill you in on the details later."

Or Rainey would. Someone would. At least Sander wasn't jumping to the task. He seemed more preoccupied with either trying to provoke Simon or be humorous. There seemed to be a repeat pattern in effect between here and Knocturn. Or maybe that was simply his own perception, given the sirs were how it all started between the two of them.

In any regard, it seemed like an appropriate time to put introductions on a level base. "Sander, this is Simon Bennett. Internal Investigations Liaison, Auror," former but he wasn't going to make that distinction, "and longstanding friend of mine."

If Simon wasn't going to eye the redhead, Sabel most certainly had no qualms doing so, however briefly. "Simon, this is," as he just said, "Sander. He helped me out today."

Would they play nice?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: Ryan and Esposito

"But I just told you my name," Sander blinked, wondering what was up with this guy. Ohhhhhhh he was Internal Investigations was he. AND an Auror. AND a friend of Sander's personal hero new best friend awesome stalker. That explained all the suspicion. He glanced over at said stalker and smirked, just a little bit, at the corner of his mouth. No need for any stink eye, sir.

He'd behave himself and not annoy more law enforcers than necessary. Scout's honor, amirite? "I've never been to your Ministry before," he informed Simon Bennett with some amusement. "Faaaaaancy, huh? You like workin' here?" Just curious and friendly was all.

Simon fought the urge to snort at the amusing comparison Sabel gave to having a meeting with Rainey. Yeah, dancing with death. One never fully sure what to expect from the get together with the man. He might have had a long existance in the department but he wasn't fully free with himself. Another nod of understanding when he was told of getting the details later. Plenty of time to catch up when they were both upstairs in their office and on their own without outside witnesses.

There was the full introduction, the name of his companion from his friend. And Sabel had given his full previous title...the man hadn't forgotten the fact that he wasn't an auror anymore...right? Or was there another reason for the use of the famed title that most bystanders thought of in reference to the department. Cue another look at Sander. Was it better for there to be TWO aurors around the man?

He didn't need to be followed up?

And yes...right, the man had told him his name before. Simon had heard it three times now. Or was it four? "Indeed," he confirmed and acting like he completely had done it on purpose. "Just checking it all out. " And verifying that what Sander was telling him was what he had told Sabel. It was an effect of their training, to be over careful and attentive to details, even as simple as one's name. That was what most people that weren't on the right side of the law were quick to mess with.

"Well then welcome," he said offering a polite small smile. And the man's wand handed back to him."Indeed it is and I do."

Sabel's eyebrow arched at Sander's expression. Maybe this was a bad idea, taking him to see Rainey. It would be his first debrief with the man and the topic was already touchy enough without added unpredictability. As solid as Sander had proved in a fight, he wasn't sure how he'd hold up in such a meeting. Truth be told, he wasn't sure about any factor of the impending talk other than it had to happen. Sander was just the wild card.

Shaking his head at the man's curiosity, Sabel glanced at Simon from under lowered brows, mouthing tourist. But, depending on how things went, maybe he would indulge Sander a little more on his fascination with new places. It might just keep him pre-occupied enough to stay out of trouble. Might.

"Simon, can you get me a printed record of Sander's wand registration here? I'd like to include it in my report when I get around to it later." Paperwork, the other terror resulting from this day. "I can pick it up on my way back."

Indeed... right, what was this, the good cop/bad cop routine? Something told Sander that Simon wasn't very good at this act of his. He was probably just covering up for poor hearing, honestly.

"Thanks." He put his wand back in his wrist holster and gently tucked his dusty sleeve down over it. Simon wasn't much of a talker, either. Sander's fault for asking only yes or no questions though. Soooooo, onto the meeting with the big boss then? He looked to Sabel expectantly, being quiet for once. C'mon now, tour guide, haven't got all day.

SPOILER!!: Calvin and Hobbes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

SPOILER!!: Roadrunner & Wylie Coyote

Sabel's eyebrow arched at Sander's expression. Maybe this was a bad idea, taking him to see Rainey. It would be his first debrief with the man and the topic was already touchy enough without added unpredictability. As solid as Sander had proved in a fight, he wasn't sure how he'd hold up in such a meeting. Truth be told, he wasn't sure about any factor of the impending talk other than it had to happen. Sander was just the wild card.

Shaking his head at the man's curiosity, Sabel glanced at Simon from under lowered brows, mouthing tourist. But, depending on how things went, maybe he would indulge Sander a little more on his fascination with new places. It might just keep him pre-occupied enough to stay out of trouble. Might.

"Simon, can you get me a printed record of Sander's wand registration here? I'd like to include it in my report when I get around to it later." Paperwork, the other terror resulting from this day. "I can pick it up on my way back."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

SPOILER!!: Batman and... Robin? :D

Indeed... right, what was this, the good cop/bad cop routine? Something told Sander that Simon wasn't very good at this act of his. He was probably just covering up for poor hearing, honestly.

"Thanks." He put his wand back in his wrist holster and gently tucked his dusty sleeve down over it. Simon wasn't much of a talker, either. Sander's fault for asking only yes or no questions though. Soooooo, onto the meeting with the big boss then? He looked to Sabel expectantly, being quiet for once. C'mon now, tour guide, haven't got all day.

Seeing the raised eyebrow of his friend said to Simon that he hadn't been the only one wary of the smirk the other man was wearing. But seeing as everything seemed okay...for the moment...it was just good to be alert. "Of course," it was one of the ways the wand weighing machine was useful other than verifying that the wand in question wasn't belonging to a criminal. "It will be excessible when needed." Whether when Sabel came back or when Simon dropped it off at his desk later for those details that had been talked about. They would all see what happened when it happened.

