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Office of Department Head Simone Krafft Chic and classy, yet not overly feminine, is what one might describe the decor upon entrance to the office of Magical Transportation Department Head, Kendra Jordan-Durand. Coordinating blacks and creams fill the room from the walls to the furniture; cushiony chairs are arranged for her guests comfort, while her polished black desk often holds the paperwork of her busy day. On the top of her desk one would also find several framed pictures of her family, including her only daughter. |
Chloe was anxious because even though she'd been promoted from Portkey Recovery Specialist to Portkey Manufacturer after only a year, this next step would be a much huger step for her. And yet, after six years in the role, she felt readier than ever. She only hoped that she could prove her worth to the new Department Head. At least it was a female again; for some reason female bosses seemed easier to negotiate with. Maybe because they understood the struggles. Or maybe it was her imagination and they were equally as difficult, if not more so. The extra income could help, of course, being that she was raising her son on her own and now a new fur baby. But that wasn't reason enough to offer her Grant Cooper's old position. Merlin, when had Grant Cooper even left? Years really did blur together after Hogwarts. It seemed ages ago even that she'd been pregnant and yet it was only four years ago. Pull yourself together, Chloe Michelle. You are strong and fierce and independent. You got this. She mentally reminded herself, wiping her palms on her skirt, grateful she'd chosen dark colours today. Knock, Knock. |
Already, the work load of the department head seemed to be a little more than what Kendra was expecting. But she was determined to not feel overwhelmed and told herself that it was a transitional period. She was more than capable of the job and she simply needed to get settled in and things would all fall into place. There were just so many loose ends that needed to be tied up though. It seemed that this department had a rather high turnover rate and she already needed to juggle some positions around, especially in order to put some of her plans in place. She had just pulled some files in front of her as she thought about how that might work when she heard a knock on her door. "You may enter, please!" she called out to whomever was on the other side of the door. Hopefully they also came with a strong cup of coffee. |
No, she didn't come bearing coffee and truth be told, she probably should have. Especially if it might have been more a guarantee to get what she wanted. Although she was a Gryffindor; surely that didn't require brown-nosing with gifts? It never had before, at least. What she really needed, she supposed, was her brothers' wit and manipulation skills. Or well, maybe not. Maybe she was just overthinking this. When did she become such an overthinker? Usually she'd been one to just act on impulse, which she reckoned she was doing now since she hadn't really prepared for this moment. Entering at the words from within, she offered her brightest smile. "Kendra. Hello." Merlin, she looked tired? "Do you have a few moments?" |
She would have been mortified if she knew that someone thought she looked tired, especially one of her employees. Even if it was true, Kendra did her best to maintain her professional appearance, and that included looking fresh and ready to tackle the day. Regardless, she donned a firm but friendly smile as her office door swung open. "Chloe... yes, of course," she nodded to her employee, then gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. "Please have a seat. What can I do for you today?" The younger woman had her full attention as she looked up from her paperwork, sliding that just off to the side. She was eager to get to know the workers on Level Six, not to mention offer her assistance as much as she was able. |
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Another thing about Chloe? She wasn't one to beat around the bush. She nodded at the woman, before taking a seat as directed. "Right, so uh, as you could see from my files, I've been employed here for, well, six months after I graduated Hogwarts, when Ms Purcell hired me as a Portkey Retrieval Specialist. So almost nine years and it's been a great experience. I mean I know University wasn't really an option for me and the pay is pretty decent, but I've been wondering about more recently." She was rambling, which was probably due to nervousness. "Anyway, the raises have been okay, but I've been wondering about more responsibility and realized that Grant Cooper's former position of Master Portkey General, hasn't been filled yet and would like to inquire of an internal promotion." There. Done. Surely Kendra Jordan-Durand was aware of her immense loyalty, having been in the same job for as long as she had. She knew the Portkey Division better than anyone, even if she couldn't deny that when she applied 8.5 years ago, she'd been secretly hoping for something else. |
