"Good morning Karla, sleep well?" Violet rushed down the stairs as she clasped her bracelet in her right hand.

Violet walked past the elderly woman, reaching for her handbag that hung on the rack by the arch to the foyer. Her heavy black boots stomped against the marble floors and her black trench coat flowed, revealing her bare legs and tight black dress.

She was dressed formally for work, something she didn't do often because there was not much happening.

However, it was an important day for the Aurors of the Ministry and herself. Her day, consisted of a meeting with a French fellow and the decision of naming the next Head of the Auror department; there was lots to do and lots to look presentable for.

But her clothing wasn't what Karla was paying much attention to, it was the smile on her face that didn't fool her. She was faking it and it was nothing but obvious, especially to the woman who comforted her when she cried about her marriage almost every night since Karla was hired.

"I slept well thank you, madam," Karla replied as she continued dusting off the antiques around the hall. "I don't mean to intrude madam, but are you feeling alright?"

Violet furrowed her eyebrows, confused by the question because she thought her smile would fool those around her. She pressed her lips to form a thin line and rubbed them together before breaking out into a fake smile once more.

"There's no need to worry Karla." Violet inhaled, closing her eyes for a split second and smiling brighter. "The day is new and I can not stay broken forever. I must move on sometime, right?"

Karla said nothing, simply nodding away the fake feelings Violet let out just now.

It's been one year since she began working for the Notts and in that year she's noticed every emotion Violet portrayed; memorizing them almost, so, when the time came, she knew what it was Violet needed.

Karla never had a child of her own so she treated Violet with the kindest heart and the utmost respect. If it wasn't for Violet, she'd still be asking for spare change on the streets of Diagon Alley where they met for the first time. Violet changed her life and Karla just wanted to give something in return, even if it was just comforting her no matter what emotion.

"Erm, Karla," Violet whispered so that Thomas could not hear if he happened to be around. "I won't be making it home for dinner tonight. If Thomas were to ask, please tell him the Ministry held me up."

"Of course, Madam," she replied, used to keeping secrets for the pair. "Will you be home for breakfast tomorrow? So, I may prepare you something."

Violet bit her bottom lip, walking backward into the foyer as she spoke. "I wouldn't count on it." she shook her head. "I'll write you if I end up sleeping here. Bonne journée Karla !"

She gave Karla no second to return the gesture before Violet slammed the house doors behind her. Her body instantly tensed at the cold January wind and the snow piling up at her feet. It made her look around in shock, remembering the last time it snowed and how different things were last year compared to now.

Her hand wrapped around the hem of her coat on both sides as she pulled it to wrap around her petite figure. The cold air turned her sigh in a cloud of visible mist and she felt the tip of her nose go cold as she continued stepping out into the driveway.

What she didn't know was that halfway across the world, her love was doing the same thing.

-

"I have everything yes?" he asked as he carried a briefcase in hand, stomping through piles of snow to get to his car. His eyes rolled to the back of his head when he reached it and saw it covered. "Bloody New York weather."

His car had frozen over, angering him because for the tenth time this week he had to clean it off like a normal muggle. He had no intention of muggle neighbors seeing him with a wand in his hand, they were annoying to him as is.

That was his karma for getting with a muggle.

"You're forgetting your lunch as always." the brunette placed a warm kiss on his lips while she slid a bag of lunch into his hand. "Are you coming back for dinner? I learned a new recipe, I'm sure you will love it."

A smile curled slightly on the corner of his lips but he still shook his head. "My wife is expecting me tonight." his tone changed but his smile remained because he can't help it when he was looking at her. "Tomorrow?"

The woman rolled her eyes in a won-over manner with a big smile on her face before he reached down to kiss her lips once more. He knew the smile meant yes; she couldn't resist him.

"Call me, Draco, I am serious." she raised an eyebrow. "And careful how you're driving, I hate showing up to hospitals."

"Well don't jinx me." he chuckled and placed another kiss on her soft lips. "See you later gorgeous."

-

"Ah Ms. Nott!" the same voice from every morning shouted at Violet but she pretended not to hear as she continued walking down the glass bridge. "Ms. Nott! A moment please!"

Her lips pursed annoyingly but she still decided to turn around and face the boy. She faked a smile at the young man running towards her and held her hand tightly above her wide hip.

Not realizing it in time, the man rammed into her chest in his attempt to stop, causing Violet to gasp with hurt. His entire face burned with the color red as she looked down at him with anger on her face and her arms crossed over her chest. Just when she imagined today going smoothly, he had to ruin her morning.

"I'm running late for a meeting." she groaned and walked off, leaving him running at her heels. "Walk and talk."

"W-well I was wondering if –" he stuttered in her presence, rubbing his sweaty palms together as he watched the woman, he's had a crush on take off her coat and hang it on a rack outside her office door. "I was wondering if there was an Auror position available now? I am close to finishing my training and I- I believe that I can be of- of great use mam."

