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Tuesday Afternoon: Alicia

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"Did you read the speech?" I asked when I sat down with Percy in the cafeteria.

"It was good," he replied, poking at his food.

"I liked the part where I said that the key to a prosperous country was a country where the people where happy and how Harrison was going to make sure that his people were happy." Percy didn't say anything and continued to poke at his food. "I'm not sure how Greg liked it though. He said it was 'idealistic' but he didn't say whether he thought that was a good thing or a bad thing. Personally, I like a little idealism. Can I help it if I believe in my country and my Minister?"

"It was good." I stared at him.

"What about the part where I wrote the Minister dreamed of flying pigs?" I asked with sarcasm.

"It was good."

"And then Greg was running through the hall naked?"

"It was good."

"And how every staff member needed to get laid?"

"It was good."

"Percy! Have you been listening to a word I've been saying?"

"Yes." I raised an eyebrow. Liar.

"Okay. Then what did I just say?"

"You were asking me what I thought about your speech."

"I lost you way back there then, didn't I? What has you so distracted today?"

"Oh, you know, the China crises. The wizards and oracles are at each other's throats again."

"Oh." In Percy Language that must mean 'I'm thinking about how crazy I am about my assistant'.

"Oh? What do you mean 'oh'."

"You're in love with Padma."

"Oh I've known that ever since she started working here," Colin cut in as he came in and sat down with us.

"I'm not in love with Padma!" Percy said hotly, his ears getting red.

"He's in denial," I told Colin seriously.

"I'm not in denial!" Percy cut in.

"It's only a matter of time before they open their eyes and realize they were meant to be together," Colin told me with a straight face but I could see his eyes twinkling.

"You two are so aggravating!" He exclaimed, getting up and storming out the door.

"Accept it, Percy! Accepting it is the first step!" I called after him but he ignored me.

"Was he talking about Padma again?" Colin asked me once Percy was gone.

"No. Thinking about her."

"Oh."

"She's already accepted the fact she's in love with him. If he'd just get his head out of the sand.you know, I bet if he was an animagus, his animal form would be an ostrich." Colin snorted into his cup of coffee. "Well how's your day been?"

"Okay. Carla wasn't in the pressroom today."

"Is she the American one from 'Magical U.S.A.'?"

"Yeah," he replied, shifting uncomfortably. I narrowed my eyes. Something didn't seem right here.

"What's going on?"

"Well, I sort of got angry and said some things to her yesterday." he began.

"Oh, Colin," I sighed. "You've done it again."

"It's not my fault!" I shook my head and looked at him over the rim of my mug.

"What did you say?"

"I said she was very unprofessional and not a good reporter."

"You're the Press Secretary. You don't say things like that to reporters."

"It's just Carla," he said as though this answered everything.

"Just Carla? What do you mean just Carla?"

"Harriet says she-"

"Oh, Harriet's back. I thought she transferred. Wasn't she the one you were sleeping with?" I demanded. He flushed angrily,

"She was here because Carl's been sick. And who I sleep or don't sleep with is none of your business! I don't ask you if you're sleeping with Wood so don't ask me about Harriet." I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Colin! This is getting ridiculous! Were not discussing who sleeps with who, we're discussing the fact you can't show that poor Carla a little respect."

"She comes to briefings unprepared, she can't even remember what questions she wants to ask-"

"She's just out of school! Are you telling me you were the epitome of professionalism when you graduated? I happen to remember otherwise, Mr. Creevey." He stared down into his coffee and didn't reply. "I think you owe her an apology," I said calmly. Just because he was a cynical grouch who had to grow up too fast didn't mean he had to take his anger out on everyone else.

"Fine. I'll apologize," he said finally.

"Good. My work here is done." I stood up and left. I had my other mission to work on. One that began with a P.