The Atrium Lifts are constantly in motion as they are the only lifts that are used by every member of the Ministry and all visitors, even on the slowest of days you'll be hard pressed to find an empty lift. These lifts will take you to any level in the Ministry with the exception of level ten. You'll have to hop off the lifts and take the stairs to reach the courtrooms. Keep in mind that the lifts move diagonally, horizontally, and a few other directions as well as vertically, so you'll need to hang on when riding.

With no benches in the vicinity, there are more wizards and witches than usual propped up against the walls and standing around waiting for a lift, along with extra prattle. Be careful when stepping on (or off) the lifts, and make sure to press the button that leads to your destined level, else you'll find yourself heading to the wrong department.

Sophie was in a rush today. She had so much paperwork to get to and of course, being the anal person Sophie was, all of the work had to be in perfect order without any flaw. So she needed to get started right away if she was to accomplish any of what she wanted to do today. Pulling at the bottom of her skirt to make she the hem was perfect Sophie waited outside the doors for the lift to open. Finally she saw the gates open to the lift and she stepped inside. With her bag in hand she dipped down into it and began to search for paperwork.

Nils quickly rushed into the lift, head down first.he checked down his sweater and saw that there was a stain on it.

"Excuse me, miss, do you have a napkin of sorts..?My sweater is greatly stained-wouldn't want to look bad on the first day or work- would I?"He politely asked the lady rummaging through her bag, perhaps she had something of use in there for him.

Sophie looked up from her search to see a young man, in a stained sweater mind you, stepping into the lift. She could feel her OCD kicking in about the sweater and she turned her face back to her bag to avoid her need to fix stain before it surfaced. Her mind was starting to re-focus when the young man addressed her. Thankfully for Sophie is was about fixing the stain.

"Of course I do. Expansion charm. Never know when you'll need to look your best." Sophie said and she retrieved a cleaning potion. Handing the vial to the young man she continued, "Sophie Skylar, International Cooperation."

Nils watched her rummage some more through her purse until she pulled out a tiny vial. He unscrewed the top and dabbed it onto his finger which he then put on his sweater.

Judging by her age, Nils could tell she could've been a Mrs. Skylar. So he took out his hand and shook hers..."Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sophia Skylar...I'm Nils King...Accidents and Catsrotphes..."

work outfit:click!

Virgo hastily paced over the ministry for her first day of work. Was she late? Is her boos already there? It's still early but still, Virgo has always like being early. She rushed into the lift just like everyone did. "Level 9" she uttered.

Finally Sophie found the piece of paperwork she had been searching for since her entry into the lift. Looking over the work she saw that it had several grammatical issues that she would have to fix before she sent out the memo. Tucking the paper under her arm she said, "Pleasure to meet you Nils."

Awkwardly she pressed on, "So accidents and catastrophes... what is your specific position?"

"Junior Charms task force...Why?! What are you?"He asked in a sudden sort of scared voice. It sounded to him as if Sophie wanted to know more about him.But he'll work around that, he can play around with her also.

"International Cooperation and what does that job do for you?"He asked her right back, raising one of his eyebrows..

Suddenly the young man got very defensive at her attempt to make conversation. She made a mental note to try and keep this boy as calm as possible. Young people always seemed to think that everyone was out to uncover every detail of their lives. The older Sophie got, although she was only 34, the more she realized- people did not care.

"Really? Well that sounds like a fascinating position. I do hope you enjoy it being your first day and all." To try and ease him into a state of calm Sophie continued, "Oh, I'm the Ambassador to Australia and their Ministry. I work chiefly in making sure the magical people of Australia and Britian get on without a hitch. Politics and such."

Politics had never been Nils strongest forte so he decided on just sliding by with it, whenever it came to conversation. He just didn't really understand the point of having a bunch of people all jammed into a room trying to come with an agreement that worked for their views, the governments laws and the people's views, just seemed to take forever to get something accomplished.Perhaps Sophie could help him understand it better.

"Ahh...sounds interesting...How did you get signed up with Australia? Bit far to travel to- don't you think?"

The Nils character was seeming to warm up to the conversation, which made Sophie slightly calmer as well. High stress situations were never her forte. "Oh, well I worked for their Ministry for almost seven years. I headed the International Education Reform there correcting the magical school format. But my daughter is twleve now and I had to come home. I felt like I missed her childhood and so here I am. Australia is kind of home to me."

Nils frowned. She came all the way from Australia to London. Wasn't it always mentioned that magical schools had been placed all over any wizard community in whichever country.

