September 18, 2010
8:15pm

The grand offices of Minerva McGonagall, and indeed, her many predecessors, was the scene of an illustrious conclave.  The Minister of Magic, Persepolis Zephyr, had arrived at Hogwarts before dinner, which had been a private affair. There were a great many preparations to be made - her staff would be doing the completely redudant activity of securing Hogwarts for the visit.  As if Hogwarts lacked security! That was beaurocracy for you.

Since her arrival, the Headmistress's tower office had been the site of small meetings of ever-changing groups of Hogwarts staff, Ministry staffers, and even a few select students.  Wit the hours growing later, someone had brought out some port and the small crowd, as it was, was beginning to enjoy themselves.

"And so I told her, Madam President, your chair is not my problem! I'll lead myself to the door, thank you very well indeed!" 

Persepolis's laugh and smile were bright.  Her purple robes matched the dark wine in her glass.

The minister of magic was here. The murtlap-fluffing Minister of Magic was here! Juni had been wanting to meet her for ages. She had not gotten to meet her over the summer-- she had gone on the school trip, and then after being brought home early she spoke to her father very little and got a summer job at the current Charms Professor's shop. She was furious enough at her father to turn down an invitation to go to work with him, where she could have met Zepyhr.

But no. She had pride. And daddy-dearest had to know that he was in deep hippogriff-you-know-what.

Juni had changed out of her uniform for the meeting, wanting to look nice for a good first impression. Her curly hair was unmanagable today, no matter what she tried, so after primping with agitation, she had given up and let it be.    The Ravenclaw entered the Headmistress' office,  back straight and chin up. She gave Minerva a polite nod (she had gotten a month's worth of detention for her duel on the bus... She couldn't afford not to be polite). Then her dark eyes rested on Persepolis. She looked happy, laughing with a glass of wine. Purple wine-- it looked like the stuff her dad drank.

"So is this a publicity stunt or are you genuinely interested in getting to know us?" Juni paused, her smile almost mischievous. An impish challenge.  It was not unfriendly. "Or, are you trying to influence our young, malleable minds?"

Persepolis had expected to meet some of the students in little scholastic delegations as the weekend wore on. "Send them to me in droves!" she'd chirruped to her assistent earlier in the week when the school was coordinating the trip with Level One. Persepolis had come up in the world first in a Diagon Alley business association, but for the bulk of her political career she'd served on the board of School Governors.  She was keenly interested in the role young witches and wizards had to play - yes, even before the old ruling class withered and died as all old ruling classes do.

She didn't recognize Juni Zamperia.  She'd never seen a picture of her close friend's daughter yet.  And so the ... fifth year?... didn't benefit from any benefit-of-the-doubt.  The Minister of Magic straightened in her chair and turned her head in a wide smile of gently mocking offense. 

"Well, I don't know why it can't be all four! Why don't I try to influence your mind and you try to influence mine? We can see then if our stunt paid off."

She extended her hand to shake.  "Persepolis Zephyr. And you are?"

Juni gave the minister a firm, critical look-- Zephyr's response was better than the Ravenclaw anticipated, and to be honest it left her feeling a little.. Starstruck. Not that she hadn't been starstruck before but-- well... It was no secret that her ambitions included travel, music, and becoming the minister one day. She admired Persepolis, a woman who had worked in a system that favored and benefited men in order to come out on top. Out of the thirty-six ministers of magic there had been in their history, Persepolis Zephyr, being the most recent, was the eleventh woman.

She did support SAWS, something Juni did not completely agree with... But was slowly coming around to the idea that werewolves were, at their core, human beings.

She shook Zephyr's hand, "Juni Zamperia. Fifth year Ravenclaw." A fifth year already. An upperclassman. She was no longer one of the younger students.

Persepolis's surprise showed on her face before their hands met. Zamperia! This was Mihai's daughter! As soon as she said her name, she saw Mihai all over her.  In her curly hair, her nose, her eyebrows...!  She laughed in delight.

