Scoff. Wasn't it totally obvious ? "Ick. Of course I dont! My brothers making me get a job." she rolled her eyes. She hated Mark for making her get a job. Pfffffft, Idiotic person or what ? "Yeah. Whatever. I'd much rather be out shopping or something." Scoff. "Eva Kensington. Ditto." She shook her head and eye'd his hand. What was it with people and the hand shaking ? It was gross and passed on germs. Well she didn't wanna seem rude, although she was. "I gotta get going. Bye." she said walking off.

Pandora listened to her friend. "Have you seen a healer? You might as well let them put your mind at rest. Although, it could be stress maybe? With your wedding coming up." She suggested mildly.

"Go for it," She said with an indulgent smile, stepping back to watch Dora morph. "I think we'll ok, dressed like this, don't you?" Pandora looked down at her robes. They were not too obviously non-muggle attire, she could get away with looking eccentric.

Mark walked in stood by the doorway, he had his back against it looking down. He was trying to think of many things he could do for Alex's birthday.. Also, he was thinking of his sister Eva, yes he wanted her to get a job.. but he knew deep inside that she wouldn't.. he wasn't that fussed really.. though he loved her as a sister.. he couldn't deal with her acting like one of the kids.. he had enough on his plate.. actually looking after his brothers kids..

Mark noticed his sister, he was slightly shocked that she wasn't even bitting his head off.. and he actually got a proper hi? ''Hey, you ok?'' he asked smiling. He had always wanted to be civil with his sister.. but he wasn't exactly sure whether or not that would happen? ''Listen.. about the job.. its up to you if you want one.. im just looking out for you.. k?'' Smiling once more. He loved her.. oh yes he did, so protecting her was his top priority.

Eva rolled her eyes. Did she look ok ? She had one broken heel, and was being forced to get a job and work when she had money anyways. She was NOT okay. "No acctually im not." she said rolling her eyes. And now he was telling her she didn't have to get a job. It was a bit late for that, sheeeeesh Seriously. "Well its too late now seen as I've got one. Seriously." Mark seriously had awful awful timing. If he'd had said that before she would've quickly not got a job.

Marks eyes widened.. she actually listened to him for once? blimey.. ''Whats up hun?'' he asked, looking down he noticed.. ''Oh.. '' the heel.. She probably had many at home anyway.. ''You..You've got one? BLIMEY well done sis.. i knew you would actually! listen to me for a change..'' he chuckled. ''Na im joking, im proud of you'' he said smiling. ''Alex's party.. i need your help..'' would he get it?

Eva rolled her eyes. He was so annoying. Grrrr. She was going to hit him one of these days. "HELLO! Ive been forced to get a flippin' job and broken my heel!" She said flailing her arms around, she really needed a hot guy to flirt with right now. "Well I was forced to wasn't I ?" She frowned at him, spitefully. "Help you ? Pfft. Ive got my own blummin' problems yano."

Mark rolled his eyes back at her. ''You wasn't forced.. i just wanted you to do something with your life'' he shook his head placing his hand on his forehead and laughed. ''Oh Eva, i do love you..'' Oh he did love being related to her.. half the time.. ''I'll buy you a new pair love..'' he chuckled. Yes he knew he wouldn't get any help from her.. but it was worth an ask..

Soo much for trying to be nice.. ''Fine then.. i wont splash out on you, buy you those new designer pair of shoes i found.. ah well never mind'' rolling his eyes again smiling.

Eva rolled her eyes, leaning back on the wall behind her. Ahhhh, relaxing for once.

Mark chuckled.. maybe he'll just get them for Alex.. ''Ah well.. Alex gets them then'' he looked at her rolled his eyes once more and walked over to her. ''Designer'' he repeated smirking.

Eva rolled her eyes. "I have enough designer stuff. Probably too much acctually. I dont need your pitty." she shrugged, but she would like it.

Jayden arrived in the atrium. "Well, I guess this is goodbye for now." he said. "I'll meet you here when you get back."

Jade smiled and turned to him. "Yes, for now." she said as she offered her hand. "I'll be seeing you once I get back. I do hope you enjoy working here. I know I have in my short time here." Really she hadn't worked there for that long, but she wasn't all that new anymore.

"Oh I have a feeling I will." Jayden said with a wink. He shook her hand. And with that he was off to get back to work. Level 6 here he comes!

