I would much prefer an apology from you employees for assuming they know what is going on and being rude as they are, but your apology will suffice. I assume though that you will reprimand them for their blatant disrespect toward another superior," she said with a quirked eyebrow, not really wanting an answer she moved on.

"Headmaster Tate delivered the man to me. He is the Hogwarts killer. He has been Imperiusing several students having them duel in an underground duelling ring. He killed Professor Forrester, kindnapped former Headmaster Bontecou and has hurt MANY of the students and teachers in the school," she told him in a businesslike tone. "The Headmaster will be giving me more information soon as I have arranged a meeting with him. I will share any and all information with YOU. Your team down there is... well they are rude, insolent little things. Especially that Warren's fiancee she has a mouth piece on her," she said with disdain oozing from her voice.

She rose from her chair and waled across the room and opened the door by hand, "THat will be all, Mr. Wordsmith. I am sorry to be so short with you but I am pressed for time at the moment. I do trust you will get a better handle on your staff and again I will share any other information I get with you as it comes in. O and one last thing. THose children WILL NOT be questioned by your Aurors or whomever. I will not allow it. They have been through enough. Now I need to attend to other things, sir. It has been a pleasure meeting you have a good day."

Smiling out into her waiting area she said to Chloe, "Please, come in Miss Everhart." She then turned and walked back to her desk and plopped down.

Chloe heard Antigone's voice nearing the doorway with an obvious tone of dismissal and sent her things back to her desk. When the door open she stood up and tried to give a polite smile to both Antigone and the man exiting her office, though she was pretty sure that was an epic fail. When Antigone invited her in, Chloe swept into the office, itching to put as much distance and as many doors between her and Ryan as possible. She really needed to talk to Antigone... about more than just work problems, but the non-work related problems would have to wait. Her office was not the place discuss her personal issues, she was pretty sure. She just stood inside the doorway, waiting for the man to leave, and waiting for a sign from Antigone that she was free to talk... or more like go on a rant.

Syd scribbled down her words quickly with his pen on a sheet of parchment he snatched off of her desk. He nodded as she spoke, feeling almost like she was accusing him of something. Though he seemed to get that a lot. He slashed a few T's and stabbed a period into the paper and looked up to her.

"Right. I'll make sure to pass this along," he said, tapping the parchment. "And, uh, sorry for takin' your parchment miss. I'll be sure to send a ream up for you."

He stood up and walked out of the room, bowing his head to the person coming in.

Antigone eyed the man angrily as he took her parchment but just let it slide so he would vacate her office. "Yep, you are very welcome, I will be in touch" she said to the man as he left her office.

Turning then to Chloe she helf smiled and motioned for her to sit down. "So, what's up? What can I help you with Chloe?" she said in a sweet tone yet she felt run ragged and very agitated, thought not with her friend. Just in general.

Chloe sat there and just sort of looked around for a few moments. She hadn't thought about what she was actually going to say once she got in here. Taking a deep breath she looked at Antigone and said, "It's Ryan," with a gesture back toward the working area. "He was just... right before you came out there and made him wear the dunce cap, he had been attempting to flirt with me, basically. And looking me up and down like I was... well... just not in a very respectful manner. And when I asked Briony if I should come in here and tell you, she made it sound as though this wasn't the first time he had acted that way toward someone in the office."

She paused for a moment, determined to not tell Antigone what had made her leave her desk and come back here, but she couldn't hold it back. "And now he's walking around out there like he owns the place and thinks that I should still respect him after he disrespected me so thoroughly. Antigone, I can bite my tongue and deal with a lot of things, but I don't know how to force myself to respect someone who obviously has no respect for me, my coworkers, or you," she finished, remembering Antigone's outburst after Ryan had winked at her.

Antigone balled up her fists as Chloe spoke. When she was done she rose from her desk and said, "Follow me. THe ruddy pumpkin head isn't even YOUR Division Head." She swept from the room toward the work areas.

Chloe watched as Antigone began to get more and more upset as she spoke, and when Antigone stood up, a look of wide-eyed horror spread onto her face. Mother of Merlin! What had she done?! Chloe stood up obediently, however, and without a word, she followed Antigone out of the office. At least Ryan would get what he deserved now.

Antigonr stomped back into her office, slamming the door HARD behind her and flicking her wand at the lock as she reached her desk. Ugh! Stupid know it all man....

