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A bit confused on the plot? Seen some mysterious happenings going on and curious as to what it's all about? What in the world is going on in the Ministry of Magic RPG? Here's where you can catch up on all the happenings around the Ministry of Magic. If you have something to add that relates to employees in general, mysterious happenings around the Ministry, and isn't a personal roleplay, please feel free to post about it in here. Double posting is okay in this space. There definitely is a place to post all about your personal roleplays, though! Those type discussions can go here, in the Wizarding World Chat.
Remember that this thread is OOC knowledge only unless your character heard this information from others or witnessed the actual event, your character doesn't know about it.
What do I do if there's no activity or plotting in my department?
It's possible that there may not be a plot or organized roleplay happening in your department each and every day. What we're hoping is that you'll take the opportunity to create your own roleplays (within reason), whether they be work-related or something personal to your character. Nothing happening on your level? Then roleplay something happening! No drama or nothing to take part in? Create something! There's many different threads in your department and around the Ministry that you're free to explore and create roleplays in! You are also encouraged to contact your department head with ideas and concepts!
Current Ministry of Magic RPG Staff Ministry of Magic Admin:sweetpinkpixie Minister for Magic: Charles Hollingberry (sweetpinkpixie) Head of Magical Law Enforcement [DMLE]: Franklin Paton (Zoe) Head of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes [DMAC]: ---- (Nordic Witch) Head of Ecological Regulation and Protection [DERP]: Violet Fawley (Nordic Witch) Head of International Magical Cooperation [DIMC]: Isaek Edelbach (Charely Potter) Head of Magical Transportation [DMT]: Almer Toots (Zoe) Head of Magical Games and Sports [DMGS]: Firash Grunt (Charely Potter) Head of Mysteries [DoM]: Airey Flamsteed (sweetpinkpixie)
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Quote:
Originally Posted by grangerfan8
&
presents
Ministry Approved Magical Plant Registry
Hopes to Keep the Wizarding Public Safe by Philippa Boulstridge
With the number of magical plant related injuries increasing by 60% among professional Herbologists and 150% among amateurs over the past five years, a new bill created by the Department of Environmental Regulation and Protection (DERP) has been created to help ensure the safety of the wizarding public. The bill, entitled the Public Safety Act of 2081, states that, 'In order to protect all witches and wizards of the British Wizarding World, and to keep our humble community secret from the Muggles, ALL magical plants owned by our citizens must be recorded within the Ministry.' "This act was passed in light of several recent incidents concerning magical plants within Britain," Roxanne Carter, Department Head of Department of Environmental Regulation and Protection, states. These recent incidents include, but are not limited to, the untimely death of two Hogwarts professors by one Umbrella Vinora in 2079 and a muggle farmer losing their hand to a Chomping Cabbage that was found mysteriously on their farm just last week.
All witches, wizards, school representatives, businesses, and organizations must bring a list of all magical plants within their possession and proof of residence within Great Britain to DERP on level 4 of the Ministry of Magic by no later than September 1st. Acceptable forms of identification for individuals include ones apparition license or any other type of license. Schools, businesses, and organizations, must present proof of building ownership, such as a deed, when registering. Failure to register all magical plants will result in the confiscation of said plants along with a 50 galleon fine.
Anyone who knows of an owner of magical plants that refuses to register is asked to report said owner directly to DERP Head Roxanne Carter by owl. Ms. Carter also asks that the letter be written on recycled paper, which is available for purchase at your nearest muggle department or office supply store.
Roxanne: Well, what's everyone waiting for?! Get to registering!
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Salt!
When you’re stuck in a moment and your spark has been stolen .................................................. ........... this is our time to own it, so own it..................................... baby we were born withfire and gold in our eyes
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amarantha de Talone
"It was quite dramatic, wasn't it?" Amarantha slid around her lawyer in order to take a seat in the stand. Her bearing was regal, and she kept her hands clasped tightly together as she began to speak, although they soon strayed to a small pressed powder compact someone had left behind in the stand. It had a mirror, and she just... hadn't seen herself in ages.
"My name is Amarantha de Talone. I'm 20 years old, although I was born in the middle of the eighteenth century. When I was a child attending Hogwarts, the world was a very different place than it is for these young women who have testified before you today. You've heard from intelligent, well-spoken girls who have a bright future ahead of them - whether as a dragonologist, a journalist, a Healer. They have options. I don't think you can imagine how terrifying it was to be a young witch 300 years ago. I didn't have those options. A witch who was intelligent and well-spoken..."
She shrugged gracefully and turned the mirror over and over in her hands. "My mother used to tell me that I would be safe so long as I had my looks, that I should marry young and well and put up with whatever I got. That was the only future possible. Let someone take care of me and hope that my looks held. I don't know if you can imagine the deeply rooted fear of aging, of growing old and ugly, that results from that sort of upbringing."
She should get to the part about the crime. Obviously. "I confess today that I am guilty of wanting to stay young longer than nature intended, but these other crimes I'm accused of are simply preposterous. I never hurt a soul. I never targeted anyone in particular. I took something I felt wouldn't be missed, wasted seconds from wasted minutes. You cannot know how sorry I am that these children mishandled the orb and were injured by it, but you would not cast the maker of a teapot into jail because a child foolishly burned himself on the spout. Would you?" She shook her head sadly, clearly distraught that people had injured themselves by their own stupidity.
