A/N:My betas have been at it again, proving how wonderful they are by continuing to see me through this. You are the best, sunshyndaisies, Seakays, and Christina Teresa--my gratitude for all of your help and brilliant suggestions is endless. NZ

Chapter 12
Matters of Interpretation

Starr make it again? Hermione requested with concern, mixing the cards that Starr had just chosen to build her diary sentence with all of the others and pushing the whole stack forward. It was getting late in the day and Hermione didn't want to keep Starr (or herself, for that matter) from the evening feeding, but she had to be sure she'd understood Starr's sentence correctly.

Starr looked a bit confused, but obligingly set to work again, pulling the same cards from the stack that she had used the first time. Lining up the cards on the table, the picture sentence stated: Sloane hurt Trey.

Hermione's brow furrowed. Sloane was one of the handlers that she'd hardly seen--not that she knew any of them well. She had no means to ask Starr just how Sloane had hurt Trey, but she was aware that unless it was a matter of self-defense, the handlers were strictly forbidden from harming the Yeti in any way. She had a thought and moved two of the cards that Starr had placed in order.

Hermione sequenced Sloane hurt, then pushed the and not true cards at Starr.

Starr rather emphatically picked up the not true card and slapped it down on the table, then stared Hermione straight in the eye.

Hermione nodded and said seriously, Starr true. Shuffling a few more cards about, she pulled out the one with her own picture blinking back at her along with some others and sequenced Hermione tell Dr. Null.

This seemed to appease Starr. Hermione pulled out a scrap of parchment to send a memo for the handlers to come and return the Yeti before her to the habitat. Yet just as she set her quill to the parchment, she stopped. How could she turn Starr over to the handlers after what the Yeti had just reported? What if Sloane was one of those who came to get Starr?

Hermione sat silently for a moment while she made up her mind. Yes, she knew the rules, but she also thought these might be extenuating circumstances. Where would the wizarding world be if she and Harry and Ron (though she'd never admit it to the two of them) had always followed all the rules? Besides, what could go wrong with Starr? It wasn't more than forty meters to the outside door that led to the natural habitat.

Hermione decisively moved several cards around on the table and turned them towards Starr: Starr come quiet Hermione.

Starr looked momentarily surprised, but also seemed rather awed. The Yeti's big hand cleared the other cards out of the way as she turned the card toward Hermione that meant .

Hermione stood and walked to the door, waiting for the Yeti to follow her lead. Some of the Yeti wore shackles inside the training rooms to make certain they could be managed, but Starr hadn't worn them for months according to Dr. Null. Hermione fervently hoped she wouldn't take this chance to test her limits.

Opening the heavy door, Hermione looked out into the hallway and didn't see anyone in either direction. She moved into the hall, looking back and waving at Starr, who stepped out next to her. It amazed Hermione how small and child-like she felt when standing next to a Yeti, just as she had always felt with Hagrid.

Hermione and Starr walked without incident to the back door. Hermione tried to push the door open, but the weight of the gigantic thing made it difficult. Starr began to push with her and the door instantly swung wide. But before Starr had a chance to step through, her attention snapped to the side; Hermione had heard the voices, too.

A group of handlers were gathered around an old picnic table. Dr. Voyde was there as well, standing next to the man Hermione had seen with his hand on her back in the commons. The man was again talking with authority to the others in that deep, gravelly voice, sounding as if he was issuing orders to the new shift of handlers coming on for the night.

Starr and Hermione stood frozen, watching the group.

We don't want any permanent damage, of course, so in order to make the Yeti more compliant when you have difficulties... For some reason, the man speaking paused there and smiled strangely at the group of men; eerily, they returned his strange smile. Be sure to use the Dolorus Maximus! Spell. To show how effective this is, we'll test a Dolorus Minimus ... The man leaned forward, repeating the incantation and touching one handler's shoulder with his wand. Hank's turn today.

Hank immediately howled and started grabbing at his hand, arm, and shoulder, obviously in great pain. The speaker, Dr. Voyde, and the other handlers did something that surprised Hermione: they laughed. After a minute or two, Hank's pain seemed to lessen and he actually forced himself to chuckle as well, though he was hardly the most jovial among them.

Hermione had thought she and Starr had gone unnoticed; the group appeared quite involved in their own discussion. She waved her hand at Starr to indicate she should move out into the habitat and Starr hesitantly took two steps before they both heard the shout.

Hey! Hey!!

