frankily (frankily) wrote in spoilersrpg, @ 2016-06-27 12:59:00 |
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Amelia had always been good at her job. She worked hard and did everything that she had to without complaint. The latest battle had taken its toll on her, on them all. They did their best but it always seemed that they were outsmarted, one step behind the enemy. It was frustrating to say the least. Losing Sullivan wasn't good either. She was just thankful that they hadn't lost anyone else during it. Thank goodness for small mercies. She had been surprised that she had been chosen to replace him. Incredibly honoured but surprised. She'd always wanted it but hadn’t thought it would happen so soon. Tap tap tappity tap went her right hand unconsciously on the desk next to her as she read through the report one last time to confirm that everything was okay. Raising from her desk, she made her way to Longbottom’s desk. “Longbottom, a word if you don't mind?” she asked. Frank looked up from where he was trying to make sense of his own report. It was all a bit of a blur now; difficult to remember exactly what had happened when. He only knew he’d been within moments of catching the small Death Eater that could have been a woman, and she had gotten away almost easily. He was feeling a bit of a joke, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Alice, either. She shouldn’t have been there, anything could have happened. But neither could he tell anyone that while he was under her orders not to do so. She knew herself best, he was sure, but it didn’t stop him from worrying. “Yes?” he said, shaking himself back to the present. “Ms Bones,” he added, belatedly. “Congratulations on your promotion.” Frank looked tired to her eyes but then she imagined they all did. It had been a hectic few days ever since the attack. Things were starting to calm down for the moment but who really knew how long that would last. “Thanks,” she said with a nod. She was proud of it but wished it was under different circumstances. Their line of work did mean most people were promoted when another died though or they were promoted and someone needed to fill their place. “I’ve been working on the roster of duties. I’ve got you and Alice down for Diagon if that’s alright?” she asked scanning the list. “Mid morning to mid afternoon,” she added glancing at the times that she had worked out. “It will be a five hour rotation every second day,” she explained. “Oh,” Frank said, blinking with surprise. The Diagon Alley beat was a high-profile assignment, not to mention highly saught-after, being in a place full of wizards where you could easily grab a pint after your shift. Normally he would have been pleased at this sign of favour, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. “Well… I suppose you haven’t heard yet. Alice, she’s… well, she’s at home, she can’t work this week. Healer’s orders. She’s not hurt,” he added quickly, grateful for that particular mercy. “She just can’t be on active duty for a while. She’s applying to train the new recruits when we get them… I’ve got the paperwork here somewhere…” he searched through the pile of parchment on his desk, which was usually a lot tidier. The mess was going to give him a headache if he didn’t sort it out soon. Amelia frowned at her notes. “I was aware she was off this week but not that she was considering applying to train,” she responded carefully. “If she is successful I can always assign you another partner for this though,” she mused. “Or are you applying to train as well?” she asked. Either way she would have to rework her listf people patrolling Diagon. Perhaps extend the other two shifts to cover the Longbottom’s. That might work… She knew she was being tested by doing this and she was determined to succeed. As he rifled through the paperwork on his desk she wondered how he could find anything or work. The messier her area was the harder it was for her to concentrate. She didn’t say anything though. It wasn't the worst that she had seen over the years.. “Er… no.” Frank smiled a little sheepishly. He’d let Alice break the actual news unless he was asked directly. He considered the idea of a new partner. He didn’t like it, but he understood the reasoning. On the other hand You-Know-Who wasn’t likely to attack such a high-profile and well-protected wizarding location right after such a significant victory. “I can do the beat myself for a while. No need to move everyone around right after all this, right?” Amelia shook her head. “I know a new partner can be annoying but regulations state you have to have one. Especially with how unpredictable things are at the moment it's best to have backup with you at all times. I don't think McManara has a partner at the moment. I'll assign them to you,” she spoke making notes as she went. Frank sighed inwardly. He hadn’t really thought he’d get away with it, but it didn’t mean he had to be happy. He and Alice had a rhythm, an unspoken synchronicity that just worked. They didn’t have to discuss tactics, they always moved in sync. Other than maintain his flawless professionalism, he wasn’t sure how to truly collaborate with anyone else - particularly McManara, who had the charisma of a damp rag and about as much conversation. On the other hand, how hard could it be? There had never been a Death Eater attack in an all-wizarding area. “Yes, marm,” he said, nodding. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” “Thank you,” she said giving him a smile and a nod. “Well…” she trailed off a thought coming to her. “There might be another option if you don't want to do the beat. There has been talk of putting together a group of people to train civilians in self defense, on what to do if they're attacked. Would you be interested in that instead?” she suggested. She understood getting attached to partners. She had herself though she had never gone on to marry them. The Longbottom’s had to have had even a stronger connection than she had with hers in the past. Frank frowned. “Alice would kill me if I passed up Diagon Alley,” he said. “I mean maybe not right away, but eventually. I’m happy to help though, if you need more people. Alice could, too, once she gets back.” “Okay that works. The classes probably won't start for another few weeks, perhaps a month as is. I'm just working on getting people lined up for it,” she explained. “You and McManara can start Friday then,” she nodded finalising her notes. “I hope Alice is alright,” she added. “She’ll be fine,” Frank said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt, and thinking with some trepidation about spending the next nine months with the dullest man in the entire Department. |