I'm not doing fine, I'm desecrating lives

[gummymummy.livejournal.com]

Words are rattling around Alice's head...corruption, bribery, hindrance, abuse, misappropriation. She's still surprised to learn that "Demoralisation of Public Office" is a crime; it's archaic, but still used very occasionally.

As she sits, she is facing the Auror office. Over the sea of cubicles, she can see Frank is suppressing a rather smug smile. Despite the loss of income, he is still happy with the outcome. At least Alice is off the Danger Dream Team. The bonus of possibly ridding the Ministry of a corrupt, incompetent, and cruel official who endangered his wife and friends is just the icing on the cake for him.

Alice smiles back grimly, then looks for Fabian over the crowd. She can hear a little of their conversations as they walk past, can feel their stares. Frank had warned her that her suspension is the latest gossip, but it still makes her uncomfortable. She has never liked her private business being discussed by anyone.

For the millionth time, Alice goes over her prepared speeches and tries to anticipate Scrimgeour's reactions. Fabian and her affidavits were written, sworn, and submitted already, along with a laundry list of charges. She looks down to the floor, focussing on the main points again. She's not nervous so much as determined.*