"Juni Zamperia, it's wonderful to meet you.  I knew today was going to be superlative in some way.  Here! Sit!"  A cozy chair opposite  the Minister opened up and some of the adults in the room began to shuffle.  Some exited, others merely moved to another part of the spacious office.

Minister Zephy'r attention was momentarily occupied in that transition. 

"The morning then?"

"Yes, just leave those for me there. I'll have them ready for you. Check in with Whimple though about the appendices?"

"Shall I owl Edwin Glass?"

"Incessantly. He doesn't get to sleep a wink until that is resolved. Hughes will know."

And after a bit of that, Zephyr's smile came back on.  She set down the glass of port, retiring it for the evening. 

"So. Juni. I understand you've got some questions for me?"  Persepolis didn't want to let on or labor the trivia that she was very aquainted with her father.  She was, she hoped, astute enought to have divined from Mihai that fathering was not perhaps his best suit a the moment, and that Juni was working fervently to be a witch in her own right.  This wasn't a time for pinching cheeks.  This was business between two capable witches.

"I am I supposed to have some for you?"

Clearly Minister Zephyr recognized the name and had made the connection. Juni was a little bit suprirsed that her dad hadn't shown her a picture... But then again, her dad was not the type to carry pictures of family around with him. Some sort of habit from whatever dangerous work he had been doing before he became an obliviator. Juni had never known the specifics, and he had left things vague. When she was little, she thought that she would understand more as she got older. Nope. He was still just as tight lipped, giving her the impression that the work had been risky in some way. Secretive.

Persepolis's warm welcome caught Juni off guard, but it wasn't unpleasant in the least! Juni suspected that not all students would have gotten this reaction, and for that she felt just a little bit of pride as she took a seat in the ridiculously comfortable chair.

"I had questions." She said, "but I don't... Remember." A crease formed between her brows-- of course, she had listed phrases she'd ask to herself over and over, but when faced with the actual person it all disappeared. And some of those questions had been damn perfect, too!

"When did you know you wanted to be minister?" Juni finally asked,  though she also wondered what questions the minister would possibly have for her..?  Did her father expect the minster to ask questions? Were there questions her dad expected her to ask Persepolis? She had no bloody idea.

Juni Zamperia's question clearly delighted and challenged the Minister who behaved as though she'd never considered the answer before.  She placed her palms against each other, her praying hands resting against her lips as she thought.

"Hmmmm....!"

Her eyes closed for a moment.  Then she opened them to chirrup, "well, not when I was so young as you are." She closed them in thought again and a moment more, she fully recovered from the state and was ready to answer fully.

"It wasn't until I had left Hogwarts.  You see, I took a job selling books. I traveled mostly by broom - and occasionally the Knight Box - all over hill and downs, representing a magical imprint[1].  I had a great deal of time to myself, a great deal of time around my fellows, and ample time to read and write."

"I would never have divined that the upwelling of ambition inside me would have spelled Minister of Magic, but I certainly felt I was meant for more."  Her laugh glittered.

"Miss Zamperia, you can't imagine. I became a thorn between everyone's ribs."  Her nose wrinkled in what looked like actual, genuine delight at remembering her youth.  "I look forward to you in your twenties, Miss Zamperia. I can just see the bricks crumbling at your fury. Tell me - tell me!"

Persepolis leaned forward and whispered the question: "what do you want?"

1.	Obscurus Books, actually

Juni was very decisive and convincing, and Emilia was a joiner. You would think, then, that the moment the Ravenclaw girl suggested that the two politically-minded young witches meet the Minister of Magic, not on September the 19th, as they'd planned to do, but the evening before, that things would be set in motion instantly. That may have been the case, had Emilia not struggled terribly with spontaneity. She'd had the date marked on her calendar since school began. She'd picked out (and had laid out) a smart outfit for the occasion. She'd felt very secure in the idea that on September 19th she'd look a certain way, and things would go down as she expected them to. An early meeting would change everything, and instantly set her into a tailspin.  If she wore the outfit she'd laid out for September 19th tonight, what would she wear tomorrow? If she did happen to meet the minister tonight, would tomorrow still be special? Would they even be allowed to be there this evening? She needed time, she'd said, but she'd also said she'd be there.