Jade gave him a smile as he left and then made her way toward the lifts and Level Nine. She had much to do before leaving and very little time to do it. Smiling to herself, she thought about how things were definitely turning out to be better than she expected.

anyone :)
 

Alexa smiled. Becca was reallu happy. If the constant content sighs weren't enough of a clue. The auror wasn't suprised when Becca told her she wanted to keep the baby's gender a suprise. She thought to ask as most young women just couldn't wait. Alexa thought it was more.. natural to not know.

The knowing look on Becca's face always made Alexa cringe. The woman was too insightful for her own good.
"Boasting?" Alexa laughed. That was so adorable. "It is. Sometimes it get's to a point where you can't handle everything by yourself."
The woman nodded, grateful. "Thank-you. I appreciate it."

On the subject of weddings, Alexa shrugged. "I know it will be, how could it not? But I don't have the time yet to plan it and I want to do it properly. I want to get used to being engaged for a little while longer." Was that so wrong? She'd spent half her life trying to be happy she just wanted to... enjoy it.

Alexa smiling. That wasn't something Becca had seen for a long time! "Yes, boasting" Warren and Alexa made a great couple! "Yeah, I know. It's been amazing for me to have someone there. He's calmed me down so much!" Becca smiled fondly at the thought of Brian. "I mean, you saw what I was like before.." she wasn't ashamed of it anymore. It just showed how far she'd come since before she met him!

"No problem, you deserve it." And she did. "As long as you're with the person you love, it'll be amazing." Becca smiled and then nodded "Yeah, it's a good idea. Brian and I went so fast, but we had no doubt and we love each other more than anything. I kinda expected you and Warren to wait a while because of the amount of times you've tried to be together and it hasn't worked out the way you wanted." The truth wasn't always nice to hear, or speak. It was a shame Alexa and Warren had taken so long to be together. "Enjoy yourself. It's such an amazing feeling."

Alexa laughed, "Well it wasn't expected - put it that way." In hindsight though, they should've done it a long time ago. It was a shame how much obstinancy and pride had wasted their time. Alexa smiled at Becca's comment of changing. "You're still bubbly and likeable. Nothing's changed." Except for the fact that Becca was much more mature and docile.

The Woman tried not to feel embarassed. She didn't feel she deserved it. Becca was right though it was amazing but it was like this even before they were engaged. When they were together it was always amazing. Lexa laughed at Becca's comment. Wait? For what? Another decade to roll by? "We've been on and off for more than a decade, this time we tried to do it differently. Usually we procrastinated and then fought and yelled and eventually it all came down to one little thing, the fact that we.. well loved each other." She felt slightly out of place spilling herself to Becca.

"So, when are you due?" She asked, moving the topic off herself.

Nodding at Alexa's comment, Becca felt happy for them. They really were meant to be together, no matter how many times they'd fought in the past. When the subject changed back to her and how she'd changed, she shook her head. "Maybe not to you, but I've changed. A lot." she grinned. "And for the better."

"Mhmm, it seems to be working." Becca looked at Alexa interestedly. "Love is not something anyone can describe, but I can see it between you and Warren." she commented. When was she due? "Not soon enough." she smiled "In about three months." Becca looked at Alexa with a happy smile. Would Warren and Alexa ever want kids?

A "CRACK!" was heard followed by a nicely dressed woman appearing out of thin ear. Ms. Hoover has successfully apparated, what a joy! Smoothing her sexy black dress which ended right above her knees, Axel flicked her rich brown hair and tightened the grip on her black leather handbag.

Her green eyes glanced around the huge atrium and a sigh escaped her lips. "This is huge.." She muttered while walking towards the lifts, enjoying the sound of her heels clicking against the floor and smile stretching across her pretty face.

Jade walked into the Atrium, her custom morning addictions in her hand. She had managed to send her cousin off safety at King's Cross, but not before a trip to their favorite coffee shop near their flat. She was positive she could never kick her new found caffeine addiction, so she embraced it.

With her robes still draped over her arm, she glanced at her outfit. It was probably far from appropriate for work, but she had seen worst in her time at the American Ministry. She would put her robes on before she reached the lift, if not Level Nine. She never did like robes, but she would wear them as she was expected to.