Anyway, she needed to get back to work. She lay her head down on her desk for a moment and sighed, waiting for her anger to subside.

The fire in the fireplace flared huge and green briefly, just long enough for Casey Tate to step out of the flames and into the office of the Department Head. He glanced around, giving himself the standard post-Floo pat down, and then Tate slumped into the nearest chair.

"I'm packed, McArdle. All set and ready to sign off on this whole thing." And he looked... not particularly pleased about it.

Antigone started as she heard the whoosh of her fireplace and looked up to see Mr. Tate plopping himself into one of her chairs. For once she was not bothered by seeing him. SHe had gained a great deal of respect for the man.

"Actually, Tate... I wanted to speak with you about your great performance this past year as Headmaster. The way you looked after the children may have been a bit unorthodox but in the end you defended those children and the school and for that I would like to make you a proposition," she said in her business tone smiling slightly at the man.

"Don't want to rain on your parade, McArdle," Tate slumped backward and put a weary arm over his eyes. He was exhausted. Vacation, please?

"We have to be honest. They were kidnapped and tortured on my watch. Voldemortist disappeared and I didn't even notice in the attempts to keep the children safe. Celandine Toussaint was missing for three weeks, Kazimeriz is still in Mungo's..." He sighed and removed his arm. "I've been struck several times, but I invite you to hit me too."

Tiggy sighed and rose from her seat, pulling one closer to Tate and placed her hand on his shoulder and shook hard. "Look at me! Worse things have happened at that school and you saved them with what I hear was some unusually handy expertise. Seems to me that you are trained to be more than just a Headmaster," she said in an even tone.

Looking at the rather ragged man and sighing she said, "Tate, I would like for you to stay on as Headmaster fulltime. There are things I do not know about you, but I needn't really. You helped protect those children and that is my main concern. I think you being there again next term, and until the point that you no longer wish to be there, you will greatly help those kids. I think that you can help them through their trauma as opposed to running away." She then patted the man's shoulder gently and sat back in her chair, still facing him and waited for his answer. If the stubborn git said no she might just hit him then. But she would wait and see.

"Are you shaking me, McArdle?" Tate cracked the slightest of smiles. They certainly had come a long way if the Department Head was now asking him to stay and encouraging him in his work. At their first meeting, she'd almost literally shot fire from her ears. He could still smell the smoke, although that might be his robes from the Floo travel.

"What does the Minister say about it? She circumvented the governors to put me into place in the first place." That wasn't a yes or no. It was merely acknowledgment that this was an interesting proposition.

Antigone smiled right back at the man and said, "I am indeed shaking you HEADMASTER. You apparently needed someone to do it." She looked the man over, my he looked as though he had been put through the ringer. "Can I offer you something to drink?" she asked as she got up and made her way behind her desk. She kept a small bottle of firewhisky in a drawer of her desk for moments such as these.

"The Minister? Well, I AM the Head of Magical Education, sir, it is MY job to see to it that those children's best interests are served and I think that you are the one for the job. Besides, the Minister and I have corresponded and she has already given her approval in writing, Tate. The Governors... well if they have anything to say I will deal with them personally," she said in a matter of fact voice, but wore a crooked little grin as she pulled the bottle from her desk and conjured two glasses.

"Just a small one," he indicated with his fingers. "Perhaps I could be convinced to stay. With... the discretion to choose my own staff and a pay raise. And a vacation."

He tilted his head to one side, his eyes sparkling. "A long vacation to someplace warm and sandy."

Antigone poured the man a nice sized drink despite his indication of a small one and poured herself one as well. Roudning the table she pushed the glass into his hand and sat herself across from him again. She considered him while drinking deeply from her glass.

"You drive quite the bargain, Headmaster.... But I think I can meet those demands. Hire whomever you'd like. I simply want files on them for our records and I think after the bloody year you just survived you are more than deserving of a pay raise, sir," she said to him kindly as she raised her glass in his direction.

"Truly sir, I don't give a damn where you vacation, just be back by start of term ready to work. But there is just one thing I want to know... What exactly was it that you did before this gig? Minister Taylor said that it was up to you to share that information if you wanted and I do say I am intrigued," she said in a serious voice as she sat up straighter in her chair. She had an inkling that he was an Auror or sommat, but Hell... who really knew. "And another thing, can I call you something other than Headmaster or Tate? I do prefer to be called Antigone," she smirked and sipped her drink.

