Hammering Out A Career

Jack had asked for a meeting with Zoe gould, though Zoe had made it sound like she had been in the midst of summoning her to her office. Zoe obviously wanted to speak with Jack after graduation since Thaor sort of appointed her to a new position, and she surely wanted to figure out if she was getting a priviliged rick kid or someone who had worked for her goal. And Jack had guessed this would be coming, and realized she would need to work closely with the head on some aspects of the department.

I.e. Vito.

So she decided it was best to speak with her. Jack was dressed as usual, no reason in trying to outwardly impress someone when she knew the best tool she had was her mind. Sje knocked on the office door, waited for confirmation, and stepped inside the office. It was rather bureacratic for Jack's taste, and Jack once again thought about how much she would rather not work for the Ministry. But this was her best bet.

"Hello, Ms Gould," Jack said, striding towards her and offering a hand to shake. "I'm Jack Dyllan."

Zoe was staring a piece of paper, reading glasses perched on her nose, and was reading quickly through what it said. She knew someone was due any moment now, and just as she finished reading, the box on her desk buzzed, and Zoe looked up as the girl entered. Zoe stood and reached across the desk to shake her hand. "Hello Ms. Dyllan, obviously you know me." She said and gestured to a seat across her desk, and sat down herself, putting the paper she had been reading upside down a bit in front of her, and her attention focused directly on Jack. She was not dressed for an interview, that much was obvious, but Zoe had done her research, she knew this girl was good, and she would put up with her for not dressing nicely to this.

"I have heard a lot about you Ms. Dyllan." She said closing a folder on her desk, and putting it to the side, and opening up a notebook to a blank page, and scrawling something on it in simple, sharp handwriting. "According to the Deputy Headmaster, you officially have a title here in this office, and it's quite alright, I said he may give it to you.. like I said, I've heard a lot about you, and I believe you could be a valuable asset to our ranks." She said finally turning her attention on the girl, taking off her reading glasses, and setting her quill down. "From what I've heard you've already had quite a few run ins with many of the creatures in our department, and also that it would be very tricky trying to place you under just one specialty.. So your title was very carefully agreed upon, you are not under just one specialty in our department." She said carefully putting her glasses into a case, and putting it in a drawer to her right.

"Now tell me Ms. Dyllan... what do you think of this department? I have told you what I know.. I want to hear what you know." She said and focused her full attention on the girl in front of her.

Jack listened carefully to Zoe, walking over and sitting down. Zoe seemed normal enough.. Jack was not sur eif this was a relief or a pity. Jack did need a break from all the zany types she usually dealt with, but she also did not deal with normal people very well.. Lack of experience in such matters can do that to a person, after all.

Apparently, people were vouching for Jack. She assumed Thaor had something to do with that, as well as Michael.. Maybe the Ministry had some reports about that day in Knockturn when Vito had shrugged off an Auror and saved her. Maybe teachers had noted she had taken to the company of a werewolf.. She did not know what Zoe knew of her but knowing the Ministry.. it was either creepily extensive.. or barely anything.

Zoe addressed her now and Jack cleared her throat. "Well.. I've always liked dragons. I assumed that's where I was headed. I have a log of all of the dragon keepers around the world, and their progress. So I'm up to date. And, I've always been the kid in Care of Magical Creatures who would handle the ones no one else would. I imagine if I was a beast specialist.. that would be my placement. Doing the scary jobs, y'know."

She paused, "But this year, my attention was also drawn to werewolves. I've even gone as far as to spend the night with one during the full moon. And I survived, was not bitten.. It led me to believe werewolves and wizards have serious misconceptions about each other. That's how I got that title. I want to oversee werewolf cases to ensure there is no discrimination, and also keep tabs on werewolves, try to reason out appropriate territories with packs, etcetera."

And now came the fun. "But.. I also probably have more experience with poltergeists than anyone here, no offense to you. I think you know by now we have a resident poltergeist.. And I've known him for about six or seven years now. Worked closely with him, seen and dealt with his bad.. I'm telling you.. You send anyone else to deal with him, they'll return in a coffin." She blinked, not afraid to tell the truth. "If you want someone that can deal with him and get him to maybe obey.. I'm probably the only person you have. The question is.. what the hell does that make me?" She felt the corner of her mouth lift.

Zoe listened to the girl speak. She basically said just about everything Zoe already knew. Zoe had valuable ears just about anywhere she wanted them, and quite a few of them were at Hogwarts. That's where the future lay, and that's where she focused her attention. Getting those kids, why else was a letter sent out to all of the graduates about joining this department, their activity had gone downhill this past year, they needed new faces. But Jack did have quite a surprise for her, and she listened carefully to her, taking seriously everything she said. After she was done speaking, Zoe reached into her drawer again, and pulled out her reading glasses, slipping them on, and looking down at the notebook she had open in front of her. "Dragons... Werewolves, and Poltergeists.. by the sound of it, you have a specialty in just about every place our department has to offer." She said carefully, writing a few things down, and flipping a few pages to read something on another page.

