She tilted her head a bit by his response, “Not a Quidditch fan are we?” She didn’t mind if he wasn’t, she knew plenty that weren’t. She was which was good since it was her job. “We are actually. We are headed to Jamaica. I’m ready to be in the sun and relax for a few days.” She was certainly ready to be somewhere warm and to enjoy time with her husband. Seeing the blush she smiled, she always found it adorable when men blushed.

“Yes, you could call them a team. It’s wonderful to have. My parents always pitch in to. They’ve always watched the girls and Bart when I first moved back from Australia.” That seemed ages ago though. She listened to his analogy of politics and had to agree, “I think that’s a good way of putting it, but I feel like politics are what you make of them. Some politicians are only out for the public eye. They just want in the light without really doing anything. Though they play the game right to make everyone like them, they aren’t really going to do much good for their community. Others want to be a team player not just a full dictator. They want to change things for the better and work with what is already there. They play the game because they are passionate, not just because they want the attention.” Some of the candidates loved the attention even negative it seemed. She wouldn’t ever judge any of them though, everyone was just different.

He was blushing again and Victoria couldn’t help but grin, “If this is uncomfortable you don’t have to tell me about your personal life William.” Sipping more of her coffee, she listened. “It is harder as we get older. I mean when I first moved back I had met Charely at work. So you have that going for you. There are plenty of women in the ministry. I know a few that I think are single.” A certain one on the fourth floor came to mind. “Bart actually introduced me to Cossy. I think he was just hoping to get out of trouble if his professor liked his mother, but I’m not sure he was aware we’d could possibly end up together.”

She had to think about that for a second. Her meetings just seemed to fall into place and she’d love to tell him it would just happen, but in all honesty she felt lucky to have found the perfect person for her finally. “Café’s might be harder, but work could be a good place, or possibly a friend that knows a friend, or there is this dating service that I’ve heard about. I think I know a few people that actually used it recently.” She’d might have to ask to make sure she was correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

She tilted her head a bit by his response, “Not a Quidditch fan are we?” She didn’t mind if he wasn’t, she knew plenty that weren’t. She was which was good since it was her job. “We are actually. We are headed to Jamaica. I’m ready to be in the sun and relax for a few days.” She was certainly ready to be somewhere warm and to enjoy time with her husband. Seeing the blush she smiled, she always found it adorable when men blushed.

“Yes, you could call them a team. It’s wonderful to have. My parents always pitch in to. They’ve always watched the girls and Bart when I first moved back from Australia.” That seemed ages ago though. She listened to his analogy of politics and had to agree, “I think that’s a good way of putting it, but I feel like politics are what you make of them. Some politicians are only out for the public eye. They just want in the light without really doing anything. Though they play the game right to make everyone like them, they aren’t really going to do much good for their community. Others want to be a team player not just a full dictator. They want to change things for the better and work with what is already there. They play the game because they are passionate, not just because they want the attention.” Some of the candidates loved the attention even negative it seemed. She wouldn’t ever judge any of them though, everyone was just different.

He was blushing again and Victoria couldn’t help but grin, “If this is uncomfortable you don’t have to tell me about your personal life William.” Sipping more of her coffee, she listened. “It is harder as we get older. I mean when I first moved back I had met Charely at work. So you have that going for you. There are plenty of women in the ministry. I know a few that I think are single.” A certain one on the fourth floor came to mind. “Bart actually introduced me to Cossy. I think he was just hoping to get out of trouble if his professor liked his mother, but I’m not sure he was aware we’d could possibly end up together.”

She had to think about that for a second. Her meetings just seemed to fall into place and she’d love to tell him it would just happen, but in all honesty she felt lucky to have found the perfect person for her finally. “Café’s might be harder, but work could be a good place, or possibly a friend that knows a friend, or there is this dating service that I’ve heard about. I think I know a few people that actually used it recently.” She’d might have to ask to make sure she was correct.

Ehhhhheheh she'd caught him. "I can't say I have a favorite team," William admitted with a small firm smile. "I wasn't coordinated enough to be very good at it at Hog-- er, school," since they WERE in a Muggle cafe after all, "and my teammates never let me forget how many quaffles I missed." Honestly, Slytherins could be downright nasty losers when you were the one who lost them the title. "Jamaica, though," now that was a topic he could get behind, "sounds awesomely sunny. Have a cocktail for me while you're there." She'd come back all nice and tan.

He listened attentively and sipped his coffee while Victoria went more in-depth about her family... and politics. "You have good views on things," he found himself agreeing with a slow nod. He'd picked up on one thing though, and now it was stuck in his head.... "You used to live in Australia? Wow, what was that like? Did you see any amazing creatures there?!!!" He really wanted to ask about the Antipodean Opal-Eye but again.... Muggles were listening. Bloody Muggles.

