OH. MY.

Darla opened her mouth, up to its widest point at this woman who obviously didn't like her company. She watched as the little woman opened the door, opening... to a very attractive man, or well she thought many men in the Ministry were attractive. Yet she heard those words again, 'do come in.' Her mouth still open in shock, she gave a look the the person at the door, a look that told him NOT to be ordered by the silly ice cream woman.

Then what was the woman doing?! A message. Paper-airplane message. She was being tattled. She tried her best to take grasp of the paper airplane before it reached the doors, but alas, her arms were too slow and too short to catch the darn thing. Too late now. She would try to do her best before people showed up.

"PFFT. PROFESSIONAL?" she scoffed quite loudly, "since WHEN is it professional to hire a woman who previously made SILLY ICE CREAMS in her last occupation straight to Department Head?!" She took a step closer to the small woman. Oh she wasn't scared of her. She wasn't scared of her at all. "I think I'd be a more likely choice as a Department Head than you."

Another step closer. "So why don't you just go back to your little shop and continue making your little silly-flavored ice creams!" What happened to her previous Department Head anyways?! Oh she was so slow these days.

Smirk.

Craig was walking by his boss's office with a bunch of files in his hand when he heard raised voices. Then he looked up above him and saw paper plain quickly whisk it's way out of the office, he caught the door and made his way in very concerned. "Oy! Miss Greingoth g'day to you? Any trouble, I thought you might need a witness... I mean a..." she saw a rather large woman towering over quite a petite Miss Greingoth.

Bella looked like she was in a tight spot, sure this woman would never hurt his new boss, but he almost felt a bit protective, after all it was Miss Greingoth that hired him and he loved his new job. He thought maybe some Australian flattery might calm the woman down "G'day, we haven't met," he stuck out he took her hand, "I'm Craig, Craig Wickham, the jackaroo Division Head at the Floo Network. I swear I would have recognized such a...lovely woman in this department." He kissed her hand.

"A woman of your beauty shouldn't raise such a lovely voice. And such sparkling eyes--A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted with shifting change, as is false women's fashion; an eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, gilding the object whereupon it gazeth." He had a feeling even the most simplest of flattery would satisfy this woman and quickly let go of her hand. At least the killing would be taken away from Bella and now casted upon him.

With that airplane message in his hand Brian just walked down the level six corridor and hesitated a second at the door of Ms. Bella Greingoth's office before entered with a slight knock on the door. He was not waited for permission or something since it seemed unnecessary at that situation. He looked around the room and noticed Ms. Griengoth was surrounded by three people including a red-faced woman. She might be the problem.

"Hello, Ms.Griengoth." his voice was soft yet firm, "I got your urgent message. Who is that?" he just stopped, informing them that he was on duty through his silent gaze.

Chad walked in, his hands folded together behind him. He couldn't help but notice at how relieved the woman seemed at the sight of him, even though they'd never met before. Everr. His attention was then turned to a furious looking woman in the room...and then it moved back to the Head.

Minister of magic? OH! Cue me! Cue me! "Mmm, I believe, Madame, that I will be of some assistance here," he said gently, taking a stand beside her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingDong

"PFFT. PROFESSIONAL?" she scoffed quite loudly, "since WHEN is it professional to hire a woman who previously made SILLY ICE CREAMS in her last occupation straight to Department Head?!" She took a step closer to the small woman. Oh she wasn't scared of her. She wasn't scared of her at all. "I think I'd be a more likely choice as a Department Head than you."

Another step closer. "So why don't you just go back to your little shop and continue making your little silly-flavored ice creams!" What happened to her previous Department Head anyways?! Oh she was so slow these days.

Smirk.

"And since when it is professional to walk into a Department Head's office and yell at them in such une...disgusting manner?" Chad took a step forward towards the woman, and then stepped in between the two. "You see, Madame, it will not be hard for moi to get une audience avec Minister Taylor. In which we will discuss your unbelievable attitude!" He crossed his arms across his chest and stayed where he was. "You see, I report everything to her. Tout! Including the names of employees who prove to not need their job anymore."