Apparently one of the men seated at the table facing them had seen Starr emerge from the lab, but he didn't see her for long. Starr crouched and disappeared almost instantly and Hermione could only see the purple glow of her halo for a few meters before it sank into the shadows of the dusk.

Hermione only briefly considered backing into the building and running. There was nothing but a long hallway of doors behind her, most of which were locked so the Yeti couldn't escape through them when they were brought in. Besides, the man who had been talking when she and Starr emerged had already lumbered about half of the distance to her, closely followed by Dr. Voyde.

You! Little girl! the man shouted.

And something about the tone of his voice made Hermione shiver. She'd heard that voice before--she knew she had. But where? Surely not just here. And his lumbering gait... Hermione froze and realized there was nothing she could do now but face the music.

Dr. Voyde called and the man stopped moving to turn to her. The two of them spoke briefly but heatedly for a moment, Carl seeming determined to advance on the open door next to which Hermione stood.

Hermione couldn't hear what they were saying, but the man lunged in her direction once more. Then at a touch and a second plea from Dr. Voyde, he grudgingly headed back toward the picnic table, glancing angrily behind him once more.

Miss Granger! Dr. Voyde said tersely as she approached. What do you think you're doing? It was odd to see the same person who'd seemed so timid looking so irritated.

I -- I-- Hermione stammered, trying to think at lightning speed. They'd already seen Starr, so there was no room for denials. I was just releasing Starr after our session--that's all.Hasn't Dr. Null given you instructions on how the Yeti are to be handled? Voyde demanded. She had stopped next to Hermione, but even in her current state of anger, couldn't manage to look Hermione in the eye.

Yes, Doctor, Hermione answered sheepishly. But she's very calm around me, and I just thought I'd save the handlers the trouble-- Something about the sudden personality change in Dr. Voyde made Hermione nervous about telling her what Starr had reported.

Please don't do us any favors, Miss Granger, Dr Voyde hissed. Someone like you gets hurt for disobeying safety regulations and we lose our project. Just--like--that. Come with me--I think we need to let Dr. Null know he must review procedures with you.

Hermione held the door open as Pamela Voyde swept past her and down the hall. She grimaced at the thought of Dr. Null finding out what she'd done-- or in reality, not done. But she had no choice but to hurry along behind Dr. Voyde.

Dr. Null sat at his desk, what little of his head that could be seen propped up with his forearm. He moved to rub absently at his brow with his hand, poring over some paperwork on the desktop in front of him.

Dr. Null? Voyde said, causing the man to look up at them groggily.

Hermione's first thought was that Dr. Null did not look well. His skin was pastier than usual and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. She hadn't seen him since early this afternoon and he had been fine then; obviously things had changed. Hermione felt like kicking herself for her lousy timing.

Even Dr. Voyde in all of her irritation seemed to notice. Chris? Are you all right? Null muttered. I'll be fine. What's going on?I regret having to report this to you, but your intern, Voyde said in mild disgust, glancing sideways at Hermione, just took it upon herself to escort Starr from the lab into the compound--without the aid of the handlers. I reminded her that was definitely against safety regulations, but I thought you might need to impress upon her the gravity of the situation--and the possible consequences to us should anything unfortunate happen.

Null looked as if the idea was difficult to process. Hermione? I can't imagine Hermione being so careless with the regulations-- just doesn't seem the type. Dr. Null then adjusted in his chair to look straight at her. Is this true?

Hermione was mortified, even though she knew she'd had good reason to do it. Well, yes, but-- there were circumstances...No matter what the circumstances, we can't allow any disregard of procedures, Null confirmed. You could put the whole study in jeopardy, you know.So Dr. Voyde has told me, Hermione said dully. I'm sorry -- it won't happen again.If you've got this covered then, Chris, I'd better get back to the men, Dr. Voyde said. The new shift is coming on and it's so important to keep everyone informed what with the change in the behavioral climate--you know what I mean.By all means, doctor, Null said. I'll handle this. The zoolowizard still had a slight grimace on his face as if it hurt him to talk.

Hermione and Null watched silently as Dr. Voyde strode from the office. At least he had the decency to wait until she was gone, Hermione thought.

Sit down, please. Dr. Null was rubbing at his forehead again, his eyes crinkled.

Swinging the old, creaky office chair from her work station around to face him, she sat down tentatively on the edge.