Gosh, look at her grinning at his uncomfortableness. He shifted slightly in his chair but waved his hand. "No no, I mean... this is something I NEED to talk about, and at least you won't make fun of me as much as my friends will." Of course not, because she was a nice lady and a mom and all that stuff. Probably one of those romantics too (most women were). He laughed a little bit at how she'd met her husband. "Too bad my dog Jack can't introduce me to anyone." Or could he? He hadn't tried using the crup as a chick magnet lately......

He again had another sip of his fast-draining coffee. Wily might have to go get a scone if he stayed here much longer. "Yeah, those are... good options, which gives me hope." He blushed a little again as she brought up a dating service. "I met my ex through a matchmaker," he admitted. "Maybe I should do that again."

”Really William, it’s okay if you don’t like the sport. Not everyone has to. I won’t hold it against you.” She took a moment to eat a little of her muffin she had bought. “I was horrid to be honest. My talent was more gob.. marbles.” She knew that gobstones was kind of like the muggle marbles, so best use that term more. “Though I played both in school, I never scored any points with the quaffle, so you probably did better than me.” She was rubbish at it, so it was nice to see Bart did not take after her. He was so obsessed with the sport. “Yes, it will be nice as it’s getting so much colder here. I won’t want to come back.” She joked of course, staying away from her children for too long was not something Victoria like to do often. “I certainly will. There will be plenty of those I’d imagine.” She knew when to be professional, but she also knew how to relax.

She always knew people had different views and sometimes people did not have the ones she had, but it seemed William understood and possibly agreed with hers. “Well thank you. I take great pride in the things I do, so getting into the political side of things didn’t come without full thoughts and decisions.” She didn’t just wake up and say I want to be minister because it would be cool. Nodding as she took a final drink of her coffee, “Yes, after I graduated school, I was a bit stupid. Bart’s father talked me into marrying way too young and moving clear to Australia. Though the eleven years I lived there I did love it. Beautiful country.” She missed some of her friends as well. Though she hadn’t kept in touch very well, so she couldn’t miss them too much. “There are some creatures I think you would have a great time with. If you ever want to take a trip, I have some people that never mind having guests.” She could certainly get him a place to stay.

Good! He didn’t mind talking about it, because really Victoria could be nosy when it came to friends and well why not she was interested in helping him. “I would never make fun of you. Look at my life, married at 18, divorced at 30, three kids, and remarried at 36. I have no room to make fun of anyone.” There was no reason to make fun, it wasn’t that uncommon for a man of his age to be single still. There wasn’t anything wrong with it as far as she could see. “He might be able to. Have you taken him to the park or somewhere single ladies might be?” Puppies were cute, they always caught people’s attention. “I’ll see if I can find the address for the place. I have a friend that just did it.” She thought for a moment, “Actually, I might have two single friends that could be worth your while to talk to.” This was kind of fun, thinking about people that could be potential dates. “Though first things first. What do you think of dating in the work place? Kids? And blood statues?” These were important questions for each women for very different reasons.”[/b] Looking around she made sure the muggles weren’t too close by for blood states though they probably would just assume doctors with that type of talk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

”Really William, it’s okay if you don’t like the sport. Not everyone has to. I won’t hold it against you.” She took a moment to eat a little of her muffin she had bought. “I was horrid to be honest. My talent was more gob.. marbles.” She knew that gobstones was kind of like the muggle marbles, so best use that term more. “Though I played both in school, I never scored any points with the quaffle, so you probably did better than me.” She was rubbish at it, so it was nice to see Bart did not take after her. He was so obsessed with the sport. “Yes, it will be nice as it’s getting so much colder here. I won’t want to come back.” She joked of course, staying away from her children for too long was not something Victoria like to do often. “I certainly will. There will be plenty of those I’d imagine.” She knew when to be professional, but she also knew how to relax.

She always knew people had different views and sometimes people did not have the ones she had, but it seemed William understood and possibly agreed with hers. “Well thank you. I take great pride in the things I do, so getting into the political side of things didn’t come without full thoughts and decisions.” She didn’t just wake up and say I want to be minister because it would be cool. Nodding as she took a final drink of her coffee, “Yes, after I graduated school, I was a bit stupid. Bart’s father talked me into marrying way too young and moving clear to Australia. Though the eleven years I lived there I did love it. Beautiful country.” She missed some of her friends as well. Though she hadn’t kept in touch very well, so she couldn’t miss them too much. “There are some creatures I think you would have a great time with. If you ever want to take a trip, I have some people that never mind having guests.” She could certainly get him a place to stay.

