Hester opened her office door. She smiled at Ariadne Gamp. "Come right in Ariadne." Ariadne was her friend's daughter. She had promised to interview Ariadne. See if she could get a job in DIMC. Or if Hester could give her some job advice. Nadine did not think Ariadne was very good at having a job. She worried. Nadine worried a lot. She tried to make out she did not but she did. Hester knew. "Take a seat. Welcome to the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Do you know what sort of things we do here?"

Ariadne had donned her smartest, most professional outfit (which her mother had influenced, in the Christmas holidays) and even shined her shoes. She looked like an eager little office worker, which wasn’t really her style, but one she could pretend to be. Ginny didn’t seem to worry too much about how Ariadne looked as long as she did her job and could dash around. Ariadne felt her mother would never let her hear the end of it if she turned up to meet Hester Iravani in anything but a suit. This was a test, after all!

The Fifth Floor was busy, professional, but full of hubbub. Ariadne had thought to find Virgil or Nick for lunch later, but she wasn’t sure how long she’d be there, or if she’d still be around by lunchtime.

“Welcome to the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Do you know what sort of things we do here?” Ariadne glanced around herself in Hester’s office, comparing it to the times she had seen Level 2 and where her mother worked.

“Thanks, I er, yeah.” Ariadne began, stumbling over her words. “I mean, you deal with other countries, anything they want from us, anything we want from them. Laws, trade, information. You look after British interests in other territories too.” It wasn’t the most eloquent answer, and Ariadne dug into her pocket. She’d made notes. “You’ve got ambassadors here too, and the International Confederation of Wizards team meets here.”

"That is right." Hester said. It was enough for a young witch who did not work here. "Plenty for curious minds. People who want to travel. Who want to investigate." Hester smiled at Ariadne. "You like to travel? Do you?"

“Yes!” Ariadne eagerly replied, trying to find her stride in the conversation. She knew her mother was behind this somewhere, probably hoping she would get a proper job in the building. Truth was, Ariadne was enjoying her time learning the ropes at the Daily Prophet. Who knew that stalking Ginny Weasley-Potter down the Alley could be so fruitful?

“I mean, I have travelled quite a bit with my dad. He writes for Devia Orbis. So when I wasn’t at Hogwarts, I was with him while he was working. I’ve touched every continent, well, apart from the poles. Some day, when I’ve got a thicker cloak.” Ariadne beamed. “But I bet you get people here all the time saying they’ve been travelling. Doesn’t make them what you need. It’s not all international stuff, it’s diplomacy, law, current affairs.” The former Gryffindor gestured back towards the office behind her. “Respectable things my mum wants me to do.” Ariadne gave a shrug, “I know why you invited me here, Hester.”

"Do you?" Hester said. She smiled at Ariadne. "I invited you here because a bright witch looks for a job. She has skills I need." Hester gave Ariadne a look. Dare her to say other. She liked Ariadne. She was softer than Nadine. But she was young. Hester crossed her legs. "Tell me all about where you went. With your dad."

Good game, good game Hester, Ariadne thought. Her mother really had her claws into her friend and colleague. Hester was trying to be nice, all the same. Ariadne sighed, and gave the older witch a nod of placating agreement.

“Tell me all about where you went, with your dad.”

“How long have you got?” Ariadne asked, perking up and grinning...

End[1]

1.	As agreed with Milly