Letting her new handbag swing from her other arm, she continued on her way through the early rush that the atrium was in the middle of. She was a bit early this day, but she did have things to accomplish before her workday was to begin.

Calla had searched high and low for her newly reveled love. She knew Ryan was the man for her. There was no denying. Her mind was clear now, it was evident he was her perfect mate. She stopped in the middle of the atrium looking all around in hopes she'd spot him. She couldn't wait to hug him, and kiss him and plan their lives together.

Calla was about to lose hope, or at least search some where else. Until... Ooofff! She turned and stopped in her tracks, her eyes went dreamy and her mouth dropped open. Her heart raced and her stomach felt like it was doing flip-flops. "Ryan, I've been looking for you all afternoon!" She got on to her tip toes and threw her arms around his neck.

"I've missed you love, I've been looking everywhere for you!" She explained. She softly nozzled his neck with her nose. Pulling herself away from his neck she kissed him passionately on the lips. She knew she was in the atrium, but damn it she didn't care she was in love!

She wished the kiss would have lingered longer. As he pulled away she stared into his blue eyes. “I was wondering you wanted to come over to dinner tonight. You know for an evening alone.” She still had her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek a bit more. Raising one of her hands to his hair she ran her fingers through his hair. “Wouldn’t that be nice, just me and you?” Her face was inches away from his, she gazed once more into his eyes.

Slowly pulling away so that she could get a quill and parchment out of her bag she jotted down the address. She handed it to him and bit her lip, “There’s my address, I’ve just moved in. I’ll make a wonderful shrimp and pasta, if that’s ok with you?” Her heart was pounding in her chest; she wanted nothing more than to spend every moment with Ryan. Actually she had a sudden urge to practice writing “Calla Chambers”.

Her memory of Gavin had faded, she had no idea who he was or that the pasta dish in question was actually intended for him. This love potion was extremely strong.

She smiled, it was perfect. They'd have a perfect life together. "I'm so glad! I'll be home right after work, you can drop by whenever." She gave him a wink and started playing with seam on the front of his robes. Looking back up and him she felt like she was exactly where she belonged.

Her stomach was full of butterflies, "I love you too Ryan Chambers." She pulled him in close and planted a deep kiss on him. She couldn't control herself, this was not like her. Releasing him she had a thought, "How about we get a small snack in the cafeteria, and then skip the rest of the work day and head to the cottage now." Looking at him, waiting for the response she thought about marriage. She'd like to marry him, but she'd bring that up later at the cottage. Why waste time? They knew they loved each other, it was the next logical step.

Calla was giddy with excitement. She was going to spend a romantic evening with Ryan. Thank goodness Juniper was out of town. She gladly slipped her arm into his and they walked to the cafeteria. Every few steps she looked up at him, and smiled.

She couldn't think of anything except being with him, "Ryan, you're so wonderful" She sighed and placed her head on his shoulder as they walked.

ooc: headed to the cafeteria ;)

Ronan had been distracted by his work by what seemed an urgent note from his girlfriend, Pandora Fortunea. He asked Marina if he could leave for a bit to which she had told him that he could take all the time he needed.

Hurriedly, Ronan had gone to the Atrium and spotted Pandora who was looking rather agitated about something. He came up to her, brows furrowed and asked in a gentle voice, "What happened Pandora?"

It had only been days since she had told him that it was unprofessional to kiss in the work place, but when she saw him, this slipped from her mind. She put her hand to his face, feeling the stubble there and reached up, kissing his forcefully.

When she eventually broke the kiss, she stayed close to him, her hands on his back and whispered "I'm going to go crazy in that office. They are driving me to distraction."

Ronan was rather surprised by the kiss that Pandora had so forcefully placed upon him. Was it not more than a few days ago that she was scolding him for displaying their affections in an unprofessional way in the Cafeteria?

His arms went around her in an affectionate way, listening to what she had to say.

"Perhaps you should try and transfer like you wanted to." Ronan suggested looking down, hoping to catch her gaze. Those steel grey eyes that only seemed to soften for him. He had seen them at their coldest and he did not wish to see them like that again.

"I despise hearing that you're not having a good time at work. You don't deserve to be treated so poorly."

Pandora rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't want him to see how upset she was, she just wanted to feel the protection of his arms.

"It's my fault really, I put two and two together and came up with fifty." Her voice was quiet and embarrassed. "I flew off the handle, I was really rude, I just don't trust any of them. I don't even know where else I'd even want to work."

