Chapter 3

'I have always prided myself in my organisational skills and ability to construct a well rounded, easy-to-use filing system that a whole team of people can use without confusion.'

Hermione was trying her hardest to suppress the small giggle that was building in the pit of her stomach. It really would not be polite to laugh at the person sitting in front of her, especially as they obviously weren't joking and really did believe that their skills in filing was the best thing they could bring to the job of being her new assistant.

She smiled politely and decided to give the young man a chance to show how much fun he really was, under the 'easy-to-use filing system' front.

'So, what do you do in your spare time, Jasper? Do you have many hobbies, or interests?'

Jasper shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

'Er, well I enjoy reading,' he replied.

Hermione tried to look enthusiastic, she, of course, understood the pull of books, but even she had learned to enjoy other things than literature.

'Oh really? What types of books do you like reading?'

Again, Jasper shifted in his seat. 'Well, actually, I enjoy reading books by Muggle authors. I've read a few of their classics but I don't just read those, I read their,' he shifted slightly in his seat, 'science fiction.' His hands made air quotes as he finished his sentence and Hermione tried not to roll her eyes. 'Have you ever read any of them?' he asked Hermione.

'The odd one, when I was younger,' Hermione replied with a polite smile. 'I was never really in to sci-fi. So apart from reading, what else do you do to relax, Jasper?'

He though for a second, his brow furrowing in concentration, before looking positively startled.

'Oh!' he said, obviously surprised at something. 'I totally forgot! I do martial arts, too!'

Hermione, smiled disbelievingly. 'How can you just forget you do martial arts?'

Jasper smiled sheepishly. 'Nerves, I think.'

Hermione smiled and nodded. 'So what type do you do?'

'Kung Fu mainly, but my teacher is a Kickboxer too, so first we learned the basic boxing skills and then progressed to kicks as well. After that, we added in the basic Kung Fu sets and drills. I think combining the two works really well but some people think that combining skills dilutes the individual practices, but the more skill basis you can draw on to defend yourself the better I say.'

Hermione was relieved. Jasper had finally shown her he was more than an efficient filing system instigator.

'I agree. Do you have a preference of the two?'

'Well, initially, boxing and kicking is more aggressive, obviously, you learn how to throw punches in the best way, whereas the basic move of Kung Fu, can take weeks to learn. There are so many different ways to hold your hands during various strikes, and you have to know them all before you can start linking them together. Then again, I think my favourite lesson was when we were shown how to grapple with someone!'

'Grappling? Really?' Hermione asked, one eyebrow raised. 'After all you said about precision in both kickboxing and Kung Fu and now you're talking about having the most fun when rolling around on the floor grappling with someone!'

Jasper laughed out loud. 'Well, there's something very satisfying about pinning someone twice your size to the floor with just one hold! Terrifying when I had it done to me though, you should have seen the size of this guy, he was built like a brick shit-hou—'

His eyes widened and he opened his mouth a few times but no sound came out.

'I'm sorry,' he mumbled eventually.

Hermione smiled kindly at him. 'What for?'

He glanced at Hermione before looking at her desk.

'My language.'

Hermione snorted. 'Oh please, that's nothing to what I hear on a daily basis!'

Jasper's blush receded slightly and he managed a smile.

Hermione checked the clock on her wall and her list on the desk.

'Well, Jasper, we only have a couple of minutes left before I'm due to see the next candidate. Now, if you can tell me what you can bring to the position of my assistant that no one else can, apart from a top notch filing system then I will add you to the very short list of people I am calling back.'

She picked up her quill and positioned it at an obvious list of numbers, which was waiting to be filled. She caught Jasper's eye and then looked at the parchment, hoping he would cotton on to the fact that she wanted to write his name on the list.

'Oh, right, of course,' he began with a smile. 'Well, apart from a top notch filing system I can bring reliability and responsibility and someone who considers tardiness the eighth deadly sin. I'm tidy and I work hard and most importantly I make a fantastic cup of coffee!' He finished his speech with a broader smile, which Hermione returned.

'Two o'clock suit you all right?' she asked.

Jasper sighed in relief. 'Yes, that's fine, brilliant in fact. I'm due to meet my brother for lunch at twelve and my security check is at one, it won't take an hour will it?'

Hermione shook her head. 'No, half an hour at the most, but be prepared for a lot of form filling.'

'Really?' Jasper asked.

'Really,' Hermione reiterated. 'And that's before you've even been offered a job. Should you be successful in your application then you may regret taking it because of the onslaught of parchment that will undoubtedly come your way. Actually, maybe I shouldn't have told you that. I'm putting you off, aren't I?'

Jasper smiled. 'Hardly.'

'Good.'