"I don't ask for forgiveness, but I do ask that you not judge me so harshly. I'm not a bad person... I'm just a product of a time and place none of you understand." Amarantha lifted her eyes again, a cool green gaze taking in the students present with something like hunger. Philips, Eventide, Hollingberry, Rastings, and that little one there. Jones, was it? She wanted from each of them exactly as much time as she'd had to age in prison. Two years. Two. Years. She wasn't a teenager anymore, and it was their fault.
"I'm afraid that's all I have to say." She closed the mirrored compact with a little snap and clutched it to her stomach. "And I'm afraid I've outstayed my welcome. I know where the Book is now, you see? I simply don't have time for Azkaban." And maybe after she got the Book, she'd head to Switzerland for a few decades. They had some lovely Muggle boarding schools there, and no way to catch a witch at play.
Amarantha gazed at the clock on the wall over the door, closed those great green eyes, and disappeared from the stand as her portkey-compact was activated. They'd meet again. She was sure of it.
JAILBREAK!!!!!
Also, what's this BOOK she's talking about.......?
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Salt!
Now here's an unpleasant discovery. Does it sometimes feel as if you are sending little paper airplane memos just for your own amusement? No one ever seems to respond? Perhaps that's because it's true: there's a pile of paper airplane memos laying at the top of the staircase, obviously having never reached their intended destination. Nothing seems to get them to fly again... you might have to deliver these messages by hand.
Level 2!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
How strange! That lucky quill in someone's desk drawer has gone missing. The picture frame on someone else's desk is gone too. All over the office, small objects from individual desks are moved, or worse are completely gone. Is there a thief in your midst?
Level 4!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
Hope you weren't planning to read any of the magazines or pamphlets sitting out in the waiting room. Not only are they looking particularly well... used... today, what with the torn up corners and ripped pages, but they seem to be a bit soggy as well.
And another thing! The beautiful mahogany desk at reception is looking a little less beautiful today. How did the legs get so scratched and abused? It looks like someone's pet crup has taken a liking to the furniture.
Level 5!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
How strange! That lucky quill in someone's desk drawer has gone missing. The picture frame on someone else's desk is gone too. All over the office, small objects from individual desks are moved, or worse are completely gone. Is there a thief in your midst?
Atrium!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
Without any warning, the lift pauses, jolts, and then drops a few feet. It pauses again, the entire thing shuddering from the unexpected motion. When the lift doesn't start up again after a few moments, the magical light afixed to the ceiling sputters like a dying candle.
It goes out.
Last edited by Lizasaurus; 11-27-2013 at 10:36 PM.
Reason: Adding Level 4 and Atrium!
It was hungry. Soooooo very hungry. Zipping through the partially open door, the small creature hurried beneath a table and surveyed the room.
Scurrying forward, meandering between chair and table legs in a zig-zag fashion, the small creature HOPPED onto a customers foot for a better view point. Wheerrreee was the foooood?! It could smell it, it was heeerreee.
Flopping down from the humans!foot, the creature started licking at a patch of floor. There were JUICES here. JUICES.
Lick lick lick liiiiiiiccckkk.
Whatever stain was on the floor, was being replaced by pink droooooool.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MUTANTS!
It was happy licking and licking and minding its own business, but one thing it was not happy with, was something or someone trying to squissshhhhh it!
SQQQQQUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Ow ow ow ow owwwwwwch!
The creature was quick to dart out of the way, OUT OF THE WAY, zig-zagging far far away, into a corner without huuumansss. Why couldn’t it just have its juiceesss? Why?!
Restaurant Across the Street!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MUTANTS!
Sniff, sniff, sniff.
Something smelled good and the hungry little creature slipped through the door of the restaurant, scurrying under the nearest table once inside. What was that smell?
Creature's Department Head Office!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutant X
Finally free from its imprisonment, the creature left the holding area and scurried along the floor until it found new resting grounds by squeezing itself under a door. The beady-eyed creature clicked its large teeth and scurried as quickly as its legs could carry it towards the sofa where it began gnawing and nomming on the fabric of one of the cushions.
*RIIIIIIIIIIP*
Teeth tore through the fabric like butter.
Oh! Didn't this seem like a nice place to build a home! Ripping through more fabric and flinging stuffing all about the floor, it began to make a nest-like home in the sofa cushion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutant X
WARM WARM WARM SO WAAAAAAAAAAARM!
The creature had now completely buried itself within the cushion, marked its territory a few times over, and was now curling up in a ball to catch some much needed sleep....until it HEARD something.
"SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Teeth clattering once again, the creature began nomming its way out the other end of the cushion until it was out, scurried along the sofa, and LEAPED across until it landed on the desk and onto one of the fabrics covering the walls where it began scaling it.
Up up up it went while looking for another escape route.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutant X
Talking. The human was talking to it. Escape. Must. Escape from the talking human.
Pink drool oozed out of the creatures mouth and dripped all over the floor below. It's teeth chattered and it began to crawl around the room easily thanks to all of the fabrics hanging from the walls. Yes, so nice for its claws to grip. Oh so nice.
It eventually made its way back towards the door and began to try and squeeze its way back under it.
Kimothée Chalamet • The UWU Agenda • Once Baby, Now Trouble • All Growed Up
Is someone playing a trick on us? WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?
