Lobby and Front Desks
 

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e0e0669.jpg

If you've chosen to turn right and venture down the first floor corridor, you'll eventually come upon the offices which house the Minister of Magic, Undersecretaries, Support Staff, and Administration. Two, wooden double doors are closed in front of you, and upon opening them you enter into a large lobby area.

You'll first need to proceed forward and visit the front desks, where a member of the Administration team will greet you and point you in the right direction. Sometimes, if the person you've come to see is unavailable, you'll be asked to wait in the lobby area. The lobby area serves as a waiting room and is full of several chairs lining the walls, a few coffee tables with wizarding magazines scattered across them, and a couple of plants decorating the corners of the room.

*plays catchup*
 

If it wasn't dead creatures here then ... well there must be something present someplace ... which could explain the absence of all things magical...

Homenum was for human bodies, but something told Alex that these were no human feces. "If there's nothing dead, well, they must have a hiding spot then. A breeding spot, perhaps. I wonder if just a generic revelio charm would be effective at revealing something...." she muttered aloud.

Edward followed the lady who appeared to have some measure of confidence in what she was going to do. He wasn't sure what would lie ahead but saw another woman joining as well.

He listened to their conversation and was surprised to imagine dead creatures here. He wasn't sure what kind of strange things they did in the magical creatures division, but he could see that something had destroyed things in a somewhat animalistic fashion. He'd seen this type of thing from big cats and other large mammals in South America, but not to this level. Additionally, what could suck all the magic out of the ministry? There were centuries of magical levels added here and it was all gone...at least as far as he could see. He looked to the other two for some indication of what should be done.

Nuria had flown patiently along with Furmgoat, accustomed to the younger owl's sulking. And while other owls would fly ahead or behind him for fear of having their wings nipped or getting sulky owl looks, she flew beside him.

Very few owls dared to mess with one of the elder owls.

She slowed when she entered the ministry, parting from him and hooing quietly as she passed the humans wandering about. It took her no time at all to find the minister's level, but Nuri didn't go far in. This place did not look how she was used to it appearing, and it had a smell. A smell that bothered even the old owl.

With the letter attached to her leg though, she couldn't leave and so continued to fly around the room, searching for either the person this letter was for or a safe place to land.

Realizing that standing there staring at the hole was not going to be helpful in any way shape or form, Ainsley gracefully jumped in the hole. The impact wasn't that bad and she managed not to get a scratch on her in the process so that was a good thing. People seemed to be going off in the on directions and naturally Ainsley wanted to check on her own level.

As she walked she could hear tid bits of different information and couldn't help but to wonder what they were going to walk in to. She heard something about a creature, but thought surely that she must have misheard them. Upon entering what was once her pristine lobby Ainsley noticed dust and upon closer inspection bite marks. She was making her way closer when she accidentally bumped into someone. "I'm terribly sorry." She looked up to see who she was apologizing to and realized that it was none other than Edward. "Hello there Edward. It's nice to see you again." She couldn't help but to light up a bit even given the current circumstances.

As she was about to strike up a conversation she noticed an owl flutter in with a note. Not waiting for anybody else to see what it said, the blonde scooped it up in her hands. Her eyes bulged a bit and she handed it to Edward. "What in the name of merlin is going on here?" she wondered out loud. Who was going to die?

Edward. Ainsley. and the owl. =]
 

Where was Gavin? Shouldn't he be here on his floor? She was shocked with what was in the letter and she didn't really know what needed to be done other than tracking down her elusive boss. While she waited for Edward to respond she noticed another woman, one she had never met before. Her manners took over at once. "Hello, I'm Ainsley Scarsdale." she said offering her hand. It was important to know who everybody was and she hoped that the lady would introduce herself.

She watched the woman's face as she read the letter trying to decipher what was going on in her head. Ainsley wondered if she was at all shook up because she didn't seem to look it. Quidditch wasn't that big of a deal, but the death threat obviously was. Then the unfamiliar woman actually came up with a decent idea. "That sounds like a good plan." They were the department over that kind of thing. The whole death threat though. "Should we alert the Ms. Browne about the death threat and all?" She was over the law department and it wouldn't hurt in her opinion. "I think maybe we should take the stairs just in case. We don't know what all has happened here." She would rather be safe than sorry. Plus, she did not want to get herself stuck in the elevator for hours on end.

Edward continued to watch and was surprised at the arrival of an owl that appeared to be mature. As he was staring at the owl, he was bumped into. He flipped around, a little jumpy and pointed his wand at....Ainsley. He lowered his wand and smiled. Nice to see you as well, though I'm a little surprised. One to be here, and two to bump into you. I've not been in this part of the ministry. It was then he realized a bit his rudeness.