Hermione gathered her notes on Jasper along with his original application and the results of any initial information gathering that was mandatory with all applications to the Ministry of Magic and the Magical Law Department specifically. She stood and extended her hand to Jasper who, after standing himself, took it and shook it.

'See you at two o'clock, then Jasper.'

'Two o'clock, Miss Granger.'

Hermione's brow furrowed slightly. 'Hermione, please.'

'Hermione it is. See you later.'

Hermione nodded and Jasper gathered his cloak and his bag and left the room, closing the door with a quiet click.

Hermione sat back down and closed her eyes.

Well, he's been the best so far, she thought to herself. Just four more to go!

She filed Jasper's notes away in her appropriately labelled folder and took the next application off the pile.

'Well Mister…' she struggled to read the appalling handwriting of the next applicant, 'Ha-, Han-… Haw…Hawthorn?' she finally asked the empty room.

'That's what you said earlier, Miss Granger,' the painted portrait of a short, rather large man said through a yawn.

'Thank you, Gerald,' Hermione replied without looking at the frame.
She stood and walked to the door, opening it and stepping into the corridor.
'Mister Hawthorn, please.'

…oooOOOooo…

'Magical Law, Jas? With your history? How did you even get an interview?'

Jasper looked at his brother, slightly annoyed.

'I doubt my petty thieving as a fifteen- year-old is going to trouble the Magical Law department. Plus your slate gets wiped clean when you come of age.'

'Surely there's still some record?'

Jasper shook his head.

'If you persistently offend then, yes, there is a permanent record, but I don't think I was that bad, do you?'

'And what about your Muggle police file? I do believe your last encounter with the law was on your eighteenth birthday so that won't get sealed. You're officially a criminal!'

'You're officially a dickhead but I don't go around telling you at every opportunity, do I?'

Jasper watched his brother throw his head back in laughter.

'Why did you want to see me?' he asked, wary of the time and his next appointment with – hopefully – his future employer.

'Mum wants you round this Sunday for dinner. Full roast, two kinds of spuds, the lot!'

'I do have a phone, you know!' Jasper retorted.

'Thank you, Jas, I know that, but Mum decided it had been far too long since we'd graced each other with our presence so insisted I come into Wizarding London to see you.'

'Wow, that was convincing. Where are they?'

'Where are what?'

'The multiple bottles of the 'special' Firewhisky you get from a dodgy bloke down Knockturn Alley?'

'Oh, you really have no faith in me at all do you, Jas?'

'None whatsoever. Where are they?'

Jasper watched as his brother smirked and opened his long coat to show bulging inside pockets.

'But Mum really does want you round on Sunday. It wasn't optional, everyone's gonna be there, and if I'm there, so are these.'
He tapped his coat and the bottles clinked together.

Jasper looked at his watch and realised it was time to make his way back to the Ministry of Magic.

'Oh, look at the time! Unfortunately I have to leave you and your alcohol alone, dear brother of mine.'

He stood and put enough money on the table to cover what both he and his brother had eaten and drank at the small café.

'Aw, cheers, Jas! You shouldn't have!'

'I shouldn't, but you couldn't so I had to.'

He turned and walked down the street.

'See you later, Mills,' his brother called after him.

'Dick'ead!' Jasper called over his shoulder.

'Wanker!'

Jasper saw the disapproving stares of the wizards and witches behind him but couldn't let his brother have the last word. He spun round a smirked.

'Cock'ead!' he shouted loudly before turning on the spot and Apparating to the Ministry.

Still with a grin on his face he made his way through the Atrium and up in the lift to the Department of Magical Law. He was about to sit down on one of the seats in the corridor when Hermione Granger's door opened and she stepped out.

'Oh, Jasper, I'm glad you're here. I need a word with you, would you mind?'

She stepped to the side and gestured for him to walk into his office. He smiled at her.

'Not at all.'

He waited for her to close the door.

'Please, take a seat,' she said, waving the folder she was holding at the chair pulled out from her desk.

He sat in the chair and waited for her to take her seat. He smiled at her but his face fell when she only managed a half smile in return.

He looked at the table and his heart sank. There were three folders on the desk before him, all three labelled Mills – Jasper. He could see that two were still sealed, but one was open and obviously read by Hermione Granger.
Before Hermione had the chance to say anything, he heard himself speak.

'I can explain,' he said, hating the way his words had turned into a plea.

'Then do.'

Hi! Thanks for the reviews and the alerts so far, much appreciated. I'm posting this as a reward for getting chapter 8 finished, so you can rest with the knowledge that there are 5 more chapters of this to come. Obviously you would be kept awake at night worrying about this fact... lol

If you could review this chapter, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks, Step ;)