3pm, tea break

"No, I did not say to go ahead with the diplomatic relations, Henneman[1]. I said to get me the information about the latest diplomatic relations," Gabrielle stated in exasperation, pressing hands over her eyes, groaning at the macaw patronus that currently sat at her desk. "I-- I misunderstood, ma'am; I'm really sorry. Shall I--" "Yes. Apologise profusely and let it be known I'll be sending someone to aid you in the Caribbean soon enough. Go." The patronus dissipated, leaving only streaks, wisps of where it had been moments before. Times like this, Gabrielle wished Azize hadn't gone, that he was here to fix the situation at hand. However, beggars could rarely be perfect choosers, hm?

A knock to the door and a fresh face, Orr, wasn't it? was bringing in the tea and biscuits for the break.
Francis' orders, no doubt -- concerned father and worried husband to be.

"Hello, love; having a decent day? Storm, Hamilton not tormenting you too badly today, are they?" Orr shook his head in the negative. Gabrielle wasn't too certain about that -- after all, word would always come back if something was afoot. "All right then, dear. I'll take the tea and biscuits, thank you very much." "Quite welcome, ma'am. Anything else you need?" Orr inquired. "No, I'll be good from here; just send in Storm. Tell him he's needed by the boss." "Yes, ma'am." Orr was gone and in the moment of silence, Murray-Pepper baby kicked. "Shh. You know you love Johann just fine and I agree, Orr's a fibber."

Pouring herself a cup and dunking the biscuit into the hot liquid, Gabrielle munched away, humming absentmindedly, waiting on Johann to arrive. She needed to speak to him anyhow -- it was only a month and a half until maternity leave kicked in. She had to find a worthy individual to take over and not run the department into the ground while she was gone, after all, hm? The door creaked, bringing her attention back to the door.

"And here he comes, trouble with a capital T."

1.	npc in the department

Orr was weaving his way across the open plan office in their direction. Johann twigged him as he turned the page in a foreign text book he was duly referencing for Spirit Division’s legal team, who wanted an accurate translation of a particularly relevant exorcism for their case. His quill dashed across the page, spending just enough time on the issue to write neatly enough in English, but not so long as he’d need to write past the time Orr arrived amongst his team’s desks. He was almost certainly going to take a path near to Pinn, who had her back to the approach.

”H- hello Bobbie.” Johann glanced up just long enough to enjoy his junior colleague’s jump at the greeting from stringy Sebastian. The pale-faced office assistant had a bit of a blush on his cheeks, and Johann noticed, biscuit crumbs on the top of his suit trouser leg. He checked the time while Pinn attempted a polite response. Ah, afternoon tea-break, Sebastian was a predictable man, but at least he was thoughtful enough to make sure their outwardly-growing Department Head was fed and watered.

”… uhm, what brings you over here?” Pinn asked eventually, once an awkward, lingering silence had passed between the two younger souls in Johann’s eavesdropping range. The older wizard finished his sentence, blew gently on the ink to dry it and pulled the materials together.
”Oh uhm,” Orr snapped out of gazing rather dumbstruck at Pinn’s face to Johann. ”Mr Storm, you’re needed by Madam Murray.”
“Any particular reason noted?” Johann asked, merely stalling, his fingers had reached for a self-sticking paper note, and was scribbling a note on it.

”No sir, just to send you in.” Orr was telling the truth, Johann felt, and gave a nod, standing up from behind his desk and brushing himself down.
“Couldn’t do me a favour could you Sebastian?” He asked gently, extending the book and papers for Spirit Division, “Take these down to Spirit Division for me?”

Pinn gave him an extraordinary look. Any excuse - and she meant any excuse - to go to Level 4 was seized upon by Johann since getting together with Balfour, yet here he was volunteering Orr to take something there for him. Even the office assistant was momentarily puzzled at the request, but without further question reached out to take the pile.

“Instructions just on there,” Johann patted the top where the sticky note was and clapped him briefly on the shoulder before passing. He counted gently under his breath.
”Uhm, Bobbie. I was thinking of going for a drink at erm, Death & Co. after work, did you erm, want to come?” Johann glanced over his shoulder to the scene he was retreating away from to see Pinn’s jaw drop open. Ahh Orr, couldn’t fault him for following instructions to the letter. Hopefully he would think to take the note off the front of the book before he gave it to Spirit Division, otherwise he would inadvertently invite the recipient of the materials out for drinks on behalf of Johann.

