Calla read Melanie’s note, that was nice of her. Calla let out a little smile and wiped another tear away. She then thought about Mel meeting with Ben, who she knew was the head of the Accidents and Catastrophes department but never met. She hoped the meeting went well.

When Calla heard Dora speak it startled her, she leapt in her seat and let out a small gasp. Embarrassed she put her hand to her forehead as she turned to face Dora. Taking a deep breath, lowering her hand and relaxing her shoulders slightly she answered Dora, “I’m ok. It was most certainly a long night. And then my brother and mum had a bit of a fight this morning, which just concreted my thoughts of getting my own place….” Calla realized she was just rambling on. Turning pink she continued, “err sorry! I’m a little frazzled I suppose. I’ll be ok, thanks for asking.” It made Calla feel nice having someone actually ask how she was. “I see you’re hair isn’t red any more,” she paused should she have even brought this up? Looking back up at Dora sheepishly she continued,“How are you doing?”

Melanie returned to the office with a smile on her lips " Well I've just dropped the assignment on Ben's desk, so now we can start researching for the next one!" she said happily, going to her desk, but first stopping by Calla's and squeezing her shoulder.

When she finally sat on her desk " The next task is to think of some spells to increase safety on the grounds of the cup " she waved her wand and a box came flying. It was dusty and full of files. "You can search here, or you can do your own search, and take your time we still don't have a due date for this one" and she winked, digging in on work.

Calla couldn't help but smile, Melanie looked very happy with the report she gave Ben. Calla had told her mum about submitting her spell, and her mum was beyond excited. As she listen to Mel she became very grateful for the work, a distraction is what Cal needed. As she dove into the files she looked up and asked Mel, "So what kind of protection are we looking for? I mean from what exactly?"

Melanie felt some kind of relief giving Calla what to think " Well, anything that you can remember that could make the experience of attending the cup something unforgettable " she said with a smile, scratching her nose with a quill " remember the last time Britain hosted this event? Those dreadful Death Eaters blew up tents and set things on fire.. so something to prevent those kinds of events and make it safer for children and public an general, I thought of something as a basic guide to distribute to the wizards responsible for the security of the cup, things as, how to put down a fire, how to set up a tent... you know basics" and she shot her a dazzling smile.

Dora smiled at Calla and simply shrugged. She eyed Mel for a moment and rose from her desk. "I am going to head out. If Abby comes in while you all are still here have her send me an owl. I have been working on some ideas." she said. She wasn't sure what good she was in the room with Calla and Mel since they were working on different aspects of the Quidditch World Cup. With that she made her way for the door without another word.

Calla nodded in understanding. She remembered the stories she had heard about that Quidditch Cup. It was horrible, and sad. Her mum and dad had attended it, Calla sighed heavily at the thought of her father. He had been looking forward to this event, and was so proud she was involved.

After eyeing a couple folders Calla answered back, “So, maybe a small handbook with a couple useful spells and tips? Mmmm…” Calla was lost in thought she sat back in her hair and tapped her index finger on her bottom lip. Maybe she could interview a couple people and find out what they use for protection, maybe she would stumble upon something useful to put in the handout. “Sounds interesting,” She continued.

Calla nodded to Dora as she walked past, and waved at her as she slipped out the door. Dora seemed so distant, she wasn't the chipper she had met weeks before.

After a few minutes more she broke from her thoughts as she could have swore her saw Mel’s tummy move! “So, Mel, how is junior there,” as she made a motion pointing towards Mels’ very pregnant tummy.

It was really quiet and the room until you heard something say 'HAPPY HALLOWEEN'. That made Abigail slightly jump out of her seat and the papers she was working on flew off the desk and onto the floor beside her chair. Taking in a few deep breaths, she bent down and picked up her paper before she placed it back on the desk. She then looked up at Calla when she walked over to her. "Hey Calla," she greeted her with a smile. "How are you?"

She glanced down at the papers on her desk and noticed that question she had wrote down the Dora had asked before she left yesterday. She opened her mouth to call out Dora's name until she noticed the woman wasn't there. Aw, boo. They needed to get this part of the planning done sometime soon. "Anyone seen Dora?" she asked.

