Minister's Office Break Room

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Is your stomach starting to grumble as you continue to think about that ham sandwich you've got stored away in the refrigerator? All caught up with your work and in need of some rest and relaxation? Everyone needs a break now and then, especially those witches and wizards who take on the task of helping run the government of our wizarding world! The break room serves as an area for employees to escape to when its lunchtime, when they're in need of a short break, or when they're just looking for an area to catch up with their co-workers and share tales of the workplace or the latest gossip. The break room is nestled in an area in between the front desks and cubicles area. It features a ladies' room, a men's room, a kitchen, and a common area to lounge on a couch or sit down at a table and eat.

In need of the men's room, Alexander made his way down the hallway and toward the breakroom. There really wasn't any other reason for him to be headed there, as he actually had everything else he'd need in his own office. Coffee? Check. A place to sit down? Check. His lunch? No, but he rarely ever stayed at the Ministry of Magic during mealtime anyway. A bathroom? No. Not at all, and so he pushed the doors to the breakroom open and then made his way inside.

A few moments later, he found himself back out in the main breakroom area, taking a look around as he assessed the place. It'd do, even if it was an area that gave emloyees an excuse to sit around and ignore their ever-growing stacks of paperwork. He wasn't one to complain, though, as he more than understood the need to just get away from things every now and then. He absentmindedly sat down on a couch as he continued to look around.

While the change of events certainly caught Derrick off guard, he was in no way unmotivated by his sudden switch of position or so to speak. The one thing that did make his stomach churn more than usual was that this Senior Undersecretary was someone he had never known or heard of. Once Derrick was on the right level he figured he should find out who the Senior Undersecretary was. He entered the break room where he found a man who looked like he knew people around here. "Excuse me sir, could you tell me who the Senior Undersecretary is? I regret that I am underprepared today, for I didn't know I would be assisting a different person." This recent university graduate tried to sound as respectable and as responsible as possible because he felt it was already so rude to not even know who you're working for. His fellow colleagues might think he shouldn't have been hired if they thought he didn't care about this new position.

After having done a quick personal assessment of the break room, Alexander decided that he'd done enough exploring for the day and should return to his office. There was a fair amount of paperwork in there for him, most of it material that had been left for him even before his first day on the job. He'd just started to push himself off the couch when the door to the break room opened and a younger man stepped inside.

Amused at the irony of the man's question, Alexander smirked a little then asked, "...and what business do you have with the Senior Undersecretary, might I ask?" Assisting a different person? Hmm? Alexander studied the man for a few seconds, but he couldn't seem to put a name to this face and therefore really knew nothing about the man standing before him. This unsettled him a little, but he managed to keep his cool. "Is he expecting you?"

No, Alexander knew, but seeing as he didn't know of this man nor what his official job title was, he decided to conduct a brief questioning before revealing himself.

His tapping was rather annoying. In fact everything about him was annoying. The way he acted, walked, talked, smiled… he was just annoying. The only thing he had going for him was he was rather attractive. Trying hard to give the appearance that she was not interested in a conversation she stepped into the breakroom. She thought ignoring him might lure him in and then she could start the verbal abuse.

The woman grabbed the coffee pot and angrily poured some into a red mug. Turning to face him her scowl continued, ”I didn’t ask who you were, in fact I don’t care.” And she wasn't going to introduce herself either. Medea heavily put the pot back on the warmer, that’s when he spoke again, ”Yes, yes we keep firewhiskey stored in the breakroom. The Minster believes it improves productivity.” She sneered with sarcasm dripping from her lips. ”Intelligence is a quality no one will ever mistake you for having.” This felt great; she was letting off some steam. Oh please let him bite back, she needed a good fight.

She took a sip of her black, unsweetened coffee as it appeared he was following her into the room, ”What are you doing here?” Surely it wasn’t to repay her the firewhiskey he stole. Yes that’s how she was classifying it. Stole. And no, it couldn’t be that he was returning it because well he didn’t know she worked here, she never told him.

As he checked the time on a nearby wall, Alexander casually stood from the couch, regarding Ward and her visitor with a nod of his head as he did so. He looked back at the man, the one who apparently didn't realize that he was the Senior Undersecretary. "I have an important appointment," he said, "however, I'd be interested to know when exactly you figure out who the Senior Undersecretary is." He smirked ever so slightly, and then he turned and headed out the room.

It was Victoria's so she left her office and headed to the break room to get something to eat. She entered the room looked around she liked the simple decoration it made her feel cozy.

She headed to the refrigerator and opened it ,she took a sandwich. Then she sat on the chair leaning on the table enjoying her meal.