Leaving the youngsters behind, Johann weaved his way through the desks and over to Gabrielle’s office, knocking sharply on the door before he opened it.
”And here he comes, trouble with a capital T.”

Taking a split second glance around him to check for others in the office, Johann broke into a grin.
“Ah, no he’s up on Four…” he gestured in the direction of Beast Division with both hands and gave a shrug, closing the door behind him. “Did Orr leave a cup for me?”

Entirely at ease with Gabrielle, even if she was his boss, Johann sauntered across to help himself before falling into one of the visitor’s chairs opposite Gabrielle’s desk. “He just asked Pinn out,” Johann thumbed over his shoulder, “I’m so proud of him, our little office assistant is growing up.” He chuckled, crossing one leg over the other. “How are you, anyhow? Has Francis recovered from Wednesday night[1] yet?”

1.	23 February 2011 Nancy Boy

“Ah, no he’s up on Four…"

Gabrielle snickered, shaking her head as Johann entered, plopping ceremoniously as he often did.

"Did Orr leave a cup for me?”

"Of course he did. What kind of assistant doesn't leave tea for two nowadays?"

Reaching for the teapot and extra cup, Gabrielle poured Johann his cup, sliding it over towards the German, smiling in pride. "Chai today. Sounded a lot better than repeating Earl Grey again for the third day in a row. I think I'll rile Orr up, change it up on him next week." Grabbing a biscuit, she munched on it thoughtfully while listening to Johann go on about Orr and Pinn. “He just asked Pinn out....I’m so proud of him, our little office assistant is growing up.”

"Ah, still has spots, much like you did when you arrived from Germany. Mind you, yours were infinitely smaller, less recognisable. Give Orr time; I'm sure he'll be going out on affairs with Henneman or Hamilton some time soon. Preferrably Henneman considering how well Hamilton and you get along, hm?" Gabrielle nudged Johann gently with her foot, chuckling in her terrible humour. The baby kicked, no doubt arguing like Johann would about that remark. "She's going to be like you, me: the argumentative type. Ugh," Gabrielle began, rubbing the belly, looking for any response from her cousin.

"A month or so away. Mid-March, I'll be gone until July, August and with that, the thought of a replacement."

Gabrielle looked concerned.

"I.... honestly can't think of anyone to run it."

Gabrielle conveniently failed to answer his query about Francis. Johann supposed it was because Gabrielle’s fiancé was a little awkward about it all too.

“I object.” Johann muttered, “There were no spots.” He waved the hand that wasn’t holding the teacup and dismissed the teasing. It continued, and Johann sipped his tea, deciding to not engage with the banter. It was as if Gabrielle was stalling before some bad news.

"A month or so away. Mid-March, I'll be gone until July, August and with that, the thought of a replacement. I.... honestly can't think of anyone to run it.”

“What, here?” Johann asked, gesturing around him with his teacup. “You mean you’re actually going to let someone do it in your absence?” He was the one teasing now. Gabrielle had pretty much been preoccupied with her growing bump and her impending wedding. Johann’s experience with pregnant witches had been limited to his aunts and a few family friends - other than Knox Spectre, and he never quite knew where to hug her. As expectant mothers went, Knox seemed slightly more laid back about it - no, he reconsidered had been until the recent unfortunate news, and Gabrielle was verging on obsessed. It was a different colour on her that he’d never anticipated.

“If you’re considering such a small number of months, it’s hardly an interruption, cousin. The Heads of Divisions can form a committee. Not to say that your role is merely box ticking, but the decisions can still get made. And if there’s anarchy, we’ll survive until you get back.” He smiled and set his teacup down. “Level 2’s managed well enough with the revolving door. At least you’re coming back…?” His mother had suggested that Gabrielle might discover she preferred to take a longer stint away from the office to enjoy becoming a mother.

She hadn't really failed to mention Francis; call it a moment of lapsing, spacing out on a different thought, and so, as Johann continued to speak, Gabrielle realised that perhaps something should be mentioned when she spoke again.

