Pure Inheritance ~ Ominis Gaunt

Part 4

MC was laying back on her office chair, munching on biscuit sticks and watching the rest of the clerks go about the department. She was lucky to have her own office situated in the center of it, but her responsibilities were limited. Or nonexistent.

Her feet were up on top of the desk, her hands locked behind her neck, and her eyes checking up the ceiling.

Since she was bored most of the time, and nobody ever asked her for help, she would usually entertain herself by changing the enchantment of the ceiling and sometimes her walls. Today she just wanted to look up and enjoy the view of the sea, perceived from below the surface. She conjured whales, dolphins, beautiful sirens, and perhaps the odd Kraken.

- You are wasting away.

MC looked at the door with indifference, keeping the same position and still munching on a cookie. Garreth smiled at her with his shoulder pressed on the door's frame. He smiled with a different kind of confidence. One that didn't come from innocence, but from familiarity.

- I am doing important work here – she swallowed the last piece -. To what do I owe this interruption, Mr Weasley?

Garreth's smile was mocking.

Human and Creature Resources had brought them both into their office on one occasion, mainly to discuss the impropriety of their "relationship". Since Garreth was now one of her superiors, she was admonished for "disrespectful conduct". They specifically pointed out that calling him Garreth was no longer permitted, not to mention a drink on the weekends.

- I don't like your attitude, cadet – she scoffed at the rank-. And it is Potion's Master to you.

MC smiled at the title and put her legs down.

- Careful – she threatened-. I have a couple of school anecdotes that you don't want me to share.

The redhead blushed.

- Please keep those to yourself – he got closer and took a sit in front of the desk-. How are you doing?

- I am living the dream! – she lowered her legs and made the chair spin on its wheels.

Garreth crossed his arms over the desk.

- I am being serious.

- What do you want me to say? – She smiled- It's not what I signed for, but... Actually, there is no but. This is a nightmare.

- Please, accept my offer. They granted a budget increase for the Research Department. I can take you in. Your potions are better than mine.

MC thought about it. It was tempting.

- They are not better. They are just more practical.

-You know it's not going to get any better than this – he was sad for her-. They won't let you be an Auror.

MC opened another bag of biscuits and pushed it towards him to share.

- What have you heard?

- Nothing – he took a sweet-. They won't discuss it in front of me.

MC hummed and leaned back on the chair.

- I was thinking...

- You can do that? - He mocked her.

- Occasionally –she smiled at him -. Perhaps I should just give up on the Ministry. I miss Hogwarts!

Garreth looked at her and saw the nostalgia in her eyes.

- I miss the forest. The adventure! – She looked at the office and realized nothing was endearing about it. No pictures of her friends, no mementos. Those she kept in her suitcase at home-. The quill pusher life is not for me, and no offence, but I also don't enjoy a room full of smelly potions.