Emilia was a joiner, and she struggled with spontaneity, but she was a witch of her word.

Just being in the Headmistresses' office made Mimi nervous. She always associated such places with trouble. This was where you went if you did something so inexcusable that the school had to contact your parents. Needless to say, the chronically well-behaved Hufflepuff had never seen the inside before, and her ankles shook as she joined the fray ( a fray which was much smaller than anticipated, and made the poor girl even more nervous). The crowd present seemed very adult – except, of course, for Juni, who she'd spotted immediately. She was very forward, that girl. Emilia wished she could be that forward, but she hadn't yet figured out how to be both forward and polite. Then again, neither had Juni. Emilia was too far away to hear the conversation, yet she was wincing anyway. Juni was addressing the Minister of Magic. Did she realize? Despite her better judgment, Mimi took a step closer, and another. She walked like there was a rod inserted somewhere unmentionable – tiny steps, and slow. It wouldn't matter how long it took her to arrive at her friend's side, because she would not interrupt. She'd been taught not to – and was too shy, besides. This was the minister!

So she did what she did best, and stared marshmallow daggers at Juni's back, hoping she'd feel the look and notice her, perhaps inducting her into the conversation.... and also hoping she wouldn't. She took a deep breath through her nose, and then another. It would be unfortunate, she thought, if she fainted, but it would make for an excellent ice breaker.

Persepolis's well-tossed challenge to the young Zamperia was barely a breath in the air between them when a young witch seemed to just appear nearby. A tidy, red-haired young witch who was clearly a companion of Juni's.  Sensing nerves, Persepolis raised her eyebrows high and sighed a gentle greeting.

"Welcome. Please, join us!"

Another chair appeared. 

"Thank you, Kapoor."

"Juni here was just sharing with us her hopes and dreams."

She regarded the girls with glittering eyes.

She could hardly believe that she was actually having a conversation with the minister of magic. She would have told her dad all about it later, except for the fact that she was still harboring bitter feelings towards him ever since he pulled her from the Southeast Asia trip early. Besides, if he was really friends with Zephyr, she probably would tell him anyway. 

Juni listened intently, soaking it in. So. The minister had not known that she wanted to be the minister at a young age. That meant that she was ahead of the game. She let out an excited grin at the mention of being a thorn in people's sides. "That means you were getting things done." She said with certainty. "Whether people wanted it or not."  But now the question was... What did she want? There was so much.

Before she could answer, Emilia finally came in. A bit later than Juni would have liked, but at least she was there. "Mimi!" She welcomed her friend warmly, "Sit down! I was just about to tell Minister Zephyr what I wanted. For my future." As Mimi sat down, Juni nudged her affectionately, "Then it'll be your turn."

She paused and pretended as if answering the question was a difficult one.

"Well. I want... To be minister of magic. Naturally. And it will happen." Juni declared, "But I want to travel. A lot. And play music, but music is just a hobby so I can do it no matter what I do before I become minister. Maybe I can do international work. I think my dad wants me to work on mind magic stuff, but. I don't know about that." She shrugged, then she looked at Mimi, "What do you want to do when you graduate?"

