Success (Open)

[Evangeline Delacroix]

Evangeline raised an eyebrow, releasing her hand from the back of her chair and straightening her skirt, more out of habit than out of necessity. She knew something was up at that school, it was always such a liability to the Ministry, a separate entity which ran itself usually without Ministry content. It was a breeding ground for these kinds of things and it was bound to happen that the old bloodlines wouldn’t die out completely. Despite her anti-elitist attitude, angering the old pureblood families was not something Evangeline was prepared to do. Her grandparents had taught her that. One of the few things she had actually allowed them to put in her mind.

“Like I said before, I’ve been watching that school for some time. I don’t want to be like the old Minister Fudge who put that dreadful woman Umbridge in the school.” She said, raising an eyebrow and smirking at the portrait of said Minister who shrugged.

“I did what I thought was best.” Portrait Cornelius Fudge said.

“You should have known spying on Dumbledore was a bad idea!” Portrait Kingsley Shacklebolt said.

“Well I had reason to! Spurting out ludicrous claims of He Who Must Not Be Named being back, sending people into a panic!”

“He turned out to be right though!” Portrait Kingsley shouted.

“Enough!” Evangeline placed a hand on her hip and turned her backs to the portraits, rolling her eyes to Nathaniel. “Like I was saying, we need inside information on the school. These teachers and students who have dangerous bloodlines are not, at the present time a concern. They haven’t done anything. Yet. Or not that we know of. And we’re not likely to find out what’s going on by placing a spy, we need to show tact, make good relationships, edge our way in slowly. Hogwarts has been around for generations and I do not want to be the Minister which interferes there, but there is something brewing within those walls, and if necessary we will need to step in. For the safety of the young witches and wizards.”

[Nathaniel Drake Tempest]

"Of course you are right Miss Delacroix" Nathaniel nodded, sneaking in, gaining trust. It seemed almost ery to Nathaniel. They were so alike just for different sides. He really really hoped she would join him, he didn't think he could go up against her. Thats when Nathaniel realized he'd become to friendly with her, he always made it rule number 1 to look out for no one but himself. He had made that mistake before got a baby out of it, then once again and lost the child.

"What do you suppose you'd do if you found out one of your workers where plotting something evil. What if Acel is really trying to take you down? How would you handle that?" Sadly Nathaniel did actually mean Acel but the fact that he could easily describe himself in the same sentence was simply just a fact he couldn't hide from. your flanking, enough of these thoughts Nathaniel didn't normally talk to himself, only on special occasions.

"You know every president has one secret hit there aloud to do can be anyone" He joked, but freakishly enough he really wasn't. The government before him had ordered a hit on one 'Tiffany Ivan's' when she threatened to tell his wife about there little discrepancies. She was popped by the next morning. Nathaniel hadnt been the one to do it thankfully, there had been another force for such things created by the last minister himself. nathaniel being head of securty knew everything. Standing with Evangeline had scared the old minister so much as Nathaniel got death threats against his wife and children. Of course nothing like that got revealed to the public. National security was priority number one.

[Evangeline Delacroix]

Nathaniel’s words seemed to resound inside her head. What would I do if someone within my own government was plotting something evil and tried to take me down. There was no doubt in her mind that it was possible, in fact she was pretty sure that people were already doing that very thing. It happened to every single Minister, plots against the government were just something that had to be dealt with.

“Send them to Azkaban on charges for treason.” She said coldly, as if it were ever that simple.

She pursed her lips so they formed a tight lipped smile and she turned to Nathaniel as he mentioned the one hit that every Minister was allowed to have. “Oh Nathaniel my dear, we’re allowed to have more than one. Trust me.” Her grey eyes sparkled slightly with some form of malice, something if she were looking in the mirror she would have wiped that look off her face. But these were different times and she was now a different woman, it was time to become the strong and determined, and yet kind leader she had always wanted to become.

“Acel will be brought here to have a little chat with him. I sent him a note saying I wanted to greet him and discuss his plans for his department. All very innocent mind you. Then we will get to the bottom of it all.”

[Nathaniel Drake Tempest]

Nathaniel smirked at the comment about more, he knew she would never do such a thing and that's why he chose to sand with her. She was innocent compared to the rest of them. 

Then back on Acel. He was something less then amusing to talk about. "perhaps having the head of security here while you ..." Nathaniel paused "chat. Would give off the wrong impression." he had to think on his feet, there was no doubt that acel was against her but would he act on it? Nathaniel wanted to be there to sense what this boy was capable of but again having a security officer would tense Acel up and make him harder to read. 

A battle between logic and personal pride along with vendetta. He would leave it up to Evangeline to make the decision for him, if she wanted him there he wouldn't  leave. 

Azkaban. The thought of of that place made him shudder. He had gotten a young girl, a family friend off with a serious warning. He saved her from going to that place for using an unforgivable curse. She didn't kill, just torture and it was for a semi good cause. Miss Anna Ward. But he knows better then anyone that getting let off was a rare thing.

[Evangeline Delacroix]

Evangeline nodded, having a security officer there during her meeting with Acel would give off the wrong impression.

