If Evangeline were to comment to one of her colleagues on their week on Level 1 bearing an enormous similarity to a rollercoaster ride, most would roll their eyes at yet another muggle analogy from the blonde lawyer. But in truth, she couldn’t think of another suitable way to concisely describe the turbulence of the past few days. Monday had been positive, supported by a Daily Prophet article highlighting a downturn in the amount of Dementor attacks. Regardless of Eva having removed herself from anything to do with such terrible beings and Musgrave, she and the Minister had briefly and professionally shared in the positivity of that and the relieving news of Lawrence Musgrave making a return to Azkaban where he should never have been released from in the first place.

Unfortunately, Tuesday’s good news about the wizard who’d arrested her during the war was forgotten when the atmosphere in the offices of Level 1 changed drastically and Glass became swamped in the dementors and mysterious mist disaster. As such, Evangeline found herself taking much of the slack from a Minister preoccupied with emergency matters, choosing not to bother him with unnecessary matters. She’d spent the past few days stalling department heads and making the sorts of decisions she’d been trusted with in such cases.

So involved was she in her work, Evangeline hadn’t noticed as the offices surrounding hers cleared out and Level 1 slowly emptied. It wasn’t until it neared 7:30pm that she finally sat back in her chair and saw the clock on the wall. While the pile of work to complete before her weekend was left hefty than earlier, it would still require more time.

Rising from her desk and leaving her office, Kuester made for the kitchenette that housed the hot drinks facilities for the office. A light coming from the minister’s own office down the corridor made the witch get two mugs instead of one.

Several minutes later, the Lawyer was walking through the minister’s outer office where Maurice Holmes usually resided during work hours, a mug in each hand. She used her foot to knock, waited a moment and pushed the door open with her shoulder.
“Excuse the intrusion, Sir.” She kicked the door shut with a heeled foot and proceeded towards the desk. “Hot chocolate.” With a little extra. “I thought you might appreciate a pick me up.”

“Hot chocolate. I thought you might appreciate a pick me up.”

The Minister was sat at his desk with his brow resting against his fingertips and elbows on the desktop, deep in thought. He had asked to be left alone for much of the afternoon by Holmes and the rest of the team, needing some time to consider some matters. As ever, the week had lurched from good to bad, and as far as Edwin felt they had progressed, he now felt they had regressed again. Nobody quite had the answers he was hoping for.

At Eva’s unexpected entrance he jerked his head upwards, and blinked, frowning before realising what she meant.
“Augh… thank you, Kuester,” he replied a little hazy as he rubbed both eyes with the heels of his hands and sat back in his chair. “What time is it?” Later than he thought, but there was still time in a Minister’s day. “Thank you,” he uttered again as he took the mug from her. That was thoughtful of her, but he half suspected she had something to ask.

“Trying to make head nor tail of these reports from Two, Three and Nine regarding the incident mid week with Abigail Reid,” he gestured to the papers fanned on his desk. He remembered the squib from her time in his Department. It was rare Edwin forgot a name, it was one of his talents. The whole business was disturbing and the dementors and odd possession-like symptoms sweeping the country were hellish.

“This week began so well,” the Minister mused aloud, sounding not at all optimistic, “now we’re back to where we started, or further back still. Have you any good news?”

“What time is it?” Normally the minister seemed alert, professional, ready to do what needed to be done. Tonight he was tired, worn out and weary.
“Gone half seven, Sir.” Eva gave a quick reply, not bothering to look at her pocket watch as she’d only seen the time a few minutes before. At least he was grateful for the drink rather than critiquing her for disturbing him.


He gestured at files, talking about the way the week had deteriorated and Eva had to agree. As far as weeks went, this had been rather unique in outlook. But did she have any good news to give him? Alec Carter was pressurising her for a sit down to discuss his proposals for Level 4, the aurors were being inundated and she’d tried to keep as much as she could away from the minister, making the decisions she was legally allowed to make.

“It’s not just hot chocolate.” The lawyer finally offered with a crooked smile and a raised eyebrow, lifting her own to her lips. It was about the only good news she had to give that evening. “Perhaps a break is due? Fresh outlook?”