"You're welcome," he said, returning his hand in his pocket once the wand within his possession was back in its owner's holster. "Enjoy your visit." If he could dealing with a certain department head once upstairs. His job was done.

Sabel gave a small smile and nod of appreciation to Simon. "Don't work too hard."

With that parting, he turned and started them into the Ministry proper and towards the lifts. He felt like he should find some advice to give Sander, something along the lines of 'speak only when spoken to, don't look him in the eye and for heaven's sake don't call him sir', but none of it seemed applicable. He didn't know Rainey that well, and frankly, he had very little of an idea as to what to expect.

So, he settled for muddling over the events of the afternoon in silence, picking out the points that were relevant for detail, and those that were less so.

Simon had opted to stick down to the lower levels today. It was one of the days he was grateful for having another spot to perch while still doing his duties in the form of the security office above the entrances. It was quieter and he was free to keep an eye on the atrium while he worked on other stuff...like paperwork...and thoughts. No trainees working on the floor or members of the department just randomly raising a ruckus by arresting a woman for nothing.

At least...at the moment.

So the young man was perched in one of the mismatched chairs that were placed in the small office amongst the desks, leaned back just enough to seem relaxed but not slouchy. His legs stretched out in front of him slightly raised and resting on a small random box that had been randomly stashed there and a small pile of files on his lap that he was looking down upon and reading.

Truth be told, Sabel was dreading this meeting, just a little bit. The news was exciting, but what it actually meant had his stomach doing uncomfortable twists. But he had to do this, before someone else got Simon's ear, before the word slipped out in the most ungracious way possible. Before the Prophet heard and made another gong show of the matter.

It had taken him a bit to find Simon, first checking his desk in the MLE offices and then slowly making his way to the ministry. It was surprising to find his friend here. Paperwork was not a forte for either of them, and their feet preferred to move. But at least here was private.

He gave a knock on the door before entering and shutting it behind him, giving Simon a once over. "Well, don't you look comfy."

Simon heard the knock but didn't immediately turn, his eyes scanning and finishing up the latest it had been reading. It was only at the sound of the door closing that the security man looked up, noting absently that the door wasn't often closed. "Hey,"he said as Sabel made his presence known, straightening up just a little at the comment as if caught doing something wrong. "Figured I might as well be comfortable while doing something I loath."

It was his turn to look his friend over, get the feeling of something being up. That and the randomness of the man coming to find him here in the security office. "So what brings you to my escape from the circus upstairs?" The seated man, dropping his feet back down to the floor as he inquired after Sabel's presence there with him.

"A solid point" Chuckling, Sabel moved further into the room and picked out one of the spare chairs, pulling it over so he could sit across from Simon.

Once seated however, he wanted to stand all over again. He was suddenly nervous and fidgety, not wanting to delay and at the same time wanting nothing more than to save this conversation for later. Except that Simon knew, and he couldn't well dodge the question.

Letting out a breath, Sabel intertwined his fingers and looked at his friend. "I have something I need to share with you, before it gets to you from the wrong sources." And because they were life-long friends, and work partners. He took a breath and decided to simply bite the bullet. No grandiose speeches or walks down memory lane to prolong it. Simon would see past it, he always did.

"I've been offered a position to teach at Hogwarts, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." It still sounded strange, even to him. He wondered how strange it would sound to his friend.

The words sounded like a weight dropping in a silent room to him, and he couldn't help but wring his hands together. What would Simon say? How would he react? It was the first time, in a long time, that he could not confidently predict the outcome of an encounter.

The laughter...the joining him in taking a seat.

Neither really raised any red flags, or at least warnings of a surprise coming his way from his friend. However it was Sabel's behavior after he sat down that made Simon pat extra attention. He seemed nervous, and not necessarily something the security man saw in the other man. When he spoke of something to share with him, the former auror couldn't help but think back on the article at first. Especially with the mention of wrong sources.

Did he know something further about what it said?

Was that why the closed door...the privacy?

The ministry had ears after all, even before Rainey made his wishes for more spying to be done throughout its walls. But as his friend continued, that wasn't to be the case. Simon had to admit that it was certainly not something he expected, and his words failed him seriously at first. "Oh..." was all he managed as he tried to take in what was being said and what was happening, absently closing the top file on his lap for lack of anything better to do while he tried to gather his thoughts.

"um...congrats," he added, his tone more reserved and less enthusiastic than it might have been under different circumstances.

Sabel didn't question the obvious lack of enthusiasm or excitement coming from his friend. It was why he had been so nervous in telling him. And he knew Simon wasn't the only one that would give him such a reaction on the news.

Letting out a breath, he spread his hands a little bit. "I know, it seems like really bad timing with all that is going on." He watched Simon closely, holding his eyes. He needed his friend to understand. "And I wish it was under different circumstances, I really do. I want to stick around and help you guys figure this out. To make sure everyone will be okay. To fight whatever hand is behind this, with you."

If he really thought about it, it made him feel a bit like the article made him out to be, a traitor. But he knew that like those words, those thoughts and feelings were false.

"But if I stay, Simon, I've got the bad feeling that things will only get worse for me and my family. We already hit the spotlight, and I'm walking on eggshells just to keep it from happening again, to try and keep my family out of it. And I would do anything to protect them." Probably not an admission to be making to a man of the law, but right now he was talking to his friend, not the lawman. "And it may sound selfish to you, and the others, but I can't keep putting them through this."

After a decade, he had to pull out. For his family, for himself. He didn't know how Evander and Damien had lasted so long. "This, Simon, is an opportunity, an amazing opportunity and an out that I've...needed for some time."