Around 11:00 pm

The ball was going admirably and Minerva was immensely proud, not just of her own students, but of the behavior displayed all around, by adolescent and adult alike. Not one event had marred the evening’s reputation thus far and as the evening faded quickly into night, Minerva felt an euphoric feeling that can only come from pure success. It had been a challenge, to be sure. Throwing together an entire ball, one that surpasses all other social events of the century, all within a two week period was neigh on impossible. Though some had said that repairing Hogwarts had been impossible, yet here they were.

Disengaging herself from a stuffy governor, Minerva made her way quietly through the crowd of adults. It seemed that several of them felt the same way toward the current music as she did. It was too modern for Minerva’s tastes, but she completely understood the need for social interaction with children and knew the importance of making it a pleasurable experience for them. There would be less of a chance of disturbances and disruptions if the students were enjoying themselves. That… and they knew that the punishment would be severe indeed if things got too unruly.

Passing by a table of elderly gentlemen, Minerva tilted her head slightly in greeting, scurrying along so they wouldn’t try and press her for a conversation on whatever boring topic they’d doubtless be discussing. In her haste, the Hogwarts headmistress almost passed by a witch she had personally made sure received an invitation: Admete Brown. She’d fought in the Battle of Hogwarts and was honestly one of few members of the auror taskforce that didn’t make Minerva’s head hurt.

“Madam Brown,” She said with a smile, lifting a goblet to her mouth to wet her throat. “How are you enjoying your evening?” She asked, moving in closer, giving a bit of space for a group of gaggling girls to pass by.   

The invitation to the Yule Ball had, in and of itself, been quite unexpected. If it had occurred after certain meetings with the Minister of Magic if might have made more sense, but as it was Admete allowed herself to be happily confused. Especially with all the good food about.

And various important people who seemed to be taking no notice of her. Somehow she thought that they wouldn't note her presence even if she'd spilled wine down the front of her heavily-embroidered yellow-green dress. Which she fortunately hadn't. So tasty food and staying out of such notice had made things rather pleasant so far. "Headmistress!" Admete hurriedly swallowed the tiny pastry thing she'd been eating and nodded to Minerva's questions with just a bit too much fervor. "It's very nice.The food is good."

She coughed delicately, having swallowed that pastry a bit too quickly. "Though I did want to ask you about something, if you have a moment." Grumbling about the office wasn't the best indicator about how much Pratt had been, well, a prat.

Minerva nodded her head contentedly, glad for her fellow witch’s companionship. Admete was the kind of woman that Minerva could easily get along with, though Minerva supposed that Admete was the kind of womaa that anyone could easily get along with, which was one of the reasons Minerva appreciated the witch so much (and also why she, alone of the auror corps, had received a personal invitation to the event). Imagine one of the other hex-happy wizards floating around the ball, stiff and acting like everyone’s life was in danger… Please! It’s an event hosted by Hogwarts, a safer place couldn’t be found!

With an inward sigh, the headmistress caught Auror Brown’s eye. Minerva certainly wasn’t prepared for business during a time like this, and so the question of asking a question caught the witch a little off guard. “How can I help you?” She asked politely. Perhaps Admete only wished to convey her congratulations at hosting such a grand event, or maybe she wanted to host a seminar when term resumed. Those things she could handle. She could not handle idle prattle about the inner workings of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement or requests for her presence at this event or that. Those things would simply have to wait until a later date, when one wasn’t wearing an entire month’s salary on their frame.

Formality. Not the best sign. Best to get it over quickly, then. "Just heard that they sent Pratt over to check with you about security. Hope that it wasn't too much trouble. " Admete could appreciate sending someone, the last war, let alone recent events, had proven nowhere was completely safe. Even Hogwarts. Didn't mean that anyone liked getting poked about the subject.

But throw that many dignitaries together and you needed to cover your ass as much as theirs. And maybe Pratt had behaved himself. If there was anyone who could demand respect from every witch and wizard with the slightest pretense of a brain in their skull, it was Minerva McGonagall.