"Junior is fine I think.. he's been moving a lot lately, and I get these.. needles on my back" she said stretching her arms, trying to make the needles disappear " You know, due his condition he's a little bigger than a seven month baby should be, and the healer is worried that he might want to come out sooner too... and that with this uncomfortable feeling on my back.. I'm just scared it might happen any time now" she said, a wrinkle between her eyes, worrying.

She raised her head when she heard Abigail speak, she did not notice her there until that very moment. She sent her a smile and tried to hide her discomfort. When she asked for Dora, Mel quickly answered " She had to leave, but she asked to communicate you to send her an owl when you needed her.." she smiled and opened a drawer and took out a box of cookies " Anyone wants?"

“Needles? Like a prickly feeling all down your spine?” This didn’t sound pleasant at all Calla thought, right abou then she did it made her back feel weird and she shivered to shake the thought. Must be sympathy needles she thought, and giggled to herself. “Well I’m glad Junior is doing pretty well, except the alarming growth rate…,” Calla squished her face up, “so is this growth rate normal errr...his condition?” She didn’t mean to pry, but it was an interesting topic.

She heard Abigail speak, and smiled at her. She seemed like a really nice woman.

“mmm Cookies? That all depends on what kind,” Calla smiled and peered over Mel’s way.

" The healer has no idea why he, or she I don't know yet " she let out a girlish giggle " is bigger than normal, she thinks its due his condition... and I think so too, Craig's mother said he was only 5 months and a half when she had him and he was healthy as a horse..or a wolf in that case" she giggled again. She lifted the box from her desk so Calla could see what they were made of " Chocolate ... I'm addicted to it, and these are home made, Craig's mum send me owls of food everyday " she smiled and ate one big cookie.

“5 months!?” Calla was shocked, “so yea I guess you’re right, it could be any day now. Maybe with him or her," Calla winked at Mel, “only being a quarter wolf you’ll make it further than Craig’s mom did… with him being half and all.” Calla grabbed a cookie, chocolate wasn’t her favorite, but she couldn’t resist anything homemade. She sat back in her chair, took a bite, closed her eyes and nearly hummed as she chewed the cookie. Her eyes popped open a second later, “Wow, she’s a fabulous cook!”

“So, any names picked out yet?” Calla asked as she popped the last little bit of cookie in her mouth.

Melanie laughed " I know, she is isn't she? I think she's fattening me up on purpose ! " but then her face fell and Melanie looked startled for a second " Am I a terrible mother if I say no? " she nibbled her nail " I don't have any idea what to call the baby, I'm waiting for the moment I see him or her.. I'm hoping that at that time the name will just pop into my head.." she looked worried, her face was almost childlike " is that too bad?" she had always a hard time explaining this to people, but she had just no idea of what to call the baby, not yet, and Craig wasn't bothered by it either.

Dora stepped into the office and smiled at Abby and said, "Hey! Let's get to work! I am really ready to get things started." She was itching to get her hands dirty, so to speak!

She looked at Calla and Mel and smiled, giving each of them a nod.

Calla thought Mel was sweet, as she giggled she said, "No you're not a bad mum, I've heard of plenty of people doing that.”

Calla grabbed another cookie; they were way too good she thought. “And you know I’m just saying, if you thought I was super awesome and just had to name the baby after me, I would totally understand,” Calla couldn’t help but laugh at her own silliness, and when she did she nearly choked on the cookies. Sitting up and coughing she cleared her throat. “Dad always said I couldn’t do two things at once, I guess laughing and eating qualifies…” Calla smiled at the memory of her father, she realized it was starting to sting less. “Any wedding plans?” Calla motioned towards Mel’s gorgeous ring.

About that time Dora came through the door, Dora seemed to be much happier. Calla hoped she was better, she didn't like to see anyone upset, or hurting.

Melanie laughed along with Calla " I would totally do that, because you are pretty awesome " and she continued laughing " I guess your father was right " and she winked, it was a good sign for her to talk about her father like that, casually.