“A break?” The Minister asked, an edge of incredulity in his voice. “A holiday would be excellent right now, but impossible.” He leant back in his chair, the ghost of a smile making his features at the thought. What hair he had left was definitely thinning with the job, he could almost feel it with the blood pressure. Thank goodness for hot chocolate with a little something else. Attention to detail, Kuester’s forte.

“As for fresh outlook,” he looked to his senior assistant, who had requested removal from the cases relating to dementors, “you offering?” He asked, gesturing back to the reports with a raised eyebrow. He couldn’t imagine she would unless she was regretting that decision, feeling sidelined that week. She had seemingly swept up all other issues to help keep the priorities in focus for Level One, allowing Holmes to gate-keep the office door for the pressing matters of the ruddy mist and the Lillys at large.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have ventured into the minister’s office, Eva considered as he asked if she was offering a fresh outlook. She could see how he may have read such, but, in truth, Eva wasn’t feeling left out of the loop with this. She didn’t want anything to do with it. Unfortunately, such was difficult when one worked for the minister and he seemed to value her advice.

Hands were grasping the hot chocolate as she looked down at the desk.
“I meant a fresh outlook in the morning, Minister.” her voice was quiet and she took another sip, allowing the warming liquid to pass down her throat. It might have been summer, but a hot chocolate was welcomed at any time of the year for Evangeline.

“I think we’re aware of a difference in outlook.” She smirked, raising an eyebrow. She hadn’t been hired to agree with the minister, but it still felt extremely negative when she had to critique everything and go through ideas with a fine toothcomb.

“… in the morning, Minister.”
“Ah.” Edwin replied softly, giving a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and a single nod. He exhaled and sat back away from his desk, folding one leg over the other. “I do commend you for the admirable job you appear to be doing this week given the absence of other matters reaching my desk to interrupt. Thank you, Kuester.” He toasted her with his mug. “I have approved the summaries at given intervals this week. Makes me glad you’re not on dementors on one hand, but on the other…” He shook his head. “Well, I quite understand.”

There was a lull his thoughts, what with the awkward moment. His mind still really with the reports on his desk, trying to move forwards with them though it was like walking through treacle. There was something he was doing to tell her… what was it… oh.

“About that good news on Tuesday,” The Minister said, looking back to his trusted assistant. His expression was uneasy as he reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Timescale has changed because of this mist business. I regret we won’t be free of him for a while yet.” It would be glorious to clear one issue from his plate right now, especially one lingering since April.

He tried, clearly wanting to talk over the topic with someone he’d not been discussing it with others the past few days. Eva knew her withdrawal from the Dementor work had set her at a disadvantage with her job, no one wanted to employ someone who would complete half a job, who’d shy away from sensitive matters. Glass had taken it gracefully, claiming to understand, but he didn’t truly. Only those that had had experience would understand. He simply didn’t want to offend or push anything.

“About that good news on Tuesday,” It only took a moment to figure out what good news he was discussing and to recognise that his tone meant it was no longer good news. Lawrence Musgrave would be kept in their cells forever, or it at least felt similar.

“If we ever are.” She muttered. “He’s like a bad smell, lingers and when you think you’re free of it, returns.” But she wanted to discuss Lawrence Musgrave less than she wanted to discuss dementors.

With a sigh, the Minister’s Assistant turned and headed for the sofa, dropping herself onto the comfortable cushions and putting her hot chocolate mug on the coffee table.

“It might not be my assignment, Sir. But I can still listen. On the settee, where it’s comfortable.” She smiled at him and waved at the seat beside her.

“… when you think you’re free of it, returns.”
“Quite,” the Minister agreed, “I just thought you should know.”

To his surprise, Kuester invited him to sit on his own office sofa, beside her. He gave the paperwork on his desk a lingering look. If he continued he might finish these tonight. But his mind was really beginning to lose focus. A break would do him some good, and Kuester would see it as a slight to not oblige her after bringing the drinks.