"He'll recover just fine, Francis, that is. I swear though that you are bound to put him a fit someday. But if I, we survived one another, I'm sure Francis can handle you and your life. Personally, I'm happy that you're happy, so no worries."

“You mean you’re actually going to let someone do it in your absence?”

Gabrielle had nodded to that question in an instant. "Aye, I've got to have someone in charge, Johann. Can't leave the department to the likes of Maurice Holmes or even Hamilton. They'd burn level five to a crisp or muddle it up to where the stink could be smelled from across the pond. I don't want that and surely you don't either. Henneman and Orr are fresh faces themselves. Wouldn't you feel better having someone in charge who'd know what to do if the worst came to pass?"

Gabrielle poured another cup of tea, stirring sugar in slowly with a small spoon, contemplating her next words carefully.

"I'd want to entrust someone who works diligently, who has more than just eyes and hair for their head. I've a few candidates in mind." You being one of them, she thought to herself, sipping the tea quietly.

"… leave the department to the likes of Maurice Holmes of even Hamilton...”
“You wouldn’t, and we wouldn’t let you. Commit you to St Mungo’s first.” Johann agreed, muttering over her.
”...feel better having someone in charge who’d know what to do if the worst came to pass?”
“Well, clearly.” His eyes followed her movements to make another cup of tea.

"I'd want to entrust someone who works diligently, who has more than just eyes and hair for their head. I've a few candidates in mind.”
“I’m staggered there are that many who fit the bill.” Johann replied bluntly, and perhaps pessimistically.

He had learned pretty much every name out there and their general function, and had his own opinions on them. All little cogs in a bigger machine of government. All of them painfully slow on occasion when his insomnia eroded his patience to a thin veil. There were fantastic minds amongst them, he could admit and he admired a great number of them in their own right. However, none of them were Gabrielle, and each had their own agenda.

“You need someone who has enough backbone yet balances with diplomacy. Several of those I believe you may be considering may lean too much to diplomacy and become doormats under pressure from other Departments and foreign Ministries. You’ll come back to find a whole number of policies implemented that weaken our systems.” He shook his head with a serious expression.

"Besides, whoever steps in needs to arrive sooner than later to work with you and understand the role before you leave. I’m not meaning to imply nobody can run this department as well as you do, but that the wrong person can do a great deal of damage.”

Not that he was at all worried that his own role within the Department was at risk with someone else in charge. They had both accepted he would not have been working there still had it not been Gabrielle deciding his fate.
“I trust you to make the right decision, boss,” his blue eyes glanced up to her at the reference, highlighting he acknowledged he was perhaps speaking out of turn as her subordinate, “and I will of course give your replacement, temporary… or permanent… my support.”

Always with the blunt, poignant speech.

Gabrielle of the past would have bristled, felt offended by those words. However, times did change and with it, better understandings of how people worked, worded themselves. Johann's words, however, were greatly appreciated, considering all. He had confidence in his cousin, believing that she was fully capable of her position and more so, had the confidence to know she had ultimately some rather big decisions to make once the little one was kicking, squirming, moving around the room.

And crying, and pooping, and making a mess of themselves. . . came the brain's addition. Gabrielle snickered.

"You're really one of a kind in your own way, Johann, and I mean that in the most sincere way," she began, smiling tenderly. "You've been a very loyal supporter, advocate through everything since you were hired. It's very hard to find workers like that, surely you realise this." A clearing of the throat as a small lump found its way there, Gabrielle trying to forge through a diplomatic tone without letting familial bonds dictate her speech too much. "That's why I want you to be the assistant to whomever comes along. I...I know that's really a large request and for it, I understand fully if you can't or won't."

Her eyes crinkled in hopeful earnest. "But if you will, I know I have one hell of a worker in the department who will be making sure that it's going right. That nothing will go awry too badly." Gabrielle grabbed hold of Johann's hand, squeezing it. "I'm certain you wouldn't let the department fall flat on its rear or burn to the ground. All that included, the very last thing we need is someone's nose in here that we'd rather leave out, hm?"

"That's why I want you to be the assistant to whomever comes along-“

Johann’s bright blue eyes did not leave Gabrielle’s face.  He’d put his empty teacup down a minute or so before so froze, one hand in his lap, the other resting on the edge of her desk, elbow propped there too.  He wasn’t entirely hearing the rest of what she had to say, but it was registering somewhere in his subconscious.  Her hand to his made him blink at last.