Level 6 - Transportation
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
What a strange day. All those portkeys that need to be handled and deactivated? It seems that none of them are working anymore. In fact, none of the portkeys around the office work. Not even a little bit. Not even at all.
Level 7 - Games & Sports
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
SOMEone has been rifling through the filing cabinets all over this office. Records are out of order, and some are even missing. What a mess!
Luckily, the perpetrator did not get away cleanly, as there's a trail of paper fragments leading out of the office.
Level 9 - Mysteries
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
Hope no one planned to go to work today in the Department of Mysteries. One of the most heavily protected areas in the building, Level 9 typically only allows those with sufficient permission access to the chambers beyond the entrance. Today, however, the protection spells seem to be misfiring. The door doesn't appear, and when it finally does, it leads to wrong rooms and long hallways that bring you right back to the entrance.
__________________
It's so magical, feeling that no one's got a hold_______________________________ ___________________________________And the whole wide world is whistling...
Something's been very busy around the Ministry lately...
Accidents & Catastrophies
Lab
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
A moldy aroma begins to fill the space. There is no smoke or any discoloration in the air. Just a terrible smell like someone had forgotten to take the trash out for months. The stench seemed centralized on one of the counters. More specifically, it seems to be coming from the laboratory heating and drying ovens that have mysteriously stopped working.
If you open their doors, you will find that all the samples within have been ruined. All of that research gone to waste. Pity.
Minister's Office
Lobby
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
Nothing. Nothing at all happened to the memo as you cast your spell. The memo is just that. A piece of paper and nothing more. Nothing magical at all about it.
How many Ministry officials does it take to get the memos flying? Still waiting for the answer to this riddle.
Games & Sports
Ludicrous Patents Office, British & Irish League Headquarters
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
You enter your office expecting a good day ahead. Instead, as you step inside, you notice that the floor is wet and it smells. Smells like drool. How gross. Better watch your step if you plan to get to your work station.
But that's not all. Some lost records from weeks ago are scattered on the floor too, all wet and baring bite marks. This was not how you expected your day to start off with, wasn't it?
Mysteries
Entry
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
The door has finally given way. It has appeared and you have managed to get through into the department. Don't hold your breath though. Things are not much better back here.
The doors to each of the chambers in the Department of Mysteries are acting up. The space chamber door is leading to the Death Chamber, the Death Chamber to the Thought Room, and so on.
Oh dear. Have fun trying to do your work.
DERP
Experimental Greenhouses
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
As you step into the greenhouse, everything seems to be completely normal. Until you take a closer look, that is. Then you'll realize that certain magical plants (like that Venomous Tentacula over there), are less lively than usual. If you step even closer, you'll find that there are teeth marks in the leaves (and tentacles). But the mundane plants, like the marigolds, are perfectly fine.
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE HAPPENING TO THE MINISTRY NOW?!
Is one Natasha J. Warrington correct? Is this a cover up for something more sinister? Only one way to find out.....
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Yeah, here's another one! WHO'S MESSING WITH CREATURES, EH?
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
As you approach the Albino Bloodhound Kennels and Training Area, you might notice the eerie quietness that engulfs the space. None of the normal barking or energetic shuffling can be heard.
Once inside, you'll see the poor creatures have somehow gotten out of their cages! Instead of running around as you'd expect, they all lie on the floor, seemingly ill!
Oh dear! What in Merlin's beard could be going on now?
__________________
yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Wait, what was that falling from the ceiling? Did someone overflow a toilet upstairs?
Nope, it's just your typical FREEZING RAIN. Apparently, it's been doing it for quite awhile, as there are frozen puddles of the stuff here, there and everywhere! Not to mention that it seems extremely cold for August.
Sounds can be heard from the Product Testing area. The Antiburglar buzzers started going off all over the place. A bunch of Sneakoscopes started spinning and were whistling on the shelf.
Just inside the work areas by the coffee pot, was a picture of a dog who started meowing at everyone who passed it.
OOC: "The Bowling Ball" is set to begin Feb. 3th. and will take place in the Shrunken Head Bowling Alley threads. If you'd like to sign-up to participate in bowling, you can still do so in THIS THREAD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
So maybe now it's starting to make sense why buzzers were going off and sprinkler systems and Merlin knows what else...
Points of interest in bold by me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Albert Kettleburn
Perhaps it was a mistake to meet in such a public venue, but that... that was really one of the reasons they were forced to meet like this. Albert glanced around the room, wondering if any of those hunched over their own drinks might be a little too keen to listen in on private conversations. "I've heard from the others. We've had nothing new to report."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Albert Kettleburn
He returned and took his seat once again. "I hope you've found something, to be frank. If we continue to be unsuccessful in this venture... other accommodations must be made. Not just for you, but for the others too." It was giving him a headache, this nonsense. Why couldn't anything ever be easy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Govoni
"...Magical or not, it'd difficult to scrounge venues last minute." Yes, his tone was semi-annoyed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Albert Kettleburn
Albert simply sipped his gillywater, his expression thoughtful. There was no perfect solution to this problem, as the perfect solution was to not have a problem at all. The best they could hope for was short term solutions they could live with while they continued to pursue the long term resolution to the problem that currently plagues him. And Anthony. And the entire Wizarding UK, really.