"We do know about the Poltergeist you speak of.. we keep people in his bar more often then you would think, and we have known about your involvement with him, another reason you were called here to speak to me. I don't disprove of what you have been doing.. on the contrary in fact.. I quite like your style.." She said looking up at Jack again, a small smile playing on the corner of her lips. "But you do have an interesting problem, you are interested in everything we have to offer." She said and again, she looked down at her notebook, and turned to a new page, ripping off a piece of paper, and scrawling something on it.

"So obviously that needs fixed... you can't just be in one department.. we need you for them all." She took off her glasses again and set them down on the desk, her attention focused back on Jack. "So you will just have to be my personal assistant.. you work for me.. and with that, you get access to anywhere you want to go.. you work where you want to, when, and all I ask is that you report to me. You will be sent to your choice of location, place, with as many resources as you need.. the pay is quite enough for you to do as you please outside of work I am sure..." She said her eyes narrowing slightly. "You may get a new house directly, tell us where, we will cover it.. and all I ask of you, tell me what you learn, tell me directly... show me what you get.. and you may listen in on all of the conferences, in a way, you will have more access then I do." She said looking at Jack with a smile on her lips now, no longer looking so intimidating.

"You will be the most knowledged of everyone here.. except maybe the healers.. they go where they want and when, simply because they heal what we cannot.. but Ms. Dyllan... it will be a large task, you will have what you want, and do what you please in a way.. but I must know what you do.. even if it is illegal.. you will not get in trouble with me.. specially with your little friend on Knockturn Alley, it will stay between us.. I just wish to know.. even if papers get... lost here and there, it will all be fine." She said locking her fingers together, and looking at Jack. "What do you say? Will you work for me?"

Jack listened carefully, surprised thewoman did not simply demand Jack go where they had the most need or settle on one title. As she continued on, though, Jack was realizing how good of a deal she was really getting. The right to any cases, the right to watch the others, some actual money so she could actually have a place to live.

The one hitch was that Jack liked being a free agent. And she was sure Zoe knew this, but Zoe wanted Jack being her eyes and ears it seemed. Jack could live with that for now- even live with the title of personal assistant which made her sound like the girl that got coffee- but she knew there would be a problem when it came time to report on Vito.

Zoe seemed to be reading her mind about lost paperwork. Still, though, Jack knew that until she had more trust in her Head, it would be hard reporting on Ari or Vito.. She doubted she would have a reason to tel her about Ari, but Vito was causing messes. Jack supposed as long as she cleaned them up in time.. she could speak with Zoe without disclosing too much.

Jack thought about it for a second, but she knew this was too good of a deal. She could protect the Greybacks- well, the ones she like- as well as Vito to an extent, she could help them, she could start cracking down on injustice.. It could work. She could finally help the people she had been trying to help for so long. She blinked and said, "Sounds like a plan, Ms Gould."

Zoe felt a relieved smile cross her face and she relaxed slightly in her chair, letting her hands rest on the desk now. "Good, Very Good Ms. Dyllan." She said nodding to her. "Now we just have some small things we must deal with.. for one, we will have to get you an office, which may take a while, but I'm sure it won't be to difficult once I get the maintenance people up here.. You will have your own office if I must see to it myself.' She said nodding carefully and pulling her agenda towards her, and putting her glassed on carefully. "I will send my secretary with those instructions, but for now, I need to know when you can start work, and where you would like to set up your home.. anywhere will do.." She said and pointed her wand at a drawer, which opened and a map came out, landing in front of Jack.

"Pick a location you most want to live in, and I will send for people to look for an adequate abode, unless you have a place in mind for me, if so, write down the address and we will get it for you." She said simply, gesturing with her wand again, and a piece of paper went over to Jack, along with a quill and ink. "This will be your starting salary..." She said writing a number down on another slip of paper, "And this.." She pulled out a checkbook. "Is your first paycheck." She said and wrote in her heavy, plain handwriting on a check, what appeared to be a rather large sum. "Get yourself something nice, don't worry about spending it all in one place, I'd rather you cashed it now then later, and get yourself something decent to eat, you look like you haven't eaten in years." she said and pushed the check across the table to Jack.

"As you can tell.. I do enjoy the way muggles do certain things.. like checks and intercoms.. you may also take this to Gringotts and cash directly there if you would like to.. They will take it." She said and then pushed the scrap of paper towards her, that she had written on earlier. "You may do the same with all of your paychecks if you so wish... When you want to leave, please give that to my secretary, it is your job title on there.. as well as where I want your office." She said simply. "This is a big office Ms. Dyllan, there are a lot of people under my care, but I will do my best to hear you out on any problems should they arise, as fast as I possibly can.. Do you have any questions?" She asked, knowing she had given Jack a lot to think about, and knowing it would take the girl some time to having a job, doing exactly what she wanted, and only have small requirements.

