" Appreciate it," Galen answered when Simon offered to show him around, especially knowing he was going to be patrolling the ministry on top of his event duties." I can handle that I think." He answered confidently.
The last thing Galen wanted was to seem incompetent in his job because he got lost in the ministry one a routine walk-through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by potter girl

" Appreciate it," Galen answered when Simon offered to show him around, especially knowing he was going to be patrolling the ministry on top of his event duties." I can handle that I think." He answered confidently.
The last thing Galen wanted was to seem incompetent in his job because he got lost in the ministry one a routine walk-through.

"Good to know." He appreciated the type of honesty given to him by the other man. And Simon was also glad for another personage to help with the duties he had been really busy with, especially since Galen seemed to be one of the more level-headed members of the department. "We'll start up here and down on Level 10 which is also under MLE and work our way around to the other departments."

With that being said, the security man moved to lead his new collegue out. "This office houses Security, the Auror Office and the Magical Law Enforcement Squad." They were the more hands-on, dangerous roles in the department but that wasn't to say the other divisions were any less important or critical. As they left through the doors and through the filing room to the back hall, Simon pointed out the other large section. " The Office of Counterfeit Magic and Equipment Control, the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, the Improper Use of Magic Office and the Wizengamot share this room."

The last little while had been tough for Temperance, so much so that she'd needed to take a little time from work. But she was determined to make things better. She realized that she'd have a LOT of catching up to do. Not to mention, probably lots of new faces. But she'd get to that.

Walking into the offices she looked around, seeing that there were a couple others in the room but that they looked deep in conversation. She headed over to the security area, and took a seat at an empty desk. May as well get settled somewhere first. She took out her bag and set it under the desk.

Now what, she thought, it has been so long, I don't even know where to start to get caught up.

The patronus didn't have far to travel before it came to a rapid, sliding halt. The ears of the African Wild Dog were pricked forward and it's mouth opened to deliver Emily's message, its teeth bared. Her tone was firm and calm, while still stressing the urgency of the matter.

"Aurors and MLES staff, emergency meeting in the conference room."

Was it just her or did they seem to be getting nowhere with finding those kids? It'd been an interesting case at first but now it was like looking for children she didn't truly care that they find when she could have been doing....anything else. Files upon files that got them nowhere, people in Knockturn Alley that 'didn't know what they were talking about' and a whole bunch of other cases she could have seen herself getting behind but alas, she was only a YATI and was meant to be 'grateful' they even let her take part.

Just a few more months--four to be precise. Just four more months of this trainee life then she was ready for the big leagues...leagues that didn't involve searching for people with little sense of self preservation.

Alexa made her way to the Office, trying to look as enthused as she could but it wasn't working and it was all the YATI could do to not look bored as she entered the room. Hopefully they had better leads now because this was getting ridiculous.

He didn't like this case, not one bit. And every line on his face showed it. A few of them were new lines too. The dark ugly things that hung under eyes like they did on old hags. What were they called again? Oh right, bags. He had bloody bags under his eyes and he was oh SO thrilled about it.

Not. Not. At. All.

There was no coffee for him this morning, and not really any words either. Just a grunt of acknowledgement to Keener Cambridge as he entered the staff room and flopped down in a seat across from her. His notes got dropped on the table in front of him and because there was simply nothing better to do than wait, he poked them about.

This was what bothered him. What, exactly, were they going to do with the people that did this when they found them? A few months in prison? A slap on the wrist? If they found them. The perpetrators that was. The kids, they would find. No question. They had no other choice. This was their job, and if they couldn't do this, then why were any of them here?

It didn't take Luc long to receive the message. Emergency and all as he paused looking through files for clues to depart to the conference room.

For once he had a blank face upon his arrival in the conference room with only his alert eyes only meeting Lex and the Wolf dude before sitting. What were they to do now? He was itching to at least find the guilty or something involving action and justice. Was there any hope left from the others? Only at this meeting he will know.

The new notice had gone up and Simon had even more freedom to be around as it was in the office. So he was there, but not there. Around and paying attention but also conscious of his own matters of security beside the kidnapping case. Even if the former auror was putting more effort into the latter at the moment feeling it important to get the students back to their families as soon as humanly possible.

Speaking of families, he had been on contact with the three families as ordered. One grandmother and two sets of parents that were actually related to each other. Simon had tried to assure them that they were doing anything and everything they could and received any information that had been passed on with the promise if anything came up they would contact him. Yet it didn’t seem enough really.

And now the other players were returning to the office.

Alexa first with Rhydian not far behind. And then Luc was there as well marking the three YATI were there at least. That left the full-blooded aurors and one department head unaccounted for and Simon for one hoped one of them had some good news to add to the proceedings and updates.

This was incredibly frustrating. Not that Penelope had expected the case to be easy, obviously, but still. It felt like they weren't really getting anywhere with it, and that was not okay. Those kids needed to be rescued, and it bothered her to no end that they weren't safe yet.

