The Other Side (Chris and Leon)

[Leon Becker]

Leon sat behind his desk, straightening everything out so that it was as efficient and as clean as possible. His desk hadn't been this clean in ages but he hadn't wanted to risk the British Ministry seeing anything in the documents he usually kept on his desk.

He was looking forward to meeting this new British Minister, it would allow him to see just who he was going to be squaring off against in the political landscape of this war. And he was already hoping he was better than their last leader. That woman had seriously rubbed him the wrong way, treating him like he was some kind of barbarian just because he had served his country as a soldier while she had sat behind some desk.

Hopefully he was going to be meeting with a strong man, like himself, who understood the realities of war.

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher had been more than delighted to hear that the Gott des Assitenten wanted to meet him, he would like to see him very much since they needed to stop this war against their people, and he liked to think that with age came a wisdom that this man would not yet posess, nor his Minister before him.

That was why he had not put of a fuss about coming to the German Ministry, it would set the ground in his favour since he had placed himself in danger to come and take part in this meeting.

Taking off his trilby hat, Christopher smiled warmly at the assistant and gave her his hat, his gloves inside it, and he stepped into the office of the Minister his hand out ready to shake his own as he took measured steps towards him.

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Becker, a pleasure indeed. I am Christopher Rubin, but you already know that of course." he said with a kindly laugh.

[Leon Becker]

Whatever Leon had been expecting to see coming through the door to his office, the elderly man was not one of them. He looked like he'd be more at home playing Santa Claus for small children than running a magical country after all. He merely blinked a few times at the man before taking the offered hand and shaking it,

"Umm... of course." he agreed, somewhat hesitantly. He looked around Christopher subtly and saw Momo giving him a nod from the door. It would seem he was indeed the British Ministry. Leon looked at the man again and paused, "Forgive me Ministry Rubin, I hope you do not take offence, but I expected someone more... more..."

He looked at the kindly old man with a slightly confused expression,

"Well... more intimidating to be quite honest."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher saw that there was an element of confusion and a little bit of disappointment mixed in with the expression on Leon's face, it was something that he had expected and it did not phase him, all he did was smile gently back at him and nod his head, of course leaders of countries should be young and spritely.

Laughing quietly, almost to himself Christopher nodded his head and took a seat in the chair that he presumed was for him on the opposite side of the desk. Since he seemed to be in too much of a shock to ask him to sit he would do so himself.

"You know, Mr. Becker, I said the same thing when the Wizenmagot put me forward for this position of Minister, but they believed, after our last Minister, they should try someone rather more...aged." he smiled warmly "May I trouble you for some tea? Apparating makes me dreadfully thirsty."

[Leon Becker]

Leon saw Christopher just smiling slightly, kindly, in the face of what was quite insulting confusion on his part. It actually made him pause. The man was more like a grandfather than any man he'd ever met before and that included his own grandfather.

Glad that the man had taken a seat without having to have been prompted, he was in a bit of a shock at the time after, he tapped one of the plats on the desk. A pot of tea with two cups, a pot of milk and a sugar bowl with a spoon appeared. Leon tasted it first to show it was not poison,

"Tea?" He offered the other man automatically before smiling a little bit, "It is no trouble, it seems I went through the trouble of having it ready. But I apologise for my reaction. It is not the reaction of a Minister. So, Ministry Rubin, how long have you been in your Ministry?"

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher smiled gently when Leon provided tea for him, it was very kind of him to do so and he was a little surprised when he tasted it first, to show that it was not poisioned? He really did not think that it was needed, but he was glad of it anyway.

"Oh there was no need for that, we can trust each other can we not? After all we are both men who simply want what it best for their country." he said with a warm smile.

Taking a cup of tea and adding three sugars he said with a small laugh; The diet starts tomorrow."

Now he was sat and contented, his blue eyes twinkled over the top of his half moon glasses, and he thought for a good moment about how long it had been exactly;

"I have been in the Ministry for 37 years now, how about yourself? Although I was only a humble liason not a soldier like I know you were, most commendable, there is nothing so difficult. Except trying to knit with silk..." he hummed.

