Red

"Get these sorted and there are files you need to get from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office." Saddled with a load of papers, you were slightly confused. Why would you need to physically go get those files, the ministry had a system that didn't include anybody physically getting anything. You were going to question it when you decided to keep your mouth- it might be something that needed extra care.

So that's how you started your first day, in the Atrium you attempted to balance your stack of papers on your hip as you moved quickly. Down the hall you nearly flew into the closest elevator to not miss it. Inside was a red headed man who seemed like he knew where he was going, you weren't entirely sure.

"Are you headed somewhere?" The man asked, quite chirpy. It seemed like he was always that kind of person.

"Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office." It took you a second to reorient yourself as the elevator jolted. You then looked at him. "Apologies, this is my first day."

His eyebrows raised slightly in a way that told you he knew more than you'd expect. "You must be Crouch's new assistant." He stuck a hand out to you. "Arthur Weasley."

You shook his hand as the elevator stopped. "F/N Viridian." Both of you stepped off the elevator

"Follow me, I know what Crouch wants from our office." Arthur headed off in the direction of the office and motioned for you to follow. Which you happily did.

That wasn't the last time Arthur Weasley would help you. Arthur became a welcomed friend within the ministry. He was a friendly face and was considerably more helpful than some of the other ministry workers you interacted with regularly. It was a relief to hear him go on about his wife, Molly, and the two young children they had. In contrast with what you were working with, it was happy and ordinary.

Ordinary. Something your life was unfortunately not. At work you were neck deep in cases and trials, that was only when the war wasn't eating up every other morning. On one hand, people you had considered friends were death eaters and your parents were sympathizers. On the other hand, you knew exactly what these people were doing and the damage they were creating. It wasn't a matter of choosing a side but deciding if keeping up the masquerade was worth it.

At the end of summer, Lucius invited you to a dinner party. Making no mention of who else would be in attendance, you knew who was going to be there. In the end you accepted, for what reason you weren't sure but curiosity certainly played a part in it. Unfortunately only an hour or so before the party was intended, you were called back into work after a significant raid turned up more than expected. You sent an owl apologizing but in a lot of ways you were relieved.

After that night you made a more conscious effort to be emotionally prepared for what might happen to people you went to Hogwarts with. Death or imprisonment were the two outcomes that seemed most likely. Convicting death eaters wasn't easy, neither were the trials. The information used to be shocking, but after a few months they just hurt.

A few days before Christmas, after most people had left for the night, Arthur showed up at your office. He had done this a few times before, to drop off files and to talk for a bit. He had become your ministry mentor over Barty, though part of it was that Arthur was always positive even if the subjects were tough. He knocked three times before coming in.

"I hope you're not bringing me more work." You spoke as he opened the door, the sight of papers in his arms did not bode well. Normally you were able to push them to the next day but with Christmas upcoming, it wasn't an option.