"I'm concerned about our records, to be honest. Perhaps it seems my priorities are misaligned, but we know how to manage our other assets, but without our files... there will be a lot of knowledge and functionality that is lost. I suppose that's a lost cause at this point, and I should consider myself lucky. The timing is so... interesting." And good, really, if such a thing was possible.
What is this problem? And where did the files go? And.... WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
ALSO OF INTEREST, or perhaps THE PROBLEM, there are THINGS happening in Knockturn Alley amongst our lovely Department Heads:
Text Cut: longish convo, but at least they did their old bolding :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie
Hands still in his pockets as they walked, Aron tried not to make his grumbling audible in regards to his floo. Couldn't Transportation fix it and have it STAY fixed? This was the third time now that it was unusable. He was depending on the direct floo in his home to get to work - easier, you know?
At least he wasn't alone this time?
"I thought that they JUST fixed those things," he grumbled as they entered the pub and followed Emily to the table. "Reckon this sort of thing is what the Minister was referring to in the Prophet? Inattention to normal tasking," he asked while slipping into his seat. Because honestly, it was making the Ministry look bad to have all these constant problems. Not to mention giving him a headache because he had to clean up the mess and assemble teams from his employees to dispatch at all these locations as well.
"Either of you try the visitor's entrance?" He had and he had looked like a proper shrivelfig standing in it for a good part of an hour pretending to make a phone call before some angry muggle had come pounding on the door demanding he 'get off the bloody phone before he toss him out himself'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo
Gavin had no problem ignoring the other inhabitants of the bar when they entered. He'd been down here often enough to know how things worked and the value of privacy. No one saw anything in a place like this, regardless.
There were traces of a scowl that began forming at Emily's initial response. There was either a lack of communication between several of the Departments or they were still in the same tight fix they'd fallen in right after the close of the Ministry. Neither was promising but the first would have been preferred simply for the fact that it wouldn't hinder the re-opening of the Ministry.
Gavin sat, his scowl only getting deeper as Aron continued. "The Prophet will have a field day if we can't get things up and running by the start of business." Granted if things continued like this the press would be the least of their concerns but the idea was still irksome.
Emily confirmed her floo network wasn't working and after trying to collect a few things from his office, he knew his wasn't either. Gavin nodded slowly. "Tried several of the entrances; nothing." Nothing but a waste of a good half the day for him while he received weird looks from muggles who'd obviously never seen a gorgeous man before. Muggles. "Is this more faulty spellwork or...?" When things started failing they'd blamed it on that but after Aron had sent in his crew he firgured this was all taken care of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
Emily nod her head, it was something they had just fixed. But with everything that had gone wrong at the Ministry over the past couple of months, was it really outrageous to think something hadn't been missed, or more to the point, hadn't been properly fixed? Merlin knew some people were incompetent, but surely the distractions and inattentiveness had been dealt with by the other Department Heads. She could at least vouch for herself and her own people. "The Prophet will have a field day regardless," she corrected. They were always after something, and MLE would once again be under the firing line. She was sure of it.
It seemed she wasn't the only one to try most the entrances, Gavin too. Emily gave an affirming nod of the head, "I haven't had much luck... but surely this can't just be faulty spellwork." Surely not. Otherwise wouldn't it be an easy fix? There was little she could do to get the phonebooth to respond to her, never mind everything else. "Has Cresswell said anything?" she asked, directing her question to the Senior Undersec.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie
Yeah, he was going to need a stiff drink after this conversation. Maybe even before interrogations started. Just the thought of the Prophet catching wind of this catastrophe was giving him a migraine because he was sure that there would be some serious finger pointing at him. He could almost see the headlines now.... Concealment Charms Gone Astray! Ministry Personnel Stranded or something equally, if not more, colorful. "You think their Editor-in-Chief would take a bribe not to blow the top off this fiasco?" he asked, his tone obviously a joking one.
Just trying to lighten the mood a little. Knockturn Alley was tense enough as it was.
He shook his head. "I tried all the usual procedures on the loo and phone booth, but nothing worked. Not a single reaction positive or negative to any spell." It was beyond weird and bruising his ego the more he thought about it. "There was nothing causing a magical barrier or anything from the outside..."
Were they catching his drift?
He was only moderately curious as to whether or not Cresswell had spoken to Gavin. Aron hadn't found the man to be all that helpful in the maintenance department when he had called upon him for help.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo
Ehh.....This was one of those times when Gavin wished that Emily didn't have such a valid point. The woman had a knack for being right usually when she was agreeing with him and he could do without those nosy blokes at the Prophet bringing the Ministry under further cross fire. He almost smiled at Aron's question, leaving the faintest hint of a smirk instead. "I wouldn't trust anyone at the Prophet regardless. They'd take the money then use it to cover the cost of the print."
He watched a waiter as he approached and ordered himself a cherry liquor with soda. He wasn't in the habit of ordering for anyone but himself and waited for them to give their orders before continuing.
Gavin was still mulling over what Emily had said about it being more than faulty spellwork. That would be a stroke of dumb luck--for lack of a better explanation--if it was more than a few other spells gone wrong. How did one go about diagnosing a bloody building? His eyebrow rose as Aron went on. "No barrier?" The icing on the cake as it were. "Brilliant. We'll just blow one of the walls off." As a means of adding a bit of dry humour but they all knew it might have been something Emily considered if given no other options. Still, they needed the place in one piece and an explosion in the middle of London..........might as well hand out pamphlettes inviting Muggles to the next wizarding convention.
