"To say the least," Aldous remarked wryly. Once, an entire department's windows had demonstrated a rainstorm of blood, so the rumours went. It had been before his own time, but apparently a visiting widow had died of a heart attack as a result, and the entire maintenance staff had been relieved of their duties. Aldous, though, was not certain such a story would be well-received by the Dane.

"Ah, the lifts," he added as their doors came into view.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

The young redhead glanced eagerly up at the tall official, hoping for an elaboration — there was a story of dastardly deeds in there somewhere. And perhaps he would've got the elaboration, but then the lifts came into view. Bragi blinked at them, his heart sinking a little. He couldn't help but feel that their brief tour — or rather, their walk along the corridor — was coming to an end.

"Mr Crouch, before I finally let you go — may I ask... do you think... do you think a Danish national could dream of some day working at the British ministry?"

  

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He eyebrows raised in surprise before Aldous could school his expression into something a bit more diplomatic. Generally speaking, those who came from afar did not find themselves in need of such employment, and so it was not a question the wizard had ever had to field before.

"I don't see why not," he answered after a moment's consideration. Particularly in his own department, this was not unheard of. "Of course, some divisions of our government are more amenable to this than others, but if it were something about which such an individual was passionate, they could certainly find the right place here."

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Bragi felt something tantamount to regret the moment the controversial question passed his lips, but he would later be proud of his social bravery, and grateful for Mr Crouch's tactful and helpful reply.

"All - all hypothetical, of course", the young immigrant said swiftly, with a hint of a stammer. Then: "thank you sir". A genuine smile, emotional sparks of both relief and gratitude evident in his slate blue eyes.

And so their conversation tied itself up neatly as they came to the doors, and Bragi would leave the Ministry of Magic feeling more welcome in Great Britain than ever before.

-fade out? :] -

  

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