Ah, right to the point. Kendra certainly appreciated that sort of quality in a person, and most especially in her employees. While she welcomed an opportunity to get to know Chloe and others who worked on Level Six a little better, she also didn't need her time wasted. And she would guess that Chloe felt the same. She listened to what the younger woman had to say and nodded slightly here and there, though she did not speak just yet. It was true that she needed to fill several positions, some of them being managerial ones, and Master Portkey General was among them. She would also agree that the woman sitting in front of her had enough experience to be promoted to the job. But she wasn't sure that she would just simply hand it to her. Perhaps she would conduct a short interview just now. Rising from her seat, she wordlessly crossed the room to the filing cabinet and retrieved two files. As she returned to her desk, Kendra opened up both in front of her before looking back at Chloe. "You certainly have the experience to be considered for that position. Besides your years of employment here, how else do you feel qualified? Why are you the right person for this job?" She was truly interested in what she had to say and she briefly scanned some of the contents of the files before looking up at her again, expectantly. |
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So why was she right the person other than her years of experience? "So over the course of my employment here, in addition to helping with the Portkey crisis a few years ago, I've also helped in spearheading on getting the Uber Apparators off the ground," quite literally too. "And even dabbled in broom testing when there was a mixup there. So while portkeys has been a mainstay of my job title, I'm willing to lend a hand in all aspects." Multi-tasker, if you will. |
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Portkey crisis.. assisting with the implementation of Uber Apparators...broom testing... Kendra nodded to herself and jotted down a few notes in Chloe's file, as she continued to listen. And she seemed quite eager, which was a great quality, and it also reminded her of something that would be pertinent in the coming days. "How do you feel about apparition and about teenagers?" It was relevant, even if it didn't seem so just yet. |
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Pausing thoughtfully, her thoughts flickered to her younger brothers, whom although not teenagers anymore she recalled their teenage antics. And then there was her cousins who were in the pre-teen stages. And then there was her son, only a toddler really. "Apparition is definitely a good mode of transport. Reliable and quick. As far as teenagers. They're young and maybe reckless sometimes but we were all teenagers once and really they just to be given the opportunity to be engaged." She couldn't help herself now. "But Ms... Jordan-Durand. What does teenagers have to do with the portkey master role?" |
His time in Asia during the winter holidays had been a very productive one, not just in reestablishing and fortifying previous treaties but a little trip to Hakone to visit his son and spend a bit of time around Himitsumahou had given him a lot more to think about than he had originally anticipated. It had come from observing an Ancient Runes lesson, one of his own personal favorites and he was quite pleased that his grandson had taken to it as well. It had sparked an idea inside the Minister's head, one he could not wait another moment to share with Kendra. One hand behind his back, cupping something against his person, Charles used his other to knock on his department head's door. He probably should have sent an interdepartmental memo ahead of himself, but they were STILL malfunctioning and unreliable for some reason. |
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And as just a quick break Kendra stepped down to the level below to get herself a cup of coffee. She was just on her way back to her office when she noticed a familiar figure in front of the door. "Good morning, Minister," she greeted him, coming around his side to sneak past him and open up her door, gesturing for him to follow her inside. "I hope you weren't waiting long." They didn't have a scheduled meeting, did they? It wasn't like her to forget such things. And she had been in such a rush that she didn't notice what he might have been holding behind his back, but she quickly took a seat to give him her full attention now that she was back. |
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"No not at all. Only just arrived," he assured Kendra as his nostrils filled with the pleasant aroma of her coffee. He needed to fetch himself a cup after this. "I was wondering if I may have a word with you about something rather pertinent." He then revealed from behind his back, with no further explanation, a rather ornate looking box. "Picked this lovely thing up while visiting my son over the break. He is the headmaster at Himitsumahou, you know." Was Kendra around the same age as Ryunosuke? He would have to...ahem...do a bit of research on the subject. |