Ronan frowned as Pandora explained herself. Although he knew that she could get a bit of a temper over things, he was sure that it wasn't entirely her fault. Perhaps he could drop by that man Jared's office since the two seemed to be so close and all. It appeared that he was the closest thing that Pandora had to a friend in her department.

'I don't even know where else I'd even want to work.' the words passed through Ronan's ear and he thought for a moment.

"And desire to come work with in the Department of Mysteries?" he asked in a tentative tone. To date, he hadn't gotten into fights with anyone in his department, well none of them were there most of the time for some reason. He usually only had a chance to interact with Marina who was one of the sweetest persons he had ever met.

Pandora enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her for a moment while he seemed to absorb the things that she had told him. She listened to his breathing. She just wanted to leave for their holiday right at that moment, to be far away from London and alone with him.

When he asked his hesitant question, she looked at him, fear written large in her eyes. "Oh, Ronan, darling, I'm not sure that would be a very good idea. What if it happens all over again? What if I alienate myself from everyone there too? From you? I wouldn't be able to stand that." She hugged him tighter, as though he were about to walk away from her.

"Alright, well we can figure it out after the vacation. Tis only a week or so away after all." he said giving her a comforting smile.

"And I'll always be here if you need a ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on, or lips to kiss upon." Ronan winked after the last comment and gave a cheeky grin reminding Pandora of how she had broke her own set code of conduct just minutes before.

Pandora continued to look up into his face, reassured by his comforting smile. "I wish we were leaving tonight." She murmured. "I just want to be alone with you and forget all this non-sense."

Pandora chuckled. "I broke the rules didn't I?" She reached up and stroked his cheek. "They're my rules to break, I suppose." She put her head against his shoulder again. "What am I going to do? It's just all such a mess." Suddenly and unexpectedly, she sobbed against him, bursting into tears.

Ronan's stomach tightened as he heard Pandora break into tears.

"Shh my little rose, there's no need to cry. Everything will be alright." he whispered tenderly, wiping away her tears with his handkerchief.

He placed the material back in his pocket and felt metal brush against his hand. Ronan paused wondering if right now was the proper time to get her such a gift and decided that it might just cheer her up.

"Pandora I got something for you." he said pulling the specially made necklace and holding it up with his outspread fingers.

"I've got it engraved too." he said pointing out the 'P.O.F' and 'R.J.C' inscribed on the bottom of the keys. He smiled nervously at Pandora, hoping that she would like the gift.

Pandora sniffled as Ronan dried her tears. "I really am pathetic. I'm so paranoid that everyone will judge me because of my father that I flew off the handle at an innocent question and now the only person who could stand me in that office will probably never speak to me again." She mumbled this into his chest, cheeks burning with shame.

When Ronan pulled the necklace out of his pocket, Pandora gasped. "It's so beautiful, thank you." She looked at it in his hand, running her finger over the engraving. She reached up again and kissed him on the lips once more. When she broke the kiss, she turned away from him, gathering her hair in her hands, exposing her slender neck. "Will you fasten it for me?"

She turned back to him, looking up and giving him a watery smile. "But what did I do to deserve this?"

Ronan's heart soared as Pandora kissed him. He smiled goofily overcome with the want to kiss her more.

Snapping out of his daydream, he placed the necklace around her neck and kissed the back of her neck, clasping the jewelry around her porcelain skin.

"You were simply yourself Pandora. The key is the key to my heart, if you're willing to have it, oblivious moments and all." Ronan replied with a weak grin.

Pandora could feel him smile as he returned her kiss. She felt his fingers brush her skin as he fastened the necklace, which raised goosebumps all along her arms.

As he answered her question, another tear, a happy tear trickled down her face. She sank back into his arms. "Of course I'll have your heart, of course I will. If you'll have mine, irrational outbursts and all." The key hung low on its long chain and she could feel the moonstone in the clasp against her neck.

"This is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me. Thank you darling." She looked up into his eyes. "Will you come to Mill Cottage on Saturday? Or do you have to work?" She smiled, hoping that he would come to visit her.

"Trust me, I think I've begun to handle those outbursts my little Rose." he said quietly, running his fingertips along her arms, feeling the smoothness of her skin beneath his touch. "Though I fear I'm the only one who sees the softness in those curiously beautiful grey eyes of yours. If you're ever to meet my father, we must surely work on that." Ronan winked.