Good! He didn’t mind talking about it, because really Victoria could be nosy when it came to friends and well why not she was interested in helping him. “I would never make fun of you. Look at my life, married at 18, divorced at 30, three kids, and remarried at 36. I have no room to make fun of anyone.” There was no reason to make fun, it wasn’t that uncommon for a man of his age to be single still. There wasn’t anything wrong with it as far as she could see. “He might be able to. Have you taken him to the park or somewhere single ladies might be?” Puppies were cute, they always caught people’s attention. “I’ll see if I can find the address for the place. I have a friend that just did it.” She thought for a moment, “Actually, I might have two single friends that could be worth your while to talk to.” This was kind of fun, thinking about people that could be potential dates. “Though first things first. What do you think of dating in the work place? Kids? And blood statues?” These were important questions for each women for very different reasons.”[/b] Looking around she made sure the muggles weren’t too close by for blood states though they probably would just assume doctors with that type of talk.

He laughed at that. "Can I put that on the record? Seasoned Qu--uh, Sporting Expert Admits That Sports Aren't Everything." He was definitely enjoying this luncheon now. "Only joking, of course. One less fan won't put you out of a job, I'm sure." He nodded and smiled at her, and the bit about Jamaica. Too bad he was poor and had no one to travel with, or he'd do the same thing this Ministry break.

"You're welcome," yeah, for agreeing, haha. Wow though, after all that talk about making decisions, William would have never guessed that Victoria's first marriage came at 18! "Merlin's bearrrrrrrd," he murmured under his breath. "I've only been down under once, when I was 18." Funny, they had that in common. "I didn't stay long though. We were on a trip round the world. I think... yeah... the outback was the first time I got struck by lightning. Freak storm." He nodded at the memory of his unluckier days. "Thanks for the offer, though, I'll definitely have to go back now." Sooner rather than later, too.

So, sheesh, she definitely had earned the bit of peace she had now. "Not lately, with this weather," Willy frowned. Plus the dog park nearest to his apartment always made him think of Alysson... who knew what she was up to anymore. William had a feeling that Jack remembered her though. "Uhhhhhhh," wow, he was suddenly blanking because she was serious about hooking him up. Wow. Seriously. The thought was immediately cheering and terrifying in the same instant, and William had to shake himself so that he'd respond instead of just dragging out the word, 'uhhhhhhhh.'

"Uhh, dating in the work place is fine, I've done it before," he ticked the questions off on his hand for some reason, "Kids are cool but I think you've got to be really committed to someone first, and blood statuses don't matter to me. To my parents, sure, but I think personality is more important." And attraction.

She couldn’t help but laugh, “Yes, go ahead put that on the record. Division manager states that sports aren’t everything.” She knew that they weren’t though. She had children so she knew there were many more things that fell above quidditch. “No it won’t put me out of job, but it does set a fun little challenge to try and convert you to being a fan. You don’t have to play well to like the game.” her grin certainly showing she was up for that sort of challenge.

Not even batting an eye at the shock, she was used to it by now. “I was a shy student in school, not many even know I was there. I bet you had no clue I was there.” She grinned, he was only a year and a half older (she thought) but she knew they had been in two different houses and certainly did not expect him to remember her. “Jon was in your house actually, he would have been the same year as me. His buddies use to pick on me and one day he started showing me attention. I guess I fell into it too much and was young and dumb. So at 18 I thought I knew everything and he got a job in Sydney so we left.” If she knew what she knew then things might have been different, but then she wouldn’t have Bart and that would not be okay with her. “Where in Australia were you?” She hadn’t moved around much, once they found a place outside of Sydney they just stayed. “No problem, I would jump at the chance to go visit. Bart has family down there still.” It wasn’t who she would have him stay with, but they were there too.

“Yes the weather would put a stop to the picking up ladies with the dog. ” She tried not to chuckle, because she wasn’t laughing at him, but just about the thought of him freezing at a dog park trying to meet someone. “Why don’t you take him to the Alley next time you go? Most of the shops there don’t seem to mind pets.” Indoor shopping women were bound to see him with his cute dog.

Dating in the work place was fine, that was good for one of the people she had in mind, but the other hmmm. Kids were okay, “Yes I agree and I think my friend would as well.” Statues didn’t bother him.. good, good. “Well I have a friend, her name is Anwen, and she’s around our age, is a seamstress, but also breeds and shows Corgi’s. She does have a daughter who’s around Bart’s age. Very cute and sweet little girl.” Nothing like her son. “I was also thinking about a girl I met on the fourth floor. She works in the Environmental department, but I’d have to make sure she was single. I know Anwen is though.” She beamed at her match making skills, see two girls to pick from, she would check when she got back to see the relationship status on Emmalee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

She couldn’t help but laugh, “Yes, go ahead put that on the record. Division manager states that sports aren’t everything.” She knew that they weren’t though. She had children so she knew there were many more things that fell above quidditch. “No it won’t put me out of job, but it does set a fun little challenge to try and convert you to being a fan. You don’t have to play well to like the game.” her grin certainly showing she was up for that sort of challenge.