Perhaps Hogwarts had to be the best magical school around, that is why everyone came all the way to London, to have their children or cousins receive the best education.

"I guess...I guess you wanted your daughter to have the best magical education, then?"Nils asked at last.

"Well she, as in my daughter, was born in London, you see. I grew up here too. My job just sent me overseas. There was nothing I could do about it because I thought that my work in Australia was important. I couldn't leave that important position." It was true Sophie loved her job out in Australia. The people were lovely and everyone there seemed to have an element of calm that nurtured Sophie's slight perfectionist attitude that she had developed growing up in London. But now that she was back her OCD was getting bad again, it was her everyday struggle.

"I see now."Nils said nodding his head. For him, still being in his last year of teenage-ism it wouldn't be too difficult for him to leave from his family.But he greatly appreciated the fact that Sohpie's daughter took a part of how she handled work.

"Well it's lovely to have you back here in your hometown."He said sweetly, standing on tip toe, wobbling back and forth as the lifts clanked.

"It's good to be back. Thank you very much." This young man she could tell was trying to male conversation. It was just awkward. Sophie could not put her finger on why the conversation had turned to this state. Then again it was not as bad as some of the other characters she had met in the past month. Wizards, particularly British wizards, had little quirks about them. Something she couldn't explain.

"Your welcome."Nils simply responded with.

"Is something the matter?"He continued as the air between them stiffened and silence enveloped them like a erupting volcano.

"No, everything is fine. So did you just start your work for the Ministry today?" Sophie asked. She was new to this Ministry but not the Ministry in general. But from what she had heard the whole Ministry had been flipped around. Things were changing and rules were being bent. Sophie had a feeling Lord Borr was behind it.

"Oh well you had this look in your eyes"He replied,just the same look in his glazing eyes.

"Yes, today is my first day here at the Ministry. I'm quite glad I have met a nice first friend."He said smiling brillantly. To him it didn't matter that Sophie was much older and a mother, Nils just liked having people to talk to in general.

"Oh well thank you dear." Sophie said smiling. She always enjoyed when younger people could see her as an equal. It made her feel less old. Of course she was only thirty-four, but all of these new Ministry people seemed fresh out of Hogwarts.

"So tell me, how old are you Nils? Sorry if I'm being frank."

"To be frank...I'm probably half your age...I'm 19 years old."He answered with a little smirk on the sideline.

Nils didn't want her to feel so old, because she really wasn't.He just wanted to make sure that everyone he knew felt equal in age to him, well except Ryoma whom he met at Diagon Alley as he strolled the place around last summer.

Sophie laughed, "It's alright. You are about half my age. Give or take a couple years. I'm not exactly 38. I'm 34, but hey I'm a lot older than you are."

Nils seemed to be warming up to her slowly. He was charming, stain and all. Of course he did carry around an aloofness about him. But he was nineteen. That was bound to be the case.

"Give or take..."Nils chuckled warmly at the joke she had set up for him.

At first, the first second they had met things seemed to be all so stiff and tamed now things were becoming more loose and friendly, thank god- Nils didn't always have the best conversation when he was stressed over what to say.

Sophie seemed to be much more herself...

"Watch yourself son. Didn't anyone every teach you to respect your elders?" Sophie smiled. Nils was a nice kid. He reminded her of Selina in some ways. His shy behavior at first glance, but a nice and funny kid underneath. Of course Sophie hoped he was not exactly like her daughter. Selina had a wicked temper that those who fell victim to the brunt of it barely ever came out unscathed. She got that trait from her father. Sophie was a politician. She liked to talk things out rationally. Confrontation- or at least real confrontation was not her forte.

"So did you go to Hogwarts, Nils?"

After having his black coffee at the cafe nearby, Matthew knew it was time to begin his first day at his new job. So he entered the Ministry building, wondering what the day would bring. Crossing the Atrium, the man was not impressed. The British Ministry was very similar to the French one in style and design, so it was nothing new for him. When he reached the elevators, Matt pressed the button and waited, thinking about the Department he was going to work in. International Cooperation. So different from his old job.

Aubrie walked quickly to the first open lift and boarded it. Now on to her new job in MLE. She was very excited and pushed the Level 2 button a little to enthusiastically. Next thing you know the lift was moving extremely fast. Well, a little fast for Aubs. She prefered the nicer slow moving lifts. She nearly fell back into the side of the lift, but luckily managed to grab hold of a strap attached to the lifts ceiling.