Hi again! Thank you for those who reviewed. Seeing them made me super happy. :D Here is the second chapter and remember: I own nothing!
Chapter Two, Working at the Ministry:
The next few months were full of hard work at the Ministry. I worked nearly everyday tackling any muggle case that was thrown at me. There were mostly simple ones, like explaining basic wizard terms and activities to the parents of muggle born witches and wizards and sorting out minor legal misunderstandings between the muggle and wizarding world, but my favorite cases were the rare tricky ones. My favorite case up to date had me go undercover as a witch movie star in order to keep her safe from a conspiracy group made of a few death eaters. Not only did I get to spy on the spy bodyguard and use some high tech weapons for protection, I got to where designer clothes and hang out with some of my idols. I loved every second of it. Unfortunately, not all of my jobs turned out to be that fun.
"Miss Weasley! You are needed as soon as possible on the negative third floor! Room seven and one fifth. Spit spot!" I immediately jumped up from my desk and made my way to the nearest staircase in response to Mr. Dawlish, who was technically one of my bosses. So much for my lunch break, I thought as I combed my messy hair with my fingers and straightened my name tag, rushing down the stairs. If there was only one thing that I had learned during my employment at the Ministry during this rough time, you know with You-Know-Who out and about, it was that if you were called suddenly for a case in an urgent matter, it was both really important and you should look your best. It didn't really work in your favor if you showed up at a very confidential meeting looking sloppy and unprepared. Even if it was called in the middle of the night, like that one case involving a dragon, a love potion, and some death eaters who had drunk a wee too much fire whiskey in a muggle neighborhood. I was called at two in the morning and heavily admonished by Mr. Dawlish when I showed up at the Ministry in a wrinkled robe, a bed head, and bad breath. Now I always carried a lint roller for my uniform and a case of mints. You've always got to be prepared.
When I made it to the negative third floor weaved in and out of the labyrinth like hallways looking for room seven and one fifth. I finally found the door and was about to knock when it flew open. I nearly ran into Kingsley, an Order of the Phoenix member, who looked calm and serious as usual. "Usa! There you are. We were about to start a search party," he reprimanded, though not harshly. I blushed and began to mutter apologies. Gees, I was just told and there are a lot of stairs! Kingsley then continued, he tone less serious and more humorous, "You know that the Minister is impatient." I stifled a giggle. Didn't we know it. The Mister was always anxious, but at least he has a reason; he might meet his end very soon if Voldemort decided to take over the Ministry. I should probably be more worried myself, but I actively try not to dwell on negative situations. They tend to just add to the despair that comes with pain and suffering.
Kingsley backed away from the doorway and invited me in. Sitting in the dark and dusty room, at the a tall dark wooden desk, was the Minister of Magic himself, Mr. Rufus Scrimgeour. I was definitely taken by surprise; usually cases, even really important ones, are given to me by aurors or other agents. Even having Kingsley open the door was surprising, so the fact that the Minister was sitting in front of me meant that something was totally wrong. I tried to keep calm, slowing my breaths as I walked up and sat in the chair in front of the desk which Kingsley gestured towards. I awkwardly scooted my chair in and then middled with my light pink, manicured nails.
"Ah, Miss Usa Florentine Weasley, thank you for coming." The Minister wrung his hands. "As you can see this is very urgent. This will be very difficult, but a person with, er, your talents, and er, lack of magic, is a necessity." I was both annoyed and flattered by the Minister's reasoning. Of course the case would be hard, but the fact that a non-wizard was needed was intriguing.
"So what does it entail?" I asked with a confident voice as I sat up even straighter against the mildewing velvet chair. "When do I start? What equipment do I need? How long will this take?"
The Minister coughed, picked up a thick folder, and began leafing through it. He coughed again. "Well essentially this case only involves you going undercover at an, er, building, an important building."
"Where exactly?" I asked exasperated. Yes, the Minister was under a lot of stress but it would be nice if he could actually finish a sentence without pausing awkwardly or saying 'er', though I seriously doubted that.
The Minister began to answer but then gestured to Kingsley who continued, "Buckingham Palace. You will be going undercover as a butler, or something along the sort, at Buckingham palace for a few days. Our sources, you know, the Order of the Phoenix, have informed us that Volde-" He glanced toward the terrified Minister. "I mean, You-Know-Who, plans on infiltrating soon. We fear for the Queen's life." I opened my mouth to ask a few more questions. How would a muggle be useful? Aren't butlers or servants usually male? Kingsley noticed and put up his finger. He apparently was not done speaking. "We need you, a muggle, because we need your insight; no one here at the Ministry, even the most trained ones, have your knowledge about your non magical world. Also, I have been told that are very skilled with muggle weapons, especially high tech spy gear and guns. We fear that they will come in handy. Don't worry, there will be a few undercover aurors there but I am afraid that you will be the most useful and the most at risk."
I sighed. This was finally happening; the adventure that I had always dreamed of. The excitement that I could finally get from another case. However, something didn't feel right. I was nervous and unsure for some reason. Butterflies were riding roller coasters in my stomach. I was going to take the case though. There was no way that I couldn't but I would be positive and excited about it. I just had to get a few more questions answered.
"So," I began. "Aren't butlers and such usually, well, male?" I asked. The Minister nodded.
"That's right. I almost forgot! You will be going undercover as Edward Hayes, house and royal assistant." At least I know about the habits of teenage males, I thought, realising that the time spent living with the many Weasley boys might come in handy. Kingsley walked over to the corner of the room and picked up the navy blue muggle suitcase that was sitting there. He brought it over to me which I opened immediately. Inside were various clothing for males as well as a book of tips and a few of her personal belongings from the Burrow. Well it looks like I start as soon as possible, I thought. I, from past experiences have learned not to ask when I start a case. The answer tends to be 'right now!'.
Sure enough, the Minister began to stand up from his chair. "I bid you good luck, Miss Florentine-Weasley. I trust that you will do a swell job. See you in a few weeks." He shook my hand and then continued, "Kingsley will now take you to the grooming area we have prepared for you undercover agents and then straight to the palace. Farewell." I nodded and thanked him for the honor of being chosen for the case, picked up the suitcase, and followed Kingsley out of the dusty office.