Not even batting an eye at the shock, she was used to it by now. “I was a shy student in school, not many even know I was there. I bet you had no clue I was there.” She grinned, he was only a year and a half older (she thought) but she knew they had been in two different houses and certainly did not expect him to remember her. “Jon was in your house actually, he would have been the same year as me. His buddies use to pick on me and one day he started showing me attention. I guess I fell into it too much and was young and dumb. So at 18 I thought I knew everything and he got a job in Sydney so we left.” If she knew what she knew then things might have been different, but then she wouldn’t have Bart and that would not be okay with her. “Where in Australia were you?” She hadn’t moved around much, once they found a place outside of Sydney they just stayed. “No problem, I would jump at the chance to go visit. Bart has family down there still.” It wasn’t who she would have him stay with, but they were there too.

“Yes the weather would put a stop to the picking up ladies with the dog. ” She tried not to chuckle, because she wasn’t laughing at him, but just about the thought of him freezing at a dog park trying to meet someone. “Why don’t you take him to the Alley next time you go? Most of the shops there don’t seem to mind pets.” Indoor shopping women were bound to see him with his cute dog.

Dating in the work place was fine, that was good for one of the people she had in mind, but the other hmmm. Kids were okay, “Yes I agree and I think my friend would as well.” Statues didn’t bother him.. good, good. “Well I have a friend, her name is Anwen, and she’s around our age, is a seamstress, but also breeds and shows Corgi’s. She does have a daughter who’s around Bart’s age. Very cute and sweet little girl.” Nothing like her son. “I was also thinking about a girl I met on the fourth floor. She works in the Environmental department, but I’d have to make sure she was single. I know Anwen is though.” She beamed at her match making skills, see two girls to pick from, she would check when she got back to see the relationship status on Emmalee.

"I'm writing into the paper, with THAT as the headline," William leaned in with a very 'I got the dish' smug face. All for fun though, hehe. But apparently, all he was doing was encouraging her to convert him! Now Willy was the one laughing. "And how do you plan on doing that, eh? I'm a stoic. Sports don't move me." She had a challenge on her hands for sure, maybe one that came with.... free tickets? Hmmmmmm?

Oh, no, now he felt a bit guilty, and shifted in his seat rather uncomfortably. "What House were you?" he asked, as a way of just about admitting that he hadn't known her OR her ex-husband back in their Hogwarts days. He nodded almost sadly to her falling-in-love story and then piped up only when she asked him a question. "The Gold Coast area," he kind of waved a hand, "and Sydney, I think. It was decades ago, honestly, but one of the most fun times. There's nothing quite like being young and dumb when you're traveling." A small grin found its way back to his cheerful face. Maybe she had family in those areas?

"That's not a bad idea," he shrugged, though truth be told, he only truly passed through the Alley on his way to and from and while at work. Workkkkkkkk. Jack would love to come to work with William, but he was afraid of too many bad things happening to his pet at his workplace. It wasn't always a safe place for animals. "I think you've given me an idea," he mused aloud though, rubbing at his chin slightly while in thought.

Wow, so... she was able to come up with options just like that?! William's eyebrows went up in pleased surprise. "She likes corgis?" That was a good sign to him. "And just who is it that works on my floor?" he laughed. She'd better not mention Ember, but Ember didn't work for Enviro.

She shrugged her shoulders all smug like, “I’ve converted harder people.” He had at least played the sport before. She had gotten people interested that had never even seen a quaffle before. “Give me time William Williamson, you will be hooked.” She laughed jokingly, she really didn’t care if he liked the sport or not, but she could hook him up with a few connections. “Tell me a team and I could get you great seats and locker room time, well unless it was the Catapults. Which in that case you can just stick with being not a fan.” Not that she was trying to push people way from the Catapults, no they had a great team, but the manager she would not be dealing with even for a challenge.

She chuckled at his question, “I was a Hufflepuff, a very quiet one.” She knew it was no fault but her own as to why she didn’t have too many friends back then. Her shyness now gone, she had grown up and learned from her younger mistakes. “I have some friends I still keep in touch with, plus Bart’s dad’s family is there. He’d love for a little trip, so if you ever want to go and not mind a few extras. I’d be happy to show you around some of the areas I remember.” She’s love to get back there and didn’t think Denise would mind them staying a few days.

Her eye brow raised as he said she gave him an idea, “Well you can thank me if it works, but forget it was my idea if it doesn’t.” No point in getting blamed if it backfired. She laughed a little thinking about what he could possibly be thinking. Would he take the dog into the clothing shops and pretend to be buying a birthday present? It might not be a bad idea really. She mused these thoughts, but didn’t express any.

“She does like Corgis, she has a few. They are the most adorable things.” She knew Brynn really liked them since Bart was always buying Corgi things for her birthday. “Her name is Emmalee Quinn. She is very sweet. I’d have to talk to her before setting that one up, make sure she was single still, but Anwen I could get something set up for introductions sooner.” She grinned, it was fully up to him of course.

"So this seems like a nice place."