Bella had thought what she'd previously said to Puff would have calmed her down, but apparently it took a bit more than an unemployment threat to stop her. This insane excuse of an employee she had even tried to put a halt to the paper airplane plea for help Bella had sent soaring out the window. The nerve! Whatever happened to respecting your Department Head? "Miss Puff! Enough is enough! I don't feel as if I need to justify my hiring to you, but if you must know, I happened to be employed in the ice cream industry because I wanted to, not because I lacked the proper intelligence to go elsewhere," she replied. "As I've said before, if you wish to discuss my employment status, you and I can schedule a meeting with Miss Taylor anytime you wish."

When the door flung wide open, Bella glanced over to see Mr. Wickham jump inside just in the knick of time. "Somewhat of a good day, Mr. Wickham," she said, eyeing Darla as she spoke. Bella watched as Craig spoke with Darla, trying calm her down, obviously, so she wouldn't give his Department Head any additional headaches. What a lovely employee. Perhaps Puff could take a few lessons.

A knock upon the door drew Bella's attention away from the two, and she turned to see that, thank Merlin, security had arrived! Good ole Brian Lee, Bella's fellow Department Head, had come to save the day, the airplane message still in his hand. "Thank you for arriving in such a timely manner, Mr. Lee. I do apologize if my message interrupted your working day," she politely said. She did hate to draw Brian away from the numerous duties he must have been put a lot of hard work into. "I'm afraid we have an issue with Miss Puff. She appears to be quite upset over the fact that I've been hired. She's out of control and has resulted to threats and name-calling. Misters Wickham and Stryker are my witnesses to the complete insanity this situation has come to."

Bella turned towards Stryker, a man who'd no doubt arrived at the worst impression of her and the department she ran. "Would you be able to be of assistance, Mr. Stryker? If Miss Puff wishes to further question my employment status, I do believe we'll need to head towards level one," she replied. She was quite proud of the way in which he bravely stepped in between she and Puff. She'd never met him, but she was beginning to assume he was the liasion between she and the minister. How lucky she was to have received such a kind employee.

"And I will NOT--," she started again but was interrupted by yet another man who moved himself to the office. Darla raised her brow on this one, and then in a second, he took her hand. HER HAND.

She'd gone completely dazed and distracted, focusing on the Australian man at the moment. Oh this man was a GENTLEMAN! Quite shocked at his behavior, she wondered if this 'Craig' was merely acting or telling her the real deal. A man with manners, oh, she liked him already. "Lovely?" she said, cheeks blushing and slowly returning back to her normal voice, "why--why thank you." The next set of sentences he used on her--she barely understood them but she LAAAIKED.

"Raaww--," she was just about to rawwrr at this fine gentleman but then another man came. Oh right. Distracted for quite a minute from the man she just met, she turned to look at the new man coming in from the door. OH. Hmph, it must have been the man who the ice cream woman air-planed.

Darla wanted to step riiight up to the door, make all the boys leave, and end the situation off by using the Bat-Bogey Hex on the silly little truffle trying to be her boss.

Then SUDDENLY the OTHER cute guy decided to speak up. To SPEAK up. To her?! He's siding with the HAG?! Arms put on hips yet again, she gave the man a glare, which softened a bit when she heard his next words. Gulp. She felt ... a bit scared and yet angry at the same time at this ... PERSON. "Dis-gus-ting?" she said, voice returning to full anger, "DISGUSTING, you call it?"

How DAAARE he. But what? Minister Taylor? Oh my.

"Y--you mean, you could," gulp, fire me?! She tried to maintain her voice strong and prideful, like the Puff she was but getting FIRED was out of line. "I will not take this." She stated that simply and with still with hands on her hips, took a step back from the man, and giving Bella Greingoth the death glare and smirk yet again.

Oh how much she wanted to slap the woman. How much she wanted to make her own bogeys attack her. How much she wanted to ask what product she used for her hair. "I will NOT take this," she repeated and scoffed yet again.

