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Day of Paperwork and Lines
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 04-23-09 23:01
I woke up this morning uncharacteristically early for when I don’t have to work. When you have to get up to go to the Ministry of Magic and you know there’s going to be a crowd, you need an early start.
I ate a breakfast enough for two. I got some funny looks too. I had figured that there would be little chance for me to eat for a long while, so I had to make sure I wouldn’t be hungry. I carried a handbag with me, which again, isn’t normal. The bag had snacks and books for the long hours of waiting that lay ahead.
After the breakfast I made my way to the Ministry. It was a few minutes before it opened for the day, and there was already a line. I got in it, and waited the final minutes for the Ministry to open. Once the time passed the line surged forward. I was pushed forward by some woman who appeared from nowhere, knocking me right into the guy in front of me. The guy gave a dirty look, but before I could say anything he was turned back walking inside the phone booth. The woman who pushed me offered no apology, and ended up shoving me, and herself, into the booth.
The room we came out in looked like it was made out of cubical walls. The ceiling was a temporary scaffolding used mainly to keep the walls up, and through it one could see a much higher ceiling. The higher ceiling went further to the sides, which meant there was room on either side of this partition. The Ministry had made a partition in the Atrium to keep the super high number of visitors as contained as possible.
The portioned space filled to capacity very quickly. People seemingly appeared from everywhere at the same time. Between the constantly shifting lines, and who knows how many people cutting in line, it took me almost a half just to get to a table that looked like it was just shoved there along with several others in order to deal with the large number of people. Behind table was an obviously overworked elder woman.
“Name?” She asked without looking up from the papers in front of her.
“Desdemona Diamond,” I said promptly, “I’m looking for two family members.”
She looked up, “Have you filled out the forms?” with an obviously uncaring attitude.
“Forms?” I asked
She gave a heavy sigh, “You need to fill out this form,” she started explaining as she handed over a form, “for your contact information once we’ve located your family members. You also need to fill out this form here,” handing me another form, “With as detailed a description of the missing person.” She handed me an identical form, “You’ll need to fill out two, one for each missing person. You can have a seat over there,” she pointed to a wall, “while you fill out the forms. Once they’re done, you’ll need to come back up to the table so we can get started.”
“Thanks, sure there’s no easier way?” I asked with little hope.
“NEXT!”
I sighed and walked over to the wall of chairs already full of people, all filling out forms. I sighed again and took a seat on the wooden floor, using my knees as a table. I was starting on the second form when a man’s loud voice boomed throughout the room.
“What do you mean you don’t know where she is!?” he yelled.
“Sir, please-“
”NO! I won’t calm down! Now tell me where she is NOW!”
“Sir-“
“Don’t SIR me. TELL ME WHERE MY WIFE IS RIGHT NOW!” About now a small child started to start crying.
“We’re work-“
”Don’t feed me some PR bullshit! Tell me what I want to know RIGHT NOW!” Another kid started to cry.
“STUPEFY!” There was no response from the angry man. Between the children I could hear the shuffle of feet as they moved the man to a more controlled area behind the tables.
I went back to the forms. Within short order the children were quiet again and the sound of shuffling feet and a hundred conversations resumed. It took me almost an hour to fill out the remaining two forms. They asked a lot of detailed questions about those missing. After standing, and a few minutes working out a cramped knee, I got into a line. I had no idea if it was the end of the line or not, but no one said anything to me about it.
After almost 45 minutes in this line, I made it to a table. Unfortunately for me, it was the same elderly lady.
“Name?” She asked with again without looking up.
”Desdemona Diamond, I filled out the forms,” I handed the lady the three forms. She glanced at them before looking up at me.
“Forms say you’re not a citizen of the UK. Which means your family isn’t either.”
“Yeah, that a problem?”