Holding baby Nerissa in her arms, Maria lead the way into the café near the Ministry. The aluminium tables, the curved chairs and the smell of baked good were all fairly new to the woman who was used to the smell of books old and new. Did she like coffee? That was a different question. Did Jared like coffee? That was a slightly more important question. Only slightly.

Speaking of the man, the shopkeeper turned to look at her boyfriend. "Please tell me you like coffee and bakeries. This is my treat to celebrate you getting old." Cue a teasing smile spreading across the woman's lips. This was all normal. What was the point in dating if you couldn't tease your boyfriend?

"What would you like Nerissa?" Maria Jennings was cooing at a baby.

Jared had his signature smirk on his face as he followed his girlfriend into the bakery, smiling and waving now and then to his daughter as the girl looked back at him over Maria's shoulder. She was the loveliest baby in the planet and few things were better to look at than one of his favourite people holding the love of his life in her arms.

That was trust, right there. The birthday 'boy' wondered if Maria was aware of this. Not only from him, but also from his Nerissa. The girl rarely allowed anyone but him to carry her so Maria should count herself lucky. Which she was, of course. And so was he, for many reason.

He snorted at his girlfriend's typical type of comment then half-smirked, half-smiled. "They are my favourite, don't you know?" For those who didn't know him, Jared's answered probably sounded very sarcastic; but the truth was that he loved coffee and cakes. "The older the wiser. Speak all you want, I'll always be older than you." And he winked at Maria, holding Nerissa's little hand in his. "Tell her, Nerissa, isn't daddy smarter?" And didn't he know how to tease too, hmm? Smirk. Almost immediately after saying that, though, and before either of them could answer his question, the now 32 year-old wrapped his arm around Maria's waist and pulled her for a quick kiss. See this? No one could say he didn't know how to show thankfulness anymore.

The man gave a small step back then looked at his child once a question was directed at her, wanting to genuinely know the answer to that too.

Not being the loud kind, Nerissa always watched with curious eyes as her daddy and Maria chatted and looked at each other, usually sucking and chewing at her bottom lip and eventually looking around. She also didn't mind when her daddy kind of squished her in between them both like he had just done, but only because she was used to it by now.

Then the both of them were looking at her and cooing at her and asking things. "Choclake. Cake." The toddler said, leaning forward slightly to point at some yummy brown muffins.

"Oh really? Like who?" William was curious now to see if she really could accomplish this little goal of hers. He'd never in a million years imagine himself becoming a big quidditch fan. But he'd never seen himself becoming a Hogwarts professor either, and that had happened. "Game on," he challenged her with a laugh. "Who's that all-girl team? I've heard they're pretty good." He didn't ask why she didn't like the caterwhompus caterpillars though. Didn't know enough about them TO ask.

A quiet Hufflepuff, hah. "Well you've changed some then," be winked at her. Look at how long they'd been talking already. Lunch hour was almost up. "I'll keep your offer in mind if I get another hankering to travel," he promised. First he'd need a good traveling companion, though, and he didn't mean his old crup Jack.

Yeah, about that idea. "I'll write it down as soon as I get back to the office, but don't worry. I have no problem taking all the credit." WWW grinned again. So about these single ladies... he glanced at his watch. Merlin, they could discuss his issues all day it seemed. "Would you set something up?" he asked in earnest, cupping his hands around his warm but empty coffe cup. "I... I'd appreciate it. But only if they say yes. Wouldn't want to force anyone to hang out with this old mug." He rolled his eyes at himself with a smaller smile.

“Oh you wouldn’t know them. They were friends in Australia who said that Quidditch was an awful sport.” She chuckled thinking about it. “Libby said it was the worst thing to watch and now she has a room dedicated to the Warriors.” She could get anyone hooked on the game, “That was when I couldn’t get free tickets like I can now.” Grinning towards him he knew she could hook him up with free tickets and probably some meet and greets depending on the team. Grinning she was so ready for this challenge, but then she was shaking her head. Of course he’d want to be a fan of the all girl team. “Trying to catch a professional player for a girlfriend?” Though she could probably find out which are single. “So the Harpies are who I’m getting you tickets for?” It could happen.

“I’ve changed, yes, for the better I hope.” Her thoughts distracted at this, she had changed over the years and she was stronger now then she had been in a long time. Nodding as he said he would keep her offer in mind, it would be nice to go back there in a different light. “Wonderful” She liked helping friends and if she got to go on a little trip as well it was just an added bonus.

