Ernie couldn't believe he was standing in the Ministry. It had been his dream to work his way to Minister since he was a child, but he had long since tried to bury that desire. He had no interest in working somewhere that hurt his friends. However, with Hannah going Gryffindor on him, he had no choice besides getting on the inside too. Draco and Teddy (especially Teddy considering their argument) had been shocked when Ernie handed over his duties to them, but what choice did he have? Besides, once Draco got back from his leave, Ernie knew they'd make one hell of a force. Being able to use his name? Well, it was only a matter of time before they could start their own business, especially if Ernie and Hannah did their jobs right. However, Ernie knew they loved his father as much as he did and would serve his memory well in the meantime. For that, he felt confident leaving his family business with them for awhile.
The interview had gone well even if he had to lie a bit about his "true" intentions with using Teddy and Draco in his company. Luckily, the interviewer seemed more interested in getting a traitor like MacMillan on his side than in using his sense to think through his idea about hiring Ernie. When Ernie left, he was assured any other interviews were formality and he'd be hearing soon. In a different world, Ernie would have left feeling like a million bucks, but not that day. How could he when he knew what the Ministry stood for? That in mind, he made a stop to visit a familiar face. "Leanne," he said softly as he walked by her desk, "Can you take a break and meet me outside?"
Every day at the Ministry was the same for Leanne. And she absolutely hated every minute of it. Why she was still there, she didn't know. While she had enjoyed working there and the people when she first started, it had been a mess for over a year for her. She couldn't even wait for the day to be over so she could go help out at the twins' shop.
As she worked on paperwork, Leanne heard her name and looked up to see Ernie. "I suppose. Just give me a minute." Leanne wondered why he was here and why he wanted to meet outside. However, she knew she could take a break and stacked the papers neatly to continue for when she got back and headed outside.
Ernie met her just outside the Ministry and nodded his head toward a quieter spot away from the building. He smiled to let her know everything was okay.
Leanne followed him to the quieter spot, away from the building. Although his smile was reassuring, she still felt some unease. "What's going on?"
"Quite a bit," he confessed. He kept an eye out, making sure no one was in earshot. "It seems I've a job here."
"You got a job here? Wow. Which department?" Leanne asked. She didn't need to ask why. She knew that he and Fred were thinking of something. "What is your and Fred's plan?"
Ernie didn't know much about anything Fred was planning, but he did know what he and Hannah suspected. "Getting on the inside? Hannah...Abbott? Do you know her? She's a good friend of mine and she wanted to help and I can't let her do it alone." Ernie was keeping his voice as low as possible, but he was still worried there was someone hanging around. Wasn't that a terrible way to live? He tried to shake it off, but it was difficult. "The Law Department," he added. "That's where I'll be."
Leanne shook her head. "I don't know her. Seen her on the journals from time to time, but I don't know her." And he wouldn't let her do it alone. "You must be a good friend if you won't let her do this alone. Though honestly, she wouldn't have had a hard time at all by herself. She's not related to a Death Eater." Leanne hoped that working at the Ministry would be all right for them. "That's within my department. I'll probably see you from time to time. We shouldn't talk much, unless necessary."
"It is dangerous," he insisted. "If anyone knew her true feelings and so many already do...it's going to be hard. We need all the help we can get." He looked pointedly at the pretty, young woman in front of him.
"It is," Leanne agreed. "I want to help as much as I can."
Ernie grinned at that. "That was exactly what I was hoping you would say."
"Haven't changed my mind about it. So what exactly is the plan or is there one?" Leanne asked. At least Ernie was going to let her help.
"Right now? We pad this place with as many ears and eyes as we can." He paused. He felt badly asking someone he barely knew for help, but from what he knew about the current atmosphere, they were going to need all the help they could get. "We just need to trust each other and keep up appearances." He looked up at the sky briefly, wondering if Ernest would approve. "It is easy for me. My family never really took any formal stands until..." It was still hard for him to talk about his father. "Well, until recently. I can use that to fool them...say I'm keeping an eye on some through my company, but I really want to uphold what the Ministry wants. Things like that. But it has to be believable. That is where you come in."
"If you want, I've got ears. Fred was able to take one of their products, extend-able ears, and has fitted them with recording capabilities." Leanne hadn't used them since the first time she had used them. And listening to what she had recorded was hurtful. She didn't want to use them again if she could pass them on to someone else. "How exactly do I fit in? I can't get anyone to treat me the way they did when I first started."
"No, but you can act like you hate me because I'm awful to you at work." He had leaned in closer to her and was practically whispering.
"But I don't act like that around anyone else. I'll treat you the way I treat everyone else. I can understand the being awful to me."
"Well, you can mention it perhaps? To the..." He nearly choked on his words. "To the superiors? Let them know I'm following the letter of the law?" Those people didn't deserve their titles and Ernie had a hard time thinking about having to support them, even if only in show.
Leanne shook her head. "I don't know. I doubt they'd even listen to me." She paused, "However, I think they already know."
"Exactly. I need them to know I'm doing my job." He said "job" like it was a dirty word.
"I'm sure you'll be just fine." Leanne did think that he would. "Just be careful though, right? Like you said, it is dangerous."
"I'd rather be in danger than anyone I care about," he said seriously. He felt almost like a bloody Gryffindor, but at least it was for Hannah. And Teddy and Draco and Pansy too.
"That's very Gryffindor of you. I don't really think any of us is safe for so long as the Ministry gets its way." Leanne paused. "I probably ought to get back. Don't want anyone thinking I've skipped out early. I'm in enough trouble as it is by just working there." She gave Ernie a smile. "I hope this ends soon."
Ernie felt badly then. He didn't want her getting into trouble on account of him. "Go, go," he said, shooting her another smile. "Thanks for taking any time at all for me."
"You're welcome," Leanne said as she turned to head back inside the Ministry and finish her day.