Liam looked over at his boss, he didn't know what to say to that. "So what we have to do is find out who in the India Ministry is letting them get away with this."

Liam waited for his boss to say something, he had no idea how to find out who was letting them get away with it and ofcourse there was no names on the file he was given.

"Perhaps..." Alina replied slowly, re-reading the memo. "It would certainly be useful to know how this happened for the conference, but it's not essential looking back through this." She stroked her chin thoughtfully with the feather of her quill, and tilted her head to the side.

"If we have enough background information, we might not need to know who. In theory the delegates at the convention will know anyway. We just need a embarrass them enough into admitting the deed." She pulled her copy of Liam's other work out of her desk. "Or for that matter, scare them into it with our suggested reprimands."

Alina looked up at Liam and smiled. "Would you like to take a break for a while? Have a coffee? And then we can perhaps see who has tried to get these patents and research their submissions a bit. If there's been any changes to the original design or whatever."

"No thank you, I would rather get the work finished before I go on a break." Replied Liam "I know you want to get this finish so we can get on with other stuff." Liam pointed to a pile of work on his desk.

Edward wandered about the seventh level on a round about the ministry. He hadn't spoken to Alina recently and so he decided to head toward her new office.

As he entered the office of Ludicrous Patents, he smiled to see her profile and then saw her with someone else. He didn't want to interrupt.

Alina finished with her employee, and started to return to her desk, when she saw a familiar figure. She smiled warmly as she saw him standing there, and headed over to him.

"Edward! What a lovely surprise," she said with a grin, her eyes twinkling. It seemed like forever she had seen him. She guessed it was due to them both trying to ensure Theo felt totally secure, and she'd missed his listening ear. "Can I tempt you to a coffee and flapjack at my desk? Homemade of course..."

As Alina turned from the other person, he saw her face change ot pleasant recognition.

He walked up to her and gave her a friendly hug. "Yes, it has been a long time. I hope that Theo is done thinking I've tried to take you away." He was so happy to see her. She was a wonderful friend and so pleasant that it was hard not to be happy around her.

"Certainly, I am up to anything you'be whipped up.The temptation will be sweeter when I give in, I'm sure."

Alina hugged him back, giving him a small extra squeeze. She knew how hard it must have been with Theo being like he was, and was grateful Edward had stuck by her all the way. She had wondered if their had been any rumours flying round downstairs that he'd had to face.

She pulled away, and nodded. "It's all good now, well except the chaos surrounding the twins going off to Hogwarts." She laughed. "And I think he's finally happy with my promotion." She lead the way to her desk, and pulled two mugs out of a drawer. It looked pretty similar to her previous area, though was cluttered high with research she'd been doing ready for the Ministry convention. As usual, the frames showed her son and daughter fighting...or sulking.

"Ah, well," Alina said, a twinkle in her eye. She picked up a large tin, and pulled off the lid. "How do these look?" she asked, wafting the sweet syrupy smell under his nose.

he felt a little added pressure as she hugged him and smiled and said, "It's been too long."

"Well, the twins off to school. That must leave you and Theo loads of free time." He looked at the familiar affects of her desk and remembered many of them from her office. He saw Nia and Theo glaring at each other in the frames. "Are they doing well, then?"

His mind drifted away as she tempted him with the sweet, syrumpy smell of her cakes. "Alina. You are a witch in the kitchen." He said this last part with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye.

"It has. Way too long." She looked down to the desk and made the coffee as a wave of remembrance of the last time they spoke went through her. Theo was being so off handed, and her rushing after Lorraine to try and catch her husband up. She regretted not saying a proper thank you to Edward, for helping her get some confidence, and face the reality of the situation. It all moved so fast, and since then she had played safe so that Theo wouldn't worry again. Her marriage meant everything, especially with the kids going to Hogwarts soon enough.

Returning from her thoughts, Alina smiled as she looked up at her companion, and handed him one of the mugs. "I guess so. It'll seem strange - too quiet around the house, no little misunderstandings to sort...no trying to find Buzz..." She laughed. "Sounds like bliss to me!" She followed his gaze to the pictures.

"They are doing well. Both very excited. I think Nia probably the most so she can get away from her brother, and so she can play quidditch properly." Alina shrugged, as if to say that it was no more than would how been expected. "Theo met a friend in Diagon Alley, and I have a strong feeling they'll be inseparable. Seems to think he'll be a Slytherin - but with his Dad being a Hufflepuff, and me a Ravenclaw - I'm not sure how he'll take it if he's not put with Lucas who has family background in Slytherin." She looked thoughtful, and took a sip of her coffee.