She looked towards the door hoping that someone would join her, because she doesn't like to set alone. Besides she'd like to meet her co-workers as she only met a couple of them

Since there was a symphony in Konrad's belly, his stomach yelling for some food, he thought he could sneak into the kitchen and maybe find something to eat. Maybe... and apple or something? Naaah, he hated apples. He preferred his stomach growling, rather than eating apples.

He quietly opened the door that led to the break room, which led to the kitchen, as far as he knew, but... there was someone already there. Someone he'd met some hours ago. "Hello," he smiled at Victoria, as he closed the door behind him. His stomach also seemed to shut up, for now, which was good. He didn't have to make a fool of himself... yet.

"How are you?" The man asked, making a few steps closer to the kitchen, really hoping that he would find something he'd like.

Well, Victoria's loneliness didn't last long. As she was eating on the table she heard someone coming in the room, She looked up to check who was it and it was Konrad, the man whom she met on her first day "Hi there!" she replied cheerfully.

Victoria was glad that she wasn't the only one who was hungry, because that wouldn't be a very cool thing "I'm great, How're you doing?" Victoria asked him as she took another bite. She looked at him and she felt like he was heading somewhere before he saw her, and that was reasonable... why else would he come to the kitchen "You're hungry?" she said as she was swallowing which made her voice unclear, so she swallowed what was left in her moth and continued "You know if you're hungry, there are good things in the refrigerator,come on serve yourself" she smiled at Konrad, she felt that she's talking to him like she knew him long time ago, but there co-workers now they should get used to each other.

"I'm good," Konrad said, smiling. He noticed that Victoria was really cheerful, which was good. It was great to have cheerful people around him, especially if they were going to work together. He had a feeling that he wouldn't get bored around her.

Hungry? "I'm quite starving," he chuckled, remembering about his stomach, which was still quiet... for now. Yup, it was not making him look like a fool.

So there was a kitchen! "I will be back in a few moments," the man said, then quickly made his way to the kitchen to look for something to eat. He opened the fridge and stared for a moment. He didn't quite want anything that was there, so he only took a cup of hot chocolate. It was always better than coffee in Konrad's opinion. And that cup will satisfy his stomach as well, hopefully.

"I'm back," he said with a tiny grin, as he poked his head back in the break room. "Do you mind if I join you?" He asked as he made a few steps closer to Victoria.

Victoria nodded when Konrad mentioned he's starving, she swallowed and said "Who wouldn't be?! It's been a long day" she told him "okay, I'm not going anywhere" she let a light laugh.

As Konrad went to the kitchen Victoria took a big bite but she tasted something so she looked at her sandwich checking what she had just tasted ….OH it was lettuce!! Victoria froze in the chair….if she had known that there is lettuce in there she wouldn't have eaten it. She got out a tissue right away and got out that horrible bite she just took. She tossed it in the trash can, then she got out all the lettuce out and put it in another tissue and tossed it too.

She coughed trying to get back her apetite, hopefully there wasn't much of the sandwich. So she swallowed hard trying to forget about what she had just saw.

Right after then Konrad came in holding a cup Victoria smiled at the sight of him and said "Hey! I thought you were starving!just that's it? What is it, coffee?" she told him then she added "Of course you can join me! I don't like sitting alone" She told him.
She then took another bite but first she checked that there was nothing green there.

Konrad smiled, then took a seat next to Victoria. He was still holding the cup of hot chocolate in his hands, because they were always cold, and he hoped that he could warm them up a little bit that way. He was only hoping that he wouldn't spill anything on his clothes. It wouldn't be anything out of common if he did. He sometimes had two left hands. That was the problem.

"That's just it," he repeated with a nod. "Nope. Hot chocolate." Coffee was okay... but hot chocolate was ALWAYS better. No exceptions. He also chuckled as he noticed how hungry Victoria must have been.

"How has your day been so far?" Konrad asked, as he took a sip of his yummy hot chocolate.

Victoria took the last bite and took out a tissue and cleaned her mouth with it. Although it was clean. She then threw the tissue in the trash can.

"Hot chocolate is yummy!" she nodded in agreement. She looked around looking for water and saw a battle on the table she grabbed it , filled the glass and drank it.

"It's been good actually" she told konrad "Wasn't really a busy day like you saw" she added "Just few visitors, when I took the job I thought that it's gonna be so hard, but it turned out it isn't" she said "But I like it here ,you know our desks are nice aren’t they?" she winked at Konrad "and all the employees are kind too" Victoria was glad about that last fast because co-workers are very important.

