The registration -open for ministry workers-

The Boy might be tall, but Aje was taller and he was angry. He used his height to look intimidating, imposing as he stalked through the corridor with a student clutching at his wrist. It was the day before the registration deadline, it wouldn't be too hard to guess what a scared boy was doing in the halls of the Ministry. Aje glared at anyone who's gaze looked too critical or lingered too long, occasionally demanding a 'What?' when his own hard gaze wasn't enough to deter onlookers. Most moved on when they caught one look at his face, Aje could be frightening when he wanted to be and the stragglers would move on or avert their eyes when actually challenged.

He wasn't mad at his Gryffindor companion of course, and he made sure to make that clear several times, telling Toby that he was not doing anything wrong, that everything was fine. He was mad at the fact a teenager, a child was being forced into a political battle, used as a pawn by the Ministry as a scapegoat. Werewolves were hardly the most pressing issue facing the Ministry. People were dying or going missing every other day, not just on the full moon. They did occasionally pass by people who were familiar to Aje and he would soften his face and nod a greeting, occasionally even murmur a 'Hello' in passing. They were old coworkers who he respected, some current Order members too. As soon as he was clear of them, though, he would resume his hard face and looming posture. He made a promise that no one would bother Toby and he was going to make good on that promise.

The boy finally spoke and Aje felt his heart crumble a little in his chest, the broken pieces floating in a sea of sympathy. It was an uncomfortable and heavy feeling. The former auror stopped, turning to face the Gryffindor with a look of understanding and concern across previously angry features. "I am sorry, but we cannot go back." His voice was edged in genuine regret that the child was subjected to such a thing. "You must do this." When Toby started to cry, Aje looked around the corridor and tugged the Gryffindor into what he hoped to be an empty conference room or office, although he did not check to make sure it was unoccupied. "You may be scared, and that is okay but this is what you must do. When it is done you will go back to school and do your homework or go have dinner in the Great Hall. No one will bother you, I will bite their ankles if they try." Badgers might look cute and cuddly but he had some wicked claws and sharp teeth in animagus form.

"We will dry your tears." he withdrew his wand from the inside pocket of his jacket. "And then you will put your name on the list, you will show them your wand, and then you will move on. This will not be a defining moment in your life. You are bigger than this." After he gave his wand a reproachful, warning look the wizard flicked it and summoned a box of tissues from a desk in the far corner of the room. "We will go when you are calmer." Aje pressed the box into Toby's hands before re-pocketing his wand, a hint of triumph in his eyes. His wand must've taken pity on him and complied with his request and that made him feel good. "You will not let them see that they have upset you, you will not give them that satisfaction."

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Ministry workers can feel free to be in the 'empty office/conference room' if they'd like to join.

The Ministry was getting more irritating by the day. Crystal was an auror, not a bloody errand girl. Her supervisors could deliver their own damn reports. She couldn’t decide if her sudden lack of legitimate assignments was due to her bosses knowing exactly who had stuffed the office with live Weasley products the other night or if this was the Ministry’s way of striking back at her for being so vocal about werewolf rights and the inhumanity of how they were being treated. Either way, she had spent the last two days filling out reports and seeing them to the correct offices. And it was driving her mental. If the trolls in Hogsmeade this weekend had been lured in with portkeys, she should be out there looking for who had done the luring. Not running reports to the bloody portkey office. The paper-pushing bureaucrats down there clearly weren’t going to be any help. But Crystal was already on thin ice as it was, so she had done the obligatory grumbling and taken the damn files anyway.

She was coming out of the Department of Magical Transportation, still in a rather huffy state, when she caught sight of what appeared to be Aje heading into an office with a teenager in tow. Weird. Why would a teenager be here? McGonagall ran a right ship. She would never let a student out of the school without a legitimate reason. A paper airplane memo headed for the creature task force zoomed past Crystal’s head, nearly clipping her ear, and her surge of irritation faded as a thought struck her. Remus had mentioned there being at least one werewolf student. An orphan, if she remembered correctly. The poor kid would have to come here in person to register. Maybe that was it. Although the very thought made Crystal’s fists clench. It wasn’t bloody right.

To hell with being an errand girl. There was still one more file in her hand, but it was worthless and she knew it. She caught the arm of some lackey and shoved the papers into his arms with instructions on where to take them. Before he could protest, Crystal was already off down the hallway. She opened the door to the office, empty save for Aje and a red-eyed boy, and slipped in with a smile. “I thought I recognized you,” she said warmly to Aje as she closed the door behind her. “We don’t see you around here much anymore.” She kept her eyes on him for a brief second to give the poor kid time to pull himself together before turning his direction and holding out her hand. “Crystal Meadowes. I’m a friend of… Professor Odili.” The words still felt strange coming out of her mouth. Aje might be a quiet bloke, but Crystal liked him. It still felt a little odd not seeing his large form around the office anymore.

