7pm

The Ministry's atrium, as was the case in events such as this, was abuzz with rare and youthful excitement. Young wizards and witches sauntered or stumbled or scuttled out of the many floo flames to join their peers who were already mingling with future colleagues.[1] There was a marked absence of the usual perfunctory slog: nobody was on their way to a somber appointment or running late for a meeting. The atrium itself was a final destination.

An eddy of formal robes, suits, and dresses that swam with familiar faces catching sight of one another beneath a torrent of colourful paper plane memos against starry blue enchantments - reminding Ministry employees that while they might not be on the clock, someone somewhere was still scratching away at mountains of work.

Everything appeared plentiful. Long tables lined one curved wall of the Atrium, where a row of hearths had been charmed aside to make for more room. A buffet of glazed and crispy finger foods were stretched out  from end-to-end against white linen, while Interns-turned-Servers circled the groups with trays of pumpkin juice or wine. Soon, the hors d'śuvre will be replaced by more substantial dishes.

The air is thick with chattering, even the shy and sullen faces of recent graduates being drawn into conversations with Ministry officials and Welcome Witches (and Wizards). It is a night of anticipation and new beginnings for some - of tradition and a change of times, for others. The mingling might start here but who knows where or when it might end?

1.	Mixer plotting thread here: link

The atrium was always one of Johann’s favourite venues for people-watching. This evening was a bonus, what with all the new faces to explore. Some of them still had spots! Others of them looked like they couldn’t have just taken their NEWTS, what with the amount of facial hair and the broad shoulders. Then again, he reasoned internally, thin form weaving between clumps of colleagues, some of these new faces had possibly gone on a bit of a ‘gap year’. Either way they were all fair game for a chat and maybe some gentle ribbing. There were not huge numbers of Level Five recruits, and many of them had already encountered Johann during their interviews, seeking out helpful linguistic tendencies.

“Don’t lurk!” Johann greeted a nearby youngster[1], “we don’t bite - well, apart from the odd Level 4 Division. Where are you posted to? Can I introduce you with your future colleagues?”

1.

anyone!

Ambrose Pepper had not been so nervous since his sorting. The sorting hat’s presence in the Ministry atrium might have brought a smile to his face though, to just put a hat on seemed so easy. His Hogwarts days, all five years of them, were now behind him. It was time to learn on the job, be practical, well without wielding his wand to do a dodgy transfiguration at least. He’d miss them all terribly, but he’d make a special effort to get up to Hogsmeade, and pass his apparition exams as soon as he was old enough to start learning.

Everyone around him seemed tall. Ambrose’s growth spurt hadn’t finished, but he had shot up several inches that year alone. It had meant a trip to Diagon Alley to sort out some attire for the evening. The former Gryffindor hoped it was striking a balance of tidy, professional but not destined to push paper for his years. He wore smarter black jeans, sandy brown boots, a white shirt and erring on the side of caution, a simple dark grey jacket - tailored a little long in the body. Ordinarily Ambrose was happy in entirely Muggle attire, but he hoped the jacket showed he could adopt a little wizard fashion. He’d opted not to wear a tie, though had shoved one in his pocket in fear he’d misjudged.

“Cheers Dad,” Ambrose uttered, nodding to his father. “I’ll er, see you and Theta later…” Much as he loved his family, he wanted to stand on his own two feet as a proper adult, even if he didn’t feel like one.

He set off cautiously through the crowd, hoping to spot anyone he recognised from Level Four, or failing that, even from school...

So much had changed and yet so much remained the same, Francis thought to himself as he watched Ambrose’s retreating form. It only seemed like yesterday he was a little boy, and grazed knees were the most peril that could be achieved. Now his eldest was facing an apprenticeship where he was inches from dragon teeth and worse on a regular basis. But he was happy, at least Francis hoped he was. Either way, he was a proud father.

