Surviving Times

Not many things can shake the heart of a stone-cold and arrogant woman named Regina Silvers. The Swedish witch had every right to be arrogant though. She was thorough in what she does. No one ever managed to find anything wrong with her.

She was not be a great witch with extraordinary magical powers. Her powers lie in reading people. She had a gift of picking hidden gems. Precisely due to this, she was able to revive her family business which was beyond saving. She considered it to be a remarkable achievement and made her proud.

But this woman has an immense respect for the founders of Fiore. They were… of completely different league from her. There was never a room for competition. She still remembered the day the man named Gresil knocked at her door and presented her with a proposal.

She scoffed and said to the man that it was a fool's dream and declined it. But somehow at the end of the day, she was roped in. She shuddered whenever she thought of it. The man didn't need magic to get people to do what he d.e.s.i.r.es… his words alone were more powerful than any imperious curse.

Regina can say, it was the best decision she ever made. Because the Fiore now, was like a holy grail for many powerful mages. Everyone dreamed to work here and learn here. Even those proud, snobby nobles stepped down to be a part of it.

And all of it could not compare to the thrill she experiences from her job. Meeting new people and learning about them. Watching them grow better day by day under her care was satisfying. She was over 40. Meaning she was not young and capable as she used to be. But that didn't stop her from doing what she wanted.

The four directors made sure that she was in her best condition. She was skeptical at first. Potions which rejuvenated vitality? They were a myth, but apparently, it was not the case for Fiore. Here, everything was possible.

And as the head of training and Recruitment of Fiore, as she was titled, she did her job with love and zeal which produced marvelous results.

Today, too, she was giving her best. She enjoyed her work and the salary she was offered was a significant motivation. 20,000 galleons per month, aside from bonuses. Besides that, she has 0.02% share of Fiore. Which was extremely insignificant but it worth 2 million galleons.

What more drive did she need? So, she wore one of her business suits, and flooed to her office. There, her secretory, Cynthia was waiting for her as usual. Cynthia was… not human. Regina was scared at first but didn't care about what Cynthia was after she worked with 'it.' It was far more capable than any human.

"Good Morning, Ms. Silvers." Cynthia greeted her.

"Good morning to you to, Cynthia. Any emergency notices I need to pay attention to?" Silvers asked.

"Nothing at present, ma'am. Everything is normal."

"Good. Did the evaluation of the recent recruits come out?"

"Yes, ma'am. Do you want to see them?"

"Sure, let me have a look at it. I want to see how many failed this time."

"It's an improvement compared to the last time."

"It is indeed not bad. Only 96% got eliminated this time. Not bad at all. The directors would like it. Prepare for the personal interview. For anyone who passed it, arrange a meeting. I want to see their faces before the training commences."

"Understood. Mr. Gilmore wanted to talk with you. He said he made an appointment with you."

"Yes, he did send me a message. I completely forgot about it."

"Would you want to talk with him then?"

"Sure. Where is he?"

"He's in the lounge."

"Okay. I'll meet him there. Text me if there's anything I need to know."

"Understood. Have nice chat, Ms. Silvers."

Regina walked to her office lounge to see Charles Gilmore waiting for her. He was a man of 40s, sandy blonde and had a stocky frame. He was also the head of Human resources and her superior.

"Have you been waiting, Charles?"

"No. I've just arrived Regina."

"I see. So, what did you come here for? You look preoccupied."

"Indeed. Regina, I need to ask you something."

"Please do."

"Do you know of any books we can recommend for first year students attending Hogwarts? Other than the textbooks of course. Like giving them a head start."

"I do, but why on earth would you need them?"

"Listen. Last night, we got a message from Lady Laurel. She wanted four sets of first year textbooks. We have them ready, but I thought it would be better if we could go beyond that, like they say, Plus Ultra. So I came looking for you."

"Alright… I do know a few good books but they are not in the first-year syllabus. Do know I attended Durmstrang and not Hogwarts."