"Oh the wedding.. again, no plans at all, Craig just popped the question while we were on his Island, it was the most beautiful scene ever, he went to the sea and came back with a clamshell, you know one of those where it's supposed to have a pearl inside but instead of a pearl it had the ring" she looked at it, shinning in her finger and glowed. It was just so gorgeous.. " But, never the less, if I have a saying on the matter, which I do.. " she joked " .. I'm prefer to wait for Junior to be born, I don't want to wear one of those beautiful white dresses with this belly, I want to be beautiful.. !" she said, day dreaming for a bit, when she realised what she was doing she giggled again.

Her eyes swept the table and she saw her files there "Oh my, I'm distracting you and myself from our work.. " she shook her head " I'll have to report myself.." and she opened one of the files.

Calla tilted her head with a dreamy look as Mel drifted into the romantic memory. “Wow, so romantic, you’re ring is amazing! Craig really knows how to spoil you.” Calla squealed as the pulled her hands together, opened her eyes wide and sighed.

“I don’t blame you wanting to wait until after the birth. It’s probably for the best; you more than likely wouldn’t enjoy it much right now. And I have no doubt you’ll look amazing.”

Calla was snapped into reality as Melanie’s voice changed to a work tone; Calla giggled at her a little and said, “Yes, yes you did distract me!” But Calla took the hint, and pulled a large stack of files toward her. She flipped through a couple carefully examining each page.

Melanie smiled comfortably, it was nice talking to Calla, but she could not forget that she was her boss, and she had received that very important memo from Ben, pleading to lead the Quidditch Cup business very carefully.

She sighed and flipped through some pages, there were some very basic and apparently useful spells there: how to set a realistic fire (for camping with muggles); how to keep your things organized; how to never loose your kids out of sight...

"I think I found a useful one!" she announced after a few minutes of silence "This one here, is to keep children under 11 close to their parents, it's almost like a magic magnet, that doesn't allow the kid to go further than a few feet from the area the parents are.. this could be useful for numerous families with small children, what do you think?" she said, waiting for Calla's opinion " it's called infantum guardium and it was developed in Plymouth by a mother of..." she stared at the sheet for a second, unsure if her eyes were reading correctly " a mother of 13! Sweet merlin!" she exclaimed. Who on this earth would have 13 children now a days?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojogali

She raised her head when she heard Abigail speak, she did not notice her there until that very moment. She sent her a smile and tried to hide her discomfort. When she asked for Dora, Mel quickly answered " She had to leave, but she asked to communicate you to send her an owl when you needed her.." she smiled and opened a drawer and took out a box of cookies " Anyone wants?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginny37

Dora stepped into the office and smiled at Abby and said, "Hey! Let's get to work! I am really ready to get things started." She was itching to get her hands dirty, so to speak!

She looked at Calla and Mel and smiled, giving each of them a nod.

Abigail looks towards Mel when she answered her question. "Send her an owl? Okay," she said. "Thanks for telling me, Mel." She opened her side drawer of her desk and pulled out a blank sheet of notebook paper for the letter. Cookies? Mmm. That sounded good right now, but she had just eaten. "Maybe later," she answered before she started writing her letter to Dora. That was until she heard Dora's voice...

Looking up from her letter, she smiled as her employee stepped through the door. "Hey Dora. I was just about to owl you," she greeted the woman. "Yes, let's get to work. The last place we left off on was-" She moved her letter over, so that she was able to see her other papers. "We just agreed on using the Disillusionment Charm on the stadium and you asked how many people would be needed to do this," she continued. "I thought about the question last night after I finally made it home from my dinnner with my sister. And, I think we should get as many people as possible to help. I don't think we need an exact number, but the more the merrier." She took her eyes off the paper and looked at Dora to see what she thought about that.

Dora perched herself on her desk and thought for a second. No exact number, huh? "Okay I didn't figure there was an exact science about it. I am sure Silas will lend a hand in casting the charm since the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad will be at the venue early just like we will. Is there anything that you think we need to work on? Like maybe casting the charm on an abandonded building or something like that, just to practice. I mean, we can lift the charm of course, so we wouldn't actually be hurting anything, right?" Dora said to Abby and tilited her head to the side.