Violet halted unexpectedly once more, making him bump into her back again before shyly stepping away from her tall figure. He cursed at himself under his breath as she turned to face him, shaking her head at his words.

"Aurors command, they don't get nervous when speaking and they set up meetings for talks like these."

"I understand but –"

"I'm sorry, John, I truly am." she interrupted him, holding her hand up to stop him. "But until you can do all of these things and complete your training with the perfect score, I can not simply hand you a position that requires you to be tough and prepared to see horrifying things."

Violet felt guilty like she had just told a child Santa wasn't real. Her head dropped back slightly, a sigh escaping her lips because she knew she was about to soften up.

She looked back down at the boy whose head had dropped to his feet and she cleared her throat. "You are our youngest addition to the Ministry because you graduated early. So, I will consider it. But! Don't take this as a yes just yet. Am I clear?"

"Perfectly clear!" he smiled as he began to run back, stumbling over the things behind him, making her laugh. "Thank you!"

Violet shook her head with a laugh before she opened the door to her right, revealing a room full of Aurors. Including the two she dreaded to see the most.

Thomas and Theo.

She tried her hardest to make it across the room without breaking into a face of anger or disgust because of the two men sitting close to her seat. Her hand clenched her paperwork tightly as she took a seat and placed it on the long glass table in front of her.

There was a wave of nervousness running through her veins because this was her first official meeting since she started the job. It was nerve-wracking to sit in a room with dozens of men staring in your direction because their fate lies in your hand. That is Violet.

"Morning gentlemen." she cleared her throat as she adjusted herself to sit tall in her seat, staring out at everyone's dull faces. "I'd like to start this meeting by talking about some changes that are being made to the Auror department."

Violet opens the folder lying before her and grabs a pen to start writing on a crowded piece of parchment paper.

"Now, I'd like it to be known that starting February, Auror's pay will be cut by five percent if your January record showed you for not bringing in a single wizard," she spoke, causing the room to fill with shocked murmurs and gasps. "Continuing! The Auror department will now be moved to the tenth floor so that each of you can have your personal office. I believe that will help the majority work better."

That statement received excited whispers along the table because, after years, someone finally moved them from the dingy basement.

"Lastly, the reason you were all eager to gather this morning. Head Auror." she looked up from her papers, eyeing every single face in the room before they land on Theo's. 

His bruised face caused her to lose focus, the memory of last night began to replay in her head. She felt her heart pound faster in her chest because she'd be a fool to admit he didn't make her feel alive. But she still shook her head and focused once again.

"Congratulations Theodore Nott." Violet avoided further eye contact with the brunette. "You are now Head of the Auror department. Do not make me regret this decision."

"Of course, Ms. N-" he paused, disgusted to utter the name that was his but not given by him. "Of course, Ms. Blishen. Thank you."

Scoffs and disapproved murmurs were heard from the other side of the table, causing Violet to look up once again. Her eyes dart to the older man on the far end whose head was shaking repeatedly with a smug look on his face.

It's the same man her father would complain about when he first started the job as second-hand to the Minister.

"Is there a problem Randall?" her voice sounded shocked as she sat up in her seat, folding her hands on her papers. "Because I thought I heard a scoff over there?"

All eyes turn to the man at the end, waiting for a response. If he was going to respond. But he turned to Violet with his nose scrunched in anger and his lips parted.

"Well, I think most of us agree it's quite uncomfortable and upsetting that our world is being ruled by an inexperienced child who has been handed the position with no work."

Violet twirled a pen between her fingers, her jaw clenching as she tried to remain classy and calm about the situation. Her throat tightened and she began angrily tapping the pen against the glass table under her elbows as she spoke.

"For you to call me a child and inexperienced while I am in a position of authority over you, shows how little respect you have." Violet raised an eyebrow at the Auror who is balling his hand into a fist on his lap. "My decision for Head Auror was calculated to every aspect possible needed for this job. I have worked hard for a year before this, and I've had this position for a week. If you have been here longer, I am sorry but that just shows that you didn't work hard enough to seem fit for a position to be handed down to you."

The room fell silent as she continued staring at the man with anger in her eyes. No one wants to speak up to the woman who holds their jobs in her hands.

In all honesty, most were terrified now that she'd spoken her mind.

Violet tapped the glass table with her hand as she stood up from her chair, maintaining threatening eye contact with Randall. She gathered her papers into the black folder and looked at Theo while doing so. She catches him eyeing down Randall with anger as well and she couldn't help but smirk unnoticeably.

"Good day gentlemen." she nodded slowly as she began to walk towards the door. "If anyone else would like to speak their mind, I will be in my office. I'll be having lunch with the Minister of France."