Lara took another gulp of water then she turned to Konrad and said "How was yours?" she asked him. Although their desks are next to each other so his opinion can't be so different.

Yummy?

Konrad liked Victoria. At least the way she was thinking. "Indeed, it is," he said, laughing. He was so relieved that he had a nice workmate, rather than having some grumpy old... something.

It turned out that the job wasn't that difficult? Hmm. "I'm actually kind of afraid of... him," the biiiig man. He hoped that Victoria understood who he was talking about. "I mean, imagine if he gets mad," in case they don't find a way for him to have more oxygen, "and we work so close to him." That was freaking him out.

"But yes, it is nice working here. I'm more of a desk-job-person." He didn't like dangerous things. At all. Not that he had any problems with charms and spells and other things.

His day? "Mine was pretty much the same as yours," he smiled, then took another sip of his hot chocolate. The best part was that his hands were warm as well! Hahaaa.

Victoria nodded. She absolutely understood what konrad meant "You got a point there!" she said "but let's just do our jobs the best we can and hope that we won't have to face him" She said "Besides I think he contact directly with Mr.Alexander not us, So that shouldn't be a peoblem" Victoria told Konrad ,she was convincing herself too!

So Konrad liked desk jobs, that's nice to know more about him "You know I like desk jobs too! but the most important thing to me is not to work alone" she told him "it kinda upsets me" It really does. Victoria doesn't like to stay alone in a room, how could she work alone for the whole day!


Victoria took another gulp of water, she often does so when she's talking "So Konrad, Where did you work before you came here?" she asked him.She hoped that she didn't bother him with that question, she usually gets along with people fast, but some people don't like it "I mean if you don't mind me asking of course?" she added smiling.

"I really hope you are right," the man said, laughing quite nervously. Well, Victoria had a point, and a very good one. And even if her theory wasn't right, Konrad wanted at least to think that it is. But still... he was a secretary, he'll have to face... the man. Eventually.

So she was definitely not a loner. "You won't be alone," Konrad said, while a big grin appeared on his face. He felt like that muggle Superman, as he'll never let Victoria work alone. "Even though I have nothing to complain about if I'm working alone," he added with a slight shrug. Victoria may not be a loner, but he could be. Hehe.

Where did he work... before? Uhh.

"Of course I don't mind you asking," he smiled, then looked for a moment at his almost empty cup that he was still holding in his hands. "I didn't... work," he said, as his face had slightly turned pink. He didn't quite like discussing about this. Well, he didn't work before because he didn't have any problems when it came to money, and he still doesn't have any. He just figured out that he had to do something. "How about you?"

Victoria hoped she is right too. Because although she isn't the nervous type, it's still different to face the minister himself.

Victoria smiled at Konrad gently, he was really a gentle man "Aw! Thank you Konrad I really appreciate it" she told him "Really? You don't mind working alone?" she wandered "That's interesting…..you know loneliness makes me depressed, that's why I always stick with people" she said hoping that it didn't make her odd or anything.

Victoria regretted that she asked him about his former job. She felt that it made him uncomfortable. So she didn't want to ask anymore personal questions , so she just nodded "Well, I used to work as an Editor in one of the papers" she told him "it was really an interesting job, you get to meet lots of people" she said "And it was all about working with a big group which I really like" she said.

"I'm happy if I can help," Konrad chuckled, then gave Victoria a large smile. Well, he didn't quite consider keeping someone company as help, but if that really helped Victoria, he was satisfied and happy.

Depressed? Naaah. "Eh, I'm alright," he said, grinning. He found the individual work easier, since he couldn't read other people's minds or agree all the time with the other's ideas. Yup. Definitely easier on his own.

Oooh an editor? "That sounds really interesting," the man said with a short nod. He was a seriously curious creature super curious to find out more, but he also wondered whether he would be rude to ask. He surely wouldn't mind any kind of question, but he had no idea whether Victoria would or not.

Konrad took another glimpse of his cup, which was empty this time. At least his stomach seemed satisfied enough, since it stopped growling. "Do you want me to get you something from the kitchen? I think I'll have some more," he said, slightly raising his empty cup.

Well, Victoria found out a few things about Konrad but the most obvious thing that he isn't the talking type. Unlike her, she's been bumbling for the last half an hour or so.

"It is interesting" Victoria assured him "But you know you can't keep a job forever" She said half laughing. Although she knows few people who did, but it didn't work for her "Anyway, changing the routine is better I guess, right?" she asked Konrad.

