Chapter Two: Mayhem at the Ministry.

I know that I said that I would tell you about the students from Hogwarts that we get here and I will - but it's going to have to wait. There's been a few odd goings on around here - with the people that come and go and I think I should tell you about that first.

We get a fair few of the Ministry through these doors by the way. We are quite famous actually... here at The Leaky Cauldron. You might think we are only this little dingy place but my, oh my, we get everyone here.

The one which we get a lot is the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour. He used to come here all the time when he wasn't the big, high and mighty. He used to be the head of the Auror department... wow, that is a really cool job, being out there and fighting. I'd be no good because, well, I am a big girl's blouse and scream at house elves suddenly appearing. I'd be rubbish out in the field – I'd give everyone away. Or wet meself which would be dead embarrassing for everyone involved.

Yeah, so, this Scrimgeour, he used to come here at all these funny times of the day... sometimes coming on for midnight. Fair enough I used to think because Aurors keep these funny hours what with all the tracking and the sneaking and the...whatever it is they actually do. However...the thing is, I asked Tom why he is always so late turning up and Tom gave me this wink and nod and said "You keep your mind on your cleaning, Em, my girl. You don't want to be sticking your nose into that business. Dark business that. You want to stay clear." Don't know about you but that sounds pretty... dodgy. I can understand avoiding it because Auror business can be a bit scary but... dark business? That sounds like more than the usual hoity-toity ministry business to me. I could never get Tom to tell me anything else and I decided that he thought it really was too dangerous. Tom's been here for years and, well, he can spot trouble a mile away. Thing is though... that man is Minister for Magic now. He's basically running us. I just... if he was dangerous when he was just an Auror... what can he do now he's in charge? That really worries me. I'm only a chamber maid but... sometimes I worry that I should tell someone. Who would listen to me?

Sometimes I hear things like that and it really gets me down. Other days are amazing though... like yesterday. One of the Aurors came in, her and her boyfriend, and they were planning their wedding. She is called Tonks and is really sweet. She always has time to talk to the girls who work here – although to be fair, we don't let her near the crockery. Nice girl but not that delicate. We go through more plates when she is here than we usually do in a week. Her fiancée is a funny one though. He seems like he is really nice and everything but...there's always something...else about him. Like he's sad or scared. When they were in here this week, she was showing him this book of designs for her dress and he was smiling and happy and everything but when she said something about the date... he got funny, kind of grumpy looking and said that they would be really careful that they got it right because he didn't want to have to go away straight after the wedding. I don't know what he meant by that but... she just nudged him and told him to stop worrying. She seems as though she might be good for him... cheer him up or something.

Sometimes we get Cornelius Fudge in. I used to think he was a pompous git because he used to come in and demand a private room and service here and now, just because he was the guy in charge. Things is... I don't think he was ever in charge. I always think he was doing the job and asking anyone around him what he was meant to be doing. Now he isn't even in the ministry... not what I'd call "in". He is something like "Advisor to the Minister" or some nonsense. Tom reckons that means telling Scrimgeour where the new quills are when he needs one – he doesn't need Fudges help. Anyway, when he comes in, you can't help but feel a bit sad for the old bugger. He always talks to us and tries to tell us how great he used to be. Personally think he is going a little bit... ya know... loopy, senile...old. He winces whenever you mention Scrimgeour as well which ain't good.

Anyway, all in all, I reckon the whole ministry is falling apart. Not the best of times really what with You-Know-Who running around, causing trouble all over. He's a right mischief maker that one and no mistake. Calling himself Lord this and Dark that. Honestly, that's like me calling myself Headmistress of Hogwarts – ideas above my station... although that wouldn't half be a hoot. Me being in charge of Hogwarts... can you imagine? Wouldn't do Potions... I was always rubbish... but like I said before, we might should keep hold of that Professor Snape... he is too dishy to let go. I'd find a use for him...

Sorry, miles away. Yeah, so, I reckon the Ministry ain't half what it's cracked up to be. Loadsa room for improvement – must try harder. (Sounds like my old school report... I think me old mum gave up hoping for a genius when my first report came back telling her that I was doing very well in Transfiguration and would be getting really good grades if I could actually transfigure what I was aiming for and not a class member. In my defence, the girl who got hit looked better with a willow pattern on her face – she was dead ugly). I reckon me and the girls should go and sort out the Ministry. If we can deal with a load of drunk warlocks on a Friday night after a Quidditch final – we can sort out that place. No worries.

Anyway, I reckon we will have a new Minister of Magic soon. The way he is going, I reckon that Harry Potter will be the youngest Minister ever... you mark my words! Oh, that Harry Potter... he's wonderful. I'll tell you all about our fan club soon – its very high class and we have some spies on the inside if you know what I mean. Dedicated, that's us!

I got to go now though. Can't stand around chatting all day – mainly because some warlock just threw up on the downstairs bar. Apparently Chudley Cannons are doing really well this season... and he drank a load of carrot juice in the hope of turning orange just like them. It didn't work well but he did make a lovely colourful waterfall when he threw up. I never said this job was glamorous. See ya soon, ducks. Love and all.