She sighed and handed the forms back, “You’ll have to fill out another form,” She started to look through a small stack before pulling out two more forms, “Fill these out, and you’ll have to go to the table on the opposite end,“ She pointed along the tables, “They handle all non-local cases”
I sighed and took the forms I filled out back, “You’ve got to be kidding..”
“NEXT!”
I managed to make my way through the sea of people to the other side of the room. Once again, I found chairs against the wall, all full. This time I just stood and used the wall to write on. After another grueling half hour or so, I had these forms filled out. Then it was back in line. This one was a bit shorter. It was only 20 minutes before I was at the table.
“Name please?” asked a tired looking, balding man without looking up.
“Desdemona Diamond,” I answered in an upbeat tone.
The guy looked up kinda surprised. “Uhh, can I help you?”
“I hope so,” I said, “I’ve got all this paperwork, my contact information, the two forms describing my two missing family members, and the forms I had to fill out because they’re US citizens. Now, what do I need to do?”
“Have you filled out the medical forms for the missing persons?” he asked.
”Medical?”
“Since the two missing persons are not British subjects, we have no medical history for them. So, just in case they are in a hospital or require some kind of medical treatment, they need to know about any allergies or any previous conditions, which may cause complications.”
I sighed, “Makes sense. Alright, hit me with the forms.” He handed over two more forms and I walked back to the wall with the chairs. I started filling out the forms to the best of my knowledge. I wasn’t entirely certain about my father’s medical history though. Thankfully, the forms were quick since I didn’t have to fill out that much on them.
Once again, I made it back into line. I was standing for about ten minutes when I heard a young girl from behind, “Mommy? How much longer?”
“I don’t know sweetie,” The girl’s mom replied.
“I’m hungry…” the girl complained.
“I’m sorry, we’ll get something to eat as soon as we’re done here.” The mother said, trying to quiet the girl.
“I want something to eat nooowww…” the girl moaned. I pulled a cookie out of my bag and turned around.
“Excuse me,” I said to the mother, “I have a cookie she can have.” The girl gasped as she heard that.
“Oh, I couldn’t,” the mother replied. The girl started jumping in place begging her mother. After only a few moments, the mother gave in and took the cookie. The little girl took it and started to eat it before I had turned back towards the tables.
I finally made it back to the tables and once again stood before the tired balding guy.
“Name please?”
“Desdemona Diamond.”
He looked up, “Oh, you’re back.”
“Yup. And I have the medical forms finished too. Now, is there another form I need or am I good now?” I asked while handing him the forms.
“You should be good…” He replied while looking over the paperwork. After a few moments he looked up from the forms, “Yes, everything is here. If you’d like I can get this sent off to the people who do the preliminary work here and see if they can find anything about them.”
“How long is that going to take?” I asked.
“Couple of hours at most.” He replied.
“Sure, I’ll wait, but do I have to wait in here?”
“No, if you go through those doors there,” He pointed over his shoulder to a set of double doors, “There’s a waiting room where we can call you once we’ve found something.”
“Thanks,” I said. I walked over to the doors the guy pointed at and went through them. Sure enough, a waiting room full of people sitting in chairs. Compared to the other room, this place was deathly silent. Plus, there were open chairs. There were a couple offices and what looked like a door to a hallway leading deeper into the Ministry. All made out of the same cubicle type stuff, meaning these were temporary too.
I sat down in a chair and relaxed for the first time since I got here. The mother and her daughter came into the room shortly after I did and sat down in a pair of seats. I closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair until my head was resting on the top of the chair’s back.
After I don’t know how long, I heard a door open. I opened my eyes and sat up. One of the ministry workers was standing in the door to one of the offices with a file. He looked at the file and looked up and asked, “Mrs. Winfield?”
The woman with the girl stood up and walked over to the man. He motioned into the office, and the two walked in. As he closed the door all I could catch was, “I’m not sure how to tell you…”
I didn’t need to hear the rest to know what came next. I decided to read one of the books I brought with me. I was nearly through the book when I looked at my watch. I had burned through close to 3 hours. I had been in the Ministry offices for over six hours! I have been doing next to nothing for more then six hours and I was nearly exhausted for some reason.