He strode to the other woman who remained and introduced himself. My apologies. I hadn't even thought to introduce myself. I'm Edward. Edward Lennox, newly hired member of the Department of Ministries, though I've worked elsewhere in the ministry before. He extended his hand and then listened to the conversation that occurred after Ainsley took the note from the owl.

Ainsley was a bit taken aback with the whole wand in her face thing, but she couldn't blame him really. Given everything that has gone on recently she was just glad that she hadn't been accidentally hexed. "Welcome to my neck of the woods." Her eyes scanned the mess. "Of course I wish you could have seen it on better terms."

She waited patiently while Edward and the woman introduced themselves. The blonde really did need to get out and about more and put names to these faces and you never knew when a certain somebody might come in handy. Ainsley walked around to see if there was anything else out of the ordinary that might give them any clues while she waited to see what it was that the others wanted to do.

He looked a little sheepish at her response to his defensive posture. Well, as I haven't even seen my own work area yet, I've nothing to compare it too. Granted, it looks a bit disheveled, but nothing one wouldn't expect after having had to blow our way in.

Edward and Alex
 

Edward had a good point. "Welcome to the ministry." And what a welcome he got. It didn't even dawn on her that he hadn't even been able to see his own work station before the ministry got themselves in this mess.

Ainsley turned her attention back to Alex. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Oops. She didn't mention what department she was, but her "neck of the woods" comment was pretty self explanatory no? Still, she just had to tell her. Ainsley couldn't do anything that may come off as rude. "Please forgive me for not saying earlier, but I work here at the minister's office." As a media liaison, but there was no need to go into specifics at the moment.

"A patronus sounds lovely. Shall I?" She didn't actually want to go bombard the head of law enforcement without treats. She had met the woman before and that was pretty much the only way to approach her.

"Yes. I think so." She could lead the way. "After you dear." Manners, she could never shake them.

He smiled as the introductions were complete. I'm interested to see how I'll work out there. Not sure what to expect to be honest. I suppose that's why they call it the department of mysteries.

He wondered if the magic of a patronus would even sustain itself if the other magic around here seemed to have disappeared. A patronus would work, if there's not some magic sucking force lying in wait for it. I haven't seen anyone attempt it in here to this point. Then the idea to head to games and sports was brought in. He piped up, I'll have to follow, as I'm not as familiar with the layout of the ministry as I once was. I can guard the rear as we go, if that will suit.

So at least one of them got to see their workspace; which got Alex wondering if the rest of the ministry was in the same magic-less disarray ... Edward's comment about it being the department of mysteries got a smile though from her.

"Oh good call about the Patronus. Yes, go ahead and attempt it, but like Edward pointed out, it may or may not work. Kind of makes me wonder if even basic charms would work..." she trailed off, fingering her wand.

Whoever it was who ransacked the Ministry certainly did a decent job. Were secure files even still secure? Alright then. She was leading the way... Alex nodded at them and turned and headed out into the corridor. "Perhaps, if your patronus has no effect, we'll swing in and leave a note for Miss Browne along our way." It was only one level down.

Edward listened to all that Alex had to say. He nodded and prepared to move. He looked around one more time to make sure he understood the lay of the land. He readied his wand once again and prepared to move out. When he saw Alex move, he waited for Ainsley to go and then he would follow.

Edward watched with a little hope as Ainsley tried to summon the patronus. It didn't seem to have worked though as she appeared a little defeated. Might as well put away his wand if that was the case. He moved forward, trying to keep an eye out. He wished he'd brought his walking stick. It had gotten him out of a few scrapes when he hadn't been able to use magic during his travels.

anyone want to play?
 

*snags*
 

What a lovely start to the new year it was. Ainlsey had met all of her new colleagues, and they all seemed wonderful. She couldn't wait to get to work with them. Deciding that she was in need of some coffee she made her way into the lobby in search of a full coffee pot.

Looking down at her watch to make sure that she still had enough time before her meeting, she looked up just in time to avoid a collision. "I'm terribly sorry. I should pay better attention to where I am going." Ainsley was normally alert, but she so much going on that even stopping to check the time was becoming dangerous to her.

The woman that she nearly knocked off didn't look familiar to her, and it was Ainsley's personal goal to put a name with every face at the ministry. "I'm Ainsley Scarsdale by the way." Cue incessant beaming.

[spoiler As she looked around, Vic just happened to catch out of the corner of her eye someone coming at her. Stepping away, but not needing to, since the young lady avoided the collision she smiled, "Oh it's fine. I get in my own head at times as well. So I understand." Honestly she was in her head more than she was out most days and all this added work it was even harder to focus on anything but work thoughts.

She was introducing herself, well maybe she was needing to figure out who Victoria was, which was fine of course. "Hello, Victoria Maroon. Nice to meet you Ainsley. Do you work on this level?" Maybe she worked with Gavin, which was most likely if she was on this floor.