...Was Cresswell meant to say something? "No." Of course being incharge of Maintenance as well it made sense he should have given some kind of report on the situation but no. "He hasn't. I'm inclined to believe he's as clueless as we are."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
Bribing the Editor in Chief? For some reason Emily didn't think that would get them very far... the midget didn't seem to have much authority over his staff. Riddled with errors, misprints and not to mention their fact-less news pieces. It was amazing they managed to run at all. The publication was a joke. Personally bribing the staff was too kind ... but she kept those thoughts to herself and instead relayed her order of an Ogden's.
She peered between Aron and Gavin, taking in their experiences and tidbits of information. It. Was. Not. Making. Sense. Emily may have perked up at Gavin's suggestion of blowing off a wall. With precise coordination, and some fire power.. it could be done without trauma. Of course, perhaps she was the only one to think this a real option, one she was most certainly in favour of. "So it's sealed from the inside?"... she expressed her thought. And that really was just brilliant. If Security hadn't been in the spotlight before, it most probably would be now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie
Emily's silence was very telling and he ended up shooting Gavin a quick smirk. At least Gavin was willing to play along with the things and had he not been moderately concerned that the MLE Head would chop him down like a weed for laughing in the middle of the pub, thus drawing attention to their group, he would have laughed. Instead he snorted, cleared his throat, and then ordered himself a gillywater and salted crisps and waited for the waiter to leave their table before he spoke again.
Blow out one of the walls? Talk about the Prophet having a field day. "Just charge in wands blazing, huh?" he said with a slightly raised eyebrow. He wasn't an overly cautious person, but he was pretty sure he was being the third wheel here with this conversation.
"Seems that way," he nodded towards Emily. And that word. Clueless. That word. Aron hated it. Especially in this situation where there was literally no tangible explanation for what was going on. He couldn't even fathom how something like this was possible unless... "You don't think this could be an inside job, do you?" Holy holly had Armand been right? "One of my employees ask if there was a chance those mutants were used as a....distraction. Something to keep us all occupied while they infiltrated right under our noses."
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo
No comments from a certain Head of Law Enforcement where the Prophet was concerned. He could understand that, what with their more recent articles being less than flattering. Aron's smirk however didn't go unnoticed. Someone that could appreciate the humour...despite it being at Emily's expense. Sometimes silent jokes were for the best where safety was concerned.
"That's the idea." He said with a solemn nod and a glance at Emily. Figured something like that would have her perking up. The only thing that gave away the fact that he was messing with her was the roll of his eyes that followed a couple seconds after.
But they were getting to the serious questions again. Gavin rested his elbows on the table and leaned closer. "A distraction?" He quieted for a moment, thinking of the probability of something like that happening. "Merlin I hope not." Otherwise he'd have to admit Emily was right for sending Simon up to his level to clutter his Lobby check the security there. "But it's not something we should dismiss, especially in the absence of any other answers." People didn't just get locked out. It wasn't one of those things that 'just happened'. His eyes trailed from Aron to Emily.
Thoughts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hera
She was perfectly aware of the smirking looks they exchanged and the reason for them. Frankly, she couldn't expect them to understand, so they could have it, and she wouldn't knock their heads together, this time. No, Emily would just sit and stew in her negative thoughts toward the Prophet and fantasize about burning them to the ground. If only.
"Why the heck not?" she asked rhetorically to Aron's wands blazing comment. She was perhaps the only to be taking that idea seriously enough. Whatever was going on inside was more then welcome to meet the pointy end of her sticks, she had no qualms with that. Gavin's comment and look her way had her curious. Was that a dig at her? Or was that because he recognised it's appeal to her? ... ... where was her damn whiskey?
It was possible, despite her biology, for her eyes to widen - her brows lifting in the process. Distraction? Inside job? ... Three words she would detest until the end of time -- at least where work was involved if nothing else. "Inside job?" she echoed, "I've tightened Security... the Atrium was air tight, criminal activity checks were updated..." anybody coming in, as well as those staff that underwent review had been scanned. Never mind that Security was still understaffed, it was tightened. Tight. Merlin. She should have made time for some patrol rounds herself. She needed her board, her drawing board, she needed to start fleshing out her thoughts and ideas. If that was the case, then she'd need to establish motive and opportunity. Her fingers were itching now. Itching to start an investigation. Because this was NOT MLE's fault. Not on her watch.
"You're right," she finally responded to Gavin. He usually was. "Might help to do some scouting," someone somewhere will know something, and they were in the right place for it. Merlin knew she'd been meaning to make a trip down here sooner or later. Business reasons of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie
Both elbows on the table now and his fingers laced together while his thumbs tapped against one another, Aron's eyes just flicked back and forth between his two colleagues. Surely they were both just pulling his leg, right? Just go down a manhole somewhere, walk through the sewer until they hit a wall and KABOOM?! Blow a hole to try to get back in? If the thought of all that sewage spewing onto the marble floor wasn't gross enough - a mess he did NOT want to clean up, okay? - sounding the alarm to whatever or whoever was inside that the big wands were coming was not exactly his style.