What happened, Hermione? You know you're not allowed to handle the Yeti on your own, even Starr. The creatures are still, in essence, operating on instinct. Even if they didn't intend to hurt you, they have the strength of ten grown wizards and could easily cause serious injury. I am a bit disappointed -- I thought you knew to be more careful than that.I'm sorry, sir. I really am. But as I said, there were... circumstances. Earlier, in my session with Starr, she reported something rather strange. She said that Sloane hurt Trey. I had her rebuild the sentence in case she'd made a mistake, I questioned her on it, but she insisted it was true. I wanted to report that to you before I turned her over to any of the handlers because I wasn't sure-- Dr. Null interrupted, a bit impatient in his pain, -- these men are professionals. They would do nothing to harm the Yeti unless they deemed it necessary for their own protection. Dr. Voyde has hired the best. So either something happened with Trey that we're unaware of, Starr's got it wrong -- or you have.But I could tell from the way she looked at me-- Hermione protested.

And you've had how many days of experience testing the Yeti and recording behavior? No, I think I'd better work with Starr tomorrow -- as Trey's mate, she can be a bit overly-sensitive about him sometimes. I'll see if I get the same reading and check into your allegations. Please go collect the paperwork -- you can finish it here at your station and leave it on my desk when you're through.

Hermione said nothing more. It didn't necessarily sound as if Null didn't believe her, just that perhaps he felt she'd made a poor interpretation of Starr's writing'. Plus she hadn't dared to bring up all that Leif had told her. She wondered if he would have been upset at all if he'd been feeling better. Can I get you anything? Forgive my saying so, but--you look awful.No--just a damned migraine, Dr. Null replied. What time is it anyway? Have I missed lunch?Lunch, sir? Hermione repeated in disbelief. It's nearly past time for dinner.

Null sighed. I hate it when I do that. No wonder my head's killing me.I'm sure Tulip has something wonderful prepared--she always does. Would you like me to bring you something to eat? Hermione asked.

No, no, I'd better go myself--you have a diary summary to finish, Null said dully as he slowly stood. Just leave it on the desk-- I'll get to it. Did I tell you that already?

Even if she was unsure about the circumstances, Hermione felt badly that she'd let him down. Dr. Null? I meant what I said before--it'll never happen again.

Null turned to face her. I know. Everyone makes mistakes--and you're new to this. It's just that mistakes here can be so costly-- for the people involved, for the Yeti, for the future of our study and the future of their race. Everyone here's so sensitive to anything that can cost us the project--we've worked such a long time to get here.

The zoolowizard managed a strained little smile and painfully turned to go.

Hermione wasn't used to making mistakes -- or admitting that she had. On the other hand, she wasn't entirely certain that she'd made one in not allowing the handlers access to Starr.

She sighed and stood to go retrieve her diary summary from the training room. Two steps later, she felt something underfoot and bent to collect Dr. Null's quill from the floor, which had apparently fallen through the hole in his pocket again. Lying near the quill was a small, crumpled wad of parchment, probably another pocket escapee. Without knowing whether or not the parchment was trash, she set the two items on Null's desktop, noticing in the brighter light of his oil lamp that there was part of a word visible on the outside of the parchment ball.

She re-checked the room and found herself alone-- alone with her thoughts of un-crumpling the parchment and reading what it said as well. Effectively stashing any feelings of guilt behind her substantial curiosity, she uncurled and flattened the rumpled mess. There were only two words written as a question in Null's bold scrawl; they made absolutely no sense in her experiences to date at Trapperton: Cent. studies?

Thinking hard, she couldn't make sense of the message in relation to the Yeti. Perhaps it had something to do with something from the turn of the century, or how behavior had changed since then. Central? Center? She shrugged and decided to dismiss it--in light of the random way Null's mind seemed to work, it could mean almost anything.

Wandering into the quiet, empty hallway behind the offices on her way to the training room, Hermione heard several faraway shouts and hoots from Voyde's men just outside the building in the habitat. One of them laughed and even though she really had no interest in getting to know the handlers personally, something about walking down a darkened, empty hallway just after having been reprimanded and listening to someone else laughing with a friend suddenly made her feel very isolated.

She'd only been here four full days now, though it seemed like much longer somehow. She was still thrilled by the prospect of learning from Dr. Null and he was indeed as compassionate and intelligent a man as all of the scientific journal articles had stated--as least as far as she could tell at this point.

But the reality of being away from the people and places with which she was familiar and comfortable was more difficult than she thought it would be. Here she wasn't the reliably brilliant Hermione Granger of Hogwarts, beloved and respected friend of Harry and Ron (or whatever she was to Ron, she re-thought), or the daughter her parents had always doted on. Here she was just another research assistant who was expected to learn what she could, perform her duties and uphold her part: no more, no less. And apparently, she was to give as little problem-solving input as possible.