She smiled warmly over at the poor upset boy as she crossed her arms comfortably over her chest, feet sliding slightly apart into a relaxed stance. “So. What brings you two fine gentlemen here today?” She was pretty sure she already knew, and she was willing to do anything she could to help. But she could also play dumb if it made the kid feel better.


(OOC - Hope you don't mind me jumping in.)

Toby was a bit relieved knowing he was allowed to turn to bed when they returned. He really didn’t want to go to the Halloween party. The Gryffindor would probably be exhausted enough after this. Mostly because he was wearing himself out by being stressed and tense. Then again it wasn’t like it could be helped. He heard many things about the Ministry and none of it was good. In his eyes they were big mean adults who abused their power. However when his teacher told him he had to do his homework first, Toby looked up with a frown. He hadn’t want to pout but it happened without realizing it. “Homework can come tomorrow,” he mumbled in protest. While Toby was pretty decent with school he struggled with the deadlines and the work given in free hours. He much rather spend some extra time in class so he could finish the work before he forgot he had to do it.

The young wolf was having one of his emotional outbreaks. He’d never had these when he was little, only since he was bitten and later abandoned by his parents. And even if he knew these tantrums only caused more problems, he couldn’t control himself. It was embarrassing, fifteen year olds should be more mature than he was.

He felt the man’s strong hands on his shoulders, keeping him in one place. Tobias was still very emotional and confused. “What are you doing?” The man started a breathing exercise. “Stop, this looks stupid.” But eventually he joined in, he got the idea that struggling against the teacher wouldn’t really work. Even if he wouldn’t downright admit it, he felt a little calmer already.

That was when the door opened and he jumped up in panic. With Aje’s hands in the air and Toby free to move again, he hid behind the tall adult and peered from there. He held the Professor’s robes as he tried to see who this person was. It was a Ministry worker. The enemy. She was talking to Aje as if she knew him, which later seemed to be the case. Toby bit his lip and gazed up to the man with insurance. The woman introduced herself but Toby didn’t really reply, she got nothing more than a nod which was barely visible as he was shielding himself behind the Hufflepuff Head.

You will not let them see that they have upset you. Aje’s words echoed through his mind. Toby knew he had to stand his ground but it was easier said than done. Just when he was trying to gather his courage, Aje bluntly told the woman why they were here. Toby gasped and hit the teacher’s arm from behind. He didn’t just have to go and tell everyone! Then again… Soon it wouldn’t really be a secret anymore. He sighed and shook his head, realizing the woman probably had guessed it already when she had seen him. Students never came to The Ministry while there were classes going on if normal teenager ever got in here. “It was obvious, wasn’t it?” Toby glanced up to the woman. “You don’t have to pretend. That the Ministry tells you to lie is one thing, but you don’t have to lie to us.” Toby hated adults who were only faking kindness. They were the reason he no longer trusted others easily anymore.

Aje wasn’t the only one put out with the Ministry. Crystal nodded. “Yeah, they’ve done a real number on the place,” she said bitterly. There was even talk among some of the more moral aurors about leaving. Neville had jumped ship to be a healer. Not that Crystal could blame him after his father. And Ezra seemed pretty conflicted too, which was a strange look for the normally friendly man. But as messy as things were getting, Crystal couldn’t see herself leaving. Not yet. There had to be a way to stop this ship from sinking. Tonks had wanted them to at least try.

The kid didn’t take her offered hand. Not that Crystal had really expected him too. Aje confirmed they were here for the registration, so it made sense for the boy not to trust anyone with the Ministry. The words that finally did come out of the kid’s mouth made her raise an eyebrow. So did the sight of him actually hitting Aje. Merlin, that was stupid. Aje might be a big softie at heart, but Crystal had seen the man in action. He was not someone to mess with. Although she had to try very hard not to smile as he chastised the kid. Apparently being a professor suited him quite well.

“It’s alright,” she said easily. “I wouldn’t trust me either if I was in his shoes. The Ministry’s treating him badly, and he’s got a right to be upset about that.” She shifted her gaze from Aje to the boy. He wanted honesty? Then honesty he would get. “I’ve got a good friend who’s like you. You probably know him. Professor Lupin? He’s a really good person. He deserves better than he’s gotten. You all do. But you should know we’re not all like that. Some of us are trying to fight it. Maybe someday we’ll be able to make it right.” She wasn’t going to promise him that they would. This kid had clearly seen too much of reality to believe in idle promises. But he needed some level of hope or he would waste away.

Crystal reached into her pocket and pulled out a card with her name and how to contact her at the office. She held it out to the boy. “Here. You want to shred it up, that’s fine. But if you ever need something, let me know. I’ll see what I can do.” Kid seemed like he needed someone in his corner. Besides, Aje wouldn’t be here if this was just some arrogant little upstart. He saw something in this kid, and Crystal was willing to trust that.