He HAD been a ninja for YATI training a few years back, remember? Stealth was more Aron's cup of tea.
His posture straightening a bit as the waiter returned with their order, he tossed the man a few coins and then returned his attention to Emily and Gavin. "Might as well since we're down in this neck of the woods," he nodded as he took a thin slip of paper from his jean jacket's pocket and dipped it into his gillywater. "You've been looking over cold cases in the Ministry, anything there that could link to all this?" he asked Emily while he waited for his litmus paper's results.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo
Somehow, he was starting to get the idea that Emily did think the idea of blowing a hole through one of the walls was an option. It wasn't. This was as good a time as any to drop it so when she asked why not, he merely took a sip of his drink and opted not to respond to that. It was directed at Aron anyhow.
He found himself nodding along as she went on. "It's true. Over zealous lot of them. I doubt anything would have gotten by. It's possibly an inside job, someone we'd never suspect." His vote was anyone working down in the Daycare. Dedicating your work to taking care of children for the entire day? There was no way in Merlin's beard you could convince him that they loved their job and did it for the 'joy of taking care of children'. Not even.
It was his turn to look between the two of them, taking another sip of his drink, trying to process whether or not they were actually suggesting they go looking for Dark Wizards to ask questions...and what was he doing with that paper?
"And just who do we plan on getting info from down here might I ask? I doubt anyone would be forth-coming, then there's the matter of finding the right source. We can't spend the day interrogating." Locked out or not, they couldn't be wasting too much time. This clearly wasn't his area of expertise. Gavin would follow their lead, he just wanted to make sure it was well thought through before they went creating a stir.
Dun dun DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
Training will take place on Friday, January 22nd beginning at 1:30 pm. Ministry employees should travel by muggle bus to get off at Aldgate bus station and then walk the remaining distance to the abandoned HMS Royal Arthur. After passing through the Regulation Office and receiving your visitors pass, proceed directly to the gymnasium where your training instructors ( Emily Browne [Hera], Aron Ashburry-Hawthorne [sweetpinkpixie], and Oliver Jenkins [Mell]) will give you further instructions.
At least one employee from each department is required to attend this special training.
OOC: this is meant to be a fun way for everyone to interact with each other while gaining some important IC skills vital to the current climate in the Ministry. While the announcement states that it is mandatory for employees to attend, think of this like classes in the School RPG. Participation is optional but we certainly hope you will choose to come and play You also do not HAVE to post in the Regulation Office prior to the gymnasium and can just RP arriving in the gymnasium pretending your character did so.
That being said, zero representation from any department could result in IC repercussions
The above date and time is purely IC. We will be starting training on Friday, February 21st around noon GMT ( 7 am on February 20th EST)
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When you’re stuck in a moment and your spark has been stolen .................................................. ........... this is our time to own it, so own it..................................... baby we were born withfire and gold in our eyes
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB
Well this looks like fun (all the department heads received one, btw):
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandastian Epitaph
Through the standard means and secure delivery postage channels, a very important piece of owl mail is placed on the Magical Games and Sports Department Head's desk. The missive is on special letterhead and sealed with a lime green wax seal.
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Text Cut:
June 8th, 2084
To the Ministry Department Heads:
If you have not been informed, St Mungo’s Hospital, in conjunction with Mr. Anthony J. Cresswell and his team of Ministry Healers, will be conducting Health Evaluations starting late this afternoon within the Ministry building.
Levels 1 though 4 will attend their examinations in the Technology Lounge on Level 1. Levels 5 though 9 will proceed to the Atrium on Level 8. Appointments are being scheduled for you and your employees and will be sent out via memo shortly.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation during this time.
Wandastian Epitaph
St. Mungo’s Head Healer
M.H.D.
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yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________ __________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
To all the overly worked, overly STRESSED individuals of the Ministry, please take NOTE of this very important, very NECESSARY relaxation activity.
Ms. Harmony Skylark has been most gracious to help us out in this troubled time.
Quote:
Level Seven’s Game Room and Lounge is the perfect spot to go and unwind with your coworkers. An assortment of activities is available and some friendly competition is just the thing to foster excitement and lighten your mood. The room, however, is no longer what it used to be. The space has been transformed to suit the needs of the St. Mungo’s sponsored lesson taking place here. Don’t be alarmed; things will be back to normal just as soon as these Mental Health Evaluations are all wrapped up.
The Pottery and Paint-by-Numbers: Art for Squibs lesson is about to start and as you round the corner and enter the Game Room and Lounge, you’ll note the strange yet mildly soothing sounds of birds chirping and insects buzzing over a melodic tune. It might just be the perfect background soundtrack to a relaxing lesson if not for the volume being so loud. And other than a rather out of date looking boom box, charmed to loop the sounds of nature, the room is rather bare. Whatever have they done with you precious pool tables and pinball machine? That’s a mighty good question.
Rickety easels are set up in a semi-circle, each having a different paint-by-numbers portrait and set of oil paints for your use. Careful of the dodgy stool you’re meant to perch on, they’ve been known to be a little wobbly. You’ve got good balance though, yeah? No worries.