Jack listened- an office to herself was a perk too. She had heard Chase and Ari had joined the department as well- they could sit in her office and have lunch with her... the idea of such normalcy threw Jack and she could not comprehend it for a moment. It was not too big of a change.. and yet... it seemed like such an impossible thing to picture.

Zoe asked when she could start work-- had it been strange for Jack to show up expecting a bunch of files and paperwork to begin on? Jack did not like idleness. That was why she had wanted to be a Quidditch player. When she was not working, she would be training. Just as she would be researching while she was in this job.

She shrugged. "I could start now, honestly. I want to do this job-- if I didn't, then I guarantee you that I would not have accepted your offer." Zoe pulled out a map and Jack stared at it long and hard. Oh.. She had to just decide where she would be living for next few months, maybe years.. just like that? For some reason, she felt like she should discuss it with her friends or something...

Jack looked down at the numbers and felt her heart skip a beat. For a muggleborn unsupported by her family, she had been fairly poor. When her uncle transferred some money to her account, she had planned to use it on rent. But after clothes, food, a mobile, a tune up for her car, and some other stuff- as well as keeping money so she could always some cash.. This was a lot.

Jack listened, nodding and nodding some more. "I doubt there will be too many problems. I work best independently, and I have my own resources as well if I ever need any help." She took the scrap of paper and check and slipped them into her bag. She began to stand, shaking her head, before pausing. She turned to face Zoe. "I deal with Vito in a very particular manner. It doesn't make much sense, but it pays off.. Well, it's going to pay off. I just ask that you trust me as a sort of Vito expert. When people want to deal with him, I'd like to know. I don't need their deaths on my conscience. I can help them."

Zoe smiled slightly when Jack said she could start now. "Now? Well... lets see here." She said carefully, opening a drawer, and pulling out a folder. "If so.. can you just fill out these papers? It's simple stuff... stuff you would have done when you started with every other newly graduated Hogwarts Student that joined us recently. They would have filled out this.. insurance, salary information, basic code of conduct.. small stuff, but all necessary.. the second all that is filled out, you can do whatever you want... log your hours, and get paid." She said shrugging. "Over time counts, the log in sheets are in this folder, if you need more, just see me. Or look in the main office, there should be some in there." She said smiling at Jack, and sliding the folder across the desk to her.

"Once they are filled out, go ahead and give them to my secretary... once you have the location for your house picked out, go ahead and give it to her too. If you have any more questions, now is the time to ask them, I'm a very busy woman as I'm sure you understand." she said glancing at the paper's she had stacked up on her right. Even during their conversation a few more had flown in through the slot above the door and landed on her in tray, and Zoe's eyes flickered to it each time it happened. She had a lot going on, and this had been a long conversation. "Other then that, you may leave, and fill those out, thanks for your time Ms. Dyllan, I'm excited to hear more about your work, and what you discover about the species we know little about.." She said standing up and holding out her hand to shake with Jack.

Zoe seemed impressed by the notion that Jack wanted to work right now, though Jack had not thought that had been her aim. Really, Jack needed something to keep her frazzled mind focused on one thing, so that it could not escape and explore much darker, more upsetting topics. She reached out and took the papers from her hands, shuffling through them and glancing at each paper, scanning them briefly so she knew what each concerned.

Zoe seemed to be getting sucked under the pressure of having more clerical work to do, so Jack did not want to burder her any longer. "No questions right now." She tucked the paperwork under her arm and stood, extending an arm out and shaking the Department Head's hand. "Thank you. I'm excited to get started."

She turned and left the office, striding over to the secretary's desk and asked for a pen. She sat down at a chair and spent a few minutes filling out each form. Finally, she collected them and strode over to the secretary handing the forms over and saying, "Tell Ms Gould I'll owl her my new address when I find out what it is. Thanks."

Zoe nodded to the girl as she left, and then slowly sat back down, turning over what she had learned in her head. The girl had connections that Zoe was sure to make use of.. though in all honesty, she knew she would have to be careful. She was a smart girl, she couldn't do anything... serious. So, it was going to be a challenge. Somewhere in Zoe's mind though, she couldn't help thinking that maybe just once she might not want to kill this.. non-human thing. These.. friends of Jack Dyllan. There was something about the girl that really worried Zoe, something that she was hiding. Maybe it was just her clothing choice, but Zoe had a plan.. and she was willing to set it into motion.

This plan, surprisingly, didn't comprise of killing anything.. no.. she wanted to take a closer look into the mind of Jack Dyllan. The girl intrigued her.. what kind of girl, straight out of Hogwarts had a book to tell her all about Dragons... personally knew and understood a poltergeist, and had a thing for helping Werewolves.. it didn't make sense.. she didn't SEEM like the caring kind.. in fact she had seemed a bit cold hearted, but Zoe was intrigued. She would hold off her nightly excursions for a while, do some research at home.. and find out more..

Find out more about this, Jack Dyllan.