“Assistant?”  He asked, and her expression seemed to query if he was expecting her to ask him to take over as Acting Department Head, “I..” he blinked twice and shook his head. “Well I think I need a biscuit.”

The teapot poured him another cup of tea and he went for one of the chocolate ones for the shock, of course.
“Advising whoever replaces you?  But won’t they see me as a meddling informant?  Your spy?”  He asked, voicing his initial concerns.  “Of course I am, I’d be even if I wasn’t - oh.  Now, that’s taken an edge off the flattery.”  Johann gestured with a long finger towards his cousin, thumb and middle finger gripping the end of the chocolate bourbon.

He nibbled on it thoughtfully, eyes lingering on his boss.
“Alright then.  I’ll need to shadow you for at least a fortnight before you go, and some better money to compensate me for the grey hairs coming my way.”

He couldn’t wait to tell Balfour - and especially wipe the smug look off Hamilton’s face.

His reaction delighted and likewise amused her. Though Johann was particularly graced in the ability to wear masks for occasions when they dictated them, Gabrielle was secretly pleased she had cracked through ever so slightly to find her cousin surprised. "Oh yes! By all  means take another biscuit," she urged, trying desperately to not give away her glee even though her hunches said Johann knew Gabrielle was happy about this proposal.

Informant, spy? Of course. After all, had she not played that very role many years ago in the second wizarding war against the man who had been her predecessor? Of course she had and well, Gabrielle was hopeful that Johann wouldn't allow for her temporary replacement to mark the department with a blotted stain. "Corporate espionage has been frowned upon here in the Ministry by many but then again, no efforts have ever stuck to prevent it."

A soft sigh but a small chuckle.

"That said, I wouldn't be the least bit offended if you were to participate amd inform me. Also with you taking this position...you'll be retaining said position when I return. As for the pay, I will see to it that payroll is informed and Johann?"

The smile was now a grin.

"Congratulations. You earned this."

They shared a chuckle at the corporate espionage as Johann made short work of the rest of the chocolate bourbon biscuit. Of course he was going to tell her about things when they saw each other. It was impossible for Gabrielle to want nothing of it. Only if her future husband insisted on trying, and Johann doubted Francis wore the trousers in their relationship.

“Also with you taking this position...you'll be retaining said position when I return. As for the pay, I will see to it that payroll is informed and Johann?”

“Thank you, Gabrielle. I really mean that. Also I think you’re downright insane, but that’s not official assistant advice. Where’s Orr, we need more celebratory tea!”

Johann laughed, happy. His blue eyes twinkled. “No, don’t summon him, I’ve sent him to Spirit Division. Here,” he poured another cup for them both, draining the teapot dry. “I don’t know, abandoning us just as Zephyr does too.[1] You do realise the boys are going to be lost. Flash Lockhart will start trying to convince us we should legalise flying carpets for a good race again.” Johann smirked as he lifted his fresh cup to his lips, "Or that the new minister should legalise flying cars, so your brother-in-law gets his way..."

1.	17 February Zephyr Vetted for ICW Supreme Mugwump

"Orr!"

The mousy, spotty face appeared a moment later, looking particularly spooked as he gazed at his elders.

"Yes, m-m-ma'am? Everything a-h-all right?"

"Another pot of tea, if you would. Chai, I believe."

Fingers grabbed for the pot once it was emptied, giving wordless acknowledgment before body and teapot rushed off towards the department's break room.

Gabrielle snickered a moment, recollecting her own days in Brasov, rushing to make a decent pot of Russian Caravan alongside onion sandwiches on Russian black bread. She could almost smell the pungent onion but definitely the warm texture of the bread, the steeped leaves of the tea. A wistful expression was there in an instant; her stomach grumbled, causing her to blush in slight embarrassment. "Sorry about that. Personal remembrances of Romanian Ministry days when I was in Orr's shoes. Suddenly craving Russian Black Bread. Hmf."

