“Stupefy!”

The man flew across the room and slid down the wall. He quickly dropped his wand and put his hands up in surrender, “Please! Please, I give up! I’m sorry! I…”

Anthony sighed. Many of them were like this: No real challenge. He was beginning to get bored with this Ministry gig. “Please, stop talking. This is going to happen whether you like it or not. On Ministry’s orders,” he said to the man. Pulling out a slip of parchment and holding his aim steady towards the man, he read out loud in a monotone voice. “Due to your involvement in case number 13566 it has been decided by the Ministry of Magic that your memory regarding said case be obliviated. A Mr. Anthony Goldstein, Obliviator for the Ministry, has been given approval to perform any necessary spells in order for you to comply. Signed, Minister of Magic.”

“So you see, the more you argue, the more spells I perform. What do you choose?” he asked the man, while making a show of repositioning his wand.

A look of fear grew on the man’s face and he took a long shuddering breath. “Just… just get it over with,” he said.

Anthony smiled. He liked this part. “As you wish.” He focused his thoughts on the man and the memories he was to banish. “Obliviate.”

The man’s eyes glazed and after a moment, he looked around the room and then at Anthony. “Who are you?”

Anthony smiled, “No one. No one you know”. He walked out the flat and down the stairs to the alley. He looked at his watch. He was running late. He glanced around, and not seeing anyone, grabbed his wand and disapparated back to the Ministry. He had loads of paperwork to do, this last case not helping any. He made his way through the atrium and headed for the lift.

Once he reached his floor and made his way out of the cramped elevator, he headed for his desk. He sighed as he spotted the monstrous pile of paperwork. He sat down slowly while picking up the top folder in the pile. He opened it, and while imagining the long and tedious day he had ahead of him, started to read.