Note: Different timelines for Zach and Mariel
 

Lourdes had plastered a smile on her face once she saw the knob turn. She believed that it was always better to greet a visitor with a smile rather than a frown. "Good day to you as well," Lourdes said with a polite nod. The formality could not be taken away, especially in a place like the Ministry of Magic. It was a rule to always be formal.

They had a new Senior Undersecretary, right? That Warfield Rockefeller person. Used to be a campaign manager to Mr. Cooper Cope. Lourdes could remember him vividly.

"Yes, I remember you from the Minister's Office," the department head said as she accepted his hand and shook it. "Please... have a seat." She gestured to the chair in front of her desk.

Now, to the point. "What is it that Mr. Rockefeller wants?" It seemed to be important business.

Zach smiled as and followed the gaze to the chair and then taking a seat without taking his gaze off the Department Head.

He cleared his throat before speaking and said, "I was just sent here to update the Liaison Officer list for the department, Ma'am" he continued very generously.

Zach was hoping that this meeting is way better than that of the Catastrophe Department which is a catastrophe.

Once the Junior Undersecretary had seated, Lourdes just waited for something. Obviously, with a visit from someone from the Minister's Office on behalf of the Senior Undersecretary, it must be necessary so the department head wasn't going to be dumb about this.

She listened. Oh yes of course. Liaison Officer. They were pretty updated with these things. Lourdes was aware that they had records so she wasn't exactly surprised. If Zach didn't visit her, she would've came to his level and told him personally. "I've chosen Miss Mariel Morgan to be Games & Sports' new Liaison Officer." Lourdes said with an assuring nod. Mariel had accepted the offer and signed the papers and all that. Chevron had left and she couldn't beg him to stay if he wanted to leave.

"Is there anything else I could help you with?" If there was anything else, that is.

Mariel mirrored her boss' smile as she accepted the offer. Of course she knew that this was quite an honor to be offered the position and she could tell Lourdes was pleased that she accepted. Good, good.. everyone seemed happy, and a happy workplace made for pleasant days.

She leaned forward a bit as Ms. Black mentioning signing a form, then she listened to the further details of her new position. Was that all? She could certainly do that.. no problem. "Simple enough," the brunette nodded. "I'm sure I can all handle that.." Of course, she expected there to be more as time went on, but she was up for the job. "So, where do I sign?" And hopefully she had a quill on her because Mariel didn't..

Mariel was all set after she signed the form. It was just for safe-keeping and for organising files since it was an important document. And yes, it was just simple. No stress which was a good thing.

Mhm, of course she could handle all of that. Lourdes wouldn't have trusted her gut instinct and picked Mariel as her first choice for liaison officer. Even more reasons to feel honored and special. "Oh, right over there... on the blank provided," Lourdes said and pointed at it on the form. She also took out a quill and an inkwell and pushed it closer to Mariel. After that, she could be dismissed.

Zach's expression brightened a little, he was really glad that the Games Department had picked their new Liaison Officer.

"I am afraid that that would be all." he said with a smile on his face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you and I am very sorry for the short disturbance." he said and stood up.

Oh, that was it? Lourdes was right in the first place, about this being a business-related visit. All was fine though. At least she had a visitor and that. "Oh, I see," she said and managed a small smile.

"It was a pleasure to meet you too," the woman said. "And it's okay. No harm done." She wasn't even doing anything but read a book. It occupied most of her free time but that was okay. Zach was dismissed now so... he could leave. Besides, Lourdes had... stuff to write down about.

Stuff her department was going to do together, you know.

Mariel reached across the desk and took a hold of the form. Green eyes glanced to the blank Lourdes had pointed out and the brunette picked up the quill offered to her. After dipping it into the ink, she scrawled her signature in the appropriate smile, then pushed it back across the desk.