Walking into the Auror office, she offered a simple nod of acknowledgement to the ones who were already there and took her place among the group, arms crossed as she waited for the meeting to start.

Rhydian's eyes drifted around the table. The less than pleasant table. The moody table. The table that was clearly full of bad attitudes born of no good news. He gave another firm poke to his notepad and eyed each co-worker in turn. After a long moment of silence and still no Department Head, Rhydian let it out in a rather obvious, but much needed verbalization.

"Guessing from the long faces, no one's got nothing yet." And yes, he might just flick his pen at the first person who called him Captain Obvious. He knew by looking around that there was nothing, but sitting in a choking silence of despair was almost worse.

There were no announcement rules stating they couldn't speak while they waited for the rest of the gang.

And if people didn't want to discuss progress, perhaps they could discuss possible capital punishment ideas for the prunes who decided to sell children.

Tyler's movement had quickened to a little run walk when he realized that he perhaps would not make it back in time for the exact hour that the meeting would start. He was sure he was about to get on a lead though so he was mighty reluctant to pull back and leave the trail to get cold.

Emily might have stumbled upon something better though, so he dropped his lead and made his way to the ministry.

Walking in, he realized that everyone was already there. Nodding in acknowledgment to his co workers, he took his usual spot by the door.

She wasn't late, she was perfectly on time - by her schedule - something which had been somewhat disturbed of course. Nevertheless she was pleased to see the troops assembled. Progress was progress and with some skill and dare she say it, luck, it would lead them to the children.

"Right," she mused, approaching the gathered group. "What've we got? Simon? Rhydian? Tyler?" Or anyone else for that matter. They all got nods and looks to say as much. Anything noteworthy?

Tyler wondered if he ought to speak up now? Did he want to tell EVERYONE about the possible lead? Obviously the young auror didn't want to get everyone's hopes up but any lead was better than no lead.

"I was approached by a man in diagon alley today....he wanted to exchange information for immunity..."Though compromise wasn't normally Tyler's strong suit, children's lives were on the line.

"I think we should take him up on his offer." He looked at Emily then at his colleagues.

"I'll agree to meet with him..and whoever else you see fit Emily and we could work out a deal..." It was their best bet at this time.

Why was it, that Browne looked completely at ease? Hat's ruffled her feathers but missing children didn't? Or perhaps she knew something. Something that the silence of the room had indicated was lacking in the majority of the gathered.

Rhydian stopped fussing with his notebook and straightened a little as the question was posed. What DID they have?

It was somewhat surprising but at the same time heartening when Bellaire provided the first answer in a crowd of serious faces. A lead? That sounded like a very promising lead. Though was the man a witness, or an accomplice? Just who would they be granting immunity to? The children were important, but what if this was some ploy for something bigger? What if they put their foots in their mouths if they said yes? What would happen to the children if they said no?

Scrubbing at his temples, Rhydian shook his head slightly. It was better than anything he had. "I checked with my contacts at the Spanish ministry." It had been a long shot, but there was no telling if they were still even in the country or not. "They haven't heard a thing. Nothing on my end to report."

He hesitated before nodding his chin at the Auror. "I'm in agreement with Bellaire." At least it was something.

Ah there was an auror, Penelope making her presence in the office and the work area where they were currently all collected around. Simon returned her nod of acknowledgement with one of his own before going back to his simply observing the group as a whole. Of course the relative quiet was soon broken as Rhydian broke the silence with obviousness. Nope…wasn’t going to respond to that that because it wasn’t worth responding to. Tyler and Emily’s added presence also caught any response anyway.

This was serious.

As for reports, Simon noted his name was actually included, but allowed the other two or anyone else to speak first seeing as they were on the case directly. A man approaching Tyler with information…curious. And potentially dubious. “Do we have any clue as to how credible his information is?” He wasn’t speaking negatively on the auror and his possible lead, just checking matters.

Rhydian’s own report was just about as empty as his own.

Nothing else being said, he decided to speak in earnest. “I’ve been in contact with the families and the witness. There’s nothing can be added to what was already given to those on the scene, except the belief that the captured girl having been bitten by Korpsit in the scuffle.” His knowledge of goblins and potential dangers of their bite and saliva was something he was a little rusty on.

“Aside from talking down a large family of gypsies from stepping in to take matters into their own hands, can’t say much has been accomplished on my end.”

Tyler turned to face Simon. "Well that's why I think we should agree to meet with him. How else are we going to know if he's credible or not without checking him out?" He thought that would be quite obvious.

Plus by the looks of it, it didn't seem like anyone else had any more information on the case, so this mystery man was their best bet.

He turned his attention back on his boss.

"Well Emily...what do you think?" They couldn't make a move without her go ahead after all.

Remaining quiet as Tyler, Rhydian and Simon offered their news pieces - or lack thereof, Emily contemplated the potential source. Simon had been right to question it, there were many that offered to speak out about matters of interest, some which were complete rubbish and others that asked for too great in return for the pittance if information they gave. She was already cracking her neck and hoping this would be a smooth negotiation.