“You know as well as I do that I am more than capable to handle Mr. Acel by myself. He would be foolish to try anything whilst on the Ministry grounds, as he is surrounded by the entire Ministry and some of the general public. He would never get out of here alive.” She said matter-of-factly.

She saw the flinch he gave at the mention of Azkaban prison. “It would be a regrettable decision Nathaniel, to send anyone to that place. But necessary on the charges of treason, and of course for other more appropriate charges. You out of anyone should know that.”

It would not do to let him know that she knew more than she let on. Whilst she had trust in Nathaniel, she knew that in the end, she would never really be able to trust anyone. Save her daughter but even then she went to that school which was festering in something quite unsavory. No. As Minister for Magic she would have to stand alone in the end. It was something she had known for quite a long time.

[Madeline Athol]

Madeline had walked around the Ministry, trying to make some good conversation hoping maybe to find a good story throughout the ministry... but none of it was really happening. People talked to her about the weather and how their jobs were going... might as well call it BORING!

Pacing up and down the departments, Madeline thought that she could drop in to the new Minister of Magic, Evangeline Delacroix. She had won the election from her other opponets for the power. Madeline thought about running herself since she thought she would do much more of a finer job than most, but she thought of it being too challenging for her and she might have to break a sweat a bit to do the job.

Arriving to the door, Madeline had heard some talking. Yes, it was Evangeline for sure, but the other voice... she couldnt tell. Knowing it was a man, knocking on the door, Madeline pushed it open seeing Nathaniel. Yep, she had seen him before. Writers know everyone. [white]"Sorry to burst in on probably such a high conversation, but I would like to come in and chat if you may say. Maybe doing an interview and such for the Daily Prophet?"[/white] Smiling at the new Minister and Nathaniel. Hopefully Madeline can get something juicy from the both of them or just Evangeline alone. If everything went right, she could have an amazing story.

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[Nathaniel Drake Tempest]

Nathaniel pondered on her words not making another word until the door burst open and that something Athol character stood there, he couldn't even remember her first name, all he knew was she was the devil and because of her paper Evangeline almost lost the figurative crown.

"Ah miss..." he paused purposely trying to remember her name. "you, I was not aware you had an appointment" he said sarcastically, the fact that she even it through that door meant security would need to be raised. 

Since Nathaniel was going to leave Evangeline alone to talk to Acel anyway he walked over to the reporter and smiled a charming smile but to a trained eye it was fake "by all means, I'd happily give you an interview, shall we leave the minister to her work, she is wry busy you know, perhaps if you had an appointment?" 

Nathaniel held out his arm slightly bent at the elbow hoping for her sake she would get the hint and follow him out. Shooting one more unnoticeable glance at Evangeline, they'd known eachother long enough that she knew what he meant by it, something Athol couldn't pick up on. He was wishing her the best of luck. 

[Evangeline Delacroix]

Her attention turned to her office door as it was unceremoniously thrown open. That woman from the Daily Prophet stood in the doorway, her trademark smile on her face. Evangeline drew herself up to her full height and glanced at Nathaniel. He was always looking out for her best interests, trying to get rid of the press whenever they were nosy enough to come into her own office. But she knew at some point she would have to face the music and give an interview to this awful woman. She clocked the look that her security officer gave her, and she gave him one of her own. Stay She said. She would need a witness to this interview, especially given the writer’s reputation of twisting words. Having someone on her side was essential.

She smiled welcomingly at Madeline and walked around the desk towards her extending her hand. “Ah, Miss Athol. Pleasure to see you again. I was wondering when you would be stopping by for a little chat. Please take a seat.” She gestured to the chairs beside the desk and crossed behind her desk once more, seating herself on the thick leather chair. She nodded to the other chair for Nathaniel to sit before turning her attention back to Madeline.

“Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee or tea?”

[Madeline Athol]

When Madeline came through the door, Nathaniel was the first person to greet her and said something about making an appointment. Why would Madeline make an appointment with the Minister? She should be able to have an all access pass when it came for interviews and such. Appointment, shmappoinment. [white]”Its ok, honey, I think I can see her if I want, but thank you anyways.”[/white] Madeline giving a wicked grin to Nathaniel, also noticing a look that he gave the Minister. [white]Ah, looks to each other. Nice.[/white] Madeline made a mental note of it, then turned around. [white]”It is nice to see you too again, Minister.”[/white] Madeline shaking Evangeline’s hand and then sitting down in the chair across from her. [white]”Thank you for letting me talk to you and… Nathaniel is it?”[/white] She asked as she got out her Quick Quill and paper.

Not waiting for Nathaniel to say anything, Madeline went straight for the questions at Evangeline, [white]”So, Minister, please tell me how you won your election? Was there certain people involved? Maybe any thank you’s, you would like to give out to certain people?”[/white] Asking as she rested her elbow on the arm of the chair with her hand on her chin. Madeline had hoped to get some good answers out of her to write this paper.

