Everything at once [Frida]

As usual, Marcus had arrived early for work. Unlike usual, however, he'd been asked to meet with one of his superiors quite soon after he'd arrived. Naturally, he was curious. He'd been given no clues as to the reason he'd been called in, and his imagination was running wild. Had he done something wrong? No, not intentionally anyway, he always followed protocol to a T. Had someone else made a mistake and pinned the blame on him? Was he being fired? No! Marcus tried to force that thought out of his mind, yet, despite his attempts, it was still there, planting seeds of needless doubt and worry.

By the time she'd arrived at his superior's office, he was almost sick with worry. His superior was solemn, which did nothing to reassure him, but rather than beginning with the dreaded words 'We regret to inform you . . .'  or some other 'breaking the bad news' type of phrase, he stated, in the most monotonous voice, that Marcus was being promoted to the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. For a moment, Marcus just sat, mouth agape, before suddenly jumping out of his seat and giving the other man a vigorous handshake, thanking him profusely.

It was hard to keep the extra pep out of his step as he made his way back to the broom regulation office, but Marcus was so happy he could sing! For thirteen years he'd worked in the broom regulation office, and while he loved his job, the promotion was a welcome change.

A single thought, however, stopped him cold in his tracks: Frida. While he had numerous associates, Frida was, by far, the one he was closest to. Sure she was occasionally childish, talked too much, and was far more enthusiastic than any one person should be, but after nearly a decade of working with her, Marcus had learned to tolerate, if not . . . appreciate, her methods. This, however, provided him with a difficult decision. She was an enigma, her actions and reactions unpredictable. Did he tell Frida now, and deal with, well, whatever she would do, or should he just avoid telling her altogether, leaving her to find out with the rest of his associates, risking anger and disappointment? Marcus considered, for a moment, his options, weighing the consequences of each choice. Telling her, he decided, would be the best option. He could handle emotions, just as long as she didn't cry, everything would be okay. Probably.

Marcus strode into the broom regulation office, nodding to a few of his associates and, seeing Frida, he made his way over to her. "Frida," he began solemnly, trying to keep his voice neutral, "can I speak to you for a moment, in er . . . my office?" Marcus did not wait for a response, instead leading the way back to his office, trusting that Frida would follow him.

It was another beautiful morning! Frida awoke with a smile to birds chirping outside her bedroom window and the sun gently shining in through the curtains. The Trickett hopped out of bed, waving her hand to draw back the curtains and let the gorgeous sun shine through before sighing contently. It felt like it would be a good day! She got ready for work as quickly as possible though she was dancing along to a tune she was humming as she made and ate breakfast. Grabbing her cloak off her chair, she grabbed the floo powder and ducked into the fireplace before saying the destination that she had come to know so very well over the course of several years. Arriving at the Ministry of Magic, the cheerful witch skipped her way along the corridors, as was customary for her, though there was an extra special bounce in her step that morning, for Fri knew that she was early for her work!

Getting into the office, she cheerily greeted all the colleagues who were already there before making her way to the office at the back of the area to call on Marcus. Knocking briskly on the door, she found she received no answer. Ignoring this entirely, she opened the door and let out a "Good morning Mar..Oh." He wasn't there! How odd. Frida knew that Marcus always came in early for work and was, therefore, surprised to not see him. Perhaps she was much earlier than she thought? I get more work done, in that case! Then the office will be super productive! In her boss's absence, Frida made her way to her desk, eager to begin her workload for the day. She was grateful that she had organised what she wanted to do that morning the day before so that she knew what she was doing. Removing her wand from her robes, Fri began to levitate her papers, bouncing around the desk as she rearranged them, before sitting down to begin writing notes to send to various departments. About halfway through her second note, she looked up with a smile to see some of the newer members of the office looking uncertain, as if they didn't know what they had to do. Well, the sunny witch couldn't have that! Jumping out of her chair, she flicked her wand to send the notes she had completed, watching them fly out the area before casting "Finite incantatem!" to stop her papers levitating.

With a spring in her step, the brunette made her way over to them with a beam on her face cheerfully giving them instructions and some work to be getting on with. Her grin only widened when she saw the relief register on their faces. Waving the three wizards over to a broom at the back of the area, Frida began to demonstrate exactly what they should be doing, in her usual animated fashion. Satisfied they knew what they were doing, Frida made her way back towards their desks, levitating some paperwork over to each of their desks and beamed contentedly. There was a familiar buzz in the office that made her overjoyed. Everyone was beginning to pick up and get stuck into the day ahead with all its deadlines and challenges. What a day to be alive! Glancing over at the newer members to see how they getting on, the Hufflepuff alumna called out "You're doing great, keep going! We have deadlines to meet today everyone, so get going! We can do this!" The latter part was directed at everyone, since Fri wanted to ensure everybody in the office was motivated. To her delight, the office activity seemed to pick up even further, with everybody getting stuck in and the sound of the busy co-workers was music to her ears. She clapped her hands her lightly as she began to move back towards her desk but was surprised by Marcus suddenly calling her name.