"Flying carpets and cars. Hm. Carpets I tried once; it appeased that urge of Arabian fantasy. As for the cars....I'm interested too to see what the Minister to be will have in tow. By the way, if I win the wager of Orr and Pimm on a proper date with a proper kiss, will I receive an owl of that?" The door swung open, Orr's wand levitating the whistling teapot. "Thank you, love. You've been a great help," Gabrielle replied, smiling. Orr blushed, nodding again before disappearing to someone else in the department calling for his name. Gabrielle looked to Johann, nodding. "I'm really going to miss you but it'll be only a matter of time until Mia gets to be plopped into your lap, tugging at your curls with a giggle. Your mother and Maiko no doubt will be fighting who holds her first; I also need to make sure I get a letter or call somehow to Quincy. An owl definitely to Uncle Thack."

I said don’t… Johann thought, tilting his head back as Gabrielle yelled for him. However Orr had made it back alive from Spirit Division to oblige. Johann made brief eye contact with him, enough to convey he’d heard his attempts to ask Pinn out for a date at his note’s suggestion. Orr rushed away unable to quite meet his gaze, a flush to his cheeks. Gabrielle was keen to fill the pause with reminiscing.

“... By the way, if I win the wager of Orr and Pinn on a proper date with a proper kiss, will I receive an owl of that?” Johann chuckled, but said nothing straight away as the door clicked open once more.
“Maybe.” He uttered, taking another look at Orr, “Depends how nice you are to your spies.” The young assistant paused to give his senior a funny look. Considering the things Johann could say to Orr, this was an almost daily occurrence.
“Thank you, love. You've been a great help," Gabrielle dismissed him.

“i’m only going to be at work.” Johann protested, “You won’t miss us, you’ll be entirely caught up in your small human with Francis. And we know Maiko will win that fight. My mother’s far too polite.” He shifted in the visitor’s chair and joked, “Better that than you both informing me which way round to hold Mia.” He very much doubted discussion about Mia was going to stop after her arrival, so he resigned himself to it, even if he found it tricky to contribute anything useful due to inexperience.

“Everything going well with relocating the Peppers to Wiltshire?”

She had misheard him[1] while sipping at her fresh cup of tea, enjoying the moment of silence, even as her glance between intern and established worker continued on for a moment more. Poor Orr, spots and all. The butt of a few jabs as of late, but Gabrielle recalled her own days of being in Brasov's Ministry with her father, rushing through the departments to relay information since their Ministry hadn't been particularly keen in using airborne notes especially when distrust among the ranks was particularly common. Hm. "I'm always keen in being good to spies if spies are willing to behave themselves as best they can," she retorted at last, smirking in amusement.

"As for holding Mia, you will do just fine. It takes a village anyhow, or so I would believe, to help raise a child. As for politeness, your mother and Maiko are both polite enough. Regardless of niceties and necessities, I will miss you lot. You, especially. I'm grateful to have a worker such as yourself. After all, you keep the gears running when things get tricky." A look of gratitude mixed with concern was undoubtedly there a second later.

"I say this as I really did fear I would lose you a while back. Sure, the department would have carried on, but you bring something to the department that not many others have in the past, present even. I'm grateful for you and no, this isn't the hormones talking. You have my utmost thanks."

1.	and misread by her writer, whoops

“Hm, well, yes you very nearly did.” Johann admitted sombrely, “but that’s behind me, let’s not labour the point, swell my head any further.” Johann replied politely but firmly. Gabrielle was prone to waxing lyrical about him, which was lovely for his arrogant ego that didn’t need feeding, but a little cringeworthy.

“I will need to double our efforts to recruit another linguist, but you can leave that with me. You focus on narrowing down that shortlist so Francis doesn’t have to resort to ‘testing’ his turners to be in two places at once because you’re here saving the world.”

He fidgeted in the visitor’s seat before Gabrielle’s desk, checking the time, aware of an appointment with Level 2 about an upcoming court date for a defendant who did not have English as their first language. Had it been Higgins in Transport, he’d have considered being purposely late, though the trainspotter equivalent of the Floo Network had lost his nephew in the Mysteries crisis. Yet another reason they had to choose a Department Head who was as sane as possible.

“Much I would love to discuss specifics, I do unfortunately have to see a man about a criminal upstairs,” Johann explained, thinking inwardly how his government and private work mirrored each other with increasing regularity. He perched forward on the chair and gestured with a hand to the door behind him, “can I ask Orr to pencil in a time as soon as?”




End