Anthony walked into the dark atrium, pleased at how quietly peaceful it was. As he made his way to the lifts, he listened to the echoing footfalls of his own feet. This is something I could get used to. After making his way to the second floor he found Hildi's empty desk and Cormac's closed office door. He knocked and when Cormac opened the door said, "And how are you this fine evening?" with a smile on his face.

He's mighty chipper, Cormac thought.  "Fine, thank you.  Come on in.  Drink?" he asked. 
Anthony nodded.

Filling two glasses half full with brandy, he handed one to Anthony.  "Have a seat.  And thanks for coming.  Where do we start?" he asked, sitting back down in his chair.

"Well, I suppose we start with when you wanted to do this," said Anthony. After taking a long drink, "We probably want to talk about how we were going to do this as well as where," he said cheekily.

"How would Thursday morning work for you, Anthony?" he asked. "Tumblerose has been stopping by my office on a daily basis, dropping off paperwork for one thing or another.  He's always here between 10:30 and 11:00, right after he takes his morning tea.  He's never happy leaving them with Hildi, either.  He has to see me. I'll send Hildi off to run an errand; I figure this would be the perfect time to Imperio him."  He paused and took a long drink.  "I know he's had a few run-ins with our department head, Madame LeGrot, so I'll have him tell her she's a complete slag who shags Goblins-or something to that effect.  I'll instruct him to return straight to my office after he does that and then you can Obliviate him?" 

Anthony sighed and ran this scenario in his head. "Yes I think that will be fine. When would you like me to come to your office, or should we do this somewhere else so we're not so obviously at fault? I mean, it's not so often that I come up to your office for a chat."

Cormac pondered that for a moment before saying, "Trust me, you would not believe the visitors I've had lately. Merlin himself could walk in at this point and no one would blink.  However, if it makes you feel more comfortable, slip in through the maintenance entrance and no one will see a thing.  Besides, we both work at the ministry-if someone saw us together anywhere else, I think that would be more an oddity."

Anthony nodded his head in the other man's direction. "True. So your office it is. When shall I come up? 11:30?" He took a drink while waiting for Cormac's reply.

Cormac nodded. "That will work fine.  Is there anything you'll need?  Anything else I should know?" he asked.

"I do not anticipate needing anything except my Galleons." Anthony said while rising from his chair. "So here at 11:30 on Thursday. Alright, will do. See you then." Anthony turned and walked out.

Cormac finished off his drink, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes. Now that wasn't so bad.

{Summary:  Anthony and Cormac meet to finalize their nefarious plans.}