Megan was feeling terribly pleased with herself today. Last night had left her skin buzzing with energy, but it had also left her in the best mood she had been in since she could remember. She decided to head off, after walking through the Obliviator Department, for Cormac's office. She was finding that any time she went anywhere lately, she walked through the Obliviator Department now - whether she saw HIM or not. Just to be near where he normally was made her feel better.

Megan trotted through the MLE Offices, keeping an eye out for Potter. She should probably check in with him soon. And, unfortunately, Dawlish. He'd served his purpose though. She should end that. Megan didn't think there was much more she could learn for the idiot. She had bigger fish to glean from. Plus, all Hugh Dawlish ever wanted to do was toss up her skirt and shag her. She was bored with that. Well, she'd been bored with that from the start, but she was especially bored with it here lately.

She stopped at Hildi's desk and set a small box of chocolates before the slightly plain woman. "Hallo, Hildi, is Cormac in? We're lunching together today."

"What's this," Hildi asked, looking at the box.

"Chocolates."

"Why?"

Megan flashed her fake smile. "Just because. I thought you might like them. Say, I don't know where we're going, but can I bring you anything back?"

"I brought my lunch, but thank you so much for thinking of me, Miss Jones."

"It's Megan, and we secretaries have to stick together."

Hildi nodded towards the office door, smiling brightly at Megan. Apparently Cormac had told her of his lunch plans. Megan nodded and headed in.

"I hope you're ready," Megan said. "The drones in the Misuse office are making me a tad cranky today. I need to get out of here before I go all hex-happy. That just wouldn't do. Plus, Madam Hopkirk has returned to work this week. It's been a bit... stressful for me."

Cormac rose from his chair, walking over to greet Megan. "Hi, Megan. Very nice to see you again." With a broad smile on his face he said, "Ah, yes, dear old Mafalda. I thought I heard her dulcet tones the other day." He chuckled. I thought we'd head over to Gulliver's Glenn, if that's alright with you?"

"That's perfectly fine." Good. At least he'd chosen a wizarding establishment, and Megan had not been to Gulliver's in an age.

They made their way to the apparation areas mostly in silence. Megan was pleased he did not insist on side-along. Some men were like that. There was only one she did not mind it with though, but no thinking of HIM right now. She had other things to do just now. She could devote the rest of the waking hours to HIM after she finished with this. Megan arrived before Cormac did and made her way inside, not waiting for him. She asked for a table for two.

Cormac appeared at Megan's side just as the waiter was leading her to their table. Independent-nice. I like a woman who isn't clingy. They were seated and ordered drinks. "So. I wanted to thank you properly for the information you sent me; that was very gracious of you." He paused. "I've already put it to good use. No use sitting on something as good as that," he said with a wink.

"Excellent," Megan replied smoothly. Then got right to the point. "I do hate when my research and planning isn't put to good use. I'm actually rather good at uncovering... dirt. If you like, I'm sure we could arrange my doing more research for you... provided you are interested in helping me from time to time."

The waiter was back at their table and looking at her expectantly.

"Water," she said pleasantly. "And a salad with no dressing."

The waiter looked at Cormac for his order.

"I'll have the pan-seared red snapper and a salad with vinaigrette dressing, please," he said. The waiter left and Cormac turned back to Megan. "I wouldn't mind setting up an arrangement with you. I can be very accommodating to those I like. What kind of help would you require?" he asked, trying to keep the smile off his face.

"How interesting and stress-free do you imagine it is being Hopkirk's lackey? I can be very beneficial to any of your little projects provided it benefits me in the work place. I don't want to be a secretary forever. That was never my plan. I do believe I am a bit smarter than that."

"I imagine working for Hopkirk would be a bit soul-sucking," he said with a look of disgust. "And I agree with you - I think you're quite clever. There will be a junior undersecretary vacancy in the next few weeks, thanks to your information. What if I saw to it that your name was added to the short list of nominees?"

"I think that sounds agreeable. Not that she would, but if she were to retire anytime soon... or something, seeing my name added to a list for the head of the Misuse of Magic office would be nice as well. Perhaps a bit too ambitious at this juncture, but I think I have recently proved I can run that office in Hopkirk's absence. I know she isn't planning on going anywhere, but if she did... for any reason..."

Cormac nodded. "But if she did... retire, and I saw that your name was pushed to the top of that list, that would be compensation enough, I assume?"

The waiter returned with their food and Cormac respectfully waited for Megan to put her napkin in her lap and pick up her fork before he tucked into his own meal.

"More than," Megan said, shuffling her greens about a bit before taking a bite. "I could have you swimming in information. Provided you wanted such a thing. A better system would need to be worked out because I doubt either of us would want anyone else putting one and one together and getting two. Your having too many documents supposed to be in my care might look a tad suspicious, but that can be worked around. Just give me a bit of time to formulate a better system."

"I'm sure we can work something out, and I'm sure this goes without saying, but this would be strictly between the two of us." He looked directly at Megan and she held his gaze. "Confidentiality and discretion are absolutely essential, of course. If you agree to this, then I don't see why this wouldn't work." He smiled.

"I think you would be amazed at how confidential and discreet I can be, and that said, I believe we are working towards a fine agreement indeed."


{SUMMARY} Cormac and Megan have lunch and come to a few agreements concerning their working relationship.