Victoria leaned back on the chair and crossed her legs she looked at her magical watch and her break wasn't over yet. So she still can stay here enjoying her time with her colleague [b]"No thank you, I had enough" she answered him "Thank you for asking" she smile at him, he really is a kind man, he reminds her of her elder brother.

Hmm.

Konrad suddenly wondered whether Victoria had been fired from her last job or not, after everything she said about not keeping the same job forever. But he didn't ask, of course. THAT would have been rude. "Changes are good," he agreed, nodding. Well, some of them, at least. Even though he didn't quite like changes. He was a bit... old fashioned.

With another smile, Konrad stood up and made his way to the kitchen for some more hot chocolate. "Are you sure you don't want any -" the man said a bit louder, as he was in the kitchen, but then...

BANG!

"Oups," he managed to mumble, looking at the broken cup on the floor. Oups. Really smart thing to say. At least he didn't get the chance to spill the hot chocolate.

Well at least Konrad said something! Victoria said to herself "Yeah changes are good "she nodded . It seemed to her that she's gonna be the one who'll do the talking.

However, there is nothing wrong about being someone who doesn't talk much like herself. Especially that he's a very kind person as he insisted on getting her something. Well, he didn't get the time to finish his offer as the cup fell on the floor and broke. Victoria stood up quickly "That's alright" Victoria said, she couldn't think of another thing to say "urgh…. It can be fixed" She said as she got out her wand to do a spell to fix the situation. But first she looked at Konrad and asked "Do you wanna do it?" she didn't want to act by her own, it might upset him. Because some people get upset if they didn't fix their own mistakes. However, it's not a mistake really, it could have happened with anyone.

Oh, she came to the kitchen. Maybe she thought that he destroyed everything around him? Well, with his super clumsy hands, of course he could have. But he didn't. Not this time, at least.

"Don't worry, I'll do it," the man said, smiling kindly at Victoria. Eh, no worries. Konrad took his wand out of a pocket and threw a non verbal Reparo at the pieces of the cup, which had instantly put together into the old cup. There. It looked even better than before.

He filled it with some more hot chocolate, then turned around to face Victoria again. "Shall we?" He asked, as he outstretched an arm towards the break room. If she was sure that she didn't want anything else, they might as well sit down, right?

Victoria put her wand back in her pocket and smiled at Konrad "You saved the day!" she winked at him as she turned to the refrigerator and got out another bottle of water because that one was all gulped by her "You know I get thirsty a lot" she told him although he didn't ask, but she felt that it's not that normal to drink a whole bottle….but it is normal ,she hoped he didn't think she is weird.

Victoria nodded "yeah we still have time till our break is over" She walked in front of him and sat down on the same chair she was sitting on before .she took the bottle to fill the glass and as she was doing it, her hand moved to the right and she spilled water on the table.

Her face reddened a bit "Uh…" she said as she got out her wand . She moved it as she murmured a spell under her breath and the water was gone. She put the glass away although she was still thirsty but her hands were a bit shaking and she knew if she tried to fill it again she would spill it again. She leaned back on the chair ,looked at Konrad and said trying to sound cool "Well, we should be a little more careful…" but her voice sounded shaky because she doesn't like messing up like that.

"I did, didn't I?" Konrad said, grinning.

He saved the... day? Nah, he saved the cup. But still, he felt like a superhero, just because of Victoria... who could really drink a lot of water. "I suppose we can be sure of one thing," he said, this time sounding a bit serious. "You won't get dehydrated," the man pointed out, while his grin was back on his face.

Konrad chuckled as she spilled the water, when they got back from the kitchen, but then he felt kind of worried about her. "Are you alright?" He asked with a slight frown, as she seemed to be shaking for some reason, and he really didn't like this. What if she was sick or something? He'd never been good at healing, except for small scratches or similar things.

Anyway, he took the bottle and filled the glass with water. She'll need that.

Victoria smiled lightly "Oh, I'm totally fine" she said as she coughed trying to sound casual she must be looking nervous that's why he asked "You know I just don't want to miss up anything... she said. She shook her head then "well, it have nothing to do with it though….so erm.. I'm fine" she grinned. She had no idea why is she nervous, spilling water something happens regularly it's not a big deal.

Thankfully, Konrad filled the glass for her, Victoria accepted it "Thank you very much" she said gratefully as she took the glass and drank it. And the good news that her hands weren't shaking.She really appreciated that kind act of him.

Victoria then put the glass on the table and cleared her throat "You know I don't usually get nervous like that" she said without looking at Konrad "maybe because I didn't get much sleep yesterday" she told him. Well, it's true but she didn't know what does this have to do with that!