Alina's cheeks flushed with colour. "Well, I do try my best..." she said with a glint in her eye. "Here try some," and with that, she took a chunk off of the nearest slice, and put it in Edward's mouth, holding her other hand under his chin to catch the crumbs like she did when she fed the twins when they were younger. "Good?" she asked with a giggle.

He felt a lightness as she agreed it's been too long. He really enjoyed spending time with her, but he didn't want to cause her any troubles.

"I imagine the quiet will be good. I think though, or I imagine, it may drive you crazy on those days Theo has to work late." He immediately regretted the statment and hoped she wasn't offended.

He grinned as she described Theo's activities. He noticed that she hadn't mentioned any friends for Nia. "Nia hasn't made any friends yet?" He sipped his own coffee and enjoyed the wonderful taste.

He was happy to see the color come to her cheeks, and surprised as she put food in his mouth. He tried to speak, but it was difficult with food in it and her closeness to him. Her hand against his chin caused the skin under it to flush. He could only nod and give a muffled "Yeff."

Alina nodded. "It'll take a fair bit of getting used to, though as for me being at home alone with Theo working late, I'm not so sure." She gave a pointed glance down at her desk covered in paperwork. "Until the convention is over, I'll think that'll be me. Especially since Theo has just moved my hardest working employee over to head the Gobstones division..." She shrugged. "At least I won't be struggling to find stuff to do whilst there's no kids to look after!" She smiled, before taking a sip of her coffee and perching on one edge of her desk.

Gesturing for Edward to take a seat on one of her chairs, that was made comfortable with a patchwork cushion, Alina contemplated his next question. "A couple," she said, giving a small chuckle. "A seventh year and a fifth year, so whether they actually have time for her at Hogwarts, I don't know." She looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Oh, and a fellow first year called Elan. Though Theo insists he met him first, so I hope they don't start fighting over the poor boy." She raised her eyebrows, as she watched the twins fighting in the photo frames. "I think she quite likes him, though I'm sure she wouldn't directly admit it if he's also friends with her brother. Let's hope they're not all put in the same house."

Alina couldn't help but laugh at his muffled reply, and her eyes twinkled. His nod even brought a slight flush of colour to her cheeks. "More?" she asked, as she waited from him to swallow the first mouthful.

Since Brian didnt not see Theo's Secretary anywhere around the table, he walked down to the Patents Office to find her. He had no time to wait and didnt know when she would get back. Wihtout much difficulty he found her but talking(?) with ...whom...? Oh..Well...It was Edward. He had not seen him for ages. Seemed he was busy with his stuffs. He stood there a few feet away from them, debating to himself whether to interfere or not.

He chuckled as she described her work load. "Well, it must be comforting to know you don't have to look too far for things to occupy your time. "

He sat at the chair she motioned him too. "Well. It sounds like they've both found something to help them ease into the school. And I'm sure that no matter what, they'll sort out the thing with the new boy. Whether Nia likes him or not, I'm sure they can come to some understanding, as long as the boy doesn't contribute to the antagonism."

Just as he was about to swallow, he noticed her flush. As she asked if he wanted more, he only nodded. "Thank you." He replied after a sip of coffee.

Alina laughed. "Well that's one way of putting it I suppose! I'd far rather be planning to do fun and exciting things in my extra free time." She took a sip of her coffee, wondering what those chosen activities might be. Anything that didn't involve Toy Story or its soundtrack certainly sounded blissful.

"No matter what?" Alina raised an eyebrow. "I hope it doesn't go that far. And I sure hope this Elan fellow doesn't try to wind either of them up, it could end up with fireworks..." She paused and smiled. "Literally, if I know where Nia might have disappeared to when I lost the kids in Diagon Alley."

Alina held the flapjack in her hand as she waited for Edward to take a sip of his coffee. It felt so good to be talking to him again, though she knew if Theo happened to pop into her division there might be an awkward silence. She hoped he was over that now, it was a misunderstanding afterall. Just a rather big misunderstanding. She was just about to feed Edward another bite of flapjack, when she noticed another familiar face a few paces away.
"You alright Brian?" Alina asked, puzzled as to what brought him into her division. Afterall, he usually dealt with messages directly to Theo. She placed the flapjack in her hands on a tissue she pulled out from a box on a her desk, and handed it to Edward with her usual warm smile.