Her brain was working though on what her reason for being on the floor was still. Was she there to see Gavin or should she say the minister. What business could she have with the man. Did it even matter if she had business here or not? Victoria was not one to lie about anything, so maybe she would simple say the truth.

Thankfully the woman whom she had almost ran into was pleasant. For the most part everybody that Ainsley had met seemed nice enough. There were still plenty of people that she hadn't met yet though. "Oh good." She was sure that the woman standing before her could relate. Anybody that had a job most likely knew where she was coming from.

"The pleasure is all mine Victoria." she extended her hand for good measure. She would go around giving hugs, but apparently that was frowned upon. "I do. I am a media liaison." She was curious and couldn't help but to ask. "What level do you work on? If you don't mind me asking of course." Ainsley really wanted to know her job title too, but didn't want to seem pushy. It was a innocent question though. The blonde just liked knowing everybody.

Maybe Victoria needed help, and Ainsley was just running her mouth. "Did you need help with something?" She should have asked sooner, but needing to know names and job titles jumped to the front of her brain.

It was probably good that they had not run into each other. How embarrassing for both women to have fallen. Plus Victoria wasn't really feeling the getting back up in heels and a skirt. No it worked out better this way.

She was very nice and Vic was grateful for this. She didn't need to randomly be on a floor and find someone that wished she wasn't there at all or maybe even think she wasn't suppose to be there. Taking the woman's hand Vic smiled "Media Liaison, that sounds very interesting." It was always fun to find out what others did. She had done Gobstone work in Australia and then went into quidditch work here. So thinking of doing something else wasn't something she did much. "Oh no I don't mind. I'm the Quidditch Division Manager for Level Seven, Magical Games and Sports." Her smile grew at the title. She really wasn't one to boast about herself, but she was proud to have that position.

The question she was hoping wouldn't be asked, her brown eyes moved around the floor a bit, "Oh no, not really. My friend Gavin Isaacs actually works up here and when the lift took me the wrong way, I just figured maybe I'd venture out and see a new floor for once." Did that make sense at all? She hoped so at least.

"It can be very interesting." and tedious, and down right crazy, but she kept that little bit to herself for now. It was definitely an adventurous job, and you never knew what you would walk into every day. So far things have been nice and peaceful, and that only made Ainsley uneasy. It just wasn't natural. Victoria was the Quidditch Division Manager? That sounded important. "I bet you had your hands full with the threats."Maybe she shouldn't have brought that up. Ainsley had her hands full with keeping stories out of the daily prophet too. The memory of the madness was enough to make her shudder.

The smile never leaving her face, she smiled at her explanation. "I love going to the different floors and meeting people. I've been meaning to do that more." Considering that she had only managed to get to level 2 so far. Things had been so busy that she wasn't getting much opportunities for meet and greets. "I could take you to his office if you'd like?" Only f she wanted though.

She couldn’t imagine it not being interesting. Everything went through the minister’s office, so she had to know way more than a normal person would. She forced her smile to stay as the woman brought up the threats. “Not really, the school isn’t our area here. They are their own body really. We just over see certain things, but they handle all their own affairs, but you know that being on this level. So we just took the information and made sure the headmistress and MLE were award of it, then left it up to her and the Board of Governors figure it out. Not that I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t do things correctly, lord knows something is always going on in that place.” Hence why she wouldn’t mind speaking to the minister actually. It was about time they put their foot down with a few issues. She really couldn’t wait for her son to be out of there, but then the girls, where would she send them.

“Yeah this is my first adventure really. Level Seven keeps me pretty busy. There is always something going on in the Quidditch world, so it is nice to see a different floor.” She looked around not that it was much different, though it was decorated a tad different, no sports posters that she so loved. Her eyes turned back to the young ladies and she smiled, “Oh, no that’s fine. I won’t bother him today.” She chuckled, no Gavin was a busy man and she didn’t need to annoy him at the moment. “I think this is as far as I really need to go.” Though maybe she should go see him it would actually give her a purpose for being there, but again she didn’t feel the need.

She couldn't help but feel like Victoria was not very concerned with the whole threat thing. "I see." Of course she knew that the school was their own body, but she would have thought that a threat would be serious business regardless. "I suppose that would be more of the law enforcement area." She had to hand deliver the threat to Emily herself last year, and that was an adventure to put it mildly. Although Emily didn't seem to be all that bothered by the threat either. Maybe Ainsley just had a different vision as that what was considered of importance when it came to any kind of threats? "Hogwarts does seem to be making headlines." Maybe that was something that she could look into... these were children after all.

