Simone hurried to an Apparition point, angry at herself for cutting it so short. Do I want Tracey to get angry and not accept the job? I shouldn't have scheduled that meeting with the Director so close to this one. She grabbed her wand and Apparated to a fancy Indian restaurant in Wizarding London. As she was walking inside she realized she didn't know what Tracey Davis looked like. Pushing through the large oak doors, she told the maitre d' she was looking for the Tracey Davis party.

He nodded and led the way to a table where an attractive brunette woman sat. "Hello," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Simone Capper. It's lovely to meet you. Sorry I'm late, by the way. This doesn't happen too often," she said while smiling at the woman and taking her seat.

Tracey really hadn't been waiting that long and she tried not to show her amusement that the woman seemed so flustered as she'd walked in. She'd hidden it well, but Tracey made a habit of always aiming her back to the wall so as to watch when her dining companions entered. It was a good judge to behaviour later when things were stressful before an event. This one seemed intent on looking professional -being professional, and seemed quite capable. Yes, I think I might just accept this job, she thought.

"Miss Capper. I hope the restaurant wasn't too hard to find. I usually eat at Gulliver's but even I need variety in my life occasionally. I hope it wasn't something unpleasant at work holding you up."

"Just the director of my department. So do we order first, then details? Or do you want to talk about the engagement while we decide," Simone asked while settling in.

Tracey was a bit surprised. Normally people she met with were far less direct that this young woman seemed to be. She smiled, "I'm a creature of habit, I'm afraid. I order the same thing every time I come. I'll be having Badaam Pasanda, I'm terribly boring. I don't mind waiting if you'd like to look over the menu, though I have heard that their Chicken tikka Masala is to die for."

Simone looked over the menu, too tired to decide anything. "Then that's what I'll have, with a side of nan," she said to the waiter who had arrived. Sipping her water she said, "Now, are you familiar with these annual events? Basically, every year the Ministry has a get-together for each level's VIPs. Every year, the soiree is hosted by a different level -to keep things fair- and this year, I got the short straw," she said with a smile. "So, today I had a meeting with the Director and he insisted we outshine the other Departments this year, which is why you're here; I'm not very good at this sort of thing."

Tracey smirked and nodded slowly. "Hmmm.... Clearly you came to the right person. I am very good at this sort of thing. So, is our only directive to outshine the other departments? And by 'our' I mean that I'll take the job." The other woman smiled broadly and Tracey couldn't help but smile back.

"Is this meant to be a ball, a gala? Or is this just a intimate banquet to which everyone must sit and stare at one another while people make speeches? I hosted a brilliant karaoke thing last year... though I don't suppose Scrimgeour would appreciate something like that, would he?" Tracey tried not to grimace when she said the bastard's name. It was not the best thing to do when working with ministry employees. "Is it meant for Christmas? What are the dates we're thinking about then?"

"It's supposed to be a ball to be held in the atrium of the Ministry, and no, I don't believe Scrimgeour will be satisfied with karaoke," Simone said with a laugh. "I hope it's not too much trouble, but the date for the ball is December first. I would have owled you earlier, but this assignment was only just handed down to me," she said with an apologetic smile.

Simone took another sip of her water and continued, "If you're agreed then, I did bring some documents for you to sign, as well as your pass for the Ministry. You are allowed to come take snaps, get measurements, and a general idea of what you will be needing as you go along."

Tracey bit back a laugh, "Oh, dear, I don't do any of that. I hire people to do that. Though, speaking of finances, I assume this will be like the last Ministry function I hosted. By signing these papers I am given authority to sign on an account at Gringott's, yes? And I'll be working directly with you? I expect we'll have to meet several times in the next few weeks, especially with the time growing short. You said you work for the Muggle-Worthy Excuses Committee? I don't think I know what it is that you do, can your time be spared for party planning, or do you have an assistant that I'll have to speak with?" She took a bite of her very hot curry. Anything to stop her mouth from moving so fast. She hardly knew this woman and she felt like she was taking up most of the conversation.

Simone nodded and replied, "Yes, it is like that. I do work in the MWEC, as the Assistant Director. Any time you need questions answered, or help on anything, feel free to come in." She handed Tracey the documents to sign. "I do have an assistant, but I would prefer to be in on the decisions you make. This is a very important assignment, or so I've been told, by the Director."

"What do I do? Well it is all very interesting stuff, really. When Muggles see something magical, usually we remove it from their minds using the Obliviator squad. When it is something big, like in front of a huge crowd and it can't be removed completely, then we make up a story and feed them that." Muggles. Very gullible, the whole lot. "We also give assignments to the Obliviator staff. We review the case and then see what needs cover stories and what doesn't."