She chuckled, “Of course you would take the credit. Typical man.” He knew she was joking about the typical man, didn’t he? Seeing him glance at his watch, she looked at her own. Goodness was that the time, she would have to get back to the office soon, but his words had stopped her and she grinned, “Of course. I will try to find out something soon and will make sure to take a quick trip to level four and let you know.” This would be fun, she would owl Anwen once at home and if she found a moment maybe even head to see Emmalee. "Well William, this has been fun, but I have a meeting I should be getting to." Seriously how did it get so late?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

“Oh you wouldn’t know them. They were friends in Australia who said that Quidditch was an awful sport.” She chuckled thinking about it. “Libby said it was the worst thing to watch and now she has a room dedicated to the Warriors.” She could get anyone hooked on the game, “That was when I couldn’t get free tickets like I can now.” Grinning towards him he knew she could hook him up with free tickets and probably some meet and greets depending on the team. Grinning she was so ready for this challenge, but then she was shaking her head. Of course he’d want to be a fan of the all girl team. “Trying to catch a professional player for a girlfriend?” Though she could probably find out which are single. “So the Harpies are who I’m getting you tickets for?” It could happen.

“I’ve changed, yes, for the better I hope.” Her thoughts distracted at this, she had changed over the years and she was stronger now then she had been in a long time. Nodding as he said he would keep her offer in mind, it would be nice to go back there in a different light. “Wonderful” She liked helping friends and if she got to go on a little trip as well it was just an added bonus.

She chuckled, “Of course you would take the credit. Typical man.” He knew she was joking about the typical man, didn’t he? Seeing him glance at his watch, she looked at her own. Goodness was that the time, she would have to get back to the office soon, but his words had stopped her and she grinned, “Of course. I will try to find out something soon and will make sure to take a quick trip to level four and let you know.” This would be fun, she would owl Anwen once at home and if she found a moment maybe even head to see Emmalee. "Well William, this has been fun, but I have a meeting I should be getting to." Seriously how did it get so late?

Quidditch, an awful sport? They had gotten that much correct, though. William just shook his head at Victoria, still smiling but somehow still doubtful about her power to persuade. "I'd date a qudditch player, sure, but I'm pretty sure all the ones my age are already retired." He let out a small laugh. "Sure, tickets to the Harpies. I'm sure I could rustle up a few friends to attend with me." Like Oliver. SINGLE friends of his, yeah.

He nodded along and grabbed his trash to get ready to go. "Sure, you know where to find me." Level Four was always a great place to visit. At least Willy's boss was nice and open to visitors, not like SOME of the department heads. "Let's get lunch again some time, in the new year, alright?" Alright? He'd let her get to her meeting. "See ya around, Victoria." He winked and slipped out of his chair to get back to work. That had been a productive lunch for him, though, and a social one.

Maria couldn't help but smile at the way Jared was waving at the girl. As much as the man liked to think he was suave and cool with that smirk of his, she knew better. He was really just an adorable dork on the inside.

"I thought I was your favourite." The teasing smile was still there, that was, up until he mentioned something about being older and wiser. Oh ho ho! The woman rolled her eyes before saying, "Yeah, you wish you were wiser than me." There might have been a bit of a nudge from her part. Joking, okay? She was jo-- Tell Nerissa that daddy was smarter? PSH. Yeah, right, Catter--

WELL then.

Before she could do more than open her mouth to respond, she felt his hand on her waist and his lips against hers. Her cheeks reddened and a goofy smile spread itself across her face. "How do you go from adorable to plain dorky to sarcastic to romantic in the space of a couple of seconds?" And he should do that a lot more. She wouldn't say no.

Still blushing furiously, Maria turned her attention towards Nerissa. N'aw, how adorable was she? Choclake. "Chocolate cake for the daughter and chocolate cake for the dad as well?" Green eyes on you now, mermaid lover.

Yes?

Olly relaxed somewhat once it was clear that Emmalee Quinn WAS in fact going to let her buy coffee. One step closer to getting what she wanted. Maybe. It was definitely a step in the right direction.

Leading the way - while repeatedly checking she hadn't been abandoned by her companion - Olly made her way over to the cafe in silence. Once there, she held the door open for the other woman and waited for her to walk in before following behind.

She ordered a tea for herself and was about to order a coffee for Emmalee Quinn but paused for a moment. "Do you actually want coffee or....?" Somehow "coffee", in this case, could be used as a synonym for any kind of drink, yeah?

So just making sure.

Emmalee followed behind the woman, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as they walked. She was as yet unsure what exactly the woman wanted but was feeling more amenable to a chat. She nodded in thanks as Olly held the door and, at her question, addressed the worker directly. "Decaf please, with cream and sugar." Emmalee did not usually take her coffee light and sweet, but wasn't quite in the mood for anything strong.

Moving to a table, she shrugged off her coat and placed it on the back of the chair. Slipping into the seat, she folded her hands as she rested them on the table. "Alright, Ms. Clarke, you have my attention."

Ah yes. Good idea to just have her order it herself.

Olly gestured to the person behind the counter that they'd be sitting over there before following Ms. Quinn to the table. She took off her jacket, then sat down and just looked at the other woman for a moment. Right. Now that they were here, she had to make sure to impress her enough to keep the conversation going. She swallowed.