Meanwhile, the whole family had moved to Wiltshire to live with Gabrielle, and it had been in the nick of time too. Their first, Mia, was almost two months old now, and the bonniest thing Francis had clapped his eyes on. Tim and Ambrose were now practising their big brother duties by changing nappies with trepidation and dodging. It had been a novel bonding exercise with his sons and wife-to-be. It was down to weeks, or days to their wedding. This evening’s events were just a little turn in the road for their journey, and his heart was light in his chest at the thought of it all.

“Pumpkin juice or wine?”

“Definitely wine… thank you.” Francis smiled at the intern who asked. Anything to ease the social cogs, for all he was polite and well respected, a little alcohol definitely helped conversation.

She had come alone, having told Zel and the other future trainees that she would meet them in the atrium at some point over the course of this evening's events. Raine Almasy didn't want to hide in the safety of numbers right now: it was, she knew, the easiest way to avoid being queried about a certain late relative. That wasn't the impression she was keen to give. Better they knew she was ready to take anything on, in or out of the shadow of her Aunt Ira.

Having arrived in a confusion of peers and Ministry workers, she found herself carrying a full glass of red wine and trying to find a face (any face) from level two. What she got was a startlingly friendly dark haired wizard who made her happy to have worn heels tonight.

             "Where are you posted to?" he seemed to mean well, "Can I introduce you with your future colleagues?"

"You may, yes please. That would be extremely helpful," Raine's smile was perfunctory and learned, as she offered her hand by way introduction, " Raine Almasy. Auror trainee, if I played my NEWTs right. I can't seem to spot anyone from my floor."

Although she was far from being considered old, Adrestia was feeling out of touch with today's youth as she entered the Atrium after having come down from level four. She wasn't a full-time employee of the Ministry - thank Merlin - but she had offered to join the mixer, if only to reassure any young werewolves who were about to join government ranks. It was also an opportunity to wear a dress! A blue affair that had been gathering dust in her closet.

When would she get a chance to wear it at the museum anyway? Their fancy night events needed fancier frocks than this.

She adjusted the little pin she wore on her left, which read "WEREWOLF MENTOR" for easy identification. Even if there weren't any nervous weres for her to help, she could at least help level four kids find their way to the right people. After a drink.

"Who let you in?" Andromeda joked. She kissed her cousin on one cheek then the other. "Do not scare the new blood with your shiny badge." Tonight Andie had long blonde hair. She had a simple black dress. She was not here to look fashionable. She was here to be a new mentor. "You got any yet?"

Ooh, a polite one. Then again, they were all pretty nervous as far as Johann could read. His hand was shaking hers as she introduced herself, and he had to force himself to keep shaking it. His smile went from genuine to feeling like a mask. Almasy. Seriously, the universe had some sense of humour. He let go of her hand.


“An auror!” Johann marvelled, equally as polite, but failed to introduce himself immediately, trying not to act on the noise in his head. “They’re masters of disguise,” he suggested by way of making Raine feel better about not knowing anyone from there. “I’m sure I can help you find one, they’re not afraid of a bit of free wine and food between cases.” He stood up very tall, towering over her.


“There! I think I spy one,” Johann exclaimed brightly, pretty sure he’d spied Andromeda Gamp at the very least. “Here,” he reached his hand out to her to take, rather like he might his good friend Adelia’s, and began to navigate the sea of bodies, forgetting Raine had shorter legs, “Oh, Johann by the way,” he introduced himself clumsily, calling back to her, “from Five.”

"Watch it Storm!" Hester complained. He was too damn tall. She wore enchanted heels. In the crowd it was not enough. Why were there so many guys from Transport here? It was not like they got many of Hogwarts. No they were all single guys looking for nice girls. Sports were better looking but Transport won on brains.

"Is this one of ours?" She looked at Raine. The girl was about her height. Great. "Will you find ours and leave Two to find their own?" Hester insisted of Johann. She was under pressure. Murray would hold her responsible for bad recruits.

Adrestia's mood picked up almost instantly, as she returned her cousin's greeting with matching kisses. "Love your hair." It had always been something she was jealous of when they were younger - Andromeda's ability - but nowadays she could admire that in a different light. It probably took a lot more self-control than Tia initially realised.

            "You got any yet?"

