Ford shrugged. He was still smiling, but still the small-talk smile, because this was the sort of banter he could exchange with someone in the Ministry lift without having even remembered their name first. "I think it's a prerequisite for getting promoted in the Ministry, actually."

---

"Maybe I'll be a department head soon, then," Cash said, more darkly than he probably should have. He'd done this to himself, after all.

---

Ford glanced over at Cash and ran his tongue over the edge of his teeth. Cash probably would be a department head soon, or at least sooner than Ford ever would. He came from money and his last name was Lestrange. But it was obvious from Cash's tone that there was no joy or anticipation in the prospect (and Ford could have guessed that even without reading his tone of voice, because he knew Cash better than that). He felt like he ought to say something comforting, but he didn't know what — and he didn't think it was really his place anymore, anyway. He looked back at his mug and chewed his lower lip.

"My tea's done," he announced.

---

"Oh," Cash said. He felt as if there had been something close to his hand, and he'd let it go — like the shadow of a snitch. "I'll see you later, then."

---