Inquiring Mind

Sipas apparated to outside the ministry, and walked to the telephone booth that was the visitors entrance. He was wearing none other than his favorite cloak, an eccentric mixture of emerald green, and brilliant red. After reaching the atrium, he checked in his wand, and was on his way to the lifts. He started to hum to himself as he waited for the lift to reach level six. Level Six, Office of the Minister of Magic a polite voice said as the lift opened.

Sipas hurried off the lift and headed down the corridor to the right, walking all the way down the hall, till the second to last door on the left. "Robert Lupin; Minister of Magic" read the sign on the door. Ah, here we go. Sipas said to himself as he knocked on the door.

Robert was stacked up with a mountain of paperwork. He was debating on drowing Felix Barker in the endless paperwork his lunacy had generated. Barker had killed 3 ministry aurors and kidnapped 4 people--including kidnapping Khaat twice. The ministry staff had tirelessly worked overtime, some on the manhunt around the clock in order to try to get Barker off the streets before he harmed anyone else. As it was Naomi Quinn-Greyback was still on the run. Robert believed that she was, originally, not part of it but rather had been one of Barker's victims gone wrong. He wasn't sure what kind of a threat she posed now to the general public, but he did know he wanted her brought in as well.

The wizarding public deserved an update and Robert had remained silent. He'd issued a bit of news here and there through a couple of select ministry officials, but he himself had said nothing. He really had wanted to put his efforts elsewhere. On the case itself. Historically, some of the ministers seemed to be media loving. Cornelius Fudge, for example, rather liked the spotlight and frequently had ended up looking like an idiot. Of course, as far as Robert was concerned, Fudge ended up looking like an idiot because he was one. Robert, although not a press hater, just didn't feel any great compulsion to be center stage either. He preferred to do his job as efficiently as possible, with as little fuss as possible. He didn't grant interviews very often, but Barker seemed to be making a lot of things run a bit sideways at least for now.

"Come in," he said, hearing the knock on the door. He expected this might be Sipas Mandel--right on time.

Come in
Sipas entered the office, it seemed much smaller then he had remembered. This could be due to the fact of all the papers sitting on Robert's desk. Sipas walked farther into the room, extended his hand to the minister. Good afternoon minister, been busy I take it? Sipas said as he took a seat.

Sipas was excited to be, presumably the first journalist the minister has talked to about Felix Barker, and the whole situation. Questions were running through his mind, he wasn't sure where to start.

Would you like to give a statement first, or have me ask questions? After all, it's your party. Sipas said with a smile.

"Well, my only prerequisite for this is that we do this over tea," Robert smiled. He accio'd a tea tray that his secretary had already prepared, and it came into the room. Robert motioned to the teapot with his index finger, and the tea poured itself into a couple of the large stoneware mugs that Katherine specialized in making. He had inherited some fussy little bone china teacups and saucers from some past minister when he had inherited the office, and he hated the delicate little feminine teacups. He much preferred a large, informal stoneware mug. The ones Kate had made him for here were a royal blue.

"I hope you dont mind spiced tea," Robert said. "This blend reminds me of the holidays. Help yourself." He took a sip of his own tea and settled back in his deskchair. "I am presuming you want to know details about Felix Barker, am I right?"

Sipas acciod a mug right after Robert, and poured himself a cup of tea. Spiced is fine. he said with a smile. Sipas dug in his bag, and took out his quick notes quill, and parchment. The capture of Mr. Barker, and the wereabouts of one Sophia Lestrange. The general public, including myself, were under the impression she was kidnapped by Barker earlier this week, but if Barker is in custody, where is Sophia? Sipas said inquiringly.

Sipas sat back, and took a sip of his tea, Robert was quite right, this blend did remind him of the holidays. Fitting, although it sure isn't a holiday for Sophia, especially if she is being held against her will by the psychopath Naomi Greyback.