Abigail smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure Silas can help," she told her. "I'm even sure Mel and Calla can help." She looked at the two girls for a moment before turning back to Dora. Her next question made her ponder for a moment or two. "I don't see a problem in doing that, but we'll have to talk to Ben about it. We can't go off casting charms on building without asking him first," she answered. "But, good idea. I'll ask him later." She smiled at Dora, then scribbled a few words down on her paper as a reminder to ask Ben about that.

Dora giggled a bit and said, "Yeah, I suppose you're right, we can't just run around casting disillusionment charms on random buildings all willy nilly!" She thought for a moment and spoke again, "What did Ben say about the forest idea? I am really anxious to work that one out.

Calla had been reading through her files very intently, she was transfixed by a file that described an account of a mildly mental (and paranoid) woman who had what seemed to be thousands of protective charms on her house. Of course something went wrong, and there was a mess that had to be mopped up by the Ministry, but Calla thought this file might be interesting as it listed so many protective charms – many of which she had never heard of. She was setting this file into a stack of its own when Mel spoke. Calla looked up and brushed her hair out of her face and behind her ear. “Wow that sounds great. Definitely has promise,” Calla thought for a moment. And then heard Mel say 13 kids! Calla’s eye’s bulged out of her head, and she sputtered, “tttttthirteen?! That’s pure insanity.” Calla was shaking her head in disbelieve. After a moment she continued, “But I do believe the spell needs to be included in our safety guideline handbook.”

Calla turned her face back down to her files and continued to search the documents. Most of which were being sorted into the ‘not useful’ stack. Getting irritated she pulled over the file regarding the crazy woman and begin to read it more in depth. Some of the spells and charms were well known, others were not, it would be important to read the entire file to make sure she didn’t suggest a spell that caused the issues last time.

She heard Dora and Abigail talking about a disillusionment charm, then heard her name. Her head popped up and turned towards them. They hadn’t noticed, and Calla was too distracted by what she was reading to ask what it was they were talking about. She slipped her hair behind her ear again and turned back toward her file.

This woman in the file apparently had children – insane – and she communicated with them while they were away with fake galleons and had a Protean Charm on them. This was not invented by her but definitely used, and most certainly forgotten by many. “Mel, I found something in here that would be good for children from the ages of 11 through 16 to communicate with their parents. The Protean Charm on some fake galleons.” Tapping the file with her index finger she continued, “It wasn’t invented by this woman, but she used it to keep her children in line. I don’t think most people remember it, or would think to use it. We also know it worked well about 70 or so years ago.” Calla added with an as-a-matter-of-fact-tone and then added a smile and a wink. "What ya think?"

"That can definitely be useful" Melanie agreed nodding " but we should probably invent something similar to galleons to give childern over 11 then, because in all the commotion that the cup is, they could easily loose it.." she wrote down the information Calla was giving her " But that's definitely something to use!" she tapped the sheet of paper twice and gathered her things " But now, I'm sorry ladies " she said, adressing to all the ladies in the room " I'll have to leave, healer appointment I'm afraid!" and she got up with her bag on her shoulder " I'll see you all Monday!" and she blew them a kiss, walking to the door.

ooc: actually, Melanie is going to have the baby on this weekend xD

Dora smiled and waved at Mel. She really hopes that everything is okay with the pregnancy, she has been too wrapped up in her own mess to ask lately. |Turning to Calla she asks, "So, are you sure you're okay dear? I know it's tough and if you need anyone I am here for you." Shhe reached over and patted her on the arm. "Maybe you'd like to get a drink at the Leaky Cauldron later?" Dora asked.

ooc: Mel is having baby this w/e??!! Calla- Dora will be there later if you wanna meet her later

"I'm fine, I'm just feeling a little odd today, the baby has been moving a lot.." she said grabbing the door knob " I'm not sure if a drink will be possible, I'll probably just stay home and rest, but you can come by if you want, it will be just me and Craig anyway..." she winked and left the office.