Nicholas had realized two things over the holiday: one, that it wouldn't be too long until he was done with Hogwarts, and two that despite not understanding anything about the wizarding world, his mother was still going to meddle and push him to make decisions about his future.  It had taken him a while just to convince her that there weren't really magic Universities, or at least not ones that he really needed to attend.  And unfortunately, an owl with pamphlets about different careers had arrived while he was out, allowing his mother to intercept them.

He'd ended up sending a random letter to the Ministry with questions about Obliviators[1].  It had seemed like an interesting job.  Or at least one that didn't seem like it was a desk job.  He'd of course thought about being an auror when he learned what they did, but he didn't want to spend years more training and such.  And, he didn't particularly relish the idea of losing bits and pieces of himself to curses.  Which was at least one decision that his mother was eager to agree with.  Besides, he'd been handy with the memory charms they'd learned in class, so Obliviator seemed like a good option to pursue.  And he'd known that if he didn't send at least one letter during the break, it would be a stressful two weeks at home.

He hadn't really expected to get a response.  And it had come with cookies.  Which seemed a little strange, but had been delicious.  The reply had suggested Nicholas look for the Obliviator booth, which after having wasted the career fair last year seemed like a good idea.  He might have even been waiting eagerly for the day to get here.  He wasn't sure he'd like the job, but the idea of being out of school with a job that required magic was very exciting.  Granted no more school ever was still over a year away, but before his mother hounding him about it he hadn't realized that as much as he wanted to be done with school, he'd dreaded what he was going to do after.

Walking trough the different booths, Nicholas took in all the different options while looking for the booth he was most interested in for now.  He passed several quidditch team booths, not something he was interested in.  Unless they wanted to pay him to go to the matches.  He could definitely get behind that, though he doubted any of them needed to pay for fans.  He was surprised that there was a booth for Donovan's Commissions, Wares & Repairs, from their trip there for Charms, he man hadn't seemed like the career fair booth type.  Though Nicholas certainly wouldn't mind working under him.

Lost in his thoughts about that particular scenario, he nearly walked right past the booth he was looking for.  Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.  The department that obliviators fell into.  There were several people at the booth, and more information about the department and the other jobs in it.  Muggle Liaison and Muggle-worthy excuse committee sounded interesting, if magicless.  "Um, Excuse me.  Is there a Mr.  Bagman here?  I, ah, sent a letter during the holiday and, uh, yeah I had some more questions and he was the one who wrote back?" Nicholas asked the first person he walked up to.

1.	To Whom It May Concern

outfit

It was not Casper’s favorite thing, to be dragged to a career fair for Hogwarts. Sure, children were nice and all... but these were teenagers. Worse than that, some of them would be working with him before they got their act straight. He was looking forward to having children with Molly, of course, but that would be his own. Some of these kids didn’t even understand proper hygiene.

Then again... they did need more staff; everyone always wanted to be an auror or a hitwizard or a quidditch player. Even the Department of Mysteries had its pull. But not a lot of people saw a lot of cool in Obliviators, aside from the name. As much fun as the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophies sounded, it didn’t draw in a lot of curious, fresh minded graduates.

As the muggle world became more technologically advanced, it was wise to invest in the younger generation who might be more familiar with how it all worked. His department worked well with the muggle department, better than with Level Two. The interdepartmental relationships at the Ministry of Magic could definitely use some hugs and cookies. At the end of the day, it was about remembering they worked together.

Even Casper could use reminding now and again.

He heard his name. Glancing up from the reports he was reviewing, Casper’s gaze flickered over the top of his glasses before he saw the kid. The trainee fumbled over his words before glancing back at the Senior Obliviator. Casper’s head lifted up the rest of the way before he took the reading glasses off. “I’m here.” Standing up as he pushed the papers into a neat stack, he smirked and glanced towards the young man. “Mister... Bevans, correct?” He left his glasses on top of the papers.

Casper flashed a smile before stepping up to the booth, hand extended over it in greeting. “Pleasure to meet you. Would you like some brownies?” His other hand waved towards the tower of chocolatey goodness. There was that selling point for their booth: Molly Pratt’s kindness in the kitchen. Her baking had kept Casper more than satisfied for years.

