Bill cursed the day he ever agreed to take a desk position over work in the field. Oh, of course the pay was a bit better and the hours a bit more regular, but nobody mentioned the damned paperwork. Paperwork. Paperwork. He was drowning in paperwork.

His official title was Undersecretary of Acquisitions of Antiquities and Cursed Objects, but unofficially ran the department because the goblin in charge was a particularly nasty sort. As it was, many of the curse breakers preferred to work through him as he was less likely to have them thrown out of the bank.



"Tea?" Rose knocked on the door, pulling Bill from the task at hand. As she stood in the doorway, she absently began to straighten the files stacked on a nearby table. "I'm making the rounds for the floor."

"Um, yeah, sure." Bill waved a hand. "Could you hand me the Craig file from over there? It's somewhere on the table."

Rose made a non-committal noise and began to flick through the pile before passing it over. "They've brought fresh scones in. Did you want cheese or sultana?"

Bill sat back and looked at the young woman in front of him. "Rose, you're absolutely shite at making tea," he said, but held up a hand to stave off any of her protests. "But you have a tendency to organize things with or without my permission." She at least had the dignity to blus. "Coupled with the fact that you know most of the department makes you the perfect material to be my personal assistant. This undoubtedly comes with a pay raise."

"I'd have to talk to Madam Banks," Rose crossed her arms over her chest as she crossed the small space between the door and his desk.

"Leave Madam Banks to me," Bill promised. He could deal with one crabby witch if it meant there was a chance he would get home at a reasonable hour every night.

"What about your sister in law, Gabrielle?" Rose asked.

He shrugged. "She's at school and if she still wants to work here after she leaves, I'm sure I can find a place for her elsewhere."

"Alright." She began to make her way towards the door. "Let me drop off the department's tea orders and I'll come right back." Rose flashed a smile. "Martin gets testy if he doesn't get his tea in time."

Bill laughed and nodded.

"Weasley!" Speak of the devil, Martin Young, stormed into the office, brushing past Rose. "I demand that you take me off this stupid project and let me get back to my normal pursuits. Alone. I refuse to work with that-that-" The older man's eyes flicked to where Rose was standing. "Wanker anymore."

Bill pinched the bridge of his nose. Truth be told, Young should be in his chair, after all, the older man had almost twice the expierence Bill did. But then he would open his mouth and one would begin to understand why he was left alone in his office unless his skills were necessary. "The Loch Riddon site is a delicate one, needing both yours and Faulkner's attention. Complete the preliminary work necessary and I'll get Pajari to replace you."

Young scowled. "That little girl will have no idea what she's doing."

"Then see the project through to the end," Bill snapped. "I'll talk to Faulkner and see if he can be a bit less of a wanker."

The other man huffed but made his way out of the office. Rose watched him go. "Nice bit of politics."

He sighed. "Go make your tea run and while your at it, get Faulkner in here."

Summary: Bill does a bit of office politicking, but gets and assistant out of it.