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"Certainly." She sipped her coffee, curious about what was pertinent as it sounded somewhat urgent. But it appeared that he wanted to show her a souvenir from Japan. "Oh, how interesting," she replied, leaning forward to peer at the box, tilting her head as she considered it. "Is it a puzzle box?" It was a lovely box, though she wasn't sure what was so pertinent about it. "Mm, is he?" She sipped her coffee again. "No, actually, I did not realize that he was the headmaster there," she mused aloud. Charles must be quite proud. |
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"Yes, very..." He had a moment of weakness, an urge to indulge, but was able to hold his tongue...but literally biting it. "He often uses these little beauties in assisting with spirit infestations that annually plague the school. It's only to be expected given the location...but they are rather effective little things. Says he was inspired by an old muggle cartoon or comic of some variety...but no matter. These little ornate boxes have many dark nooks inside of them...perfect for a boggart to hide in, wouldn't you say?" He had a point, it was just taking him a little to get to it. "I was wondering if there was a possibility for your department to...modify these a bit? Your emergency portkeys are terribly efficient." |
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"A boggart, hmm?" She lowered her eyes to the box again, thinking she knew what he was starting to get at. "Is there one in here now?" She took a sip of her coffee, then smiled. "I think we can be up for the challenge." That was a rather interesting prospect indeed. She held out her hand for the box, wanting to inspect it closer. "May I?" |
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"Yes, actually. In the....bottom left compartment if I am not mistaken. Can fit a few in there as it turns out," he explained as he handed over the box to her. "Go ahead and keep that for your own inspections and research. I'll have Fletcher bring over the rest later this afternoon." |
Headed into her office Simone set down her coffee and grabbed a stack of papers, one being the application of the person following her. Turning she made a few notes on another thing she was looking at on her desk before taking a seat. Now that she was sitting she looked up waiting expectantly of the woman to follow her in. This should be quick and easy, at least she was expecting it to be. Then maybe if Stella wanted to show the woman out she could and Simone could get back to her busy day and some more important things. |
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"Are...we waiting for my instructor?" she asked curiously, because surely the department head had better things to do than administer the apparition examination to someone else. Wetting her lips and glancing at the paperwork on the other woman's desk elicited another sort of unpleasant series of shivers and her stomach to knot. Her paperwork was complete, right? She had looked over the forms and all the reading material so many times that she could duplicate it on a blank piece of parchment with her own hand. So this time she was fairly certain she had completed it thoroughly and correctly. |
Chloe was peeved to say the least. She had overheard her younger cousin and friend speaking at the gala and while she didn't know too many of the details she did hear something about welsh dragons and portkeys and it seemed like something as Portkey Master General that should have known about before??? Not to mention there was something about that Milo guy speaking up that had her blood boiling because of course, she too had a child at Hogwarts. A first year. Whom she hadn't heard from since she dropped him off at Kings Cross in September. She didn't even know what house he was sorted into, which she was sure he would have communicated if was able and yet... he wasn't?? Was he okay? Did he even make it to Hogwarts? She didn't know and she'd been fretting terribly about him for months which was probably why she'd been ultimately quiet and reserved throughout the last few months. But that statue. The minister's speech. The Milo guy. Somehow she managed to keep her fiery gryffindor temper in check, at least until back at work the next business day. When she made her mind up to go straight to Simone Krafft for a chat. Only problem was that someone was already in Simone's office. As she started to enter after knocking, because she was impatient and wanted to get answers and surely Simone trusted her enough??? But not enough to inform her about portkeys in the dragon reserve? She backpedaled though when seeing the young woman there. "Ms Krafft... we need to ... oh... I can come back." |
SPOILER!!: Candi and Chloe She did watch the young woman come into her office and gave a very tight smile as she took a seat without being given permission, but she would let it slide. The sooner she sat the sooner they could go over a few things and she could be on her way. As Candi looked up and asked her question Simone did check her watch, but not to see if the instructor was running late, no she was waiting on someone else and she needed to know how much longer. "Miss...." yes, she was going to point out that the woman still hadn't given a last name even if Simone already knew it. "We don't need an instructor today. As you saw at the gala, things have changed a bit at the ministry and rules for our licenses in this department have changed as well. With the new rules it is with most importance that you realize we will be no longer taking applications from muggleborns at this time." Yes, she was aware the woman was at the gala and it had been noted who she had been there with. Just as she was about to see the woman out her eyes lifted as an employee walked in. "You are find, we were just getting to the point of finished here." Her cold eyes moved back to the muggleborn to let her know she could leave. |