But there would be one, yes.

"It sounds promising, potentially.... set up a meet, but if it's immunity he's after then I'm going to be present for it. Choose who you want to take with you." As far as she was concerned Tyler was leading this charge, so she was willing enough to see what he made of it. Immunity though, that was one thing she didn't sign off on lightly. The Wizengamot had their own headaches without dealing with an influx of ridiculous requests.

"Was there anything else?" she asked as a final call... after which they were dismissed to continue their endeavours.

She didn't have anything to report and though she'd have liked to say it was from a lack of trying, Lex had spoken to everyone she could think of without drawing on her own suspicions in the alley. Dead end for her as it seemed to be for almost everyone else, everyone but Bellaire. He was on a roll and while she was never one to shirk responsibility, Alexa was thoroughly disenchanted with this case and wished Emily would officially hand it over to him so the others (including herself) could find something else to focus on.

The roaring sense of justice and internal need to protect the innocent could be forced out of her on her best days but children who thought Knockturn Alley was a playground.............eh. She'd rather help someone who didn't get themselves in hot water and her indifference to this case was clearly showing in her overall progress. Nearly a month of searching and she couldn't think of a single lead. Perhaps more frightening, she didn't care if she did.

Lex remained leaned against the desk, silently listening to all that was discussed. Credibility was always a big thing if they didn't wanna go on wild goose chases but if the boss lady was all in then it had to be something worth looking into. So far, she had nothing to add.

Tyler nodded.

"Fair enough." It was obvious that some of his colleagues weren't as enthused about this case as he was and he could understand why. It was really hard to feel bad for those who put themselves in harms way for the heck of it, but he had nephews their age and a niece. While he knew they were smart enough to not wander down into Knockturn Alley, it was hard to not draw similarities, so he'd do his best.

"I suppose whoever wants to accompany me to meet with this man, can come along.." He said before turning out through the door.

Arms crossed, eyes set on Bellaire. Strange man who would give information for immunity? It sounded sketchy but honestly kids were involved. Stupid kids who had gotten themselves into this situation but- weren't all kids stupid anyways? Might as well go through with it. Legend gave a single nod and followed Bellaire out.

So.. that was it? Luc after hearing everything already made up his mind. He was going to follow after them. It was the only lead they had regardless of how shifty the idea on granting immunity seemed to him. It was better than the dead ends he found from his searches. Plus, following this one beat sitting around shuffling through more papers and usual patrols.

With nothing more to add, he simply nodded before stepping up to walk with the Aurors out.

The frustrated feeling was only amplified when Rhydian stated the obvious that no one had any leads. Penelope had hoped that someone might've found something, but...sigh.

But then Tyler and their boss entered, and Tyler apparently had a lead. Seemed a little sketchy that the guy's condition for information was immunity - she definitely had no desire to allow some criminal to get off scot-free just for giving some information - but at least it was something. There was still a spark of hope that they could rescue those kids sooner rather than later.

No one had anything else to add, so it seemed to be the end of the meeting? And time for a new one with the suspicious guy, which Penelope definitely wanted to be present for. There was no way she could just stay here to do paperwork or something.

"I'll go too," she said, then followed the others out.

Well. That was that then.

Rhydian had to admit he was a little surprised that Lex didn't have anything to add to the otherwise silent meeting. It wasn't like her, to not have anything. If not anything to add, then at least some comment to give. She got a long side-eye for it, but it was short lived.

Bellaire was going to do the negotiations and it looked like most of the department was going to back him up. Rhydian wasn't about to be left behind. It was one thing having nothing and searching for something. It was another having something and sitting around waiting for something.

Gathering up his papers, Rhydian followed the group out.

Having said good bye to his sister in the Atrium, taking different lifts to different levels of the ministry, Peyton stepped into the offices of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and took a deep breath. It had long been the ambition of his to come back to the UK and to work with the Ministry but Caroline and her nails had held him tight in San Francisco for longer than he would like to admit. Shaking that single thought from his head, the tall American-raised man moved fully into the office.

Looking around, he attempted to figure out where he should start. Should he meet with the Department Head first, or go to his division to meet some of his colleagues and staff. While normally sure of himself, apparently right now all Peyton Stewart felt was unsure, nervous butterflies. Fantastic.

Rolling his eyes he mentally scolded himself and then moved towards the MLES desks.

Having come in early to do a last minute sweep of certain portions of the Ministry, Simon was just returning to the office as people started trickling in to begin their own day. Both new and returning faces greeted him and the security man returned them politely in turn. As he headed towards his own desk, he spotted a man that appeared roughly his own age. A new member of the department’s many personal since he had never met him before so he detoured to greet him.

“Good morning,” he said coming up to the section belonging to the hit wizards where he stood. “May I help you with anything?” Help tended to be a good ice breaker or at least assist him in getting a read off of someone while being polite.