Frida whipped round with her hand on her heart, as she joked lightly "Marcus! You startled me! Where have you been? Not that it matters, everything is in order but..." She trailed off as Marcus requested her to join him in his office. Ooh! Why did he want her in his office? Did he have exciting news? Was it a field trip? Or a lunch invitation? Or a surprise? Excited with all the possibilities, the sunny witch obediently followed her boss but not before offering a few words of encouragement to the newer members who, Frida thought, were doing a great job.

Stepping inside the office, Frida waited until the door closed before she burst out with all the optimistic questions she could muster. "Yes? What is it? Are we going on another adventure? Ooh! I know! Are we going on a field trip? Or, or is it a special event?" Frida jumped forwards towards Marcus as she clapped her hands with zeal. "Tell me, tell me, tell me! Is it exciting news?"

Marcus was quite impressed with the way things were running this morning. Nice and efficient, just as he liked it. He didn't even have to wonder whether everyone had been self motivated or if somebody had organised the crew as Frida's cheerful voice reached his ears. Of course she had done it; Frida was quite reliable and surprisingly good at motivating people, a job Marcus frequently turned over to the sunny woman.

At first, Frida seemed surprised to see him (well, to be perfectly honest, Marcus would have been surprised too; he was a man of routine after all, and it was a rare thing when broke from it.) but she quickly recovered and began spouting off words. He felt almost bad for ignoring her question, but she would find out soon enough anyway, so he didn't feel as if it was a big deal.

Once they were in his office Frida exploded with a number of questions. "I suppose it is going to be an adventure." Marcus replied, trying to decide how to go forward, "And it is rather exciting, for me at least. See, the thing is . . . well, you might want to take a seat." He warned, though he himself remained standing. After heaving a great sigh he continued. "Earlier you asked where I was this morning, and I didn't answer because I didn't want everyone to hear quite yet, but I was in a meeting with the head of our department and, well you see, very soon this won't be my office anymore Frida. By that I mean that I won't be working here anymore.

"Don't worry, I haven't resigned or been fired or anything like that, in fact I've been promoted! I have about two weeks for my replacement to be found and for a little bit of training to be done, but after that I will take my new place as the head of the Department of Magical Transportation." Finally finished, Marcus took a seat behind his desk and clasped his hands, barely daring to look at Frida. What would her reaction be? Shock, sadness, excitement? He didn't exactly know and he wasn't quite sure he wanted to find out.

As soon as her boss confirmed there would be an adventure Frida increased her bouncing tenfold, overwhelmed with excitement. Oh, how she had longed for an adventure, the cheerful witch thought they were absolutely fantastic! What kind of adventure would they be having? Where would they be going? Or would they have an adventure right there in the Ministry? The Ministry was massive so there was plenty of exploring to be had! Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she quizzically tipped her head to the side as Marcus stated it would be exciting for him at least. What did that mean? That it would be even more than exciting for her? Oh, that'd be wonderful! The wizard then suggested she take a seat and the Trickett heeded his words immediately, twirling around trying to find a chair before enthusiastically sitting down. She listened to his cryptic response to her earlier question eagerly, though Fri became more and more confused as he continued further and further. What did he mean it'd no longer be his office? Why wouldn't it be his office? Was the broom regulation office being redecorated and moved around? That would be thrilling! ...What? What did he mean he wouldn't be working there? Where would he be then? What would he be doing? Why wouldn't he be working there? Frida edged forward in her seat with a forceful "But!" escaping her lips before she noticed Marcus was continuing and she quickly stopped talking once again.

The Hufflepuff alumna sat there dazed as she was told that her boss was being promoted. She didn't react for a few seconds, merely taking it in. Once it dawned on her what 'promoted' actually meant, Frida jumped out of the chair clapping her hands rapidly and squealing with euphoria. "That's phenomenal! You're actually going to be the head of magical transportation! I can't believe it! Oh, congratulations Marcus! You totally deserve it, you're going to be an amazing head! You've already been the best boss here!" She giggled in near delirium running up to Marcus as she quickly added "Your new office will be amazing, I bet! Oh! Oh! I know everyone will miss you! You've been so good to us all!"

Suddenly she freezed, the jubilant smile falling away, replaced instead by a frown. "But... does that mean I won't be working with you anymore? I... I don't want that. You really have been the greatest boss ever. I'd miss you so much Marcus!" Slowly the brunette turned away from the wizard but soon turned back again with a mischievous grin on her face. "Of course, I'd definitely come and visit you in your shiny new office and hide there for lunch break... every day! You're not getting rid of me that easily!"