"Right. Well, I looked into some of the available positions in...your department now-" Olly paused to offer her a small smile. Congrats and stuff. "See, I'm really only good at one thing and that's plants. Herbology. The thing is, though, that I don't have all the required NEWTs to apply for one of the jobs at your department. And now I wanted to ask you if...there was anything I could do, another way I could prove to you that I'm good enough." She stopped there, feeling that there had been absolutely no logical order to her sentence whatsoever. Crap. She should have written down what she wanted to say.

Taking a deep breath, Olly reached for one of the napkins on the table and started playing with. She forced herself to keep her eyes on the woman across from her however to make sure she didn't miss any reaction from her.

Oh, interesting. Emmalee watched the young woman with interest as she spoke, idly wondering if she'd assumed Emmalee wouldn't take a meeting on such a matter. Truthfully, probably not.

Ah, the problem of NEWTs. It was a problem Emmalee had had herself having never even taken the things. But where two months ago she would have just been another botanist giving advice, now she was the boss. Did that change her answer?

"Are plants your passion or just a talent?" she asked as she took her coffee from the server and sipped it before setting it down. It was an important distinction for Emmalee if she were going to consider this woman's application at any point. Though, truthfully, she did need to evaluate the educational requirements in the postings. Her eyes flicked downward at the fidgeting with the napkin. Nerves, perhaps? Emmalee found that to be a good sign.

"There are always ways to supplement a less than stellar academic record. The question really is how much you are willing to do.". And even then, Emmalee couldn't make any promises.

Passion OR talent? Was that a trick question?

Olly took her time to set down her tea and thank the waiter, thinking over her answer. Somehow she couldn't choose just one of those two things though. So eventually she said, "Both. The two go hand in hand for me." Yes. She tilted her head to the side slightly, considering the other woman. "It's always been my passion. And I've just gotten really good at it."

Despite the fact that she didn't particularly like their Herbology professor at Hogwarts.

Seeing as they'd received their tea, Olly had moved on to fidgeting around with the spoon that had come with it instead of the napkin. Though she stopped to raise her eyebrows at Emmalee Quinn when she said that it wasn't necessarily a dealbreaker. "Yeah?" Seriously?? "Whatever you need me to do." She really wanted this job and now that it seemed like it wasn't completely impossible she wanted it even more.

Emmalee's lips drew into a smile and she nodded a little. "Good. Good. That is exactly what I wanted to hear." She sipped her coffee before she continued. "Some people have a talent for herbology without the passion and that makes for dull work. And others a passion but no talent, which makes for sloppy work." She hadn't come across any of that in her workers at the Ministry... but Merlin, had it been an issue in some of the private greenhouses.

Emmalee tapped her finger against the rim of her mug as she watched the woman. She cast her eyes around the cafe quickly, to make sure that no one was around to hear this that shouldn't. It was really only something that previous supervisors were aware of and while Emmalee certainly wasn't embarrassed by it, she did worry that it would undermine her authority just a bit. "I got my first job in this department when I was 20, without any NEWTs and no university degree. Now, I was doing mostly paperwork, and I eventually left to go to school, but the Head then took a risk and I'm not so unreasonable that I wouldn't consider doing the same."

Emmalee turned to take out a small notepad and pen, setting them down and scratching out some information for the woman. "If you wished to actually work in the greenhouses, you would, at minimum, need to demonstrate competency in the areas where your NEWTs are lacking. The first item on this list," and she slid the paper over to the woman, "is essentially a sort of credit recovery program. It is mostly for students who don't quite meet University admissions requirements, but it would work for my purposes as well." She paused to look over the woman, trying to get a read of her willingness for more education.

"Beyond that, at minimum, an apprenticeship of some sort to demonstrate your ability to work in a greenhouse environment. The next few items are greenhouses I know of that take apprentices, though you are certainly free to find your own."

There was more to be said, for sure, but Emmalee sipped her coffee to allow the woman some time to process and respond.

GOOD! It seemed that that had been the right answer.

Olly returned the smile, albeit a little tentatively. She still wasn't one hundred percent sure what to make of the other woman. It seemed like she was on her side but...they'd have to see if she was willing to give her a chance. Because if she wasn't, then all of this had been for nothing.And she'd just wasted money she didn't have on coffee.

Seeing as Olly was quite observant - always had been and especially was right now - she did notice the way the department head first looked around the cafe. Oh. Was it a secret? Interesting. She nodded along to the woman's words. Very interesting. "I'll be twenty in June." In case she wanted to know.

Using the moment to take the teabag out of her cup, Olly nodded again and glanced down at the notepad. "I do have an O in Herbology." Just throwing that out there in case she was wondering. Though she wasn't exactly thrilled to having to take classes again, her face didn't betray her. Instead she kept it blank and nodded slowly, running her finger over the writing on the notepad. "Right." Was all she said.