“You sound like a psychiatrist.” Edwin remarked, knowing Kuester would understand what that Muggle reference meant. He got to his feet and stretched his arms, easing tense shoulders, and settled beside her. He caught the faint notes of her perfume as the gap between them narrowed. It reminded him of how his jacket smelled when she’d given it back to him at the Prophet awards night before she’d poured her drink over Darlus Scruffin[1].

“This is my quandary,” Edwin began, “it’s August, the height of temperatures, but the country’s overrun by dementors almost like wartime because two siblings have been busy collecting souls. Souls that, for the want of a more accurate description probably found in those reports, form a mist and try to escape the dementors by lodging in living bodies alongside other souls.”

He relaxed his head back, looking up at the ceiling of his office, “Months ago I’d have had Gamp on this, but for obvious reasons… I need to put a broom into Nine. It’s beyond a joke. We’ve people changing personality in St Mungo’s, two dark wixes at large mere months after Almasy, and Musgrave…” He sighed and looked to Kuester. “I have to suck it up and lead.”

1.	14th May Is it the Power?

“I just thought you should know.”  The Minister informed his assistant, and while she may not have verbalised such, she appreciated the thought to mention the changes to her. They’d not really discussed Lawrence Musgrave since she’d asked to be removed from any work on dementors as a result of her inability to remain objective. Glass had known her link to Musgrave and her visit before but chosen not to mention it until that day. Such understanding and respect for her position had gained him respect from the witch who felt some people tried to pry far too much when they knew you had a weakness. Her removal from the case had obviously led to office gossip, questioning her use in Level 1, causing Holmes to start querying their jobs like an insecure child. Eva tried to pay it no mind.

“Dr. Kuester...” The witch responded to the comment about her sounding like a psychiatrist, emphasising the German in her accent. Too much. Probably too much. He may have been able to use a muggle head doctor reference, he certainly wouldn’t get her reference to Sigmund Freud. He was still the Minister for Magic.

Sat silently while Glass explained the problems, Eva sipped at her hot chocolate, frowning. Of course, she’d read the Prophet and seen the various ministry officials coming and going throughout the week while the undersecretaries tried not to panic. A very tiny part of Eva had wanted to be involved, in the know. Yet the sensisible side had kept her at a distance, burying herself in the less pressing matters arriving at Level 1.

“Almasy and Musgrave left a gaping hole in the criminal underground.” As a former defence attourney, Eva Kuester had been more than well acquainted with such world. Someone always filled the gap.

“So, there is a plan in the works that you fear implementing or no plan?”

“So there is a plan in the works that you fear implementing, or no plan?” Eva asked.

“A plan.” Edwin drew his lips into a brief smile. “Several,” he added and looked to Kuester knowingly. Not plans he’d necessarily disclose to her at this moment, however trusted she was. She already knew enough for him to speak more candidly about the dismays of the week. She would know in time, if they selected a new Head of Nine from those they had decided to approach from both inside and outside of that wretched Department.

“The only plan I ‘fear’ though that is a strong word, is the one shot down so far for being unpopular with the popular vote. However, if Nine doesn’t get a hold of this fog incident, our North Sea inhabitants will be the most comfortable in the country.” He shrugged, knowing well that Kuester didn’t want to talk about that, and the plan had reached a stalemate on all fronts. He had to let the rest of the Ministry do their job and work it out. They knew the pressure on them, he was keeping a close eye on all teams involved.

“Tell me about normality beyond this bubble, then?” Edwin asked, sitting up properly and giving her his proper attention. “What powers have you signed away on my behalf?”

Glass knew his assistant’s opinion of his suggestion of sending the Dementors to once more feed on the inhabitants of Azkaban. He knew how she had no wish to discuss such thoughts or the dementor problem in the role of his assistant. There was too much bias there for the witch to perform her job role with the perfection she usually aimed for. Her own biases meant that she hadn’t been willing to return to criminal law. Experiences like her own changed a person for life.

Yet Glass once more brought it up briefly, only to receive silence from the younger witch as she filled the moment by taking a sip of the much-needed hot chocolate.