“Ms, Diamond?” I stood up and walked over to the guy, who showed me into one of the offices. He closed the door behind us, and I sat down in a chair in front of a table. The man walked around to the other side and sat down. He placed two folders on the table.
“I’m sorry about the wait. Let’s get down to it. I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
“Bad. Good news makes the bad news not so bad,” I said.
“Bad news is,” he opened a folder and looked through it real quick, “Your father,” he looked up, “Has not been found. We have located the camp he was at, but he was not among those rescued. We are still looking for him.”
“Well, that sucks…” I replied after a moment, “So, what’s the good?”
“We think we have found your sister. She has been in a hospital in a coma, but she woke up just today,” he said after looking in the second file.
“Coma?”
“I don’t have any details,” He took a sheet of paper out of the folder and handed it to me, “There’s the hospital information. It’s too late to go visit her today.”
“Thanks…” I said looking at the sheet.
“We’ll find your father,” I looked up at him, “I promise.”
Passing Out Fairy Cakes
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-24-09 18:12
The children from Blossom's form orderly rows, knowing that those who don't are likely to miss out on getting a treat. Azara Matthews stands just behind the last child, ever watchful for signs of misconduct. Further up the line Blossom Weasley is kneeling to adjust her daughter's skirt where it had gotten all tucked up somehow.
Thinking that Briar is taking too long to start passing out the fairy cakes, Grace says reprovingly, "Muuu ummm."
Briar reminds, "Patience, Molly Grace Rose Valentine, or you'll go to the end of the line."
Standing just behind Grace, Charlotte smiles sweetly. "I give you mine, Gwace, if you in twouble."
"Thank you for offering, poppet, but you don't have to give up your sweet to Grace," Briar says with a smile.
Looking up and down the line, noting how it's grown since the Ministry was retaken and the laws against the Nons taken care of, Briar asks, "Everyone's ready?"
There's a chorus of, "Yes!"
Moving up the line to help Briar, Blossom says, "It's so nice that you still do this, Briar."
"It's my pleasure. Grace loves spending time at the day care, or 'little Hogswarts' as she calls it. Besides that, there were too many weeks when the children needed as many brights spots in their day as possible. You know, I don't think I've mentioned how good it is to have you back."
Gigi Martini's two boys are the next ones in line, Gerry taking one of the little cakes with dark blue frosting and light blue sprinkles while Gareth takes one that has vivid green. They, like all the children Briar's seen who were at Camp Lollipop, have a tentative air about them even though they've not been in that children's prison for sometime now. Briar suspects that even for ones so young, the trauma they went through will take a long while to put entirely behind them, if that's even possible.
Azara Matthews has moved up the line to stand with Blossom and Briar. After the last of the children have their cakes and are scattered around the dining area eating, Azara asks, "Do either of you know anything about the new business opening down the street?"
"I wasn't aware there is one," Briar shakes her head.
Blossom shrugs. "I didn't know either."
"Where Egyptian Mysteries used to be. I think it's going to be a greenhouse or herbology shop of some sort. There's not name on the building yet but one of the windows has something in it about exotic hothouse flowers."
"Sounds interesting," Blossom comments.
"I'll have to see if the owner wants to be part of the Hogsmeade Business Association," Briar says before saying, "I've something to send with you for you adults. It's already boxed up. Let me get it for you."
A short time later the first group of children has returned to Blossom's but the second group is on its way over. With making sure she's got everything ready for this next group, Briar makes a mental note to talk with the new business owner before getting busy with another round of passing out fairy cakes.
Meeting at Gringotts
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-24-09 18:50
"I would rather like to continue having a hand in the administration of the bank," expressed Alexius Donovan to those gathered in the Diagon Alley branch's conference room, as if he were a child and his favorite toy was being taken away from him.