"Of course I'll come visit you Pandora. I am always given time off on weekends." Ronan explained. "That way, I don't completely mental and whatnot."

Pandora listened to him as he ran his hand gently up her arm, calmed by the action and by his voice. "I hope so, because right now I can't seem to stop myself. I really don't..." she sighed, not able to tell him that she felt that she did not deserve him. She was distracted when he mentioned meeting his father. "Me-meet your father? Are you sure that's a good idea?" She was convinced that Ronan's father wouldn't approve of her, especially if he was aware of her background.

When he said that he would come and visit her, she smiled. "Good, we can discuss what we're going to do in Venice." She frowned slightly when he mentioned 'going mental'. She knew that whatever they were working on at the moment was taking a tole on him, perhaps more of a tole than he could admit to. She kissed him on the cheek. "I think you work too hard sometimes darling."

Ronan rolled his eyes when he knew what she was going to say 'I don't deserve you...'

"How do I deserve you anymore?" Ronan asked with an arched brow. After all, it was by mere happenstance that the two had met. Perhaps it was actual fate.

"Sure, why you don't want to meet the big bad Owen Cavanaugh?" he asked a little jokingly and realized that Pandora may actually be frightened of meeting him.

"He's too busy thinking about relations with other countries to notice much else. Trust me, you'll be fine with him."

"Mmm Venice. I can't wait to get away for a bit." he said dreamily letting his arms slide around Pandora's waist. "I only work hard to please the people around me. Including you Pandora, I want to show you that I am responsible for---." Ronan stopped himself and blushed looking down at their feet trying to avoid finishing that particular sentence.

When he rolled his eyes, Pandora felt a little irritated. However when he asked how he deserved her anymore than she deserved him, she softened. "Well, perhaps I was meant to fall into your lap? I'm not sure that I believe in fate, but perhaps somethings are supposed to happen and then you can make what you want of them. So perhaps we do deserve wach other. I, I don't know." She smiled shyly.

She frowned. "Your father is too busy to notice you? Then he's a fool."

When he slid hid arms dreamily around her waist, she nodded. "I haven't looked forward to anything this much in a very long time." She listened as he told her how committed he felt to his work... and apparently to her. She looked up as he blushed and stared at the floor. She stroked his cheek and then lifted his chin so that he would look at her. "Responsible for me? You don't have to be responsible for me to the extent where you work yourself into the ground my darling. We need to look after each other. I want to look after you too." Her expression was open and loving, her eyes warm and soft. She traced her finger over his lips.

Ronan leaned close to kiss her gently. "Well either way, I'm certainly glad we found each other. I was sick of being lonely and lost in London." he said quietly, smiling as gently as he had kissed her.

"It's been the same since Mum died." he said rubbing his right arm gently where his tattoo dedicated to her was under his clothes. Nobody knew about it, not even his father, course when did the man ever talk to him or ask about him as it were.

"Trust me Pandora, if you knew what the project was and how much it affects me, you'd understand why I feel responsible for your safety and health." he said looking sincerely into her eyes. Ronan's finger touched the keys that now hung around Pandora's neck. When her finger touched his lips, he opened his mouth and nipped at his playfully, a mischievous grin on his face

Ronan kissed her again and she surrendered to it. She couldn't stop kissing him here and now, but she would have to re-establish the work rules soon. But for now she would just enjoy it. "Yes, me too." She whispered.

When he mentioned his mother, she pulled him into a tight embrace, noticing that he was rubbing his arm. "Is your arm bothering you?" She asked gently.

When he talked about his project, with such a sincere look in his eyes, something clicked into place. She nodded and said, "I think I understand darling. I'm here, if you want to talk to me about anything. But don't forget that I'm responsible for me too." She thought back to the moment when she would have to walk back into the office. Her attention was drawn away from this thought as he nipped her finger tip. She withdrew her hand from his face immediately, "Ouch! That was uncalled for!" She chuckled. "I'll get my own back Ronan Cavanaugh, just you wait!"

"Not bothering me, no." Ronan said with a bit of a blush in his face. He lifted up his shirt to show her the tattoo he had gotten when he was eighteen. "I got it in honor of my mum." he said, noting his mother's name on the ribbon part.

