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.*

Comments

[rathercareless.livejournal.com]

*Fabian flashes a quick smile. There are many things that concern him about this situation, but that's not among them.*

I wouldn't worry about that. Hypothetically, of course.

[aging-lion.livejournal.com]

And hypothetically, of course, I could offer this person or persons little help if they were to...

*Fuck up.*

...be anything less than perfectly discrete.

*He drops the roundabout act.*

I have to weigh the good of the department against the good of the individuals in the department, you understand.

[rathercareless.livejournal.com]

*It's cut-throat, and it goes against Fabian's own beliefs about how things should work on a team, but it's exactly what he expected to hear.*

Perfectly understood. Anything in particular that ought to be scoped out, you think?

[aging-lion.livejournal.com]

*He wasn't sure that would be accepted so easily. He makes a mental note to see that Fabian gets a raise--provided all goes well, of course. Or a promotion. Something, anything other than an 'atta boy. This arrangement is far too tenuous.*

The office first, of course. Hopefully, it need not go farther than that. Look for any sort of records of transactions. Anyone else whose had the trace taken off them. Any sort of records for missing persons. I have a feeling Patil's not the only one they've taken off site. Anything suspicious. I'll have to trust your instincts.

[rathercareless.livejournal.com]

*He smiles again, humor at the ready.*

When have I ever given anyone reason to mistrust my instincts?

[gummymummy.livejournal.com]

*Alice raises her eyebrows, smiling slightly at Fabian. But it's a perfunctory smile, one where she doesn't even consider what he's referencing, as she's mostly focused on Scrimgeour and his behaviour during the meeting.

She had not expected him to protect them if they were to investigate (officially or unoffically), but then, she had not expected him to suggest how to illegally do it.

But at least he's on their side, and for that Alice is happy.

But there is one subject they haven't broached, and Alice is hesitant to bring it up, she would prefer if Scrimgeour brought it up himself. She also isn't sure if she wants to hear the answer, but nonetheless...*

And my suspension?