After the goblins had cleared out of Great Britain, the Ministry of Magic had taken over Gringotts bank. Alexius had done work with Gringotts in the past, having been part of the Security Council that had shaped some of the bank's more recent security measures. Because of his connection, and since few at all had any experience running a place as massive and involved as Gringotts, he'd been elected to help with the day to day administration.
Irene Manutius, head archivist for Gringotts until she fled into hiding to avoid the Relocation Assistance Committee, cleared her throat and said, "It's my understanding that Gringotts suffered immensely during the Ministry of Magic's direction."
Alexius shot Irene an annoyed look and answered coolly, "Everything suffered in recent history, did it not? With the workforce sliced in half and few taking their business anywhere at all, how could any place, much less this bank, continue to thrive?"
"Be that as it may, records show––those few actually in existence, that is––that many mistakes had been made under your supervision. Mistakes, poor record-keeping... I'm afraid I'd rather you return to your old position at the Ministry. It's also my understanding that Acting-Minister Shacklebolt intends on returning Gringotts to the goblins as it is."
This came from Amicia Ivrea, who'd only recently been liberated from a community for nons and looked incredibly frail and sickly. In fact, she'd insisted on leaving St. Mungo's yesterday in order to attend the meeting today so that she, as a former head of the bank, could help contribute to its reorganization. She'd been fully debriefed and appeared to know everything about Gringotts in its current state.
"Few have returned, from what I understand," Alexius retorted, "and I don't see why they should come back. Wizards are fully capable of running Gringotts themselves."
"And you proved it, didn't you Donovan?" Bill finally spoke up, unable to contain his annoyance any longer.
"What do you know, Weasley? It's my understanding you ran away with your tail tucked between your legs when things got hot."
"Enough!" Amicia shouted, with a voice surprising strong despite her obviously weakened state. "We don't have time for bickering. Gringotts needs to get back on its feet sooner than later."
Bill looked apologetic. "Of course. What do you propose, Amicia?"
"Some of the goblins have returned, but many have not. We need them if Gringotts is to become the well-oiled machine it once was. Acting-Minister Shacklebolt has already reached out to them and the other magical beings prejudiced against during the previous administration. We can do our part too. Most of us have worked beside goblins for years. Some of them are our friends. Contact your old coworkers and comrades if you can. Ask them to return."
Alexius visibly rolled his eyes.
Amicia ignored him and pressed on. "Some of our former employees have already returned to their old positions, so we are slowly but surely becoming on track again. There are many more positions in need of filling, however, so we will need to actively seek new hires.
"We'll have to do a little mending, and perhaps Mr. Donovan can be of use to us there," Amicia added with a glance at the man in question, "but I hope all the wrongs can be righted swiftly and to the satisfaction of those customers affected."
She turned to Bill and addressed in singly. "Have you been by the Hogsmeade branch yet?"
"I've not been inside but I have taken a peek at the building," Bill replied. He'd spent all his time since returning to Hogsmeade cleaning the cottage and setting up a nursery for Victoire.
"I don't imagine there would be any objections if you were reinstated as the manager of that particular branch," Amicia said. "Ready it for reopening as soon as possible. We can discuss an actual date when you report back to me about the state of affairs."
"Thank you. I will."
The meeting continued in similar fashion, with minimal interruptions from everyone, though Alexius occasionally couldn't keep his opinion to himself. Gringotts in Diagon Alley had continued to operate all this time, though things were very much still in a transitional phase and far from as smooth as they'd been before the goblins had packed up shop.
When the meeting adjourned, Bill went straight to Hogsmeade to step foot in his bank for the first time in a long time.
Settling A Matter
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 04-25-09 19:09
Theodosia is walking slowly over the pitch, making note of damage in need of repair. With the way the last two years were increasingly cold and wet, the pitch has more wear than normal given that it's been used less than usual. A worn looking piece of wood on one of the stands catches Theodosia's eye and she walks over to inspect it.