"International Task Force. Captain," Tate hemmed over the drink for a moment before downing it. "But I've been doing it for quite a long time and I know I'm not going to move any further up in the food chain. I don't do politics and I don't dissemble. Two skills the men on top must have."

He swished the last bit before drinking that too. "And I find that lifestyle isn't conducive to settling down and having a grown-up life. Turns out I'm ready to settle down. You can call me Casey if you'd like."

Antigone grinned at the man and nodded her head, things snapping into place instantly. "Well, Casey, that decision in and of itself was a very grown up decision if you ask me. I think you will be a great asset to Hogwarts for years to come... if you will formally accept my offer that is. You made sure that no one died... even if there was some damage done, you saved that school and for that I applaud you," she praised the man and took another long draw from her glass.

"So, will you remain as the Headmaster or do I have to go through the dreadful process of trying to find a replacement for a fine leader such as yourself, which I might add will be nearly impossible to do," she laughed as she lay it on thick for the man. Flattery got you anywhere... especially with the menfolk. "As far as your vacation can I suggest Fiji. There is a small wizarding community there, lovely time of year, firecrabs hatching..." she trailed off and downed the remainder of her glass and blinked her eyes rapidly.

"I know better than to make decisions like that without consulting with the decision maker in my life," Casey laughed lightly, shoving the glass back at her with some appreciation. Good stuff, that, and nice of her to share. "I'll tell Cari you suggest Fiji."

He settled back into his chair again. "As for me... I accept. I'm not much with those... precious bundles at Hogwarts, but I'm a sight better than some of our other options. Plus I care enough to keep them alive and learning how to survive. Has to count for something."

"Smart man! Never make a decision without the wife's approval" she said with a smirk as she took the glass from Casey and vanished both his and her own. Rising from her chair she nodded her head that yes, he should indeed tell her about Fiji. "It would be a crime not to witness the community there at some point in your life," she said wistfully as she remembered her time there.

She smiled wider as she plopped herself down into her seat behind her tidy desk. "Good, great. YOu will make a fine Headmaster fulltime. But, I think that there are many a people within the walls of that school and beyond that care enough about those children. I love kids, not having any of my own I love to see them molded into bright witches and wizards within the walls of that school. I wish that you all... new staff included... would do more than just teach them how to stay alive... They need love and compassion and someone who gives a damn about them," she said in her matter of fact business tone. She had a strong point of view on the children and the school...

"Not a wife," Tate put up his hands in a hurry to ward off the dreaded 'w-word'. Terrifying concept. Truly scary.

"They can have compassion and all my concern, but I don't believe they should get affection from those they look to for education. I suppose we'll have to disagree on that point for now." Although... he did feel something for those kids back up at the school. He cared about what happened to them, and not just in the 'let's keep them alive' sort of way.

Tiggy barely kept back a laugh at the man's sudden inisitence that the woman in his life was NOT his wife. Men. *eyeroll* "My mistake then, Casey," she said, laughter in her voice.

Antigone quirked an eyebrow at the man and said, "Ever thought of bringing in a grief counselor or someone else to speak with them and give them that attention, then? Those darlings have been through a lot and they need someone to care... " She thought that even that old goat, Kazimeriz gave a damn. Good gracious that man was old, but he loved those children. She kept her mouth shut though and nodded her head. "We will have to agree to disagree it would seem,: she said quietly.

"Now, if that is all I have things to tend to and you have a vacation to plan with a non wife person in your life, Casey," she said with a chuckle. Obvious dismissal from the worn out woman over behind the desk.

Tate rose to his feet and offered his hand. "I appreciate your seeing me, Antigone. You're doing a good job here."

He released her hand and headed for the Floo. "And thanks for the vacation."

Antigone took Casey's hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you for being so open to our discussion," she said as she released his hand.

Letting a small smirk play at her lips she said, "Don't mention it, people might get the idea that I will give out vacation time to anyone. And thank you for that, Casey. I appreciate that." She watched as the man made his way to the fireplace and pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. "Please keep me informed on things up at the school if you would," she called out to him before he went poof in the grate.

Xena knocked on the office door. She had gotten an owl off someone called Antigone. She presumed that she was the boss here. Her high heels clacked impatiently on the floor, as she waited to gain access.