The man in front of him couldn't seem to get his words out clearly, and Nicholas was pretty sure he hasn't said anything too complicated, though maybe it had been a bit fast.  He kept his eyes on the man he was talking to, eye contact was very important.  Though now he wondered if that held true for wizards, since that could mean someone was trying to rout around the others brain.

"I'm here."

He turned to look at the older man.  Older only in that Nicholas was younger of course.  He'd been expecting someone older.  Figuring that the more seasoned veterans would get stuck with answering the letters of students.  Someone the age of his father, not that he knew his father or how old he was. The man smiling at him, and walking over, and talking.  Wait when had he put his hand out? 

Nicholas quickly shook Casper's hand, hoping the delay while his brain had processed and finally caught up with what was happening wasn't too obvious.  What had he said?  Oh, introductions.  "Yeah,"  he said, his mouth dry, licking his lips he tried to continue, "Yes.  Nicholas Bevans.  Pleasure to meet you too.  Ah, no thanks.  Maybe later."  The brownies looked delicious but he didn't want to end up with a mouth full of brownie and unable to talk.  "Wait.  Cookies and brownies.  How do you look like?"  He gestured flamboyantly at the Obliviator, his eyes going down and up before he realized what he was doing.  He definitely should have had the brownie.  And he should definitely let go of the man's hand.

"No, wait, sorry."  Nicholas closed his eyes, this was not going well.  In fact Nicholas was pretty sure he'd be doing better in a duel with Storm than he was doing talking to the handsome Obliviator standing in front of him.  Still standing in front of him.  Nicholas slowly opened his eyes.  "Sorry.  This isn't start...this isn't going the way I'd wanted.  Hi.  Pleasure to meet you.  I had some more questions, and ah please let whoever Molly Pratt is know that the cookies were delicious."  He wanted to kick himself, but that would just solidify the fact he was insane in Bagman's eyes.

Some people might say that Casper inherited a superficial streak from his father. He knew better; it was a combined effort of Ludo and Alena that made him that way. Not that he didn’t take kindly to appreciation, even as happily married as he was. It was an ego boost, something to puff his chest out and make him feel special, especially if Molly was upset with him for one ridiculous reason or another.

The hand wave had him glancing down at himself, chuckling as he shrugged. All comments froze on his tongue; this was Hogwarts, and he was a professional at a career day. There was no room for jokes about his healthy marriage or his lovely wife. There was also something to physical fitness and working out that gave him an overall boost to his day.

It was something he had learned back in his days of Hogwarts, when he'd gone from the chunky nerd to the gangly tutor in the span of a summer. He supposed it was nice to visit the school that he had learned so many valuable lessons at, to see how it had (and hadn't) changed. Briefly he wondered if the tree that Molly and he had carved their initials into still bore the mark. Perhaps he would get a chance to walk around the grounds and have a look. 

Their hands were still held in a shake, and Casper finished with a strong grip and an up and down movement before letting go. “You’d be amazed how often the lift breaks down at the Ministry. But you’re used to stairs here.” He motioned to the Gryffindor emblem. Casper also understood the pain of living in the towers, as his alumni was Ravenclaw. A bark of a laugh escaped before he stepped around the table and clasped Nicholas on the shoulder.

“She’ll be very pleased to know. She made the brownies as well. Delectable fudge packed in to every bite.” Leaning on the table, he crossed his arms lightly over his chest. Now they were closer in height, and Casper was comfortable. “Go on, mate. Give me your questions, see if you can stump me.” The trainee had stepped over to the boxes and was pulling out pamphlets, setting up around the brownies. At least Casper was entertained now and could put off reports for a while.

Blushing, Nicholas looked at the brownies, mostly to have somewhere else to look other than the man who was now directly in front of him.  At this point, it wasn't going to be eye contact that kept him from getting an internship.  "Well I'll definitely take a few brownies then," He looked back at Casper, "once we are done obviously.  Hard to talk with a full mouth."

Nicholas tried to gather his wits about him, or at least try to stop embarrassing himself.  He was trying to get a job, not a...nope, he wasn't going to go there.  That line of thought would not end with a job.  And he really did not want to end up living with his mother this summer.   