"Anything I can do to help? Just please don't say you need more stuff doing for the convention..."

When he took a step backwards as he decided to go back, he heard Alina's question. With a ministry parchment in his hand, smiled and watching her handed over the flapjack to Edward. He could not digest the scene just before he had seen. So all those rumors was true? Was his friend lost his brain? Sequence of question popped up inside his brain and made him bit upset. He didnt expect that! Oh..come on Brian after all it was his personal issue. It was none of your business! part of him shouted inside. He shook his head to wipe off all the thoughts. Focus on business man, you have Plenty of time to think about this later, he thought to himself.

Finally he got back his words, replied to her, "Er...yeah, I'm not sure. I'm sorry if i'm diturbing you..both.." he gazed, grinned at Edward and returned it to Alina, " I just wanted to meet Theo and would you mind to tell me if he's free to meet me?" he finally finished and he ran his hand through his hair.

Edward listened with great interest as she described both her new child free existence (at least while they were at school) and Nia and Theo's new friend. He hoped the poor boy wouldn't get caught up in sibling rivalry.

He was about to take a bite of the flapjack Alina held when she turned and spoke to someone. He turned and saw his friend Brian and smiled. He took the offered flapjack from her and stood and waved to his friend.

Edward looked to Alina. "No. Not interrupting. We were just having a chat between friends."

Alina nodded as Edward replied to Brian's first question. "Fancy a flapjack?" she asked the Liason, as she held the tin out in his direction. "Homemade...you're welcome to a coffee as well if you have a few minutes." It seemed that Edward and Brian knew each other well from their smiles, so she didn't see a problem if he joined them.

"As for if Theo is free, I suggest you just check his office." She shook back a curl that had fallen in front of her eyes, and sipped her coffee, before realising what probably caused the Liason to end up in her division. "I guess he didn't tell you...I got promoted." She looked around the room and grinned. "I'm Head of Patents...Theo currently doesn't have a secretary - and now takes care of all his own appointments. Well, at least I think he does. Time organisation of boring things was never one of his strong points..."

Edward grinned as Alina invited Brian in. It wsa just as she spoke that he relaized Brian looked a little nervous. Quickly the idea hit his brain that perhaps Brian felt like he walked in on something that made him a bit uncomfortable. He felt he might need to explain a little more.

He stepped a little closer to Alina and smiling said, "Mrs. Newington is a good friend of mine and we like to talk, nothing more than that. It is my privilege and honor to know such a person who cares so much for her husband and kids. I am hoping when I get married that my wife is as loyal as Alina is."

Alina looked puzzled as Edward spoke. It was if he was trying to explain himself, well, explain for the two of them. She frowned. They were just good mates. Okay, she had children and was a chunk older than Edward, but there was nothing wrong with chatting over coffee surely? And why explain to Brian?

Then it dawned on her. There must have been some kind of rumours or something going round previously. Just because she was sheltered from it on this floor, properly due the status of her husband, it didn't mean Edward had escaped that.

She smiled at his kind words, still thinking about they were covering. She nodded at Brian in agreement. "Its been a while, and whilst Edward was doing his rounds, I invited him to stay for a flapjack."

As he was explaining, he looked over to Alina and she looked a bit puzzled. He put his hand on her arm and asked, "You ok?"

He nodded as she told the details of his visit and grinned, knowing that he had nothing to hide from Brian or Theo or anyone.

Brian stood there, listend their explanations, confused with full of questions in his mind. He sighed. But when they said the term friends, he puzzled. Since when a friend fed a well grown-up guy friend and flushed cheeks?!. Cool!! When she said she got promoted and not his secretary anymore, he mutterd.."Awe..." what on earth Theo or any other official didnt not let this news to the Ministry. Rediculus! Was it not a basic duty to inform the High offcials about the improtant changes in the office?!! "Anyway congrats for the Promotion!" he said with a small smile.

He took a piece of flapjack for the courtesy when she offered, said "Thanks!" and added, "I didnt know the changes. If so I would not have disturbed you, sorry about it. " he gently rubbed his forehead. What a kind of situation he was in! Great!

