I found it on the seat next to me a near twenty minutes after you left. I was unable to find you in the crow, but I couldn't exactly return it to the Ministry at midnight.
Are you sure the key isn't yours? It was piled directly underneath your badge. I don't see how it couldn't be yours.
What's odd is I don't remember carrying my badge with me last night. Either way, I'm relieved to have it back and will be mentioning the incident to my superior. How peculiar.
This key is not mine. I'll be keeping it for the time being in case something comes of it. If you happen upon its owner I will be glad to return it.
Wise decision not to head into the ministry at midnight. The worst of the workaholics are there at that hour and are usually fairly grumpy. Thank you again for getting my badge back to me.
I see I've offended you. Forgive me. If it helps, I think the less scary-looking aurors are more effective. It's easier to be caught off guard by a five-foot-something woman than a six-foot mountain of a man. (I would recommend working on your stealth, though. Now I know you're mad. I'm only teasing.)
If you were at all aware of the potential disaster (and disaster, considering a woman did nearly get abducted) you caused, you would be less stressed about my stealth abilities — which I assure you are on par with all aurors and more concerned with your own inability to properly assess a situation. I was casting wards to protect the muggles from the spilled amortentia and dark magic, not that I need to justify myself to you.
Abernathy
Sent:
August 19th, 1890
Mr. Macfusty,
I'm not offended in the least. If I listened to every person who doubted my abilities, I would be far from the person I am today. Rest assured I survived auror training just like the six feet oafs you readily trust and can protect our citizens.
I'm not questioning your abilities. I don't think it's unfair to suggest that's it's uncommon for a woman to be an auror, nor that someone who is five-foot-something is less intimidating than a six-foot someone. I'd be more intimidated by a six-foot man than a five-foot-something man, their sex aside.
I don't see why this is a becoming an argument. I promise I'm much better at giving answers if you ask them directly.
- Lachlan MacFusty
P.S. I don't think I would have talked to you this long if you were a tall man.
It's those assumptions that make it so difficult for women to become aurors in the first place. That if you appear tiny or distressed, then you're instantly a damsel in need of saving. Your being on board the train was a complication that nearly resulted in an innocent womab being taken. Why? Because you thought it prudent to question me when I informed you I was with the ministry. My answer should have been enough for you, but because I'm physically smaller and a woman it wasn't.
It's not an argument, it's facts. Most men — no, people, have doubted and questioned me and the few women I work with. You cannot blame me for getting defensive.