With that, before Darla could go berserk and strangle the little witch, she forced herself to walk straight towards the door, but not without nudging her new Department Head on the shoulder. Nudged her quite hard actually. Felt good. Though she still wanted to slap her. She turned to the people before leaving, continuing her death glare at each and one of them (except for the Aussie, she liked him a bit for his manners). "I'll be back," she told them in a manly voice, almost sounding like the Terminator himself.

Yes Darla Lala Puff was not going to let THIS woman win. She would be back. And she would make sure the woman had no... no PEOPLE to protect her. "HMMMPPPPH." And she left the office, slamming the door closed as HARD as she could. Revenge. She will have her revenge sooooon enough!

Craig thought his wooing was winning her over, until he was interrupted by the man who was already in Miss Greingoth's office. At least he seemed to have won her over and wouldn't have to face her any tirades from her anytime soon. Flattery with a pinch of poetry and a dash of charm seemed to go a long way. Especially if it helped Miss Greingoth get somewhat out of the line of fire.

Then a Mr. Lee stepped in. He actually feared for the man. Darla looked as though she could take him down in one slap if she wanted too. Darla seemed like a woman who would stop at nothing to see her way happen. He then turned to Miss Greingoth who indirectly threatened Darla to go to the Minister. He admired Miss Gringoth's courage, it said a lot about his new boss and he couldn't be prouder to serve under her. Poor Miss Taylor, barely Minister and in less that a week would have to deal with this!

A few more words exchanged back and forth. Mainly a lot of yelling. Then Darla stormed off not before a stare down to all the people in the room, he swore he thought she might have a bit of a twinkle in her eye when she looked at him. He merely smiled. He would hate to have her for an enemy. And with a slam of the door he jumped a little. "Well that was a bit dramatic!" He chuckled a bit to himself. He pulled out a wrapped blueberry cinnamon and placed it on Miss Greingoth's desk, like a child would put an apple on their teacher's desk. "You need this more than I do."

Craig forgot about the files in his hand. "Oh, actually I had a few files I wanted to go over with you Miss Greingoth, but I see that you're busy." He just kind of stood there. He didn't know if he should stay or go. What if Darla came back?

Ms. Greingoth's face seemed relaxed after seen him. He stood there, listening her talking pretty fast. "No problem. It's my duty Mr. Greingoth. Actually I was shocked when I read the message." he looked around again, took a sharp glance at another woman in the room. "Oh. Well..I can handle her. I think there's a vacancy in St. Mungos for someone special here." he took another quick glance at the trouble making woman.



But before he finished talking with Ms. Greingoth, the woman complained and cursed everyone in the room before stepped out. He tucked his hands into his pockets and watched it with a grin.

With an amused look on her face, Bella propped up against her desk once again and watched while Darla interacted with Craig. So Craig---along with Brian Lee and Chad Stryker, as well---would be her saving graces when it came to dealing with Darla. At least Craig was putting Darla into a far better mood than she'd been in less than a minute ago.

The peacefulness didn't last for long, though. Darla seemed to be outraged over the fact that Chad had sided against her and with Bella instead. Bella started to open her mouth to let Puff know that her latest insults would not be tolerated, but she stopped when she saw how Puff reacted to Brian's sudden presence.

Oh, lovely! Great! Spectacular! So Puff was definitely alarmed by the possible threat of being fired from her job. "Yes, Miss Puff, he, as well as I, could easily have your job taken away from you. We'd like to have you remain as an employee, however, if this type of behavior continues, we'll have no other choice," she said, speaking up after having been silent for a few minutes. She sighed when the woman proceeded to clearly let everyone know she'd be back. Of course Puff wouldn't be the one to just let the situation drop. Bella made a slight face of annoyance when the woman purposely ran into her while attempting to leave. She wouldn't say anything now, but if Puff continued, to the Minister it would be!

It was only when Craig placed a muffin on her desk that Bella finally spoke up again. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Wickham. That muffin will surely be a treat after dealing with the events that have occured in the past fifteen or so minutes," she said, a smile slowly making its way across her face. "You're more than welcome to stay and discuss with me whatever it is you came to talk about. I do appreciate your assistance, too, by the way."

