Chapter 555 - The Office of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts

It was already in the afternoon when a pox marked squib in his early forties named Roark Steven nods at the various ministry members as he passes by. With pride, he pushes along the cart filled with reports from the A.P.D of cases that need looking into. Roark Steven pleasantly hums to himself as he sees a wolf, an animagus member of the A.P.D. running urgently past him on four legs carrying a sealed message in its mouth headed right for the Auror Department nearby.

Not a single ministry member paused to stare at the wolf running around in the Ministry of Magic. It was a testament to how quickly the employees of the Ministry of Magic had become used to the A.P.D. It was also marked the day when squibs and muquibs in large groups were beginning to be employed not just at the Ministry of Magic, but elsewhere in the wizarding world too.

His wife, a squib much like himself had not wanted him to leave his position as a mechanic in the muggle world, but Roark had, at last, felt the breeze of changing sweeping through the wizarding world. Not only did he quit his job but risked it all by applying directly to the ministry of Magic. To his delight, he not only was assigned to in the newly expanded office of the Misused of Muggle Artefacts. And thanks to his mechanical expertise in automobiles, he had been made the team lead of mechanical engineering.

It was a great honor that came with great pay. But more importantly, his aged parents were incredibly proud of him. And though his children were squibs like he and his wife, they were rather excited too as they would be able to start school with others like them. It was the best of both worlds really.

With ease, Roark pushes the door open to the much larger office of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts that teeming with employees. Several figures are huddled together discussing some sort of mechanical clock that has gone terribly wrong. It was ticking backward but worried them was that there was an enchantment in place to keep the clock from being rewound correctly.

Roark Steven shakes his head and leaves the cart of reports next a young woman's desk. The young woman in question raises her bland head to reveal a fair face with bright inquisitive eyes, Charity Burbage.

"Thank you, Roark," Charity Burbage sincerely said. "I just got so caught up in studying the mechanisms of electricity that I completely forgot to go down to the A.P.D. and pick up the latest suspected cases."

"Not to worry, Charity," Roark kindly said. "I was just coming up from have a cup of tea and decided to stop by and check just in case. It was no trouble at all."

"Still thank you," Charity said, before glancing back down at the book she was intently studying and marking her spot. She had been making her way through her muggle studies as best as she could, but it cost quite a bit of money, and she did not always correctly understand the muggle context, which caused her problems.

However, the instant that Charity had read the information in the Daily Prophet about the new reforms within the Ministry of Magic, she'd hopped on her broom, and made her way to the Ministry of Magic to directly apply. She was proud to say that she was one of the candidates to apply for the position, and her prudence had wisely paid off.

After at least two years, she would be eligible to apply for the mastery program and further specialize in Muggle Studies. And would have the choice to remain within the department or go elsewhere. But personally, she would much rather remain in the department as she never seemed to stop learning.

With a happy sigh, Charity Burbage puts her book away, and rises to her feet, before carrying a specific file from her desk over to an old warlock, Mr. Perkins. Mr. Perkins was one of the two original members of the Office of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, the other was Arthur Weasley, the head of the department.

According to rumors, and what they did know is that Mr. Cabbit had retired at the start of the year stating that he was much too old to be handling the influx of squibs, muquibs, and new wizard employees that would be joining the department. As such, he had asked his assistant, Arthur Weasley to become the head of the office.

Not Mr. Perkins had not been asked first, but rumor had it that Mr. Perkins had most emphatically rejected the offer by saying, "I love my job, but I'm much too old to be running around spry lads and lasses. Let Arthur take the job, he's young and rather enthusiastic enough to do the job."

Therefore, ensuring a new era into the Office of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts with the head of the office being a rather vibrant, and energetic boss. And frankly, it was rather wonderful to see as Mr. Weasley had a passion for his work that his enthusiasm was contagious. It made for overly exciting conversations, but more importantly, there was a wonderful ambiance in the office.

Carefully placing the file down on the corner of the desk, Charity says, "Mr. Perkins, the file is finished."

Without even glancing up the right-hand wizard of Mr. Weasley, Mr. Perkins, a silver-haired warlock shoos her away with his hand. "Go and hand it over to Arthur. And tell him, I quote, 'to get his arse into gear as his wife is inviting over the family for dinner, and he can't be late, or she'll have his head on a platter."

"Right, sir," Charity chocked, before turning around to walk over to the nearby office door, and politely knocking.

The sound of something falling to the ground and brief cursing is heard, before something is set to right's again., "Please enter, I'm ready now," a voice finally said.

Charity opens the door to be greeted by the sight of a tall, thin, redheaded wizard with warm blue eyes, and freckles. "Mr. Weasley-."

Charity is unable to finish her sentence as Arthur Weasley shakes his head and firmly interrupts her. "Charity, we went to Hogwarts together. You are only two years younger than me. Please do not make me feel so old. I've told you to please call me, Arthur."

The former Hufflepuff flashes the Gryffindor a cheeky smile and says, "I know, but it's quite fun to pull on your tail, Arthur."

"Charity," Arthur rather good-natured points his finger at her, before saying, "So what is it?"

"Just the A.P.D. report for your eyes only," Charity replied handing over the sealed intelligence report.

"Thank you," Arthur gratefully said as he cracked the folder seal open and begins to intently read the report inside. His eyes slightly widen at reading the following information that Harold Minchum had been declared officially missing. The news was to remain hidden until the Auror's and A.P.D. were able to properly interview those last seen with him. Until that time, the mention of Harold Minchum and any ongoing investigation was classified as secure.

Arthur furrows his brows as he rubs his chin thoughtfully. Was it truly getting to be that dangerous that Ministry officials were being openly attacked? But then again, it must be in retaliation to the raid led by Auror Clements.

Arthur is lost in own thoughts and barely hears, Charity with an impish smirk says, "And Mr. Perkins, and I quote says, 'Get your arse into gear as your wife is inviting over the family for dinner, and you can't be late, or she'll have your head on a platter,' end quote."

Arthur's eyes finally widen in shock as his brain at long last relays the message to his conscious. He hurriedly glances at the corner of his office, where a clock is at. "By Rowena's feather-tufted head!" Arthur swore, before shoving the case file into a secure drawer and grabbing his robes from the back of his chair.

"Thank you, Charity," Arthur said as he hurriedly put on his robes.

Charity merely flashes him another grin, before heading out the office door as Arthur follows right on her feet, before closing the office shut behind him. Two desks away, he suddenly hurries back inside to grab his wand and lock up his office for the day.

There is laughter all around at seeing their normally cheerful boss so very frazzled. "Good luck," various shouts are heard after him followed by a chorus of chuckles. However, it was all good intended. And no one ever had their feelings hurt for that was something that Arthur Weasley had made noticeably clear on the first day of work. They would respect each other or not work there at all.

There had been a couple of new recruits that had tested the rules and after two stern warnings, they were fired. After that, no one tested the usually mild-mannered man. Because no matter how calm a Gryffindor might be, a lion is still a lion at heart.