The Ministry.

Nicolas tried to phrase this as delicately as possible. "I still haven't interviewed everyone else yet," he said gently. "I need to finish interviews before I can make a finite decision."

"GOT IT!" Dwayne winked and left happily. He knew he was going to get this.

Then, entered a short guy who still looked quite young. He looked really nervous- in fact, he was the youngest of all the interviewers. He had blond long hair, and dark butterscotch eyes. "... Whoah." he said, when he saw Nicolas. "Nicolas? Is that you?"

Nicolas thought for a moment before recognizing who this was. It was hard to tell from the longer hair. However, his facial expression immediately lightened when he realized him. "Eric! Is that you? It's been too long!" He shook his hand eagerly, sitting down. His chances are already looking good; I know him, and his palms aren't sweaty. "I never thought you'd be working for the Ministry! Hey, why are you interested? In being an assistant. There are so many jobs out there, you know..."

Eric frowned. He was really, really nervous. So, he just shrugged. "Well, you see, after the Battle, so many people died. I mean, it was hard. I hated it. But the thought that all these people just were killed so easily angered me- I wish there was more I could do for this. I wished there was a way I could pay back for those lives. So then, I decided to come here, you know?" he breathed in. He really hoped this would work. He scratched his head anxiously and breathed in. "Plus, I want to be able to do something. Help the world get fixed from all this mess. These past two years, I've moved on, and most of all, I don't want to sit around and get routine in life. I just want to get out there and..." Eric frowned. He was really, really, nervous. "I don't really know how to put it in words. But I will commit to this job, and I will be there. I'm pretty sure I'll be a loyal assistant to you. I bet this wasn't professional at all, haha." he laughed nervously, and his jaw tightened. He felt like an idiot. "I just want to protect people from what I went through, and what other people went through." He looked expectantly at Nicolas, his eyes wide, just hoping that he'll get this job.

Nicolas, probably to Eric's surprise, was smiling. This was instantly a load better than all of the other interviews combined. So what if he was a little nervous? It was a job interview! And, well, his intentions were quite good. He nodded a few times, soaking this in, before proceeding. "I must admit, I am impressed," was what he first said. Then, "Most people come in here, say a few unmotivated words, and leave. You're on the right track, I'll tell you. Continue. Tell me more about yourself... positives and negatives."

Eric shrugged. He was going to think for this one. "I guess I'm pretty loyal? I'll stand and fight, and it's not like I won't obey orders. I mean, unless they're irrational, then I guess I might not really follow clearly along them. I guess I can be stubborn- I'm pretty easy-going..." Eric furrowed his eyebrows in concentration. He was thinking deeply in what to say, and hoped he didn't sound like he was obsessed with himself. But hey, this is what interviews are about. No need to feel awkward. Too bad he did. "But, I mean, this is serious work. You're an auror. I'd say this all will take some getting used to, but I adapt quickly, so I guess that's a good thing? But, I do take most things to heart and seriously. So... that might not be all too good. I'm not brave, but obviously after being out in the field that'll change. I struggle to prove myself, that's not all too good either. But, otherwise, I'll try my best for this job."

You're also modest, Nick wanted to say. Alas, he did not. Even if Eric was nervous, it was like the Ministry had specifically saved the best for last. He had peeked out the door when Eric walked in--there were no more interviewees to be found. Besides, even if people were more "qualified" and had the glamorized personality that the "perfect Auror" was. He just knew that Eric would be the one. The perfect, loyal assistant. Besides, he was a Hufflepuff. Hufflepuffs were loyal and caring and all that, right? Who better to know than Nick, who was in that House and was surrounded by them for six years?

He proceeded with more prodding questions, getting to know about Eric, and by the end of the interview he was 100% certain that Eric would be the one. So, he sent Eric on his way, promising that he'd get feedback in a few days.

And so, Eric left, and he was really nervous he didn't do good. He entered the empty hall, stood there for a moment, before coughing awkwardly and leaving off to go to those fireplaces so he could go to his Aunt's. He'll be staying there for a while until he'll be able to get enough money to buy a small place of his own- that is, of course, if he gets the job.

And so, they arrived, and entered the large building. They entered the elevator and just stood there together awkwardly."

As the elevator went up, stopping at every floor, more and more people stepped on. It was soon becoming quite crowded. Plenty of little airplane-memos were entering and leaving.

Soon enough, A tall shadow entered the elevator, it being Harold. It was really quiet. Eric was staring at Harold with wide eyes. He was really big, that guy. And could mustaches get that thick?

Soon enough the elevator kind of emptied, so it was just Nicolas, that big guy, and Eric going up.

Nicolas cleared his throat awkwardly. "Good morning, Harold."

"Hello, Sawyer! I do hope you had a memorable weekend with your scrumptious wife and delicious offspring!"

Eric's eyes widened.

"Uhm, yeah, I had a nice weekend." He scratched the back of his neck. Why was Harold always so involved in others' personal lives?

"That's just wonderful! I visited my glorious family up in Scotland, and we hunted the muggle way, and had a delicious warthog feast!" He seemed very happy of this.

The elevator opened, and Eric rushed out with Nicolas. He turned to him, and whispered, "Who's that guy?!"

"That's Harold," said Nicolas, straining to keep a straight face. It worked out pretty well, too. He led Eric into his--their--office, and pointed to the mountain of papers on his desk. There was another, new, shiny desk in there for Eric. "And that's the stack of work the boss gives me."

"That much?! Also with the field work?! Why?! What kind of idiot boss do you have?" Eric asked incrediously.

Nicolas shrugged. "You get used to it. Half of this is just reading, signing, the works. As we're in the Supreme Defense branch, we get a load of paperwork, and insurance and the likes."

"I know that. I had researched it. But I never expected the workload to be that high.

"Like I said, you get used to it. And he gave me more than usual because I now have an assistant."

Eric nodded slowly. "Right. This... this is pretty awesome otherwise."

Eric was at his desk just chilling. Not really chilling actually. He was getting some paperwork done, and Nicolas was out at some No-assistant meeting thing.

Holly knocked on the door, which was propped open. Her big black cloak was drawn around her, and she had a platter in her hands. "Hey, Eric! I baked some muffins this morning, but I ended up with way too many, so I thought I'd bring some for you and Nicolas."

Eric looked up. He grinned. "Hey! Really? Thanks! What kind are they?" He set down his quill and stood up to walk over. "Wow, they look so good... Do you mind if I try one, I had no breakfast this morning." Then he realized something. "How'd you find me here!" he said with a grin.