Which was his first question he guessed.  "Um.  Yeah questions.  I know I mentioned a living situation.  It's not that I don't have a home or something."  He said quickly.  "But, it's with my mum.  And I'm an adult wizard now, I'd rather not have to live with my muggle mum."

"Oh and speaking of muggles,"  He continued on, "how often to obliviators actually get to go out and work in the field."  Because a desk job definitely didn't interest Nicholas.  He was much more interested in getting to go out and actually use magic.  Otherwise he'd be at the International Magical Cooperation booth.  He didn't really see where the magical came into it.

“Don’t I know.” Casper merely smirked and raised his eyebrows, agreeing with Nicholas’ assertion. It was difficult to talk with a full mouth. Sometimes it could be almost choking if one tried to stuff too much in. “I recommend a glass of milk, though. Helps it go down.” Molly made the most moist and well packed brownies that sometimes he could get full from eating a few.

He nodded patiently; Casper recalled the letter, for the most part. His hands lightly clasped together, an arm resting on his thigh as he listened. Mouth parted to respond, but then the boy kept talking. Casper shut his mouth and took a slow breath in through his nose. There wasn’t a question so much in there about the living situation, but he figured there was room in it to at least give the boy peace of mind.

“Probably as often as an Auror runs for coffee. There are a lot of little things that we keep up on in the field, not just the big events. Major holidays are always good for business, Halloween being chief among them, but there are mundane field assignments as well. For example, I had to fuddle a muggle neighbor’s memories a bit because his wizard neighbor decided to use his wand to water his flowers in the morning.”

As exciting as that sounded... “But then you also get to learn a lot. It’s not all about obliviating the memory. You have to contain it first; with all the CCTV and muggle technology, the risk of muggles finding out is ridiculous, compared to back in the day.” Since for the moment it was just Nicholas, Casper gave him a smile and shrugged. “As for the living thing, don’t worry about it. I couldn’t wait to get out from under my parents. In our department, depending on the amount of interns we get, we usually take turns for housing those who need it.”

Are you up next?  Nicholas wanted to ask, but he also didn't want to push his luck, any further than he might have already pushed it.  "Oh.  Good. Who's up next?  Not some fun-hating old obliviator, I hope."  He said returning the smile.  He was pretty sure the question had been innocent enough. 

And it wasn't like he would say no to anyone offering to put him up away from his mother.  But, at the moment at least, he'd sign over his soul to stay with the man in front of him.  Wait, he needed to check if that was magically possible before he went offering to give his soul away.

"So what, you erase computers and memories?"  Nicholas asked.  As far as he'd ever been told technology and magic didn't play well together.  "Is there a spell for that?  I thought magic and muggle technology were like oil and water.  Or do you just go around frying computers  and cameras?"

Teeth flashed with a smile. “Fun-hating old obliviator... I don’t know if they stay employed. Unless you count Glass...” The other Obliviator behind the booth chuckled before standing up and stretching. He excused himself for a few minutes; it wasn’t as if their booth was seeing a lot of action at the moment. Casper nodded to him before turning his attention fully back to Nicholas. “Depending on the number of interns we accept-” Or rather, if anyone applied, “-will determine that.”

Casper had had the luxury of living in a small apartment before. This would be the second year that he would be in the position for potentially offering his home to interns, if necessary. He wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about that, considering all the home improvements he was doing. Not to mention the amount of alone time he was going to lose if they did take someone in.

He supposed the upside to it all was that Molly would be more than willing to open their doors to someone who needed it. Every neighborhood cat seemed to know where to come for a little attention.

“It’s not quite that simple. From what we’ve gathered, with the CCTV at least, when a spell goes off near it, the whole system goes haywire. Brooms and other magical transportation is different, however, because it uses a looped spell fed with a small-” Why was he getting into the specifics right here at the booth? He caught himself and stood up straight, laughing a little before picking up a brochure and offering it over. “We try to separate the oil and water as effortlessly as possible.”

Casper picked up a small brownie and took a bite, pushing it to the side as he chewed. He considered the best way to explain it with as little explanation as possible. The poor boy didn’t need the manual jammed down his throat until he gagged. Once he swallowed, he continued. “Barricade charms, muggle repellents, obliviate, and then clean up. When it’s a little larger scale, we incorporate other departments. The Ministry of Magic is one big happy family.” He grinned and winked before finishing off the brownie. He clapped Nicholas on the back and moved back around the booth.