"I am well aware of that. I, wanted to be prepared for it. They might not ask anything but let's just say I wanted to make an impression. Our HR department is always pressured because we weigh quality more than quantity. The directors didn't say a word, but we can't always be passive."

"Sigh… I understand where you are coming from, but don't you think it's… a little bit too much."

"No. It's Lady Laurel we are talking about. She would want only the better than the best."

"Okay. I'll send you a text of the books I could think of."

"Thanks a lot, Regina. It would be a tremendous help."

Thereupon, Charles left her office to go someone else's for more suggestions. He had a lot of work to do. He needed to review many books today.

Regina sighed and called Cynthia. She looked at the automat and said, "I shall be gone for a few hours. Report me if something happens."

"Understood, Ms. Silvers. I will inform you of anything that would require your attention."

"Thank you, Cynthia. Moreover, send a copy of the current first year Hogwarts syllabus, no deliver me the entire textbooks to me."

"Understood ma'am. Would you like a hard or soft copy?"

"A hard copy. Immediately."

"Alright. Consider it done."

"Once again, thank you."

Regina went back to her house and went straight to the attic. There, she was glad that she moved all her stuff from Sweden while relocating. She retrieved her first-year textbooks and went downstairs.

She briefed through all of them and felt a bit nostalgic. Next, she read all of the Hogwarts' textbooks. As expected, the transfiguration was better, but dark or even defense against dark arts was severely lacking. Simply put, it scarcely contained the b.a.r.e minimum. In charms, many useful spells were removed.

She sighed and made note of these. Then sent a mail to Charles. If this was what being taught at Hogwarts, then they definitely needed to look out for some other helpful books. Because the books prescribed there were literally for noobs. At least by Fiore standards.

***

Charles Gilmore and Stefan Petrov looked at each other.

"Do you think we should give them this?" Charles asked his college.

"I think we should. The directors never discriminated, and they expect the same from us, Charles."

"Alright, Stefan. But seriously, 'A Muggle's guide to Magic'? Who even wrote this book?"

"No one wrote it, but my people compiled it yesterday. I read it. It's quite helpful for muggle first years."

"Sigh… let's hope it goes well. Has Lady laurel arrived yet?"

"She would be here any moment."

"Gentlemen, Lady Laurel requests you to come inside." Stella interrupted the duo's little talk. Both followed the secretary.

They were greeted with the sight of 22-year-old Daphne who was covered from head to toe. She assumed a mask too.

"Good morning, Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Petrov."

"Good Morning to you to, Ms Laurel." They both greeted together.

"I once again apologize for troubling you both."

"It wasn't a trouble at all, Ma'am." They said. The gods of irony were constantly active.

"Very well then. Are the books ready?" She asked.

"Yes. Here are the four sets of textbooks you asked, along with the robes of the measurements you gave. And the stationary too, is ready." Stefan said.

"I see, thank you. But you look like you both have something more to say, I assume?"

"…Indeed. We have a few suggestions which would help."

"Please do offer them."

"We compared the textbooks with other books and discovered certain aspects lacking, so we compiled few other books which might offer a head start." Charles said nervously.

"Let me have a look at them."

"Yes. Here they are." He accioed the books. The books summoned were way more than textbooks.

Daphne read all the books in minutes and looked at those two in amus.e.m.e.nt.

"You both gathered first year books from all the 11 magical schools around the world?"

"Yes, ma'am. Except the third year books from Beauxbatons."

"I understand. I appreciate your thoughts. You can go back to work, gentlemen."

"Yes, ma'am."

They both stepped out of her office and a sigh came out of their mouths. Stella came out of the office and addressed them.

"Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Petrov."

"Yes, Stella?" Charles asked.

"I'm here to inform you both that you two are rewarded with a two-day leave for vacation. The rest of your respective department would also get a single day leave."

"Thank You!!!" both were ecstatic about the prospect of getting a vacation. Even though it was just two days.