"...your's, too, Misters Stryker and Lee," she said, nodding towards each man as she said their name. "I suspect she'll return in the next few days to finish what she started, but hopefully I can manage to smooth things over in the meantime. Would you believe that this whole ordeal is the result of her being angry over not being able to fit through the doors at Florean Fortescue's? Because I was the shopkeeper at the time, she's made it a point to dislike me all because of those small doors."

Brian waved his hands in air, "I'm glad I could reach here before anything happen bad" he smiled at her, "Dont worry. Anyway she'll face a trial for this misbehaviou " It was not such a incident to just ignore. Threatening a high official in front of other staffs was an offense. Brian rubbed his hands together, "Okay, Just feel free to send me an owl if you need further help. I'm signing off now" he shook her hand once again before depart.

Bella reached forward and returned Brian's handshake, grateful for the assistance he'd provided. "Thank you once again, Mr. Lee, for arriving here in such a timely manner. I'm not sure what I'd have done without you, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. Stryker here," she remarked. "I'l definitely owl you if and when I need further help on this matter." She released Brian's hand and walked him to the door, trying to be polite and seeing her company off.

"Now then, Mr. Wickham...Mr. Stryker, what can I do for you two?" she asked, moving to sit behind her desk once again. "Mr. Wickham? You have some files to review with me, yes?" Maybe he really did, but maybe he'd also used that as an excuse to stick around on the offchance that the Puff woman came back in. "..and Mr. Stryker, I'm assuming you're my liasion to the Minister of Magic herself?" she asked.

"I well actually...it's my own file and a personal matter." Craig look sideways at Chad Stryker. Surely what Craig was about to disclose wouldn't offend someone in his position. "I just wanted to voice a concern and apprise you with information concerning myself. It usually hasn't been a problem, but there are still some prejudices..." he took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, I'm babbling and I should get to the point. I thought with you being my superior you should know that I am half-werewolf. My mother is a werewolf and my father is a Squib. Yes, an unusual combination...Anyways, I thought it proper to inform you of my situation. I'm not one to deny my identity, but it has caused problems in the past."

Craig had a lot of respect for Miss Greingoth and thought she would fully understand. But, this isn't a matter that should be hidden considering he does have some "moody" tendencies once a month. He was pretty good a keeping it in check, but lately it has been getting a bit worse. "I thought your should know."

It was the day after the party. Another night which Angelica had kept herself up debating how best to tell the children that their mother whom hadn't wanted to see or meet them for over two years, now wanted to see them. Angelica wondered silentley as she went down in the elevator to level 6 how exactly she should do that. As the elevator called out her level she walked out of the door pushing past 6 or 8 people and just as many flying memos mumbling apologies.

At the Ministry there was no such thing as a slow day which Angelica had come to realize in her short time there. If it was an apparition gone badly or something else then she would be called to fix it. Shaking her tired head she made a stop in the apparition center to hang away her coat and bag. Angelica even checked her inbox tray which was lucky enough, empty. She wasn't exactly in the mood to start fixing and assuring people that what ever the emergency then it would be fixed in due time.

Shaking her head once more Angelica turned her back on her desk and headed over towards Bella's office. Outside, she knocked on the door a few times before walking into her friends office.

While she waited for Craig to speak up about whatever concerns it was that he had, Bella began to straighten the piles of paperwork and Witch Weekly magazines that had been tossed across her desk. How one person could ever accumulate so much...stuff...was beyond her. When Craig spoke, she stopped what she was doing and glanced over at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Half-werewolf. I see...," she said, standing up straight and tall (or as tall as a 5'2" woman could) and glanced first at Chad then at Craig. Now this had been something she hadn't expected. She cleared her throat then moved to sit behind her desk. "Well, Mr. Wickham, as a pureblood witch I can rest assure you I am neither startled nor surprised by this. Would you enlighten me as to how this affects your day to day life, though?" she asked.

