Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_corax]

Are you serious that we have an entire office devoted to squibs? Is that all those people do, mess about with those deformed parasites?

Tell the idiot in charge of muggleborn labour I want a list of the existing muggleborns in service and a list of those in the camps, by Friday morning.

What exactly is Massopust's problem?

Comments

[alt_corax]

Oh, and Yaxley decided to be 'helpful' by sending over an Auror. Try to keep him out of my way.

[alt_bill]

The lists will be on your desk by the end of the day.

The Department of Squib Affairs was set up shortly after Our Lord reorganised the Ministry. One thing I'll say for them is that they are consistently underbudget: they don't waste too much money on the vermin. In the Protectorate's interest of eliminating squib births, they do truly play a key role: they provide experimental subjects, and they trace geneological information which may, we hope, eventually unravel the mystery of why squibs are born in the first place.

As I understand it, aside from the value of their labour, squibs have also proven useful at times, due to the fact that while they cannot perform magic, they can detect magical influences. Thus, I would hazard a guess that they are more appropriate for certain purposes (from the Department of Mysteries' point of view) where there's no point in risking a true wizard.

Massopust is a valuable employee who runs his department well, and he is whip-smart at handling the press, but he can be prickly and prone to petty jealousy. Selwyn kept him happy--mostly--by occasionally indulging his ego.

Whether you choose to do that is up to you.

[alt_corax]

I didn't ask you if he was valuable; I asked what his problem was. I don't have time to indulge petty tantrums.

[alt_bill]

My intention was to provide context on personnel relations which might be useful to you as a manager.

Currently, he's not very happy about being demoted and moved to Magical Transportation.

It will doubtless be something else next week.

[alt_corax]

He was just demoted? No wonder he acts like he's got a wasp's nest up his arse. What was he running before?

You know what, I'm going to need a list of everyone who's been moved in the last year, so I know what people USED to do as well as what they're doing now.

[alt_bill]

Marcus Massopust was previously the Director of Education and Public Information.

I have a staffing roster from a year ago and another from six months ago, which will show you the people in the various positions at the time. I'll work up a report detailing information concerning the various transfers, promotions and demotions.

[alt_corax]

Excellent.

You might just work out.

[alt_corax]

Also, I thought I told you to keep that damn Auror out of my way.

[alt_bill]

Ah. Her. I thought

Understood.

[alt_corax]

Also, what do you mean by 'detecting magical influences'? You sound like you're talking about some sort of dog that can sniff out potions ingredients. What exactly are they used for?

[alt_bill]

Sorry if my language was imprecise. I meant that they are closer to actual people than muggles are: they can perceive magical creatures and are not fooled by muggle-repelling charms, for example. Consequently, they make better experimental subjects when using a person won't do for ethical reasons.

[alt_corax]

Tell that clown in charge of Squibs I want a report on where they're kept, what they're being used for, and how much it costs to feed them.

[alt_bill]

Will do.

[alt_corax]

Also, someone walked off with the office supplies that were in here -- at least, I assume the late traitor Selwyn wasn't getting by with a single broken quill, a used roll of parchment, and a half pot of dried-out ink. Have fresh supplies sent up and find out who took the old supplies.

[alt_bill]

It could be that the supplies were taken by MLE as part of its investigation, to check whether spells could reveal any traitorous words the quills wrote, that sort of thing. If not MLE, I'm not aware of any way I can determine who might have taken them.

I'll speak with Ms Mortynson to see that your office is re-stocked as soon as possible.

[alt_corax]

That's a fascinating theory. Makes me wonder why they left behind a quill that had clearly been used in the past, in that case.

See if the Auror knows if it's true.

[alt_bill]

I'll ask.

[alt_corax]

Did you get an answer?

[alt_bill]

Yes. She said that MLE took files and personal parchments and reports that were in the office, but not the supplies.