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[Evangeline Delacroix]

Evangeline smiled, but not enough to show teeth. She hated the press and the media for the lies and stories that had been spread during her campaign and something told her that Madeline had been behind quite a few. But it was her duty as Minister for Magic to deal with these people and deal with them as well as she could. No doubt she would find out all about this interview in tomorrow’s Daily Prophet.

She settled back in her chair to prepare herself for the questions to come. First one was not so bad, she thought to herself as she sat forward towards the formidable reporter. “Well Madeline, I can call you that right? I believe that I won the election on fairness and putting up a good fight. The team I had around me were some of the most incredible people I have ever worked with and I am so thankful for all of them. And people I would like to thank? I have already done so in the last press conference but I would like to thank all those who voted for me, I would not be able to be where I am today without the support of the general public.”

[Nathaniel Drake Tempest]

Nathaniel groaned when Eva said she could stay. He didnt sit, simply stood behind Evangeline. He knew this woman would come sooner or later, Nathaniel just hoped for later. Much later. Acel could come at any time and give her the story she did not deserve.

The first question was nothing, it was a blow off, something to lure people into a false sence of safety. A lier a cheat a . . .woman like this one would not stick to a pluff story like "Who do you have to thank" That wouldnt even make it front page. No she was going to be reading into things that arent there, making rumors up and trying to bring out the scandol that is nonexsistant. Thats what they do.

So Nathaniel would give her nothing from him, nothing that could give off the wrong idea, he simply stood there emotionless listening carefully. Waiting to jump in and tell Eva not to answer a question, it was his job as security to know when she was being led on. He woouldnt miss it either. Last thing he needs now is either of there faces planted all over the papers.

[Madeline Athol]

Madeline nodded her head and looked at her paper and made sure that quill had picked everything up that was said in that answer. It was nice that Evangeline liked to thank all of the voters, but its like ugh… its so like a politician to say that. Kissing ass to all of the people. Making sure that no one will hate them, want to take her down or even killing her. Madeline guesses that she can see that. Security.

Talking about security, this Nathaniel guy seems like he is all big and bad. He looks like the type of guy that would maybe run from a duel if it was going to happen. But Madeline didn’t know that for sure. She had only just seen him today and from the elections and such. She guesses that he is good for her. Looking at Nathaniel, Madeline decided to ask him a question now. ”So tell me, Mister Nathaniel, why do you stick by the Minister’s side? Also you were at the elections with her, standing by her side. You two know each other, other than business?” While she looked from Evangeline to Nathaniel to see if they would give each other a look.

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[Evangeline Delacroix]

((Sorry it took me so long to respond! My internet died ))

Evangeline tilted her head slightly towards her security officer when Madeline began to question Nathaniel. That wasn’t a smart move on this reporter’s part, and she knew that the writer wasn’t stupid. She knew that Madeline wouldn’t get a word out of Nathaniel. It wasn’t his style to be giving interviews and asking questions about personal things and the campaign. Her face broke into a smile and she leant towards Madeline.

“Nathaniel and I have known each other for years, ever since I started at the Ministry. Our relationship has been like any work relationship when you have worked with a person for a number of years.” Evangeline said. She waved her wand elegantly and glass goblets flew over to the desk, filling themselves with water.

Evangeline took a sip of water and pushed a glass goblet of water towards Madeline. “Interviews can be thirsty work, can’t they?” She said with a slight smile.

[Nathaniel Drake Tempest]

Nathaniel glared at Athol, he was only here to make sure she didn't get out of hand with the questions, Evangeline was able to look out for herself yes but she was far to kind to kick out the pest if needed. 

"No comment" he said and looked back towards Evangeline who clearly felt the need to fill her in. Of course they were just friends. That would be foolish and a scandal  there enemies could use against her, he could see the headlines now "Minister breaks up happy family" some crap like that, and Athol seemed like the one to write it. 

“Interviews can be thirsty work, can’t they?”

"Wouldn't want her to melt" Nathaniel mumbled to himself, it was a silly joke, muggle story of a wicked witch who was melted by a bucket of water. When he was a child he had heard another student telling the story. Muggles and mudbloods had a terrible sense of suspense and storylines. 

Nathaniel had an obvious hatred for the media, probably more so then what he should but he personally hated them, not as his position but personally hated them, not Madeline not her really but what she represents. 

[Madeline Athol]

Madeline nodded her head as she looked at the notes. They were catching her every word. Her friend for years. How long, she wondered, but she didnt want to know. She would probably make something up really.

Nathaneil said no comment... which was no fun. He seemed such like a prick. An up-tight person. Oh well, she would have to deal with him long. Madeline was thirsty and poured herself a goblet of water. She thought that she had heard Nathaneil say something, but she didnt want him to elaborate on it. So taking a sip, she looked to the Minister and then to the Law Enforcement officer. [white]"I think I got all I needed to make a story. I shall talk with you some more later."[/white] Standing up, Madeline looked to the Minister and gave her one nod, [white]"Thank you for your time."[/white] Then she looked to Nathaneil and gave one nod, [white]"And thank you for being the watch dog."[/white] With that, she walked right out of the office.

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