Before Craig could reply, though, a knock sounded on the office door. Bella immediately rose and headed to the door to greet whoever it was that needed Merlin only knew what. "Excuse me, please," she said, glancing back at Craig before opening the door. Her expressionless face changed into a happy one when she saw that Angelica was the newest visitor to her office. The woman had been a longtime friend of Bella's, and she was quite excited to have her employed on the level. "Angelica, do come in, please," she said, moving aside so that her friend could come in. "I was just having a small talk with a few others. How are you today?"

A snowy white owl appears and before flying off, delivers the following message -

As Bella opened the door Angelica smiled weakly at her friend saying "I'm good. How are you?" A moment later she added "Bella, I need to talk to you about something personal." Looking over at Craig she added "Between two eyes. I'm not sure Craig can help me with my problem. Unless he has experience with children?" Heading inside Angelica wondered how she was going to explain her situation without it all getting too messed up. Her parents hadn't been able to give her any help on how to proceed so Bella was basically her last hope before she had to tell the children anyway. Something which Angelica dreaded deeply having no idea how they all would react or feel to the news.

Bella closed the door behind Angelica, then moved to sit behind her desk once again. "I'm just fine, Angelica. Thank you," she replied. "I'm a bit tired from the wedding, but now that Anna and Cale are all settled in and married, I'm just trying to regain some normalcy." She laughed lightly, then grew serious again when Angelica said she needed to talk. Here eyes traveled from Angelica to Craig then back again. "Please explain, Angelica. You know I'm here to listen as a boss and as a friend."

Craig had say in one of the chairs in front of Miss Greingoth's desk at this point and looked rather interested at what Angelica had to say. And of all the questions she had to ask him it was about him having experience with children and at that his face went ghastly white. That was another point of discussion he was hoping to have with his boss.

"I don't exactly have experience with children..." he paused and said under his breath, "...yet." He could feel the wrinkle in his forehead the one he got when he was really nervous. But he tried to brighten up the situation a bit and began to laugh. "Well, unless you consider me a child myself, cause my mum practically reminds me everyday that I haven't grown up quite yet." He smiled widely. But, despite his lack in child rearing he was very interested in what Angelica's topic of children. After all, he would need all the information he could get at this point on the subject.

"And I am hear to listen as a humble fellow co-worker whose deepest concerns are with his fellow employees," Craig said trying to sound comforting. "Perhaps we can all learn a little from each other." He turned to Angelica, "I know this must be personal, but if you would like a male point of view on the matter I am all ears and whatever is said here I hope it remains behind these office doors."

Angelica eyes grew wide at the news of Bella's daughter already being married to boy, but it seemed to be in order considering the fact that her old friend only wanted normalcy back again. Hearing Bella's motion Angelica moved to sit down in one of the comfy chairs saying "Okay." Merlin, knew that she had had many dreams but all of which had needed to be set aside to do the responsible thing.

Glancing over at Craig she said "Well, I'll let you be the judge of that." Placing her hands in her lap she looked from Craig to Bella saying "Um, I'm pregnant. But before you congratulate me I don't know if I should keep the child or not. I don't have a man in my life and when my parents find out they will be furious." Looking around the room she added "I don't know if I could be a mother. I have never taken care of someone other then myself."

John had come out of the "party" that was being held in the conference room a short while after his Deparent head Mrs Greingoth had. He had realised that they had never talked that much and she had also realised that aswell as she had commented that fact when they had met for the first time, so now, here he was outside of her door. He had no idea what he was going to say but still he lifted his hand up to the door and Knocked 3 times before taking a step backwards and waited on a reply.

In all her...two months...at the Ministry of Magic, Bella had not once seen her office in such a serious state. If she was alone, she was either reading a copy of Witch Weekly or filing her nails. If she was with someone, she was usually assigning jobs or laughing about something or another. To be conversing about serious matters was something Bella had yet to get her feet wet in. Well, there's a first time for everything, right?

At least Craig seemed to be putting up a big effort to help out, even if he did look rather ghastly white in the process. Yet? Was he planning a child? About to be a father? Bella glanced from employee to employee, waiting for someone to explain just what was going on. She laughed when Craig mentioned what his mother had said about him not yet growing up. Leave it to Craig to lighten the atmosphere at a time like this.