And if painting isn’t your thing, make your way over to a rather strange looking rectangular table covered in white cloth. Sort of looks like a billiards table, huh? On top sits everything you could need to hand-build your very own vase, bowl, or goblet. Whatever suits your fancy, yeah? The clay might be a bit hard but large containers of water and brushes are provided to make it more manageable. Not to mention that your extremely eager instructor might have a tip or two to share. The same wobbly stools are set around the makeshift workspace but be careful not to squirm too much, splinters aren’t the easiest to remove.
So come in, grab a smock, and find yourself a seat. You’re clearly not getting any real work done for a while so you might as well succumb fully to this attempt to relax and rejuvenate. At the very least you’ll have a piece of art to take home for your efforts.
OOC: Your lesson instructor is Ms. Harmony Skylark (TakemetotheBurrow). This is meant to be FUN...So, HAVE SOME!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennMarie
Hmmm Hmmmm What is THIS i see!? Something's up in the ministry...
This young woman was nice enough to link you all, as well. *approves*
There is but ANOTHER activity that has popped up. Scurry along and enjoy, you distressed worker bees!
Quote:
In light of all the stress, anger, itching, rambling and rage displayed by many of the employees within the Ministry you all are required to attend the second seminar on, you guessed it, KNITTING. The first thing you’ll notice as you enter the room is that all the tables and lab stations have been removed. Don’t go asking questions about them or you’ll be taken for someone with a severe case of Trelawnitis and as it stands the only needles your instructor, Ravaora Silverkin, possess are those meant for the fine art of thread and coordination.
Strewn about the floor are several cushions. Do feel free to take one and help yourself to the needles and yarn one may find by these cushions. No sticking each other with them, we’re all responsible adults here, present for the healing that can be achieved from such a cleansing and calming activity.
As this is meant for healing, no loud noises will be tolerated, lest you scare each other into a frenzy and we all die. Just try to remember, this is all for your own good.
OOC: Your lesson instructor is St. Mungo's Healer Ravaora Silverkin (Ravaora Silverkin). Now, who wants to play with the CRAY, CRAY Healer?!?!
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Last edited by Wandastian Epitaph; 08-12-2014 at 04:51 AM.
I've enjoying these random activities that have been organized. It's all appropriately zen.
You all should travel to the Third Floor. Ms. Smith is being a gem.
Quote:
The training and trial room is usually empty minus some crash pads and the large pool. Today as you enter, you’re greeted with a soft cool breeze and the sound of slow running water. Where the large pool in the corner once stood is now a sitting pond with a waterfall standing roughly three feet tall flowing into a standing pond with Lilly pads floating on top of the water and several live and well Koi fish swimming about in sync with one another.
The ground, which was once solid concrete, crash pads is now covered in soft white sand and Perennial Ryegrass and large boulder like stones. There’s a sign on small treess on either side of a narrow trail in front of you asking you to take off your shoes.
Following the trail you’re lead down into a area of sand that is charmed to re-line it’s self after you step on it and small black soft stones are set in a semi circle used as mats. Don't mind the long table set off to the left of the room, that will come into play later. Your instructor isn't anywhere to be found so pick a soft cooled rock and have a seat, or stand if you wish. Your calming lesson will begin soon.
OOC: Your lesson instructor is Ms. Athena Smith (JennMarie). This is sure to be lulzy, SO ATTEND!
ooc: We're looking for volunteers for those who want to be a part of the International Confederation of Wizards council meeting! We want to create some policies for international wizarding laws, that all ministries should abide by. Whether it be for immigration laws, trading standards, undercover buying and more. If you would like to take part, please contact Lizasaurus!
Perhaps you have some ideas in regards to some of these policies? Or ideas on policies that should be put in place, please message Liz as well! If you have a charrie who would be actively wanting to join, let her know. Maybe you have an ambassador to another country. Or perhaps work with the immigration department. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
*randomly tagged* | Norbert(a) | The Wandmaker (tm)
A mysterious box has just arrived at Games and Sports
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
On the floor in the centre of the office sits a box, large enough that one wouldn't walk by without noticing it, but not too large that someone couldn't get past it. At first glance, it may not appear too unusual. The Ludicrous Patents division gets shipments of new inventions to be tested all the time. But did anyone actually see someone drop it off? It seems that its appearance is just as mysterious as to what could be inside of it. There are no external markings.
In fact, it looks like a plain wooden box except for the unusual markings that can only be seen just when the light hits it the right way. However, there is no discernible way to open it as there is no obvious opening and Alohomora doesn't seem to work. Someone probably should do something with it though as it is somewhat in the way and is rather heavy to lift.
Becky's Bestie | Magic Pen Original Nymphadora | Lizasaurus
With the holidays in full swing, the ministry has been busy with plans for the WERPS convention occurring soon after everyone returns from the holidays. Excitement is building up both inside the ministry and out. As part of Minister Althea Scabior’s campaign platform regarding supportive measures for the environment and preventing climate change, this long awaited event is expected to address environmental concerns, educate the wizarding community, and let magical folks know just what they can do to help and get involved.
Over the previous few months leading up to this each of the department's have been busy with their assistance with the conference.
The Department of Magical Games and Sports
Although it has been a typical year of keeping professional Quidditch and Gobstones running smoothly for the Department of Magical Games and Sports, there have also been several items of note. Bodmin Moor stadium has been toying with the idea of artificial turf for their pitch. While there are many who support this idea, it is not without its opposition. Benefits and disadvantages of artificial turf are expected to be discussed at the Ministry's upcoming WERPS event. Track upgrades and renovations continue to take place for winged horse racing around the country for further promotion of this growing sport.