What was funny was that she hadn't given a second thought to how much she would miss her family and friends. She envisioned herself on this great and wonderful adventure, which in a sense her internship was-- but somehow she had forgotten to envision what it would be like without everyone she knew and loved. Hermione hadn't planned on finding out just how much she needed them.

This was the night she'd planned to write to Harry and Ron and send off the first letter for each that would no doubt take them by surprise. Ron, especially, would likely be pleased to hear from her - at least, if all the fuss he'd made about her being out of touch was as big a deal to him as he'd let on. Hermione thought of all she had to tell her best friends and guessed that the letters would indeed require some great lengths of parchment.

She arrived in the training room to find her report precisely where she'd left it on the table. Stacking the picture cards and setting them away for another day's work, Hermione scooped up the diary parchment and doused the only lamp still lit in the room. With any luck, the rest of the report would go smoothly and quickly. She could ask Tulip for a light supper to pack up and take to her cabin where she could start in on those long letters to Ron and Harry. It was beginning to feel like this might be a long month indeed, but at least she could try to make the best of it.

This part does get really tedious, Leo said, roughly tossing another small package marked Fragile' across the room into the bin for the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Perfect time for that Security story, Ron.

For an hour now, the two of them had been sorting urgent' parcels for the Ministry received by the Space Dislocation Department that day. Leo had explained that they would soon head into the office areas to actually distribute the mail and packages for the afternoon. But first, since he was lucky enough to have help now, he wanted to try and make some sort of dent in sorting the enormous pile of non-urgents' that had backed up since the new regulations began.

Because Leo had seen fit to trust him from the beginning and make him such a generous offer on the parts, Ron could see no harm in recounting a bit about the Department of Mysteries break-in to the shipping supervisor. After all, the man probably knew as much or more about it than he did.

You know that break-in in June that you mentioned? Ron began.

Yeah--Death Eaters came in, some Aurors were involved, rumor has it even old You-Know-Who and Albus Dumbledore came to call. The Atrium was almost completely destroyed--but then, you know Fudge--had to rebuild it like nothing ever happened, Leo said. Letters-to-the-Editor about that break-in were in all the papers, though they really tried to low-key the rumor mill here. What--you know somebody who was here that night?Er, yeah--something like that.Your dad, eh? Leo asked, continuing without giving Ron time to deny it. But how did you get on Security's list? Come down to watch with dad? Forget to return the quill you borrowed from someone's desk and they accused you of stealing it? They're famous for that kind of thing, you know.No, I didn't steal anything-- Ron said, then he thought again, --that I know of. Do you remember reading in the papers about Harry Potter and some of his friends from Hogwarts--

Leo stopped searching for the address on the parcel he held and stared at Ron. Wait --you go to Hogwarts, right? You know Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?Yeah. Know him quite well, really, Ron said. Anyway, Harry came here to rescue someone- and he needed help--so some of us came along-- Leo said, dropping his jaw and his box completely now. NO! You're taking the mickey--you can't be--Well, I have had a bit of trouble remembering it, Ron said (quite the understatement, he thought), but, yeah, I was here with Harry that night.That's it! That's it! Leo said. You'll not be leaving today until you tell me the whole thing--the whole thing! Understand? Now--TELL!

At first Ron had been worried about how Leo would take it when he found out. On the other hand, Leo seemed far from some of the staunchly rule-bound Ministry workers Ron had met throughout his life--certainly much more relaxed about Ministry regulations than Percy would ever have been. But little did Ron expect Leo to regard him as some sort of celebrity for it.

Without actually saying who they had come to rescue, Ron recounted in very general terms most of what he knew about the night of the Department of Mysteries break-in, at least what Ginny had told him. Leo listened intently to every single word.

As Ron's description slowed to completion, Leo looked around the two of them and began to whisper. You know, there's been talk there was one room with brains all over the floor when it was over. Brains! Can you imagine? Wonder what sick wizard came up with that rumor?

Ron did his best to act appalled. Ergh--who knows? His arms had started to twinge a bit, right along with his head, so he decided a change of subject was definitely in order. Besides, there was that thought had been in the back of his mind ever since it had come to him this morning. While he'd been stuck working in the shipping department, there wasn't a thing he could do about it; but once he could get familiar with the hallways and the offices... When do we head out to the departments with these?