At the sound of Angelica's news, Bella opened her mouth to congratulate her but stopped when her friend started talking again. "Oh, Angelica! No matter what you say, congratulations are definitely in order. I'm sure you're responsible and loving enough to raise this child with or without his or her father," she assured. Her parents, though? Exactly how old was Angelica? Bella understood that the woman probably greatly respected her parents, but really, at Angelica's age, she shouldn't worry so. "You are an adult, Angelica. You are old enough and mature enough to make your own decisions and handle your own responsibilities."

Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and Bella excused herself once again. My, this office was starting to become like King's Cross Station, wasn't it? She supposed that was a good thing, though, as it meant her employees were faithful and ready to help out. She pulled the door open to see Mr. John Milloy standing there. "John, how are you? Please come in," she said, opening the door wide. She'd taken to calling her employees by their first names ever since a good many of them had requested she do so.

Was there something in the water at the Ministry, everyone seems to be pregnant? "Wow, of all the things you could have said of womanly ways I could possibly not relate to, this situation I kinda, sorta can." Craig cleared his throat and gave a sideways glance to Miss Greingoth. "This was the second part of some disclosed information I wished to discuss. I, too, have recently discovered that I will be a father. My love of my life and I just recently found out."

He turned his focus to Angelica. "It wasn't planned or expected and I admit I went into a complete state of shock. I mean through school and work, your trained to expect the unexpected. But, with all the training in the world, nothing can prepare you when you discover you're going to be a parent." Craig gave her a reassuring smile. "Perhaps we can get through this first time parent thing together! I mean if you..." Craig cough he couldn't finish the sentence. He really hoped that she would keep the baby. Nothing's more precious then new life being brought into the world. "Maybe we could start a parent's club on level six! Maybe Madison would want to be president!" Craig laughed. He tried to make the situation as light as possible, considering it was such a serious matter. "I swear there's something in the water here at the Ministry! You might want to watch yourself Miss Greingoth!"

Craig noticed a new member of the party had joined. He had a feeling that he and Miss Greingoth were no longer able to discuss his condition. Perhaps he would get a word in later. Besides, there were more important issues now at hand.

Bella perked up a little when Craig mentioned that he could sort of relate to the situation of Angelica being pregnant. Had Bella missed a memo somewhere? Was the division head going to be a father? There really was something in the water around here! Bella sat up straight and smiled at Craig. "Well, then, I suppose congratulations are in order for you, as well," she said. "I guess I better need to watch myself, huh? Although, my daughter just got married a few months ago, and I imagine she'll be with child at some point and time. It'd be sort of weird to have a child at the same time she does."

It was nice that Craig and Angelica now had one another to confide in. Of course Bella would be on hand, as well, but seeing as she wasn't expecting, she really couldn't relate, now could she? "Well, at any rate, I'll be here if you need me. It's be nineteen years since I had a baby, but I guess I remember a thing or two," she said with a laugh. Come to think of it, though, having another baby might be nice. Anna was all grown up, and it was now just she and Alexander. They were both only thirty-eight, so another baby wouldn't be too hard to handle.

Oh no. More people, this would seem embarrasing in an odd twisted sort of way if he was going to introduce himself to his boss but....wait a minute she just said the right name. "When did i tell you my name-" he asked curiously hoping that he did not sound rude to her.

Bella smiled then pointed towards the far corner of her office. "You didn't tell me your name," she replied. "Each of the department heads in the Ministry of Magic have a filing cabinet filled with basic information about each of their employees. I'm actually really good at remembering names and faces." It was true, as Bella had successfully managed to greet each and every one of her employees by name the first time she ever came into contact with them.

"Anyway, welcome to my little home away from home. Is there something I can help you with today?" she asked him. It was possible the man had just come to visit, though. In that case, he was just as welcome to come in for a small chat as he would be if he'd come for business matters. "I'm glad to see you here regardless. There are a few employees I haven't had the privilege to meet yet, so I'm glad you took that initiative."