Emilia had been nervous that someone would decide that she didn't belong at this tidy little shindig and send her on her way  - which wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world... if it wasn't the sort of thing she'd fixate on and cringe about for the rest of her youth and then during every quiet moment for the remainder of her adult life. The opposite happened, however. The Minister, who she didn't know, was as warm and welcoming as anyone had ever been, and Juni, who she did know, was just as eager to welcome her into the conversation. It wasn't an empty welcome, either – there was even a chair for her! It was an instant relief, and Mimi smiled, a little more pink in her cheeks than usual. She sat down, perching on the edge of the chair, too thoroughly nervous and excited to really settle, and angled her body toward Juni. Her legs were squished together, locking at the knee – she was afraid that, if she moved a muscle, she'd set the butterflies in her belly free and wouldn't be able to resist the urge to stand up and jump up and down like an excited lunatic. It would, without a doubt, happen – but she wanted to save it for later, in the dorms, where she could gush properly.

Mimi actually giggled at the calculated pause before Juni's admission that she wanted to be Minister of Magic one day. As if she didn't know! As if it had just now come to her! She bit down hard on her lip to quiet herself, not wanting to disrupt her friend's little speech. Before long, however, Juni was encouraging her to speak on her own hopes and dreams, and she almost did... but then she caught herself.

“Heavens, I've been rude!” she exclaimed softly, instantly springing to her feet before offering a hand. She couldn't imagine a seated handshake... so she didn't try to imagine one. Standing before shaking was an instinct, like standing when called on in the classroom (even if it elicited snickers from her peers on occasion). Sometimes you just had to rise to your full height to give someone the respect you felt they deserved, and if there ever was a situation in which that was the case, it was now! “I'm Emilia Hatherley, House Hufflepuff. This is a tremendous honor,” she spoke as she shook. She'd been trained in handshakes – firm, crook-to-crook, not too desperate, eye contact.

When she sat back down, she took a subtle, deep breath. She'd had to stand and declaim in latin in front of her entire school when she was much younger than this – she could certainly answer a question in front of a friend and one individual of significance! “As for me,” she began at last, even though her heart was galloping in her chest, nervous that she might misspeak, “I'd like to begin my career in the ministry, perhaps in Muggle Affairs, but, ah, I think eventually I might like to become an attorney, and then later work specifically on improving legislation, because we need stronger voices advocating for muggle and magical cooperation because, ah, I find there is a lot of bias... and even right now, um, I've been trying to start that conversation about... about why, with my peers.” She nodded a few times in conclusion. She'd started off strong, she'd thought, but then she was convinced she'd started babbling. She couldn't even remember what she'd said! Even so, she smiled – when would this opportunity come again? 

The girls seemed to feed off each other, draw power from their friendship.  Persepolis imagined that they must be a source of much boat-rocking among the students, but might not always be taken seriously.  This thought softened her eyes - she knew all too well what it was like to be filled with ambitions but to be brushed aside and ignored. 

Emilia Hatherley had a firm, confident handshake.  Persepolis received the greeting seated, but with a smile and reverent nod.  "Good to meet you, Miss Hathaway. I'm so pleased you could join us."

Persepolis Zephyr listened to their goals in gentle wonder.  She laid a hand to her collar at Juni's declaration that she would be Minister for Magic someday.  And Emilia followed up with her own ambitions for change-making and people-helping.  Persepolis was frankly surprised that Emilia had heard of the small, relatively new Muggle Affairs Office.  She'd have to credit both the office's administrator and Emilia for having some how made that connection.

"Girls, I'm so encouraged by what I'm hearing. You know, our youth don't always get the shrift you deserve. I work with witches and wizards who would just as soon ignore students, but that's ridiculous! And I've got the proof right here.  Two bright witches only a few years away from being grown and already brimming with intellect, wisdom, and a will to help.  That's one thing I'm hoping this visit to Hogwarts does - show all of Wizarding Britain and Ireland that the office of the Minister of Magic is behind you."

She shifted in her seat as she shifted to her next paragraph.  She got a little more comfortable and put her fingers to her chin.

"Travel is very important.  Certainly don't dismiss the value of traveling widely locally. Get to know as many people as you can, and listen up! I'm no stranger to accusations of talking too much," she laughed, "but I do my best to ask as many questions as I answer."

Then, "I'm glad to hear you're engaging with your peers, Emilia. What have you been finding?"