“Normality on level one.” The witch smiled knowingly. Very little on level one could be classed as normal. The very nature of working in the Ministry of Magic was ridiculous.
“Not a huge amount, Sir. Just those things you hardly needed bothering with. The new proposal for level 4 with our suggested edits.” Her hot chocolate was placed on his desk. “Carter seems a little heavy handed so it might be prudent to tug back somewhat.” The head of beasts needed a tug on the leash to remind him that he wasn’t in control, it seemed.

“I’ve compiled a report with everything in. I’m sure the details can wait until Monday?” After the week they’d had, Eva was longing for a calm and undisturbed weekend.

“They can,” Edwin confirmed with a nod. “Thank you for taking care of the bother without me.” Carter could be heavy handed, but better to go that and was moderate than go in mild and be ineffective. He and Edwin were generally on the same page. Gradually all the Department Heads were, which made life a bit easier. He only hoped the new chap on Nine lasted.

“I have a feeling I will be working throughout the weekend, yet again.” He gestured towards his desk where the reports continued to sit, waiting his mental digestion. “Have to apologise to my cousin. We were meeting for dinner tomorrow. Haven’t seen her in over six months, and since she’s back to training to be a healer it’s even more difficult to find time.” It felt like he was a stranger to his own family when right now he needed their support most. He’d only seen his sisters because they’d turned up to ensure he paid his share of their joint birthday present for their ageing muggle mother.

“Tell me you’re having a weekend away from thinking about serving the country,” Edwin sighed, “I insist you do. One of us has to stay sane.”

“I have a feeling I will be working throughout the weekend, yet again.” Glass commented with a signal to his desk where work simply continued to pile up. It was hard to feel sorry for the wizard that earned probably quadruple her own salary and had the power to match. If one signed up to become the Minister for Magic, there were specific expectations. It would change and take over a life. Being so close to the Minister had always made Eva question why a person would choose such a role.

He mentioned a cousin, a healer returned to training. Of course, the thought came to Eva’s mind, but just as quickly she brushed it off. Elixa would surely have mentioned being related to the Minister for Magic. About as likely as Eva mentioning that she worked for him…

It was only fortunate that Glass moved the topic on, playing the nice boss. At least he wasn’t insisting on her coming in over the weekend to help manage the flow of work expectations. There were some in the Ministry who certainly would.

Eva offered her boss a small smile and lowered her almost finished mug of hot chocolate.
“Don’t worry about that, Sir.” It occurred to her that she kept her own life extremely private, he knew nothing. Or acted like he knew nothing. The hot chocolate was drained and she moved to stand. “Go home. Fresh mind in the morning.”

“No, no…” Edwin protested, as only a man proud of his job title could, “I was in the middle of it all. It can’t really wait, otherwise I’d have delegated it.” He sighed, but forced a smile, pushing himself back to his feet. “Thank you for thinking of me though, Kuester. More I do tonight, the more chance I have of making dinner with Elixa tomorrow.”

As he said it, he walked away from Eva, and back towards his desk, so wasn’t able to see her expression. Not that Edwin had any interest out of the ordinary in Eva at that moment. She’d been nice, of course, but she also wanted a pat on the head for her good work this week. It was well deserved, and might also come with a salary incentive if she was plucky enough.

“I look forward to the report on Monday,” he agreed, referring to her earlier mention of a report about her work. He resumed his position at his desk, pouring over the reports. “Have a good weekend, Kuester.”

Glass was midway towards his desk when he mentioned his chances of making dinner with Elixa tomorrow. Evangeline froze, eyes widening. It was only fortunate that his back was now to her. Was she really sleeping with her boss’ cousin? Why in Merlin’s name hadn’t Elixa mentioned anything? That was perhaps a secret well-kept considering how long Eva’s relationships (if was even that?) tended to last.

“Thanks, Sir.” her voice sounded distant was she pushed up from the chair and picked up the pair of mugs to take out with her. “Goodnight.” She couldn’t remove herself from the office any faster if she’d have leapt and taken a roll through the door!

Once outside of the office, Eva pulled the door shut and leaned against it.
“Scheisse!”