[Leon Becker]

Leon could tell that Christopher was a little surprised that he had tasted the tea first. It had become sort of a habit when he had been meeting with paranoid people either as the Minister or as a soldier. It gave them a sense of ease,

"Of course, we both only want to see the people in our two countries live the best lives that they can." he agreed before chuckling a little bit, "But it's a habit I've picked up from dealing with too many paranoid people in the past. Please pay it no mind."

He chuckled slightly. This old man was more of a grandfather than a minister, much more,

"Until then you are free to indulge yourself yes?"

When he looked over the glasses at him, Leon had to resist a shudder. That was exactly the same type of gaze that Albus Dumbledore was known for and he was a greatly respected/feared figure in magical Germany,

"37 years is a long time to serve your country. I myself have only served for 10 years." He replied before chuckling slightly, "We all have our talents Minister Rubin. Mine were just more refined."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher nodded his head, he was glad that they both seemed to be on the same page for the most basic of things influencing their countries, it was very simple to get someone to do something when it would benefit their country, and it would also benefit yours.

"Oh it did not offend me, if anything it made me feel rather important, I always make the tea for the Wizenmagot, sometimes I think it's what got me elected. A good cup of Earl Grey." he joked

Nodding his head Christopher smiled gently; "Exactly."

With a small smile on his lips Christopher nodded his head and he peered into his tea cup before taking a drink, and setting it back down quietly, it was strange to think how fast that time had gone.

"I have always loved the Ministry, even since I was a boy. But now enough of nostalgia, we must think of the present, and what you want from me Mr. Becker." he smiled.

[Leon Becker]

Despite Christopher's appearance he was rather akin to Leon in that he had the best interests of his country before the best interests of his country's government. Leon had been in politics long enough to know not only that there was a difference but that it was a very large difference too. The difference between a good man and a self-serving man,

"Well you are now the most important person in the British Ministry of Magic, Minister Rubin. You must get used to that feeling. But trust me, it does take some getting used to..." he chuckled a little bit before smirking, "Still better than the reason I think I was elected. I think they were afraid I would be able to stage a military coup. I had the power, I know that, but I lack the desire to harm my countrymen. Of course they didn't know that and it got me this lovely chair."

He took a drink from his own cup and smiled a little bit. Nostalgia for him was more about remembering death and blood than fond memories. He would rather have Christopher's memories of service to his country,

"I have always loved my country, the Ministry... not always." he admitted with a light smirk before nodding and smiling, "Quite simply I wished to see where we stood with each other Minister Rubin. A meeting to see if we can't get along even a little bit. Did your predecessor give you any information about me?"

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher looked at the other Minister and he had the feeling that he had his fair share of hardships, but that would be able to fuel his desire to be able to succeed and help his country to be the best that he could possibly make it.

"Well, that is a rather sad reason. I rather like mine better than yours even if I do say so myself." he said with a small frown on his face, he did not like discussing things like take overs, they did not sit well with him.

Then he made himself brighten up and he sipped some more at his tea, a happy little sigh escaping his lips, and when he was asked if the former Minister gave him any information on Leon, Christopher grimaced;

"I am afraid, our last Minister, God rest her soul, didn't pass me much information at all, I didn't actually find many records at all unfortunately, although the Romain's were all too helpful in giving me an insight, and I have to admit, I don't feel you're that difficult to converse with, as Mrs. Briony believes. What about you knowing about me?"

[Leon Becker]

Leon and Christopher might have been complete opposites in terms of the kind of men they were, Leon was hard where Christopher seemed soft, but they seemed to agree on the principle that the country came first. With them it was not about personal gain,

"Oh don't worry, I much prefer your reason to my own as well." he replied with a sad little smile. To think others thought him capable of harming his own country saddened him, "My country is my land Minister Rubin. I do not wish it any violence, even if it could benefit it."