Her eyes went from sparkly hopeful to shimmery crestfallen in a matter of seconds. Stunned silent initially, Candi could only mouth the word 'what' a few times while the department head spoke. And when the blonde woman had concluded, the former Hufflepuff did not know where to begin first with her protest. It felt entirely selfish to barge right in to her own personal matters - namely her curiosity as to how the British Ministry knew her blood status when she herself did not know and her records, if any of this nature, were in Brazil - but it was a tingle on her lips that resulted in an enraged tremble. Not even her adoptive parents seemed aware of her blood status...or if they had been then they had never felt it necessary to tell her. But that seemed entirely too self centered as surely she would not be the only one to face this sort of social injustice. "But...that is...that is entirely immoral and entirely discriminatory!" she protested, not moving from where she sat and her eyes wide in their bewilderment. "I've put in the time...the study...the effort...just as anyone else must...I'm a wizarding citizen of this country...just like everyone else...what does some arbitrarily assigned blood status have to do with anything?" The door swung open and another woman stepped inside, drawing Candi's attention away from the department head and towards the interruption. It was not lost on the nearly 19-year-old that the woman was attempting to dismiss her. While usually more docile and genteel, situations such as these easily unleashed the fight within her. "....I... disagree...I do not believe we are nearly done here, department head Krafft...I made this appointment months ago for my apparition license. Disqualification based on blood status is...that's not...that's not right." |
What had she walked in to?? Chloe stood in the doorway as she heard Simone speaking to the young woman about no applications from muggleborns? She stared between the two, when Simone stated that they were done here, but the young woman seemed to argue against it and Chloe found herself torn. Did she sacrifice her employment of over a decade to come to the woman's defense? Where did she stand with all this? She'd seen at the gala when the men spoke up against the Minister's speech and how quickly they were taken down. But Simone had seemed reasonable with herself? Was it merely a front? She took a step forward into the room. "If I may offer my two knuts... but if this woman made her appointment months ago, the new rules weren't in place then, which would mean that the disqualification based on something that just recently happened would be against the own rules and proper codes of conduct." She swallowed before continuing. "The ministry has always been a place of upstanding ethics and moral codes, so the rules of when the appointment was initially made should stand. And there's no good reason why she shouldn't be allowed to sit for her exam. The woman is a witch and that's something that rules cannot change." With another pause and hesitation, she then quickly added, "And besides, I believe you owe it to me." |
Simone didn't get up nor did she see the least bit annoyed by the young woman questioning what was going on. She knew she would be questioned, Merlin knew they had been questioned for years, but this was how it was going to be and it was a glorious feeling to be there. Simone didn't speak for a moment, but she pulled a memo out and jotted a few things on it. She wouldn't send it yet, but it was there if she needed. "Miss Hickinbottom, I know you heard the..." but her words did not get to finish, because Chloe was giving her opinion that no one had asked for. Simone leaned back in her chair and let the woman finish. Her face never changing, she was a patient woman and she could stay calm in many situations, but this woman had not been asked and would have to be told her place it seemed. Completely ignoring Chloe for now she looked to Miss Hickinbottom. "As I was saying you were there at the gala and you heard the minister. Things have changed and changes are for everyone's best interest. I promise you, you will see how good this is even for your kind." Standing she did send her memo off before turning towards Chloe. "Miss Adara I am your boss and you will listen to what I have to say. No one did ask your two knuts and it is not needed in this meeting that you so rudely interrupted without even setting a meeting with me or knocking. You have no clue what you are speaking about, but the rules even if she had her application in have changed. You will step in line or you will not have a job here." Was that clear? Though Simone might have had an annoyance look on her face thinking about the owing the woman something. "As for owing you something, I owe you nothing. You work for me and this ministry not the other way around and I think you and some others in this building need to learn that lesson." With a quick flick of her wand she sent a cruciatus curse at Chloe. Glancing at Candi she raised an eyebrow to see if the woman got the message now. |