“Do you want an application?”

"Bevans!" 

Figaro Sellaphix came up behind his classmate and roughly draped his hand over his shoulder.  In his other hand was a bundle of swag he'd been collecting from the other tables.  A plastic Auror badge, a button with Alohomocha's logo on them, a free fizzy drink from Weasley's, a buzzing golden snitch toy on a chain trying to buzz away but already sputtering as the spell wears off.

"Ah yiss, brownies."  He release Nick to approach the table and snag one of them to eat it in two bites.  Despite all the urgency to settle in on a career, Figaro seemed to be dealing with the stress by forgetting he was terrified and aimless.  But he had considered Obliviator-ing.  That and another matter.

"Alright, question," he posited to the wizard Nick was talking.  "Hypothetically, I might have Obliviated myself last week.  Can't remember, but I also can't remember my holiday.  Hypothetically, could you sort that? Could, hypothetically undo that.  Asking for a friend."

His tone just a bit belied his actual concern over his situation.  Just barely as he did his best Figaro to act nonchalant about brain damage.

No stuffy old obliviators was certainly promising, and the whole thing was sounding better and better to Nicholas.  Which was good since nothing else he'd seen or heard of so far had really grabbed him.  So far it seemed like the most interesting job at the ministry that didn't end in lost limbs and long stays in Mungo's.

Nicholas was a bit disappointed when Bagman cut off his explanation.  Even if it had been heading toward the type of explanation Nicholas usually lost interest in, this was a topic that had some actual use.  It would be helpful to know what kind of damage using magic would do at his mum's place.  She wouldn't appreciate her computer going haywire.  Nor would she appreciate being obliviated, not that she'd remember.  Though, he assumed it would be part of the internship if he got it.

He took the brochure, even though it looked to be the same one he'd already received.  The one that had piqued his interest in the first place.  Nonetheless, he opened it and looked at it.  If for no other reason than to give his brain a rest at trying to stay focused while talking to Casper.

After an explanation of the process they used,  the obliviator moved back around into the booth, and offered him an application.  "Ah, yes please.  Wait.  Wouldn't that magic mean—"

"Bevans!"

Thankfully, Fig calling his name kept Nicholas from jumping when a hand landed on his shoulder.  His friend seemed to have visited several booths already going by the amount of giveaways he had in hand.  He stepped forward to grab a brownie after Fig.  He rolled his eyes at his friend's hypothetical, "You obliviated yourself?  Were you aiming for Frank?"

If Nicholas had interest in what little Casper was sharing, then perhaps he had potential in the department. It was promising, at least; enough to give the young man an application and see. That was what was nice about summer internships; they let you try out departments you might enjoy, and then if it wasn’t what you thought, then at least you weren’t stuck in a career you had no interest in.

Casper had perused a few departments back when he was at Hogwarts; he had his father’s last name. Sometimes that helped, sometimes it didn’t. Magical Game and Sports, however, was not his thing. He loved to listen to the games and he enjoyed a friendly wager over them, but he did not want anything to do with working for it. That would put a fine line between hobby and job, and then what if it wasn’t fun anymore?

And then you had the Aurors. Showboaters, all of them. Some were good people, sure, but their whole demeanor was smug and better-than-you. Not that Casper didn’t have that same sort of attitude, but he liked to think he was more cooperative when he worked with other departments.

He disliked getting dirty and running after animals, so Balfy could keep his entire department to himself. Casper thought he had a sixth sense when it came to cases that involved magical creatures. It was as if the hair on the back of his neck would start to stick up. An almost allergic reaction to the idea of destruction beyond human means.

Casper blinked at the newcomer before pursing his lips to the side, a thoughtful frown on his face as he listened to the thinly-veiled hypothetical situation. While Nicholas questioned the fluidity of hypothetical reasoning in this scenario, Casper washed his mouth clean of brownie with a gulp of water. Finally he leaned on the table and comfortably crossed his leg in front of the other. The complexities that compounded the simple question were potentially headache inducing.