He turned and smiled at his friend, watching him as he stood by the side of Alina and put his hand on her arm, taking care of her instead of giving an usual hug to him as they were usually did whenever they meet. Did we called that a time change or something else?! "Well my friend. I would like to see you like that soon. I mean married and with a beautiful family. And according to your words, I figured Mrs. Alina newtington would be a nice person. Unfortunately I didnt get much chance to talk with her due to my hectic schedules. " he paused, acutally to collect himself from the surprise, which was still pickering him.

He again turned his attentions to her, as she said she was invited Edward during his round-up. "You're luckier than me. Becuase Edward didnt visit me even once." he turned his gaze to him again, "Am I right buddy?" a mild chuckle came out of his mouth.

Alina gave a small nod, her eyes flickering between the two guys standing there. She was just being over worried, that was all. Reassuring herself, she she smiled, and tried not to notice the fact his hand was on her arm. Which it most definitely was. In a friendly way, but still...rumours could fly around this place. It was a reassuring hand, and it was after a few moments that Alina knew she didn't need to worry. Except, well, if Theo walked past - not that it should provoke a reaction from him. All was well now, back the way it should be.
Brian still appeared quite confused, probably moreso by Edward's explanation if her own reaction was anything to go by, but she smiled warmly as she waited for his reply.

"Thanks," she said, as Brian congratulated her the promotion. "It doesn't suprise me he didn't pass on the news, he took quite a while to come round to the idea. I swear he sometimes still sees me as his secretary now." She shrugged. "And don't worry about disturbing me, you're very welcome to pop in to the Division anytime - well, as long as there's you're not bringing me too much extra work!" She laughed, looking at the half written report on her desk, and the numerous other files opened for reference.

Alina grinned, as Brian replied to Edward's comments about her. "You're right...we've only really interacted when you were waiting to see Theo and standing at my desk. And that was only work based." She sipped her coffee, and realising she hadn't yest had one, took a flapjack from the tin. "Help yourselves to another," she said gesturing to the tin, "Just make sure you leave one for Ian. He won't be happy if he finds out I made something sweet and he didn't get to try it!" She laughed as she imagined the scene that would unfold if such a thing did occur.

"Not once?" She turned to Edward, mock wide mouthed. "Ummmm." Her eyes twinkled, and she smiled teasingly to Brian. "I guess it must be my cooking skills..."

Brian nodded, "You're welcome," said as she said thanks to him, looking better than before she was when he entered the place. He smiled to himself. Was there anything to worry for them if they didnt make any mistake?!! Well let's see!

But when the talks turned to the work related, Brian felt bit easy. Finally some air to breathe. Wheww! "Oh..really? I should ask Theo about it. I'll make a suggesstion to the Minister to take some steps to avoid these kind of negligence at least in future" he replied honestly worried about that matter. But could not help but chuckle as she appeard scared of extra work. "Haha..well..I'm not sure of it. It depends..." still carefully clutched the circular papers in his hand.

Again the talks returned to its starting point. He chose the words carefully, he didnt want to hurt anybody's feelings, it was not his nature. "I..I..just got confused, that's all. But it looked like that..I couldn't help you know.." he smiled in the corner of the mouth, taking another flapjack as she offered again. "Thanks. Most definetely not. Moreover I'm not hungry right now.." he admitted.

Often he turned his head towards Edward to see his reactions. He seemed so quiet and unpredictable. When he returned his focus to Alina, she was more in a mood of teasing him, it was so obvious. "Oh..I see, then would you mind to teach me some delicious recipies?" he laughed and leaned against the desk, relaxed. He turned to Edward, "Would you buddy?I hope you're not..." he laughed again. Wait! what he was doing? laughed?? For the first time in about some long awkward minutes.

After a few minutes, Edward let his hand drop back to his side as he knew the tense moments had passed. He smiled at Brian.

"Yeah. Sorry for not visiting more. It's been a little hectic with a new boss and everything. She's a bit more demanding than the last one was, and I've been trying to get my division all set up. I don't get out as much as I used to. Actually, this is the first walk around I've had time for in weeks.

As he was talking and teasing back Alina he didnt miss Edward's reactions as he let her hand go and relaxed, only a bit. Brian shook his head, chuckled. "Take it easy Edward. Still you can come and hug me, I wont bite her, dont worry.." he teased him. He had some ideas about Ladies. He'll wait untill he meet his ideal woman. wh...at! Why I'm thinking about that now?!He giggled at his own random thoughts. Came back to the present conversation, "It's ok. I was just teasing you. But dont forget your poor friend who is working in the Minister's Office.." he winked quickly and rolled his shirt sleeves up to the elbow.