𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞⁽ʰᵃʳʳʸᵖᵒᵗᵗᵉʳ ˣ ᵒᶜ⁾

- 4* -

It was lunch time at the Ministry and Ashlynn was starving. Since nine in the morning, she has been stuck in her office, trying to figure out a solution to the multitude of cases she had while also balancing the arrangements for the masquerade party. Her mind was working a million times faster than it normally was and she felt like she was going to crash at any second.

Yesterday, the Golden Quartet decided to meet up for lunch and they decided that one thirty would be the best time for all of them. Ashlynn was running a little bit behind schedule, like she normally is. Ron and Harry stopped by her office so the three of them could walk together, but saw that it wasn't a good time. Now, it was 1:44 and Ashlynn began putting all of her stuff away when a knock came from the door.

Ashlynn briefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was trying to restrain herself from throwing all of the papers in her hand at that person. "Come in." She tried to say it in her most pleasant tone.

The door opened with a creak and the minister's head popped in. 'No wonder why Casey didn't say anything, it's the freaking minister.'

"I apologize for intruding. It was to my knowledge that you were about to go to lunch with some acquaintances." He stepped into the room and softly closed the door behind him.

Ashlynn gave him a small smile. "It's alright. I'm already late, a few more minutes wouldn't hurt. How can I help you today?"

"My assistants showed me your plans for the party and I just want to tell you that I absolutely love the ideas that you created. They are bold and daring and just what the ministry needs."

Ashlynn sighed out of relief. A small part of her mind relaxed and had one less thing to worry about. "I'm glad you liked my ideas, Minister." A silence ensued between them as he made no movement to leave and she made no movement to continue the conversation. "Is there something else, Minister?"

"Oh, yes. I noticed that you hadn't created a guest list for me to revise."

"A guest list?" Her eyes widened and she was taken back.

"Surely, I would have thought the invitations would have been sent out now. There isn't anything being printed in the Daily Prophet either and I feel that word hasn't really spread about this party yet." He brought a finger to his chin. He looked genuinely curious. Idiot.

Now, Ashlynn's problems grew tenfold and her mind was thrown straight into work mode. "I apologize, but I wasn't made aware that I would need to make a guest list. I assumed that your long line of assistants would be able to do so."

"You assumed wrong, Mrs. Du Pont. All of my assistants are incompatible and could not handle such a delicate task. That is why I delegated such a task to you. I know that you are more than capable of doing it. You have soon proven that."

Ashlynn's temper was beginning to reach its peak. One more word of stupidity out of him and her wand would be in her hand faster than she could say 'run'. "I understand, but I am not your assistant. I have my own department to run. I am not able to do your assistant jobs and my own at the same time."

Kingsley's face morphed into one of confusion. He didn't like her answer. "It appears that you are telling me that you did not make the guest list."

She took a deep breath. She tried to keep her patience maintained, but he was trampling down every barrier that kept it restrained. "No. I did not make a guest list for the party and I will not be able to do so."

His face changed to one of pure disappointment. He was hoping that it would sway her decision, but one look at her face told him otherwise. The look vanished from his face and he straightened himself to a serious appearance. "I see." He looked down and scratched his bald head. "Well...I guess I'll have to find someone else to create it."