This Journey With You

It's Just Business

Hermione was glad she hadn't see any red haired boys the following two weeks after embarrassing herself in front of Fred at her cruddy flat. It wasn't enough that she was trying to focus on organizing missions for the Ministry ambassadors assigned to her and balancing the depressing emotions that laced themselves around her throughout the day, choking and releasing her at random. The thought of Fred catching her at a low point still flamed embarrassment in her chest even with the distance of time. Not even her parents had seen her living conditions, so what caused her to let him in, she hadn't any idea. But that was as close as she would allow him near her vulnerability.

The comfort of working away her pain could put off thoughts of those deep blue eyes for now. The files of her staff currently sat on her desk untouched. She didn't need to open them again since she used her free time at home to memorize the details. Harry's Christmas gift from New Years had come in handy in this aspect. The self writing quill etched away whatever she told it too. It was excellent most days because she could multi task. Today was especially generous in allowing her to get work done since Williams was not there to force his mostly misinformed views to eat up time.

She let the quill write down the point of contacts for the Botswana mission as she noticed Miss Quinn across the room at her desk. The purple cloaked woman still hadn't said a word about any upcoming missions for either her or Mr. Williams to join. Which surprised her considering the priority levels that come with most cases.

Fabian Holloway: magical creatures specialist accompanying ambassador Adelaide Garrison. Travel Affairs: pending.

When would they get word on the Japan case? Surely the board had made a decision by now.

Or she simply wanted to see Williams' stunned face if she were chosen instead of him. That would make everything worth it.

Adelaide will need to bring toxin prevention gear when she accompanies Fabian during Magical Creature scoutings. The two will need a place to stay.

It was possible that neither of them would be called to go. Since the Board of Foreign Affairs Missions were picking from a global selection for the yet to be known crisis in Tokyo, there might be other wizards more qualified for the job that they'd prefer.

The quill continued to dig against the parchment as she finished the details for Botswana. There was no use dwelling over what might be.

"Miss Granger." Instantly her head perked when Miss Quinn addressed her. "I have something to discuss with you."

Her heart began to pick up its pace. Was this it? Was she about to get the confirmation or rejection?

She stood from her desk and approached where Miss Quinn's beefy fingers were putting away her own reports for the day. Hermione tried to remain outwardly calm. Why on earth was she so nervous?

The plump witch looked up at her, her eyebrows scrunching together. "Are you alright, dear? You seem a bit anxious."

"No! Just been waiting for news, you know," she tried to put on a kind grin despite her lips threatening to twitch from nerves.

The older woman eyed her curiously before she continued. "Right. I've been meaning to ask you this for some time, but I kept forgetting. If you didn't know already, the Ministry is hosting this year's Cogressional Ball."

Her heart sank. She did, in fact, already know. Of course her boss wanted to talk about a silly dance. Nothing is more important than putting on a tedious event that encourages awkward, boring conversations with people you don't work with.