"Can't say I envy you all the work of setting this up. Turned out, though." She took a long swig of her drink.

When the Auror mentioned Edward Pratt, Minerva tried very hard to stem the flow of laughter that threatened to burst from her throat, and only partially managed. A sound akin to the yowling of a cat and the snorting of a pig poured from her mouth before she could stop it, and a smile replaced her dour features. “Oh goodness,” she said, placing a hand on her bosom. “Have you a moment for an old woman’s storytelling?” She asked, but rather than wait for a response as politeness dictated, she simply prattled on.

While talking, she waved her hands at the gaggle of students occupying the nearest table, effectively shooing the partying teens. She took a seat daintily in one of the recently vacated chairs and directed her hand toward one beside her, offering it to Admete. “Edward Pratt and Aileen Reid, our Ancient Runes Professor, attended school together and let’s just say they weren’t the best of friends. When Auror Pratt came to the castle, we had a rather pleasant meeting about security as you know, and all was well. After leaving my office, he had a rather unfortunate accident with a vanishing stair and Professor Reid, sadly, was in no position to help. Your fellow Auror decided to throw profanities throughout the halls and I can assure you that he’ll do it no more,”

She didn’t want to totally humiliate the poor boy, but really, he’d brought it upon himself. “As for your other question, it honestly wasn’t as much work as you’d think. You’d be amazed at how willing people are to volunteer, especially if it offers them a chance to be recognized,”

Minerva's question got a grin and a nod, not that the Headmistress seemed to be waiting for them.  That sort of amusement from her wasn't anything like what Admete would have expected from her, even if Pratt being involved made laughter more likely.

Or irritation. She took the chair offered, and sat down, then leaned forward in interest. Her familiarity with Pratt's antics kept the laughter somewhat contain, but she still couldn't help a chuckle. "At least the meeting went well. He does tend to live up to his name." Pratt the prat. Because Bailey wasn't enough for the Auror office.

"Good to hear it won't be happening again. Can always owl me if you want something from the office, can try to pull a few strings. " At the rate things were going, she might have a few more strings to pull. Couldn't remember seeing McGonagall in among the faces at the Wizengamot, but the appointment process was probably an open secret among its members. "And good to know that people were willing to help, too. Big event, not the sort we see much of these days."

Admete was always strong with diplomacy, not that that was a bad thing – but it could be a bit daunting at times. In a night like tonight, when everything was about the image of things, it was easy to fall into the formalities that follow one throughout their professional lives and Minerva didn’t want that to happen with this meeting. Minerva enjoyed Auror Brown’s company – she was a genuinely sincere person and Minerva wasn’t sure how many others could compete with that tonight.

“Thank you for that,” She said to the witch with a small smile. As Auror Brown sat, Minerva let out a small chuckle to join her companion’s. “I’m afraid that nothing will dissuade Pratt from being just a bit unmanageable. It’s in his nature – and I daresay that he’s a bit easier to deal with than some of the others under your department,” Minerva wanted to make sure that Admete didn’t think that she was upset with Edward. If anything – Minerva had been at fault in the whole situation and he was a fine auror.

“And I’m truly sorry to be so hasty – but I fear I see the Head for the Department of Magical Transportation and I should be headed in the opposite direction,” She rose from the seat a bit abruptly. “Should he ask, you’ve not seen me,” She gave the witch a wink before scurrying off in the opposite direction.

"The office would be boring without Pratt around." Admete grinned. Though they didn't have a shortage of entertaining personalities. "Or, at least a little quieter." But the Headmistresses' mood towards him seemed good enough, so Admete couldn't worry too much.

Already had enough to worry about. But not that night. For now, she had a rescue mission to manage. "I won't tell. Escape quickly." She smirked at the elder witch. Admete couldn't blame her at all for wanting a little break from diplomacy.

Particularly with how much she was enjoying the general lack of it.

End