"Rough game, Quidditch." It wasn't like Ainsley was against the sport or anything, but she had a hard time understanding why anybody would want to participate in something so dangerous. She remembered hearing horror stories when it came to some of the accidents that had happened because of Quidditch. It just wasn't her cup of tea. "It is definitely nice to see the different floors, and what goes on in the different departments." You met people that way, and you never knew when somebody could come in handy. Ainsley really needed to crash some more floors soon. No Gavin? "If you're sure." She didn't want to press the woman. Ainsley wondered if she really had any purpose of being here other than scoping out the place. Not that it mattered to her because she was one to do the exact same thing.

She saw, hmm she wasn’t sure what that exactly meant, but it was what it was. She had to deal with all the teams breathing down her back about recruitment on something that was so obvious a stupid child prank. “It had went to Emily, so yes if they wanted to put people at the school and if the headmistress allowed it or whatever then it would be their place.” She wasn’t even sure if that was a headmistress call or board. Her thoughts about maybe speaking to the minister were getting stronger and stronger. “It seems to always end up there and as a parent, I’m very sick of it being there. I don’t understand why we are not more informed and why it’s always by the paper.” She shook her head it was irritating. “I’m actually thinking about setting up a meeting with the minister about some of these things. I feel with everything that has happened there maybe he should be stepping in and would like to know if he is.” She felt it was her right as a parent to know these things.

Rough game? The thirty five year old couldn’t help but shrug at that comment. “It’s got it’s dangers, but so does every sport. We do more than just regulations in the department. So not just injuries. We record all the injuries, do regulations, schedule all the seasons, coaches meetings, manager meetings, photoshoots for team pictures, posters, and trading cards, as well as help with mascot training, and PR for all quidditch related events. So with all my division doing that it all comes to my desk to be approved before going to the department head. “ She wasn’t sure if the woman knew all that they did or cared, but she for some reason felt the need to say it.

Her eyes glanced around again, “It is nice going to other floors and seeing what else is going on. I’ve often wondered if I’d enjoy another department if I’d leave my own.” Not that she had thoughts of leaving, but she had once and that’s what started the thinking. “Maybe you could help me though, how do I get a scheduled appointment with the minster?” She had fully talked herself into that.

Of course it would be the job of the law enforcement to handle the threat, Ainsley just thought that the games and sports department would have been affected somewhat. Considering that Hogwarts was its own entity, and the ministry didn't have much to do with that it would make sense that Victoria wasn't really phased by it. Come to think of it, Ainsley wondered if they ever found the person or if anything else had been threatened. Maybe it was just a prank. Although why somebody would prank over death was beyond her, but what did she know? "That's good then. I'm glad it was taken care of." Hogwarts was informed, and she was sure that they put every safety measure into place... surely. "I haven't heard of any incidents so that has to be a good sign." The blonde wasn't really sure what else to say on the subject. Ainsley didn't have any children, but she could understand where Victoria was coming from. "I can only imagine your frustrations. I would be worried sick if my child was at Hogwarts." She didn't want to go into too much detail, and commit herself to saying something that would be better kept quiet. She wanted to see the minister himself? Ainsley thought that maybe it would be best to see Gavin first, but she wasn't going to tell this woman what to do. It did have to do with children, and if the roles were reversed Ainsley might want to see the minister too. "I can assure you that the minister does everything in his power to see that everyone is safe." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. It was all apart of her job description. Sentences like that seemed to fall out of her mouth all the time. Not that she didn't believe them or anything.

Yes, sports in general were dangerous, and that was her whole point. Ainsley would never understand why anybody would want to put themselves in a position where they could knowingly get hurt, and for entertainment at that. She smiled as Victoria went listed off all of her duties. "Wow. I bet there is never a dull moment over there." She smiled as Victoria's passion for her job was evident on her face. "I think it so admirable that you are passionate about your job." It sure made the work day easier. Ainsley was good with having a million things on her plate, and she could maybe do what Victoria did, but one thing she knew for sure was that there was no way that she could ever play a sport. That was a total no go.

"It is. I have met many nice, and helpful people. I am actually thinking about going to the Environmental Department and seeing if I can get some tips on a garden." It was Gavin's idea after all so she had an excuse to go wandering around on that floor. "I always think that it is a good idea to keep your options open." You never knew when you might want a change of pace. Oh, so she definitely wanted this meeting then? Ms. Abigail Goodman or Ms. Eperanza Jordan would be the two ladies that can help you out there." Ainsley had to fight the urge to just bring her back to the minister herself. She had a hard time shaking the need to always be helpful, but she knew that a scheduled meeting was needed. The minister would not appreciate her blindsiding her. The front counter was not that far from them. Should she lead the woman over there? She didn't want to seem like she was smothering her. Ainsley knew that Victoria was fully capable of making her own appointment.