Salomon looked at the wizard watch on his wide wrist, which pointed to You're already behind!' he said, rushing to rummage around on his desktop for a moment. Leo returned with a folded parchment in his hand. The Ministry map--has the department numbers all listed--they match up with this number in the address on the boxes. Long as each box gets to its number, we're good. Ron said, tucking the map into his back pocket. What goes first? Time to see if any of this has a chance of working...

Leo pulled a large, floating bin from the row they had been sorting into and shoved it at Ron. We'll give you an easy one first -- Department of Magical Games and Sports. Finish it off and come for another. Some of these go to what are supposed to be restricted floors, but far as I know, no one's ever been stopped while they're making deliveries no matter who they are.How long has it been since anyone besides you or Piddle has made the deliveries?
Ron asked suspiciously.

Psshht--Piddle? He hasn't made deliveries in years--just Levitates the lighter mail and envelopes to their destinations, Leo said with some air of disgust. Course, he can't bring himself to help us out here, either--that might involve work. As for anyone else? Hmmm--probably a couple of years, I'd say. Ron said dryly.

Just remember you're Renald Wissle--and look like you know what you're doing, Leo replied, picking up Ron's tone of concern. Shouldn't be a problem--and just have me paged if it is.

Actually, things didn't turn out as badly as he thought they might at first. Ron went about his business delivering parcels and very few people paid any attention to him at all. Several asked about Leo, and if he was all right, but once they were told that Salomon was fine and had just qualified for some extra help, those asking were happy for the shipping supervisor (who most knew had been swamped). In fact, Ron was surprised at how easily he moved about all areas of the building, even those areas marked on his map as Restricted'. If only things were this easy to get away with at Hogwarts, he thought. But then, everyone in the Ministry offices was also operating under the assumption that Security had scrutinized everyone before they ever entered the building. It followed, then, that anyone found in the hallways, especially those who looked as if they belonged there working, wouldn't be suspect.

With each completed delivery, Ron's confidence grew that he might actually get away with what he'd hoped to accomplish as his secondary agenda--finding Hermione. He pushed his now-empty first bin against the wall and stopped to unfold the parchment map from his pocket. Following his finger along the hallways of the different levels and reading the names, he looked for prospects. Hmmm, either the Department of Personnel or the Department of Magical Creatures --either might have information as to where Hermione had gone. Not that he knew exactly how to get such information once he found the department; certainly those who worked there wouldn't just offer it up to some unknown new kid from the Shipping Department.

Ron knew Leo had gone to deliver in the Department of International Magical Cooperation-- that meant that the bins for the other two departments were still downstairs if he could get there first. Moving from the crowded main hallway into a fairly empty auxiliary corridor, Ron stepped up onto the edge of the bin and pushed with his other foot behind him faster and faster until the bin was hurtling along to the lift.

Once he'd reached the Shipping Department, he realized with some dismay that the bin for the Department of Magical Creatures was already gone--Leo must have been back already to take it up. But he grabbed the bin for the Department of Personnel and headed back upstairs.

Personnel was a zero. The only one there to talk to was a crotchety old woman who looked highly suspicious of Ron before he even asked a question. She would give no information about interns whatsoever, then began pressing Ron for his name and his hire date. He decided that would be a good time to leave and deposited all of his parcels on the woman's desk to confuse her somewhat. This apparently wasn't going to be easy.

Checking the map again before setting off for the Shipping Department and another bin, Ron decided to try stopping by the Department of Magical Creatures, hoping to find Leo there-- and sure enough, he heard him inside now. In fact, Leo was in the lobby, embroiled in what seemed to be a rather heated discussion with two people in the portable department fire. Speaking from the flames was the head of an older man with glasses; next to him was the head of a boy perhaps a bit older than Ron who kept his eyes averted sheepishly.

Ron left his bin in the hallway and slipped just inside the door, standing quietly and waiting for Leo to finish his discussion.

I've told him time and again that he must have the parcels shipped directly, the older man said tersely. We haven't time for the potions ingredients to go through Ministry shipping and sit for weeks while the dolphins go without. We're conducting a study here, not a dolphin holiday--But Doctor, Leo protested, it's not his fault--as an intern he's required to follow Ministry regulations--he's doing what he's been instructed to do from here. If he doesn't comply with the guidelines, your site won't be allowed to use Space Dislocation at all. Certainly you wouldn't want to use Muggle mail for such controlled substances.