Things have changed. So did that mean that she had no right to have knowledge of portkeys being used at a Welsh Dragon Reserve? She didn't have time to think about all that though, because apparently her opinion was no longer valued at the Ministry. She regretted trying to speak on the young woman's behalf and argue, but perhaps it was Milo speaking up at the gala that had lit the fire in her. Had she not had a son to raise, who needed school supplies and clothing and of course the tuition, Chloe might have told Simone to take the job and shove it, but unfortunately, she kind of needed the money to continue to be able to provide a good life for herself and her son. Learn that lesson -- what was she talking --- Before Chloe had time to completely process what Simone was saying, her body flew back into the wall next to the door and she felt unimaginable pain. It was worse than hours of labour pains she had experienced almost twelve years ago. It was worse than when she broke a bone during a flying lesson. Her five foot five slender frame writhed against the wall like a snake for a few moments before sliding down against the wall, slumped against the door frame. Owing an explanation or not about what happened at the dragon reserve, Chloe would not be asking Simone any longer. So much for Simone seemingly being reasonable with her. Kendra would have never cast an unforgivable on an employee, but apparently unforgiveables was how things were done around here now. She did her best to give a subtle nod from her slumped position, even though it still felt like there was pain shooting through her body. |
With Zabini in tow, he rapped on Simone's door with one knuckle before he pushed the door open and walked in. Clearly she had need of his assistance or else she wouldn't have summoned him. "Simone my dear," he said giving the department head a genuine, albeit tight-lipped smile as he walked into the room. "What can we do for you?" His dark eyes surveyed the room and the two other ladies in it. The space smelled of... pain and perhaps a wee bit of fear. He loved fear. It was a great motivator and certainly a lovely smell. |
The man was silent as he stepped inside the office, not far behind Bain. Of course, it was a curious sight that they had walked in on: a young woman who didn't look very pleased sitting in a chair and then another against the wall. Very curious indeed. It was enough for Dante to momentarily look at the Transportation department head, a brief smile directed her way, before his gaze shifted to one woman and then the other. He didn't say a word, however. All would be revealed soon enough, the Head Obliviator assumed. For now he was just there to watch and take advantage of listening in on anything that might be of interest. Dark eyes, unblinking, honed in on the woman in the chair and then the one on the floor. The tension in the room was so thick one could cut it with a knife. He could sense that without even needing to probe the mind. |
Candi was not thinking straight and nearly spoke out again but the woman behind her beat her to it. It was a hopeful moment, the kindness of strangers stepping into the light in the face of injustice, and it brought a fleeting smile to the her face. Fleeting because Candela saw the change in expression on the department head's face and suddenly this Transportation employee's words were hitting differently. Dangerously, even. And then she heard, somewhere distantly, Kaiser's voice warning her... Her attention snapped back around at the mention of 'your kind' - still something that plagued her thoughts seeing as the orphan had no inkling to her true blood status - and her own upset over this as well as the utterance of that last name muted the protective and sturdy voice in her head for a moment as her lips parted to add to the protest...and then the spell was cast and so close to her shoulder she almost felt the heat of the light as it flew past her and struck the other woman. A woman who began to writhe in agony and suddenly Candela found herself incapable of breathing. She had never witnessed a spell like this in person, things had always been more supposedly benign magic turned sinister, so she was not entirely sure what all she was seeing right now...and the thought of an Unforgiveable being used so flippantly had not yet crossed her mind. Her instincts had her ready to leap out of the chair in which she sat, so more towards the other woman and check to see that she was okay as that nod was hard to translate as a voluntary action, but then the door opened again and two more people stepped in to the office...and with them all the warmth sucked out of it. It was as though the entire space had frozen over and Candi felt a ferocious chill shoot up and down her spine as her eyes locked briefly with the Magical Law Enforcement head. The voice, Kaiser's voice, returned louder than before as the night of the gala and their discussion once they had returned home replayed over in her thoughts. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears, so much so that it muffled the man's few words and she suddenly gasped a breath before returning her attention back to the blonde woman. "I...I understand..." she breathed out, her voice trembling and fingers balled into tight fists at her sides with the nails digging into her palms as a painful affirmation. "...I won't...continue the pursuit of an apparition license..." She found herself almost incapable of processing English at the moment and each syllable felt as though it had to be painstakingly translated from Brazilian Portuguese to English. Her eyes slowly glanced towards the door once again, her exit blocked by both men, and it took everything in her not to let the panic consume her...and her nails to dig more deeply into the fleshy part of her palm. "I'll...leave..." Her...the field mouse...trapped in a triangle of ravenous cats. |
As the door open Simone turned and headed back behind her desk. "Thank you for coming Bain." She gave Dante an approving look before focusing back on Chloe, "My employee here has decided that she might be a good example for the rest of the ministry on what happens when you say that your boss owes you or wants to go against the greater good." A disapproving look went towards the woman, though it was only a moment before Simone's calm relaxed normal look was back. Taking her seat she looks towards the young visitor, "It was a pleasure Miss Hickinbottom and in all honestly I do not blame you from trying to hide a name such as one linked to mudbloods, but in this area you will not be able to hide it unfortunately. Some advice since you have been well mannered, work for the greater good purpose and do what you are told. You will see it will benefit everyone in the end. I will be sure to keep your name available if we are in need of someone of your kind." She might be a good example to have for others that thought not working towards the greater good was the best way. "I think you can see yourself out since I have other business here." With that she dismissed the young lady and turned her attention back to the problem in the office. "If you could show Chloe out of my department Bain and into one of your cells, I was hoping you might show her what could be if she were to step out of line again." Giving the woman a once over she started to shuffle the papers on her desk. "I will be marking in your file that you have been warned of what happens with questioning and not respecting your superiors. If this happens again you will be fired.... or worse." A smile did play on her lips with the worse part. |
Attemptig to wrap this up. Next stop Ms. Adara - holding cells Well, this was an interesting situation. A smiled formed under his magnificent mustache as he looked between the three ladies. "Certainly, I am always happy to help." He stepped out of the way, allowing the one lady the chance to slip out while she could, then reached down to where Chloe was slumped and wrapped his long cold fingers around her arm. He tugged her to her feet. "Miss, I suggest you cooperate and walk of your own accord or else I will have no other choice but to use a levitation charm. Please hand Mr. Zabini your wand. " He gave Simone a real smile, one that showed his teeth as he directed Chloe to the door. "As always, let me know if I can help with anything else Simone. For the Greater Good." He lead the way out of the office. |
sorry for the delay :3 *heads to the holding cell next* For the record, the owing thing wasn't exactly clear but it was that Chloe had felt she was owed an explanation. The long cold fingers on her arm sent shivers through her body and she wasn't sure if it was the fingers ... the fact that this man was gripping her arm ... or if it was the after effects of the cruciatus curse.... or just the whole dialogue. But without really another look at Simone, she gritted her teeth and followed Bain out. Her wand? Why? She hadn't used it? She hadn't returned any spells? Unfortunately though, she had the distinct feeling if she didn't comply, the 'or worse' might happen and thoughts of her son and family and friends had her handing her wand over to Zabini before she could give it another thought. |
The exchanges going on in the office were something else, weren't they? Of course, Dante had no problem with it at all. Things were finally as they should be. As he stood there, the feelings of the women were something he could sense. Hickinbottom being put in her place was a joy to see, and he had to give kudos were kudos was due. Krafft was dealing with her quite well, and it was a plus that the Mudblood (by this point it was more than obvious what she was) was complying. As for the other woman, Chloe, well, that was just a huge disappointment. He watched without saying anything, barely moving a muscle, as Bain got the woman up on her feet. The thoughts of this one... no, all of that just wouldn't do. Her decision to keep her mouth shut and follow simple orders was wise, however. He accepted her wand without a word. "Until next time, Ms. Krafft," Dante stated with a nod of his head. "For the Greater Good." Then the Head Obliviator left the office, following behind Bain and the Chloe woman. |
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