Ronan grinned and kissed the top of her head. "Alright, I know you're an independent woman." he said.

Ronan chuckled when she took her finger away. "You bring out the wicked side of me Pandora, I can't help it." he said with a wink.

When Ronan rolled up his shirt sleeve and revealed the tattoo, a heart pierced by a dagger, Pandora smiled up at him sadly. She ran a cool finger tip over the letters of his mother's name, 'Aubrey'. "You miss her don't you?" There was understanding in her eyes. "It's like part of you has been torn away." She whispered.

When he kissed her head and made his patronising comment, she pursed her lips. "That's right, don't you forget it either." She told him darkly.

"Oh I bring out your wicked side do I? I may just have to sort that out." She gave him a warning glance.

"More than anything in the world." he replied solemnly, rolling down his sleeve slowly. "She's buried in her native France. I haven't been in 13 years." Ronan informed the young woman standing before him."You fill that emptiness Pandora." he added with a weak grin.

Ronan looked down at Pandora with a clenched jaw, trying to keep track of all the emotions coursing through his body, before leaning forward to capture her lips once again. He was more forceful than before, mirroring the first time Pandora had kissed him when they first met in the Atrium.

He felt no boundaries, only wanting to show Pandora how much he needed her, most of all right now, in his vulnerable state.

Ronan's whole body seemed to change. The pain he was clearly feeling seemed to radiate out of him in waves. Pandora, who had never been so open about her emotions, not the ones connected to the pain she felt at losing her family, was caught off guard. When he told her that she filled the emptiness that his mother had left behind, she reeled, gripping on to his now bare arm as though she were in danger of falling.

"Darling, I'm sorry,I shouldn't have brought it up he-" Her sentence was cut short by his insistent kiss, which had all the passion of the kiss she had given him when he appeared in front of her in the atrium.

She pulled back and saw the vulnerability etched into his face. "Do you have to go back this afternoon?" She wanted to take him out of the Ministry, to go and walk in the countryside and talk. To be alone without all the distraction of work.

Ronan touched Pandora's raven hair and grinned gently.

"No, I suppose I don't have to go back. In fact, I'd rather like the break. Things are all but death in there." Ronan replied chuckling at his own pun since he worked in the Death Chamber.

"Where do you want to go my sweet little rose?" he asked.

Pandora smiled up at him. She wasn't sure where he worked in the Department of Mysteries, he wasn't able to tell her bur she did have a fairly good idea. "I thought that we could go for a walk. A proper walk. I'd have to go home and change out of these." She gestured down at her delicate turquoise robes.

"Malachi left some of his spare walking boot behind when he left for Fiji, I think they'll fit you, if you haven't got any. I want to show my Yorkshire." She smiled softly at him.

"Yeah, I think I'd need to change pretty quick as well." Ronan informed Pandora looking down at his black robes, they weren't as extravagant a color as the young woman's but all the same, people may look at him funnily.

"Who's Malachi, if I may ask?" he questioned with a curious glance. She had never mentioned the man before.

Pandora grinned at him. "Very true. Just no denim, it's not easy to climb the steep bits in. I don't think anyone will see us but our robes could get snagged quite easily."

She realised that he could have had a quite jealous reaction to the mention of Malachi, so his curiosity caused her to be relieved. "He was my tutor, before and after Hogwarts. He's an expert in Magical Creatures." She smiled, trying to reassure him that Malachi was not a former boyfriend.

"Oh okay." Ronan said with a kind smile glad that he wouldn't have to think of any previous men stealing away Pandora's affections.

"No denim, got it. I'm meeting you at the cottage yes?" he asked with an arched brow, asking just so he wouldn't end up in the wrong place and whatnot.

Ronan watched Pandora disappear before him and turned on the spot himself and popped into his flat. He headed into his bedroom to pick out an outfit that would be perfect for exploring around Yorkshire with Pandora.

Being Antigone's first day on the job she had taken to strolling about the Ministry, getting comfortable with the lay out of things. She was wearing her hair in two plaits down her back so as to keep it tamed a bit and out of her face. She stopped in the Atrium and began to admire the beauty of the place, smiling as she dug in her bag for her bottle of water.