Ron's ears perked at the word intern'--and this man seemed to be talking in terms of scientific studies with dolphins--perhaps this was where he'd needed to be all along.
A well-dressed witch stood from her desk where she'd been listening to the conversation and withdrew into some office toward the back of the lobby. The nameplate on her desk said Whose cockamamie idea was this shipping mess, anyway? the older man huffed. I'll need to speak to the Board about this--or even Fudge himself. How can we be expected to run any kind of authentic scientific study without supplies--in the amounts and timeframes that we need them?

A door closed somewhere in the back and an impeccably-dressed wizard with perfect, dark shoulder-length hair and graying temples appeared, seeming to glide across the room toward the conversation in the fire. Ron thought he recognized the wizard from the Daily Prophet, but he couldn't recall a name.

Dr. Bridwell, the wizard's smooth, compelling voice poured forth, what can I help you with? I'm sure we can take care of any difficulties you've come across -- and I'm sure you'll agree that Johnston here is a fine addition to your staff as an intern, aside from this little shipping snafu that is none of his doing. Let's talk about this.

Like magic, the smooth-talking wizard managed to draw the wind from Dr. Bridwell's irritated sails and the older man in the fire sighed. Thaddeus -- His voice had gone from a bellow to a near-whine. Can't we manage to find a way to get these potion supplies here sooner? We've tried holding out for them, but it's damned near impossible when our studies are time-sensitive--Don't worry, Clyde, there's an answer we can all be happy with--we simply have to find it--and we will, we will, Thaddeus said in a soothing voice. Suddenly, Thaddeus turned his attention to Leo. Mr. Salomon, I'm sure you're a very busy man who needs to get back to his work. Dr. Bridwell and I will talk this out and advise you of our solution to the problem. Will you be available a bit later?

Leo didn't seem to be as taken with Thaddeus' smooth operations as Dr. Bridwell was. If later' doesn't mean more than an hour and-- he checked his watch, forty minutes.Oh, we should be able to come to an acceptable compromise long before that, Thaddeus assured. He turned back to Dr. Bridwell and his intern, effectively dismissing Leo.

The shipping supervisor shot a narrowed sideways glance at the back of Thaddeus before walking to the empty bin he'd left in the corner. He roughly pushed the bin toward the office lobby door and shot a wondering frown at his helper who was still standing against the wall. Ron shoved the door open and stepped back to let Leo pass.

Ron didn't feel it would be a good idea to interrupt Leo's rather profane muttering at this point, so he simply grabbed his own bin and walked alongside the large man without saying anything. As the two of them entered the lift to descend to Shipping, Leo finally turned to Ron.

Did you need something? he asked grumpily.

I just-- well, I was lost for a bit-- Ron stammered, quickly drumming up a reason, --and I thought I heard your voice in that office--So you did, Leo said. He shook his head. Now Sharpe's going to be coming down here with his special instructions just to mollycoddle that prat Bridwell and we'll have to put up with whatever they decide. If they could just let us do our job...I don't know how that poor intern can stand the man--Which man? Ron asked. Dr. Bridwell or, erm-- Sharpe, is it?Either one of them! Leo boomed.

Ron was beginning to realize that the angrier Leo got over something, the deeper and more resonant his voice became. But Ron was distracted by a much more important thought.

So the interns handle shipping sometimes? Ron questioned tentatively.

Leo answered. When an outpost is too small to have their own shipping clerk, the duties often fall to interns or part-timers, especially for supply orders. That's what happened with Bridwell's mess--and he thought the poor kid was at fault for the whole thing. Why?

Ron shrugged. No reason. Just curious, that's all. But he couldn't help but wonder...

So we have--what--two bins apiece left? Leo asked. You're almost keeping up with me, kid--good job. But this bin's tricky--kind of a mixed bag of deliveries, some of them to a certain person's attention--I'll take it.How can you tell if they're to a certain person? Ron asked.

Special Security Charm the Ministry worked out, Leo explained. Most often we use the department numbers here in the building because it doesn't matter who gets the shipment. But if it goes to someone's special attention, they've worked out a system of disappearing encrypted Runes. They also use the charm for the incoming and outgoing parcels to other sites--that way the person the parcel is intended for gets it right away, even if it's just a shipment of supplies. But they encrypt the names so no one can tell where certain individuals are located for security reasons...Nothing you really have to worry about, though--I'll take care of all of those.

Ron could tell that Leo wasn't just offering to take care of those parcels with charms--the man was insisting-- hence he didn't press the matter. He simply re-arranged and stabilized the parcels in his bin before he left--or so it seemed. Leo probably didn't suspect at all just how closely Ron was listening.