He sipped at his tea as he listened to Christopher talk about his predecessor. It was probably for the best she'd not spoken about him much. Their personalities had clashed rather violently after all and it might have proven a sticking point in any deals. When he mentioned the Romains, Leon's magic flared and the cup cracked in his hand. Blinking, he vanished the tea and the cup,

"Forgive me Minister Rubin. The most recent memories I have of Richard Romain are not pleasant." he explained before nodding, "Well if your predecessor, god rest her, was not able to write her opinion of me down then that leaves you free to form your own with no question of old bias correct?"

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher could see that sad smile that was on Leon's lips at that moment and he wanted to place a hand on the man's shoulder, so he did, and he squeezed it gently, with a small smile on his lips, he believed now that all talk of this man had been skewed...and a gentle hand was all he needed to deal with.

"I know, just as I do not wish my homeland any pain, lord knows that our countries have been through enough in the past few years." he smiled sadly "I believe many people oppose my election...or will do soon, when they learn of my disposition towards the war."

Letting his gentle smile come back onto his lips, Christopher chuckled a little bit and nodded his head, he found himself really quite liking this Leon chap, he seemed to be a good lad, regardless of the fact they opposed each other.

"Oh no need to apologise to me, I didn't get splashed at all, but, Mr Becker, I'm old enough and wise enough to form my own opinion of a man, as others opinions, well, they can often be rather wrong." he smiled warmly "Now young man, the question is what have you heard of me?"

[Leon Becker]

When Christopher placed a hand on his shoulder, Leon's first instinct was to snap the man's wrist but it was quickly snuffed. He wasn't some kind of robot, acting on pure instinct anymore. His days as a killer were over for now. He nodded slowly,

"Yes our countries have suffered much in these past few years Christopher. And there are those who would see them suffer more, that the war escalate." he replied quietly before sighing and nodding, "Many people within my own ministry are not in support of my opinions. They believe that the war should continue until we have won."

Leon went back to sipping quietly at his tea. Talking to Christopher was rather enjoyable and he had to admit that he was easier to get along with than Luna had been,

"Thank you Minister Rubin, you are a patient and wise man. It isn't a stretch to think of you as the best man for the job." he commented before chuckling, "All the reports we gathered all include this one comment. 'Hes like the grandfather I never had, kind, wise and friendly'. That's most of what I know I'm afraid."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher was glad that they both seemed to want the war to end but they were both restrained by the views of people around them, they had to be seen to end this gradually, otherwise they would have some serious uprisings on their hands.

Slowly slowly wins the race.

"This is getting into business talk Leon," he said with a small smile on his lips "Although I am more than happy to discuss it, perhaps the pleasantries should be gotten out of the way first?"

With a wave of his hand Christopher chuckled softly; "Oh you do know how to make a man blush Mr. Becker, but it would seem that many other people would agree with you on that point."

The topic of being a grandfather set Christopher off for a moment, and he looked into his tea cup for a second before glancing up through his glasses, an uncertain smile on his face; "Y-you believe that? Well I am pleased by that description, very pleased indeed."

[Leon Becker]

Leon had to admit that some of the people pressing for the war to continue on his end were the kind of people that even the Minister had to listen to. Not to mention one such person was Luther and Leon hadn't ever been able to beat Luther in a battle of wills and was not looking forward to trying his hand at it.

"Yes it would seem that it is isn't it?" he joked lightly before nodding a little bit, "Yes let's leave business to a meeting dedicated to business and not a pleasant first meeting like this. We don't want to bring it in just yet."

He chuckled a little bit, "Yes well the truth has a way of doing that to most men such as yourself. Men who do not desire praise."

Seeing that Christopher seemed a little uncertain about the grandfatherly quote, Leon smiled a little bit,

"I do. You remind me of my own grandfather very much."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher smiled gently and nodded his head when he told him that he wanted to let business lie for the time being, it was going to be hard enough discussing it when they had to do it, and although it needed to be done, establishing a relationship of positivity was key.