The piece is starting to rot and has what looks like mold on it. Sighing, Theodosia starts looking over the lower portion of that particular stand, finding more boards that either need special repair spells done or replacement altogether. It's also clear that all the wood still in fair condition needs retreatment with a potion that helps with weather resistance.
Pulling a face, Theodosia summons a clipboard and pencil point quill from the office. She draws a quick sketch of the pitch and its stands, giving numbers to each set of stands. That will give her a reference point for the repair list and diagram she's about to make.
She's barely gotten started when voices carrying on the wind, coming from the direction of the castle reach her. Professor Dumbledore and Viktor Krum sound like they're coming to the pitch so Theodosia pauses in her work to turn and look. They do look as though they're headed her way so Theodosia sticks the clipboard under one arm and starts walking to meet them.
"Professor Dumbledore, Viktor, nice to see you both."
Viktor nods at her and Dumbledore says, "Good afternoon, Professor Batuti. I was on my way to speak with you when I came across Mr. Krum here coming to do the same. Rather fortuitous, don't you think?"
Not exactly sure why it would be fortuitous Theodosia gives the older gentleman a puzzled smile. "In what way?"
"Yes, I am not sure vat you mean either, Professor Dumbledore," Viktor says.
Before the professor has a chance to respond, Theodosia hits on what he meant. "It's about my position here, isn't it? Some might say stole it from Viktor."
"Usurped is a better word, I think, though you merely accepted a job offered to you."
"So it is about the position? If it is, then I vill say right now I vill be happy not to interfere if Miss Batuti vishes to keep it. I vould, however, like to resume the Quidditch and flying vorkshops if that is all right," Viktor tells them.
"I think you continuing your workshops would be excellent, Viktor," Professor Dumbledor nods. "I think also that unless Professor Batuti wishes to seek employment elsewhere, that this matter is settled."
"I'd like to stay on, thank you!" Theodosia exuberently says. Another thought comes to her which she puts voice to. "Is the position as it was previously or as Fitness & Athletics instructor?"
"Fitness & Athletics is a fine addition to the Hogwarts curriculum. I believe there is one change to be made. I am not entirely satisfied with making the class a requirement for playing Quidditch. I shall consider it futher and listen to any arguments you might have in favor of the requirement, Professor."
"That's reasonable," Theosodia replies. Then, as long as Professor Dumbledore is standing right there, she points to the stands where she was checking for mold, mildew, and rotting wood. "Repairs need to be made. Possibly extensive ones. I'm just getting started with the inspection but as you can see there and there, the wood needs to be replaced entirely."
Professor Dumbledore and Viktor walk over to have a closer look. The headmaster nods several times as if agreeing with some internal dialog he's having. Viktor walks around, studying some of the damaged areas. After several minutes of silence, Viktor speaks up, "We could put in metal frames. Perhaps even metal seating."
"That's a thought," Theodosia agrees.
"Why don't you get a cost estimate on the repairs to the wood structures versus the cost of replacing them with metal?" Professor Dumbledore suggests.
"Yes, I'll do that. I'll have it to you as soon as possible."
"I shall leave you to your inspection then, Professor Batuti. Viktor, always good to see you."
After bidding the professor goodbye, Theodosia turns to Viktor. "You were coming to see me?"
"Just vanted to discuss your brother more."
"I thought we were agreed."
"We are but I want to make sure you've not changed your mind."
"I haven't. Does that make me a bad sister? A bad family member? Wait! Don't answer that. I gave my brother over to you so of course I'm a bad sibling and a bad guardian."
"You aren't. Zuberi is extremely difficult. Vy don't I help you do the inspection? That vay you can get to the cost estimates sooner."
"Thank you."
Summoning another clipboard, Theodosia gives it to Viktor and shows him her numbered diagram. Using that as a reference, Viktor starts looking over another set of stands while Theodosia resumes working on the one she'd been inspecting when the two men came up.