"I guess that makes it official," she said with a smile, then reached again to shake her boss' hand. That was like an unspoken rule or something for business agreements, right? And it just made it even more official.. or something. But she felt it to be appropriate. "I will get right on that first task," she added as she rose from her seat. "And thank you again.. I am really very honored that you chose me for this position." With one last smile and a nod of her head, she headed towards the door.

Sorry if this is late! >_<
 

Lourdes had made her way over to her office right after the department meeting and after fixing the food in the conference room. She, herself, did bring in some because... well, who would say no to the treats for the Food Court? Settling everything else and her cup of tea on her desk, she decided to take an afternoon off. Her department had done a lot today and deserved a break.

And then... oh, a visitor? Already? Guess she'll have to move her break a little bit later. That didn't matter though. Lourdes liked having visitors. "Please come on in!" she said, loud enough for the person at the other side of the door to hear.

Don't worry about it! ^__^
 

Hearing the voice, Adam lifted his head, and (hoping he'd actually heard a voice and wasn't imagining things due to tiredness, or something) pushed the door open. He closed it behind him, before turning to smile at his boss.

"Hi," he started, nodding towards her, smile still on his face. "Just wanted to introduce myself properly. I've been on leave for a while, but I wanted to let you know that I'm here to offer extra help with anything you might need." Alongside his job in the Patents Lab, obviously. He didn't mean she NEEDED help, he wasn't trying to imply that, just that if she had any extra work she needed someone to do that he was more than willing to.

Leave had made him come back with extra enthusiasm, and a large desire to be more useful. Curse having six kids.

Waiting for the visitor to enter her office, Lourdes dusted off the last bit of dust off her desk. Okay... she didn't place that over there. Hmm... and for the record, she cleaned her office once in a while. That was a bit odd.

Oh... that was Mr. Stemp, if she wasn't mistaken. "Hello," she greeted him and returned his smile with one of her own. "Everything's all good... but please, have a seat." She offered him the seat in front of her desk, for comfort reasons. Lourdes always felt the need to let her visitors sit when they dropped by. She didn't want them to stand during the time they spent there. The chair had its use, anyway. "Why, that's really nice of you." Look at all of her employees offering a hand. They were all such dearies.

"I apologise for not introducing myself to you before. My name is Lourdes Black," the blonde said. "I've taken the position of department head after the previous one, Rex Vindictus, stepped down. I assume he is the one who employed you?"

Adam hastened forward, pulled out the chair Lourdes indicated and sat opposite her. "It's the least I can do," he said eagerly. Besides, he loved his job, and this department, and now that he was back and away from all of those messy children! he was excited to get back to it.

"No apology necessary! Adam waved at once. "I can't imagine how hard managing a department it. Must be very different to playing Quidditch!" Not that he actually new what either was like. He did like to WATCH Quidditch, and Lorelai kinda made him, because apparently football was STOOOPID. Not true. His wife, he was pretty sure, had been a fan of his boss, though. "Yes, I started a few years after I graduated." You know, after gigging was interrupted by kids and his song only got played about once a week. "Been he for around six, seven years now!"

That was a lot longer than he'd thought, now he'd, well, thought about it.

Once Adam was seated, it made Lourdes a bit more eased. At least she didn't have to worry about her employees and visitors being uncomfortable. Plus, the seat was extra comfy for more comfort. Was it a problem that she cared? Because she didn't see it as a problem. Maybe it was just her being too careful. And such a dear too. Her department was full of helpful people.

Hard? "It won't be too difficult as long as your employees are willing to help and are very kind," Lourdes said with a smile. That's why she liked her department even if she's only been here for a few years. She grew to love them... you know, like a small family apart from her biological one. Quidditch! "Yes, it is quite different... but it's something new and refreshing." Although she did miss playing Quidditch for the Harpies. Oh those wonderful memories. "Well, I am glad that you are back in the department." She smiled again.

Such a good feeling to see employees coming back, especially those who were on break. In fact, it made Lourdes a bit excited too. More people!

An eagle circled around the room and landed on the desk and unfolded itself.