The Department of International Magical Cooperation
Level five has been hopping with things going on. Immigration has uncovered a few visas that have expired and have been working on finding these people to investigate. The trade relations have been extra busy with the ending of the smuggled dragon eggs and an American, Rodrick Micheals being the head of the smuggling.The team is at this moment pinpointing the location of Rodrick in London and doing their investigation to get him arrested. The trade relations have been working hard to start planning an international trade show that will be coming in the next year. Foreign relations and Charles Taylor have been working with the ministries ambassadors to set the final paperwork for the WERP conference and begin the right paperwork for the trade show.
The Department of Magical Transportation
Level Six has had a lowkey year. The level needed some love and care, and so the department head hired a team of people who claimed to be "EXPERTS" at redoing houses and whatnot; it took them six months, and when Lynley checked in on them, it turned out the level was not even CLOSE to being ready. So Lynley fired them, and hired new people. and after a VERY long time, the level is finally done. AFTER A YEAR....it is done. But that means that all the employees had to fit into one cramped room off to the side for around ELEVEN MONTHS to do their jobs. They will be happy to get their space back again! Other than that, and some in-department drama, nothing serious has gone down.
The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
Due to a wide area of contamination, the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes had to be called in. The nature of the contamination was such that muggles had begun to experience unexplained "special abilities". The area had to be contained, witnesses had to be obliviated and given new memories while the PART team and our Spell Researchers had to search for the source of the contamination. It was discovered to be a potion spill that got into the town's water supply and has since been dealt with.
The Department of Mysteries
It has been pretty quiet in the department. Although it might just be that they won't speak of it being they are unspeakables. The newest addition to the department Airey Flamsteed, previously Hogwarts Astronomy professor and Gryffindor Head of House, appears to be fitting in well. Although he is still wearing his suits, there has not been any sign of Pebbles.
The Department of Law Enforcement
Level Two has been busy training in record numbers of YATI. Trainings are up and the amount of crime has lessened a bit in the last few months, giving the team a nice break. It's never quiet though, you can find many of those on level two either in the workout rooms or in the training area. With regard to the WERPS conference, level two has been busy getting security prepared for the conference.
The Minister's Office
Minister Scabior having made a few new placements for department head, started out her term quite busily. In preparation for the WERPS conference, level one has been making arrangements and working closely with DERP to ensure the conference is a complete success. The minister also now is requiring ALL of the Mysteries department employees to undergo "sensitivity training' in regards to complaints received in response to how children were dealt with at Hogwarts last term?
The Department of Environmental Regulation and Protection
DERP started the term with a newly appointed department head, Noah O'Donnell. He designed a beautiful zen garden and outdoor patio for employees. It has been pretty quiet in the department but there has been a nice bit of change around the ministry with the care DERP has done. Noah has jumped in with both feet, tackling the WERPS conference head on after replacing Davis-Campbell who had previously headed up both DERP and the Creatures department.
The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Newly appointed Department head Becca Yenorin encountered questions from employees demanding to know if she was fit to be department head for the Creatures department. She handled it well and appears to be doing a fine job in that department. New protocols are appearing little by little to help ensure the safety of both employees and the wizarding world itself. Becca has been working hard to help ensure that the safety of the community and what we can do to make our world a better place, is in hers and ours best interest.
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Coffee!
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Something shady going on......
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACTIVISTS
Another group of activists had found their way from the Atrium into the testing room, where a couple seemed interested in testing the artificial turf. "No, no! We're not being paid to test stuff!" a brunette woman whisper-huffed at the two (guys obviously), pulling them away by their ears and sending a quick spurt of water at the turf for good measure. Enjoy your wet, fake grass everyone!
Meanwhile, they were just going to be over here in their anti-WERPS shirts loudly wondering just why a conference that was supposedly about supporting the environment was touting fake grass anyway. "That artificial stuff can't be good for the environment they supposedly love. What's wrong with real grass, anyway?"
Then what, exactly, are they being paid for?
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Salt!
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
More shady dealings, this time with the IMC's smuggled eggs:
(From the Investigation/Testing Room)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
As it was they were both right about two things. The basilisk eggs were not suppose to be mixed in, but a shop that had been raided may have switched the eggs to keep one or two of the dragon eggs. Either that or they didn't know their eggs very well when the smuggler sold them. No matter what the reason the box that had been examined may have felt a bit lighter and a small hole might have been noticed if one was looking closely, but if one was looking closely enough they may have noticed something small slither out the door as they entered.
As for the box the man had peeked in and noticed some broken eggs, he may have noticed a small spark that set the corner of the box on fire. The small dragon had escaped from his egg and was trying to find his way out, he didn't mean to step on a brother or two's eggs while he was in search of the light or his mom.
(From the Level 5 Lobby)
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Announcer
There wasn't much noise to the baby moving around on the floor, but a small hiss was coming from the basilisk as it moved around in search for something to eat. Just hatching it was harmless to people for now, but it could be quick in its movements.
Ruh-roh, Raggy!
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Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Salt!
Gulping Gargoyles! 
x7 
x4
& 
You also do not HAVE to post in the Regulation Office prior to the gymnasium and can just RP arriving in the gymnasium pretending your character did so.