Samuel stepped out of the lift without looking where he was exactly going because he had his eyes glued to his handy dandy spell book that he had recently purchased. He was flipping through the pages hoping - JUST HOPING - to come across a spell that could take the permanent charm off his pink desk, so he could turn it back to orange. There was a spell for everything, so there had to be a spell for that. It was just a matter of finding it in this book.

The first time he looked up from his book, he had to come to a quick halt so that he wouldn't collided into this woman that was nearly 2 feet away from him. Thank goodness he had stopped in time! IF he had ran that woman over, he wouldn't know what to say...or do in that matter.

Taking a few steps back, he closed his book and gave the woman a little smile. "Hello," he greeted her. "I'm sorry that I almost ran right into you. I was looking down at my book and not paying attention to where I was going."

Barely taking notice of the near collision seeing as she was oogling the Atrium, Antigone was shocked to hear a man's voice. She turned to face and smiled nervously. "Hello. No problem, I probably shouldn't have stopped in the middle of the Atrium to stare," she admitted with a wry smile. Sticking out her hand she said, "I am Antigone McArdle. And you are?"

'Wow, he is a looker!' she thought to herself. 'Are they growing hot guys on some tree around the Ministry?. She felt her cheeks flush as she thought these things and she chuckled nervously.

Samuel shrugged. "It's actually natural for someone to stop and....stare? Okay, maybe not the staring part of the situation, but standing around is okay," he pointed out with a little chuckle. "Technically, I was doing more wrong than you were. I should have learned a long time ago to not walk and read at the same time." He had done that A LOT during his OWLs and NEWTs years and, luckily, he didn't run into too many people while doing it back in his Hogwarts years.

He had NO idea why the name Antigone had rung a little tiny bell in his head, but it surely did. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Antigone," he said. "I'm Samuel McDean." The fact that both of there last names starting with 'Mc' placed a smile upon Sam's face. It was a weird coincidence.

Antigone giggled and nodded her head. "I suppose you're right about the staring, but I am new to the Ministry. My first day actually. I am just out wandering around and was struck by the beauty of this place," she admitted. "Oh, I love to read, I try not to do so while walking, or driving, but hey some of us are just far more talented than others, eh?" she joked with the man.

Returning his smile Antigone said, "The pleasure is all mine." Dear Merlin! Did she REALLY just say that?! Batting her striking blue eyes at him the flush in her cheeks became more apparent. Antigone was too awkward for her own good sometimes! Yeesh!

"New to the Ministry, ya say? What level?" Samuel asked. It was always good to get to know someone by asking them what level they worked on first after knowing their name that is. "I'm sort new, I guess you could say. I've been working here for a week or so." It seemed more like 2 weeks. Eh, he lost track after his first two days of being in his office. He nodded his head at the mention of not reading while driving. "Reading while driving is never good idea," he added.

Was this girl battering her eyelashes at him? Errrrrrrrrrm, awkward much. He could also tell that her cheeks were getting a little lighter than normal. "Are you...okay?" He questioned with an arched eyebrow.

Antigone felt like bolting away from the dude right then and there. Damn, she was such a freak sometimes! Shaking her head she said, "Um... no nothing's wrong. I think there is something in my eye." SHe made like she was blinking something out and rubbed her eye a few times.

"Yeah, brand spanking new. I am the new Department Head for Magical Education. Where is it that you work?" she said, trying to divert all attention from herself. PLEASE be one of those people that enjoys talking about yourself... or else I am going to run away right now!

Samuel just slowly nodded his head up and down. Something being in Antigone's eye would most definitely explain why she was battering her eyes, but what explained her cheeks flushing? That he was still just a tiny bit confused on, but there was NO way he was going to ask anything about that. He wasn't one for awkwardness.

"Department Head? Impressive," he commented with a grin. He kinda wished he could be a Department Head, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to pull it off. He was just planning on being a Division Head for the rest of him life, or at least until he retired. "Oh, I work in Level 3. I'm the Division Head for the Invisibility Task Force and Experimental Charms Committee," he answered. GAH, there goes the long name again! "Or what I like to call it The Long Named Division," he added.

Antigone felt like breathing a sigh of relief since he didn't further interrogate her on her eye batting. WHEW! The blush left her cheeks and she smile at Sam.

"Well, thanks I do find it pretty amazing that I got the job, but hey, I rreally tried so I reckon I deserved it," she said rather modestly. SHe really knew she was pretty qualified and rather knew she was meant for that job.