The next thing was a lot more interesting than the first item on the list so she actually smiled a little when Emmalee Quinn talked about it. An apprenticeship. She'd sort of expected that. As had Jozsua in fact. Good. Yes. "And when I get all of this done you'll consider taking me on?" That WAS still the point of this whole exercise yeah?

Emmalee watched quite carefully, trying to get a sense of the young woman. Twenty in June. Emmalee resisted the urge to smile, considering the potential for someone that young who had had enough guts to approach the Ministry about work even without the qualifications. Quite like she had done herself.

It was a shame, in some ways, that Emmalee had been promoted, at least for Olly. Had she not been in the position of having to actually make an evaluative decision about the young woman's potential, Emmalee might have actually offered to coach her a bit. But now, it would be a conflict of interest. If she involved herself too much in the woman's preparation, hiring her would be a conflict of interest.

"An O in Herbology is certainly the right place to start," she said lightly, sipping her coffee. "For the work I envision in the greenhouses here of the next few years, charms, potions and transfiguration are most important. An understanding of magical creatures is also quite helpful, so competency there is important." It had been invaluable to the work to save the mutants to have an understanding of the glumbumbles that allowed them to cross-pollinate.

She took a deep breath, in some ways to stall, at the woman's last question and set down her coffee. "If you complete those things and demonstrate not just bare-bones proficiency, but excellence, then it would qualify you for consideration during our next round of hiring, yes." Emmalee very carefully couched her yes, as she could make no promises. It would depend entirely on the needs of the ministry at the time, the woman's demonstrated work ethic, and the quality of the other applicants. But a small part of her, and one she would not publicly admit to at all, did hope that come the next round of hiring, the young woman would join her team.

Olly lightly tapped her fingers against the side of her teacup, simply listening to the other woman. Good. Potions shouldn't be a problem, nor should Magical Creatures (even if she wasn't too fond of some of them, she'd manage). As for the Charms and Transfiguration part, though. She quickly lowered her gaze to her tea when Emmalee Quinn mentioned them. Yeah. She'd gotten better though. Her magic was sort of working. And she HAD always been able to perform the spells she needed for her Herbology projects.

None of her thoughts were voiced however and when she looked back up, Olly simply nodded. "I understand."

Noticing the brief pause, Olly kept her eyes on the department head through its entire duration. No, of course she didn't expect her to say YES OF COURSE! in reply. That would be way too easy and she still didn't know what Olly could (and couldn't) do. So what came next was as satisfying an answer as she would get at the moment. "That's all I'm asking." To be considered for the job.

"Thank you." Olly added softly, almost as an afterthought before taking a sip from her tea.

Emmalee nodded at the woman and took a long drink from her coffee. Only time would tell if the young woman would meet the requirements, and Emmalee resisted the urge to offer that she check-in along the way. Conflicts of interest, after all.

"Is there anything else, Ms. Clarke?" she asked, setting her now empty cup on the table and folding her hands together once again. If the woman had more questions, Emmalee would certainly stay to answer them. But this was not a social engagement, and so if she did not, then Emmalee would be on her way home.

If she could kill him she probably would without the slightest bit of hesitation; no joke. Lex was livid and mortified and everything in between right about now. Someone needed to explain to her why ALL the Healers needed lunch in the same hour and WHY they left TRAINEES to do ANYTHING. Bloody idiot could have killed her. How old was he, 12??? Who let him into Healer School and what did he mean wear the sling a week in case?? In case WHAT??? She didn't think she needed to suffer for shoddy spell work on someone else's part.

Aurors didn't do 'just in case', in fact there were a lot of other things Aurors didn't do and wearing a shoulder sling was one of them. She couldn't walk back into the office like this!!! Merlin's beard it was hard enough not fixing her eyes to the floor and walking with her head down all the way over here.

There were too many thoughts going through her mind for her to say anything at the moment--none of them particularly good so Lex simply took a seat because apparently going home and finding a hole were both non-options here.

At least they had got to see a healer. There was that. Right? Right? Silver lining and all, Dakest. There had to be some positive outlook on all this. Except that, he probably could have done the same, or a better job than the kid that had taken Alexa in. What had been done was not even healing in his books. He should have just done it himself. Would have saved them all some time and trouble.

And the sling. The sling that seemed to drag Alexa's mood as low as her shoulders and her head. It was miserable. She was miserable. And half of it was, admittedly, his fault.

So he didn't force her to walk with him. He had let go as soon as they reached the healers, and he hadn't bothered trying to guide her after that. Not to say he hadn't said they were going somewhere in that 'no-argument' tone, but he hadn't wanted to drag her here. That was about all he had said though. She clearly wasn't in the mood for conversation, and he needed to think. A lot.

When they finally reached the cafe, Sabel paused by the table she chose, glancing up at the menu. He rubbed the burn scar on the back of his hand as he considered the options. "What would you like?"