"You make it sound like we've gone clubbing," the werewolf laughed and cast her gaze around the Atrium at the many new faces, "But no, no new wolf cubs for me. Lots of lost looking regular cubs though." Adrestia picked out Ambrose's face in the crowd among others.

She turned her attention back to Andie, "What about you?"

Raine couldn't tell if there was a genuine change in the wizard's expression as they were shaking hands - not that she would have been surprised, the name Almasy wasn't exactly a popular one right now. She was trying to carry it off with grace and pride but.... some things aren't quite possible so soon after being tainted by blood.

Luckily, this didn't stop hew new acquaintance from trying to help. He spotted an Auror quickly enough! Raine allowed herself to be dragged through the throng - she laughed nervously, stumbling at the new speed and wishing she had more practice running in heels.

           "Oh, Johann by the way, from Five."

No last name! Smart, she thought, and perhaps something she ought to consider doing as well. "It's nice to meet you!" Raine called back even though she wasn't really sure if it was nice to meet him at all. At any rate, they were accosted before they could meet the Auror he had 'spied'.

Her legs thanked her for the reprieve when the older witch intervened. Storm? Raine's gaze darted from her and then to Johann, surprised. So he was related to Professor Storm! Or.... or to Wolfgang Storm. She swallowed back the thought.

"Oh, how rude of me. I didn't mean to distract Mister, um, Storm-" she slipped into the same persona she had often used at her aunt's ridiculous soirees, "- if you could point me in the direction of someone useful I'd be more than happy to leave you to your work." Raine glanced at Johann, smiling again, though her eyes were apologetic.

It was hard not to run Hester Iravani over at times, or any other pint-sized colleague. The fact the two of them were experiencing some intermittent animosity was nothing to do with it. Well…

“Is this one of ours?”
“Two.” Johann replied, putting it simply, hoping to pass by, still holding Raine’s hand.
“Will you find ours and leave Two to find their own?”

Johann was biting his tongue, but Raine interrupted the awkward moment with a politeness reminiscent of Ira when she had guests. The public persona of the spider.
“… I didn’t mean to distract Mister, um, Storm-”

“You weren’t,” Johann assured Raine, shooting her a smile. Their hands had come apart as standing in your superior’s gaze holding the hand of a young female stranger was a bit odd. “Madam Iravani is just keen to find our own, we’re not as popular as Two, but we tend to retain our new recruits for longer.” He looked back to Hester, “This is Raine Almasy, I’ll just see her to an auror and then I’ll go fishing. Raine, this is Hester Iravani, Deputy Head of the Department for International Magical Co-operation.”

He paused just long enough to let them exchange acknowledgements before he offered his hand again. “Shall we?”

Where the heck had Andromeda Gamp gone though…? He should have known not to try and pursue a metamorph.

Andie laughed at Tia. "You say that to Level 6. No one yet. I was too busy to check the list." Andie shrugged her shoulders. "Test them out. Make them find us!" She said. "Get some food before it goes?" Andie said. She was not beyond disguising herself for seconds or thirds. "If you have no kids then that is why you are here too right?"

"He does not need an excuse to get distracted." Hester said to Raine. "Well nice to meet you Raine. Good luck with the aurors." She seemed polite. Hester walked away. She found Ambrose walking around. "Ambrose yeh?" Hester said. "Hester. I work with your new stepmum." She did not want to talk about babies. "You are not my floor. Who are you for?"

Before Ambrose caught up with anyone his age, or even from his floor, he encountered a witch who addressed him by name. It took him a moment to remember, but when she gave her name his mind put a few puzzle pieces together.

“Oh yeah!” Ambrose replied, lightbulbs going on, “She introduced us when I came in with dad once.”
“You are not on my floor. Who are you for?”

“I’m going to be an apprentice beast handler,” Ambrose explained, humble in the presence of an assertive adult. Once he heard himself say it aloud, his chest puffed out like a proud robin. “I got an acceptance letter from Mr Spectre. Do you know where anyone from Beast Division is? Dad offered to introduce me, but I wanted to be my own man, like.” His cheeks were a little red and he brushed his fringe out of his eyes as he said it.