"Oh! Level Three, I bet that is interesting. Lots of crazy stuff happening down there?! And yes, I see why you would call that division by some other name. Ever call it ITF and ECC? That is what I would do," Antigone said with a nod.

Busy. Busy. Busy.

That’s how Krel felt lately.

She was tired. She was sore. She desperately needed to get her dragon hide heels off. She really needed a back rub. She was stressed. She was ragged. She wasn’t sleeping well. She was also a bit hung over.

And to top all that off, her new pet fish, Maurice, had died last night.

Her hair was not up as neatly as she usually would have had it. Her tie was a bit crooked at her throat and her brief case was half open and dangling precariously off her left forearm. She had, at some point in her dash to get to her meeting on time, lost her favorite pencil.

Gurgle went her stomach.

“Oh not now,” Krel groaned to her stomach as she pulled up short as a large man passed in front of her near the fountain. “I don’t have time to stop for food…I’m late enough as it is!”

Wandering in the Atrium and observing people at random was one of Ryan's favourite past time activities to deal with boring ministry stuff. Yes, to him being a ministry official was one of the most uninteresting things to do even though one was an Unspeakable like he was. But he needed this job anyway as well as the little money they give him for exchange of his effort, not that he showed much since his mind was often wandering at many other things.

Just like he was doing right now. Observing people. Unhappy people, excited people, content people, stressed people...just like that woman who seemed to be talking to herself as she passed by the blond man. There was no way Ryan could let this case go away so, with no surprise, he spoke out adressing to the woman. ''A nice, smiling face always helps with the bad day, dear lady''

Krel nearly dropped the rest of her meeting supplies as she turned in a semi-circle trying to find who was talking to her. The voice came from closer to the fountain where an unharried, rather amused looking man was smiling at her as if the smile plastered on his face would make the world right for everyone around him.

Krel, however, wasn’t in the best of moods and a smiling schlemiel wasn’t going to be enough to perk up her spirits. Nevertheless, Krel plastered her face with a fake smile must have looked forced as she answered. “Not when you’re on your way to the most boring meeting of the month.”

Ryan studied the woman's features as she turned to face him. It was quite apparent that she was not having a good day. Ah, that was too bad! The way and tone she spoke, even the way she smiled, which was the most obvious one, confirmed his ideas on that. However it only made hi smile a little bit wider ''It depends, you dear beauty, on the point of view you care to behold it''

Seriously, for him if one having a good or a bad day did depend on their preferences and there were no such thing like bad luck. He had quite a firm rational approach even in the wizarding world. ''Actually, i think, i can a find out a billion ways to make such a boring meeting a fun one.''

How to make a boring meeting a fun one? Well, this was definitely worth being a few more minutes later to hear about. Krel set her briefcase down on the fountain and started straightening the papers up.

“Really? Please, do share.” She stopped fidgeting with her briefcase and turned to face him, curiosity poring from her eyes. She could use any help she could get to get through this meeting.

Ryan eyed the woman carefully as she busied her self with her papers. She was, indeed, looking like the classic officer type who were in the need of adding some colour into her life which was, if you happened to ask him, an easy thing. However he was not going to let this one go away that easily.

''Hmmm...'' staring at the ceiling for a moment or so, he pretended to think over her request, then looking back at her face, right into her eyes he responded with a cunning half smile ''No, i won't'' was that surprising to her? ''Because with the mood and state of mind you have, it won't be persistent in there''

Ah, so he wasn’t going to give up the information easily was he? Well, Krel was, at heart, the ambassadorial type…she’d find a way to weasel it out of him.

But then he had to go and insult her…well, more like tease her, but either way she wans’t going to let him get away with his taunt. “And what,” she asked trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Are you trying to imply by that sir?” Krel was, despite being hung over and a bit hurried, in a quite good mood…well, as good of a mood as one could be when on their way to the most boring of boring meetings.

''It is not based on my thoughts but yours, dear lady'' The man responded immediately observing her more for he liked the way she stood against him. As someone who knew him well enough would say 'Ryan liked confrontation and enjoyed it way much' ''So, you are free to infer any meaning from, as you wish. I am fine with any outcome that may take place''

And he was insistent on not to give away anything about not only the 'make the meeting fun' ways but also the direct answers to any of her questions for the woman took his attention and he wanted to check and see her boundaries.