"I rather agree with you Mr. Becker, the idea of business after having such a nice start to the meeting would depress me." he joked lightly, finishing the cup of tea that he had been drinking.

Chuckling lightly, Christopher smiled at what Leon said; "Well would it interest you to know I didn't want to be Minister either, although so many people wanted me to, and it's often that other people know your skills better than you do." he grinned.

Blinking a little bit, Christopher smiled wider and chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling a little bit more;

"Why thank you young man, I...I have never been a grandfather so, I am glad to know that I would be successful, if ever given the chance." he smiled, a little sadder this time.

[Leon Becker]

Leon didn't really want to talk business today with Christopher. It was a bit too much of a shock having him turn out to be a cute old man at the moment. He'd probably be terrible at negoatiating with said old man with his head all messed up like that,

"Well we certainly don't want you to be depressed my fellow minister!" he agreed with a grin before smirking, "Just wait until you have to deal with the paperwork. Now that will make you depressed Minister Rubin, of that you can be sure."

He nodded with a small smirk,

"And it is often true that the best leaders are those who never sought to be leaders in the first place." he told his British opposite before chuckling a little bit, "What a pair we make eh? Happened to both of us anyway it would seem."

When he heard that he had never been a grandfather, Leon tried to remember not to really mention it to him again,

"I am sorry to hear that Minister Rubin." he paused before smiling, "If given the chance your grandchildren would have been lucky to have you as a grandfather."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher chuckled lightly and waved his hand towards Leon, he was a little strange in his ways, but every time he was called 'Minister' it made him want to flinch, he was just someone who happened to be in charge of a magical government, didn't meant people had to start treating him differently.

"Now now Mr. Becker, it's Christopher to you, we are work partners, you're not trying to sell me something, so no need to be quite so formal." he said with a twinkle of his eye.

It was indeed odd that neither of them had wanted to be in charge of their country, but maybe that would mean they would do a better job of it than the people before them; "You know, I like you a right side better than your previous Minister."

Nodding his head Christopher only smiled gently; "I consider most of the people who work for me to be some sort of grandchild, and I would rather think if I had grandchildren, their teeth would be all falling out from sweets and they'd have more money than they could spend. It's a grandparents perogative, of course."

[Leon Becker]

Leon could tell that being called Minister was almost a kind of torture for Christopher right now. He had to admit that back when he had first became Minister the damned word had the same effect on him. It was only now that he saw how amusing it was to see from the outside. Probably why Momo found it so much fun,

"Oh alright then, Mr Rubin it is." he chuckled a little bit, "I was hoping to tease you a little bit by using your title. I have to say it used to work on me like that."

Leon had never aspired for more than to serve his country and it had only been the fact that the job was worded in that way that he'd taken it. He chuckled a little bit,

"Yes... yes I get that a lot." he commented before frowning, "A man of no morals, principles or spine."

He laughed a little bit and nodded, "Oh yes you would be one hell of a grandfather. Their mothers would tut at you and you would still do it, the best kind."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher laughed a little bit, he had not been teased in a long time and it was something that he enjoyed, a little bit of friendly jibes never hurt anybody and he had been living rather formally with his work collegues for the last few years.

"Well it worked, Mr, Becker." he laughed "Although I would rather you stopped it from now on, I'm sure you know as well as I you don't need a constant reminder that you are running a country."

With a slightly duller smile, Christopher hung his head for a moment and frowned a little bit, he didn't like to speak about anybody badly, but he had been a nasty peice of work. "I rather agree."

The same twinkle in his eyes he looked over his glasses at Leon and asked, what could only be described as a personal question; "So, if this is an informal meeting, is there anyone over here in Germany I should be...ah...wary of?"

