I can update all the time if I put my mind to it. And if my teachers stop giving me homework. But okay, this is kinda a filler chapter, but then again it's neccessary. The next one will have more action. Hopefully. Thanks to my reviewers: Draconator, Armacryss, JumpUpAndDown, rainbowspring, lolchika21, and crazy's wat i aim 4
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling. I swear on my Lord of the Rings box set. That's legit, man.
Everyone who worked at the Ministry had issues. But the Aurors in particular.
Kimberly Stark was a half-blood, Ravenclaw, and don't you forget it. When she walked in with blond curls, big blue eyes, and teeny tiny hands, Harry had seriously doubted her abilities. Then, on her way out, Ron had accidentally tripped her. Ron made a second trip to St. Mungo's that week (after that nasty dark wizard in France with the serious eye twitch and a grudge). Harry hired her on the spot. Ever since, Ron was convinced she was "out to get him". Harry denied it, only because she was so bloody good. But he really knew that from the moment her flat caught on Ron's stack of neglected paperwork and her delicate nose smashed against the carpet, she had been out to make Ron's life a living hell.
Norman Guizot was muggle born, Hufflepuff, with a knack for making things explode or disappear (he reminded Harry of Seamus, except more accident-prone, less deliberate about what exactly he was blowing up). He was tall and gangly, with floppy brown hair and a permanently sheepish expression on his face. It was no secret that he fancied Kimberly, but she paid no mind to it, seeing as he didn't even have the guts to come up and talk to her. It was quite entertaining to see him stutter through small talk about the weather, only for Kimberly to stick her little nose in the air and flounce off to spill ink on Ron's papers or hide his stapler, which of course only made Norman more entranced by her. Harry had decided long ago that the only reason Norman hadn't been fired for setting the office kitchen on fire (twice in one week) was because he provided a great source of amusement whenever he (attempted) to talk to Ms. Stark. That, and he could make delicious banana bread that he loved to share (kiss up. But Harry didn't mind all that much, honestly).
Blaise Zabini was not an Auror, but might as well have been. No one was quite sure what Blaise was to be honest. All they knew was that he was always popping up in the department, taking the last mug of coffee and lurking around. Harry had complained to Kingsley numerous times, all to which he got something along the lines of "he's trying to find himself, Potter. He's lost after Hogwarts, he never had people there to guide him as you did. Give him time,". Time to what exactly? Get the bloody hell out of there and stop taking Harry's new triple-hole punch? Kingsley didn't verify that bit there. Not to mention there was always girls hanging around as well, flirting and putting on lipstick and spraying perfume and giggling. Oh Merlin, the giggling. It made Kimberly's eye twitch dangerously, her wand clutched in her hand. But all it took was one sly grin from Zabini and Kimberly would smile. A genuine smile, not an evil, I-Just-Ruined-Weasley's-Day-Mwhahahaha smile. So naturally, Norman despised him as well.
Ron Weasley was Ron Weasley. Harry didn't feel the need to think to long about Ron, the only one who's sanity wasn't in question. He had decided Ron was quite insane some time ago. He was Harry's partner, and the only one he wasn't stressed about. If he stressed about Ron, that in itself would drive him bald. No, stressing about Ron was Hermonie's job, and Harry was happy to leave her to it. Besides, he liked having hair.
Astoria Greengrass was the mystery. Sarcastic, snippy, and all around a Slytherin to the core. Black curly hair, big green eyes, and a tiny figure always dressed perfectly led other wizards from other departments to leave flowers on her desks, ask her out for lunch; staring with googly love struck eyes, even as she turned them down. Every single time. But working in the Ministry must give single, desperate wizards some type of "never give up" mantra, as they were persistent. As was she. As the flowers got more exotic and the stench of cologne around her desk grew to headache-inducing levels, she went from snippy snarky Sally to all-around rude Rhonda.
"For the last time," Astoria was gritting her teeth, glaring at Carl Sideman, who was wearing a tie with fish and a dopey grin, "N-O. No!" Kimberly was snickering as she poured pepper and vomit flavored jellybeans into Ron's candy dish (what was with Auror's and their candy dishes?). Norman looked up wistfully, throwing a longing glance towards her. Ron was in the break room, looking for something to eat. And Blaise was lounging on the couch, telling stories of his youth, with Ellie the intern giggling and playing with his tie.
"Does anyone do anything around here that's even slightly productive?" Harry raked his fingers through his hair, sighing loudly.
"I contribute my part, mate. No need to worry about me," Blaise called, taking a sip from his blue coffee mug. Scratch that, Harry's blue coffee mug. He could feel an eye twitch coming on.
"You! Get out! You don't even work here!" Blaise pouted, then stood up, letting Ellie fall over. She stood up and marched out, poking out her ruby red lips.
"Well then. See everyone tomorrow. Ron," Blaise called toward the break room. "Bloody Hell that's hot!" Ron screeched, the smell of burnt cheese and...waffle cones? wafting out of the doorway. Blaise rolled his eyes, then nodded at Kimberly.
"Kimberly," he said, grinning. She smiled, popping a jellybean into her mouth. "Ick!" she coughed. "Grass!" her nose wrinkled up in disdain. Blaise turned toward Astoria.
"Greeeengrassss," he purred. She rolled her eyes. "Hey, don't be so rude. I happen to have talked to you know who today," he winked at her. Her head snapped up.
"Did he say anything?" she asked. Blaise nonchalantly checked his nails (how disturbing Harry thought).
"Just that he...misses the sound of your voiceeee," he winked again. Astoria rolled her eyes, losing interest. Harry was getting more confused by the minute. Voldemort missed the sound of Astoria's voice? How odd.
Suddenly, then both looked up, noticing Harry. "I best be going," Zabini said nervously. Astoria hissed something at him. "Don't be such a worrywart Greengrass. It doesn't suit you," he walked past Harry, nodding and taking a sip of coffee. "Potter, always a pleasure," he smiled pleasantly.
Harry sighed with relief. Kimberly might kill Ron anyday now, Norman might set the whole place on fire, and Astoria apparently was contacting ghosts of Dark Lords and having intimate conversations with them. But at least Blaise was gone. For the hour, at least.
"Hey!" Harry blinked. "That was my cup!" he shouted down the hall.
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