"Really? So you get to mess with Muggles' heads. How very fun!" Tracey laughed out loud and then regretted her lack of propriety immediately. She tried not to show how amused that made her, but she couldn't help but think of the mass of Muggles she'd seen earlier in the week at Bonfire Night. The lot of them wandering around without a care in the world, with no clue of the power that had surrounded them. With a flick of her wand, even a weak witch like her could have annihilated them all. Imagine having permission to keep them in the dark like that. "I mean... it must be a very complex and rewarding profession," she said with almost a straight face. "So, did you like the chicken?"

Simone smiled at Tracey. It seemed they did have a lot in common. Who knew? "Why do you think I took the job," she asked with raised eyebrows, "and yes, the chicken was lovely."

"Excellent, then. Are we quite done here then? I'm on my way back to the ministry, I'd be glad to walk with you, if you'd like," Tracey said as she motioned to the waiter to put lunch on her tab.

"Oh, please let me," said Simone as she saw Tracey sign the bill. "Well, all right, but I will pick up the next one," she said after Tracey shook her head and continued to sign. "Sure, I'd love to walk with you. What is it you have to do at the Ministry," Simone asked while rising out of her chair and grabbing her coat.

Tracey hesitated. She hadn't even told Theo about her plans for that afternoon. She wasn't completely comfortable sharing all of her plans with Simone just yet, but there was something about her that made Tracey think that she may understand, even if she was a Ministry employee. As they walked in the brisk November air, she explained, "Well, I was going to poke around a bit with my contacts in the MLE. Just to see about restoring some property that was confiscated before the fall of the Dark Lord. Nothing too major, no meetings or anything official. I was just going to root about a bit. Perhaps look up in the legal library some possible routes for recovery. I don't expect much help, what with the climate of the day." Trace cringed as she thought about what she'd just said aloud. She had actually managed to release a bit more information than she'd planned, but as it was neither overly seditious nor were they surrounded by people who could hear her controversial tone, she figured she was safe, even if Simone was the biggest card-carrying supporter of the current establishment.

Simone thought for a moment. Could I have really just found another person who shares my beliefs? Simone had revealed few contacts of her own in her years at the Ministry; she would have to tread lightly on this one. "Hmmm. Well, let me know if you have any trouble. I might be able to help," Simone said while heading into the Ministry. "Remember, I'm on level three if you need me."

Remembering the ball, Simone turned to Tracey as they headed into an empty lift. "You know, we actually should get the invitations sent out as soon as possible," she said with an apologetic glance, "If you wouldn't mind coming down for a moment, I've got the guest list in my office."

Tracey nodded and flipped her hair over her shoulder with a smile as Simone pressed three. Either she didn't catch it, or she didn't care. "Like I said, my plans weren't set in stone. I'll likely be in and out over the next few weeks anyway, I can always take a detour into the legal library next week some time. Invitations are no problem, though I hope the guests are able to pull themselves together without much problem... it's only just under four weeks. If I have the guest list for the ball then I'll know what to expect size wise anyway."

The two women made their way to Simone's office and Simone gave the list to Tracey. "This list is only the top personnel of every department. Basically, everyone who matters in that department. I don't think it will be a problem, but maybe you should say somewhere in the invitations that it is by invite only. You never know if there will be gate crashers. I've got the rest written down here of what I might like, and I will owl you if there are any other things that pop to mind." Simone smiled at Tracey, "What do you say to drinks this weekend to go over the plans once you've had a look?"

Tracey's mouth opened in a grin as she tried to think of something to say to that. "Well... that would be really fun, I think. Oh, well - not I think. I'm sure it will be fun." Yeah... now's the time to let her know you're not as put together as you come across like. Tracey could hardly refrain from rolling her eyes at herself. "You know, I don't think I've ever been out socially with someone who wasn't practically a member of my family" Her mind flashed to Hannah. "Oooh, not entirely true. I did just have lunch with my best friend's Mudbl -with his Muggleborn girlfriend. She's not family yet." Tracey's face was hot as she tried to cover up her slip. Dammit! Clearly she was becoming far to comfortable with Simone Capper. In order to protect herself from saying yet another embarrassing thing, Tracey uncomfortably made her way toward the door, "Yes, drinks. This weekend. Would be lovely. I'll have to see if the man I'm seeing has made plans, but yeah... Why don't I owl you tomorrow?" If you haven't reported me to some authority for being a Deatheater or something before then. Tracey's smile was pasted on and she was all professional again. She hated when things got too comfortable and she screwed up.

Simone smiled to herself as she watched the other woman leave and sat down in her chair. Yes, drinks sure did sound like fun...



(Summary: Tracey meets Simone for business related stuffs and they find out that they may have more in common than previously thought)