“If someone is hypothetically practicing memory charms and they hypothetically reverse it on themselves... then they would probably become a permanent resident of Level Four. We encourage everyone to practice safely, and the Ministry of Magic prohibits the use of memory charms outside of official Ministry business. If you attempt to obliviate memories or actions, you have the potential to take out more than what you want. Memories of your childhood, your favorite hobby, how to talk. The brain is a very delicate tool.” While explaining all this information that would more than likely not be remembered, Casper pulled his wand and lightly waved it in the air, left, right, circle, right, muttering a spell under his breath.

“Hypothetically, it wasn’t strong enough to do more than a little short term damage, and it’s worn off by now.” Pocketing his wand, he smirked and offered both boys an application. “What else?”

"Hypothetical, Bevans," Figaro chastised his friend with mock disappointment as he tapped his temple with his index finger.  Wasn't the point that he couldn't remem-

Figaro's attention snapped to when the Obliviator began in on a long list of do not's and you'll die's and Figaro decided very much that he was very lucky indeed that he'd only Obliviated himself very lightly apparently.  Hypothetically.  Seemed as if he'd dodged a nasty state of affairs by being rubbish at memory charms - ignorance saving the day once more.

And then the Obliviator waved his wand and suggested that all would be well.  Would it be? His thinking face was probably very obvious, his gaze lifting up as he tried to remember his holiday... Spellpunk! He broke out in a grin and had another brownie in celebration. 

"Very interesting, mate," he said, "very illuminating."  He then realized he was able to recall the train rides there and to, having to work some afternoons cleaning the apothecary cellar...bothersome memory - would have rather liked to not have that one any longer.  But that was life, he supposed wisely.  One couldn't be choosy.

Fig looked down at the application.  "What's this? Job application? You can hire us right out? Don't need NEWTS?"  Perhaps this absolutely was the career for him.

Nicholas looked at the obliviator as he declared Fig's memories intact, "Wait.  Are you sure?  Because random memory charms would explain so much."  He said with a laugh as he took the application.  "I can't believe you obliviated yourself."  He said to Fig, while looking over the application.  He'd have to get a quill to fill it out but he was already planning on having it in Bagman's hands before the career fair ended.

He rolled his eyes at Fig's last question.  "Of course we do.  It's not muggle affairs.  It's an internship application."  He turned to look at Casper.  "How can you tell the memory charm wore off?  And aren't they supposed to be permanent?"

Fig smiled at Bevan's snark and responded, "you have no idea how I can fly. I am a wonder capable of anything."  Including the stupidity, apparently, to point his wand at his own brain.  And he'd learned a great deal in the process! Learning by doing. 

"Internship!" Figaro approved.  Anything to get out of sorting out shriveled beetle eyes, wiping up armadillo bile, and the constant smell of too many herbs all stinking in the same cramped shop.  He leaned over the table and began filling in boxes.  (He'd filled in a few of these today, mostly on a lark or to get a bauble or treat.) 

"Essay! Bollocks."  He'd gotten to the long-answer portion and straightened up.  He now had to decide if a small amount of self-reflective toil was worth the chance of getting out of shop duty. 

Deborah knew that as the grand heiress of their entire money-making empire, she didn’t have to find a job. Then again that begs the question, why was she pushing herself in every single subject? Of course there had to be a reason, because if there wasn’t, then she'd be damned - luckily the fair had come up, and Flo finally acknowledged her excuses which included serious unknown ‘rebellion’ stemming from having been kept under covers for so long on the list.

Walking past every booth, she gave everything that graced her eyes a curious stare. She honestly didn't want to be an auror, or even a writer professionally - by the end of her 'little walk', she found that the stalls that appealed to her the most were that of the Department of Mysteries' and The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. She highly doubted it was pure coincidence, after all, her mother was an Unspeakable, and her father, an Obliviator. She's read about the nature of their workplaces, but never met people with those kinds of jobs in real life. Flo guessed that it was her chance to do so.

Striding over purposefully to the DOMA&C's booth, she neared Figaro Sellaphix, fellow sixth year. He and Nicholas appeared to be signing up forms. Puzzled, she took a look at Figaro's application and spoke for the first time.

"Both of you are going to intern?" she said, though it sounded more of a statement than a question.