[Hogwarts Between] At the Ministry of Magic (Cyrus, Eugene)

[Margaret Dean]

William Dean wrote:

> > From: "Margaret Dean" <margdean at erols.com>

> > When the day finally came for Cyrus Windermere and his father to
> > visit Diagon Alley and get his school supplies, it turned out
> > there was a slight change of plan.
> >
> > "I've taken the day off, really," said his father, Eugene, "but I
> > got an owl this morning to say something's come up at the office,
> > so we'll need to go there first -- just for an hour or so until I
> > can get this squared away, one of the models gone wonky, happens
> > sometimes.  You'd like to see where Dad works anyhow, wouldn't
> > you, Cyrus?" he ended heartily.
> 
> "Sure, dad!" said Cyrus brightly.
> 
> > Eugene usually Apparated to work.  Cyrus, however, was too young,
> > and his father didn't want to risk Side-Along Apparation.
> > "Tricky," he said, shaking his head.  "Much better use the Floo
> > network.  The parlor chimney is drawing properly now, isn't it,
> > Daphne dear?"
> >
> > "It is if you remember to open the dampers, love," said Cyrus's
> > mother, and came with them into the parlor to make sure of this.
> > As it was summer, there had been no fire lit in the fireplace for
> > some months.  Daphne laid one efficiently while Eugene hunted out
> > his can of Floo powder.
> >
> > "Remember to enunciate clearly, son," Eugene told Cyrus, once the
> > flames were burning green.  "I'll go first, and you follow
> > straightway.  Ministry of Magic, Main Entrance!" he cried,
> > stepped into the fireplace and vanished.
> 
>         Cyrus looked at the green flames with no small amount of
> trepidation. While he had seen his father use the Floo Network many
> times, he had never tried it himself. "Well, here goes," Cyrus
> muttered to himself as he stepped into the roaring fire. "M-Ministry
> of Magic, Main Entrance", he shouted. Suddenly, Cyrus was spinning 
> like a top, green flames licking around him as he whizzed from one
> fireplace to the next, getting small glimpses of each parlor beyond.
> After what felt like an eternity, Cyrus fell dizzily onto a dark wood
> floor.

It was so highly polished that Cyrus could practically see his
reflection in it, but he did not have much time to study it
before his father was pulling him to his feet and dusting him
off.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

The gilded fireplace they'd emerged from was only one of a row of
fireplaces set into one wall of a long and lofty hall.  Eugene
pulled Cyrus out of the way just before he could be bumped into
by a short, fat wizard in purple robes who stepped out of the
fireplace behind him.  Across the hall was another row of
fireplaces into which people were disappearing.  The ceiling, far
above their heads, was peacock-blue, and inlaid with glittering
golden traceries that seemed constantly in motion.

"I'll need to sign you in as a visitor," said Eugene.  "Over
there, past the fountain."  He began to lead Cyrus toward one end
of the hall.

[OOC: ...and they can spot Heath and his parents, and/or
Professor Burbage, either on the way or at the security desk. 
Feel free to step in!]


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>