[Leon Becker]

Leon grinned a little bit when Christopher laughed. It was hard to tease people who were technically the same rank as you, you got used to always being respected when you got to this level. Sometimes jokes could be too much. Sometimes Leon just had to break free from the damned formality around here, even if he was using formality as his method of teasing,

"Yes I'll stop it now you don't have to worry." he flinched a little bit, "Being reminded that you are in control of those countless lives... that their continued existence depends on your decisions."

Seeing the effect that talking about his precessor had on Christopher, Leon decided to let the topic drop. The man had been a monster, and it would not surprise him to learn that he had made an enemy even out of Christopher.

He laughed a little bit before nodding,

"Oh many of them. Crepens will talk your ears off. Momo will add suffix's to your name until calling you 'minister' seems informal." he joked before shrugging, "I would avoid a lot of people if I were you. Raven Drake. The Nickel Brothers. Luther Amsel. The Doctor... though that's more recent."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher smiled happily and he shook his head, it was nice to joke with someone and he rather thought that Leon would have made an excellent match for him in the Ministry, it seemed both of them could get along with mutual respect.

He only hoped this would continue when business needed to be discussed between them, but he knew it would be.

"Now now, not so gloomy, let's talk of happier things, responsibility and business are waiting for another day."

Blinking a little bit Christopher wondered who all of these people were and he coughed a little polietly; "Excuse me, I don't wish to be rude but I do not know who Crepens, and Momo are...forgive me ignorance."

When he mentioned the people he should stay away from Christopher gulped lightly; "I see...would they...would they not recognise the change in Government might alter things for the better...or, are they the type to not much care?"

[Leon Becker]

Leon was glad that there was some mutual respect in his growing relationship with Chris. It was already a heck of a lot better than the relationship he'd had with Luna. That woman seemed to have it out for him. Shaking his head a little bit, to clear it of thoughts of the last British Minister, he chuckled a little bit,

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Is an English saying right?" he chuckled before taking a pack of cards from his desk, "Let's play 21. Blackjack. Just to give us something to do while we talk."

He laughed a little bit before waving Chris' apologee off,

"Oh don't worry about that. You weren't to know." he gestured to the door, "Momo is my secretary and, well, a strange mixture between what a mother is and a sister. And Crepens is a ghost in the ministry, a lovely man to be sure."

Seeing that Chris looked a little bit uneasy he smiled slightly,

"Don't worry, the Nickel brothers won't attack you. I hold their leash tight. Same with Luther. Raven would probably leave you alone but The Doctor..." he paused and shook his head, "British Rebels killed the woman he loved. He was just about to propose. The man used to be so calm and level headed, so open to peace... but now he's maddened and blinded by pain and grief."

[Christopher Rubin]

Christopher blinked a little bit when Leon took out a pack of cards and made to deal them, he had not played a card game in many years and he wondered if he still remembered the knack to doing it, with a little nod, he smiled gently.

"I would rather like to have a go at cards once more, I used to be quite good when I was a younger man, although I stopped a few years ago." he chuckled gently.

With a small noise of recognition Christopher pointed to the door with a questioning glaze to his eyes; "That lovely lady who took my hat and gloves? She does seem very nice if I may say so myself, and a ghost who interesting!"

When he heard what had happened to the Doctor, Christopher's blood ran a little cold and he looked at his hands on the desk, he still wore his wedding ring from those years ago; "How did the Ministry let that happen?" he asked with a sorrowful shake of his head "Those Rebels will be the death of me."

[Leon Becker]

Glad that Chris had decided to indulge him in a game of cards, Leon went about shuffling them as fast as he could. Leon had a great love of card games and a sign of friendship from the German Minister was to be invited to play a few hands with him,

"Ah I can't believe you would stop something as marvelous as card playing!" He scolded Chris lightly, playfully, "Well then I guess that means I might as well chalk the first five games up to me?"

He chuckled a little bit and nodded, "Yes that same lovely lady who took your hat and gloves. Yes Crepens is rather interesting but I'm afraid you can't meet him. He knows everything about this Ministry. Literally everything."

He shook his head a little bit before shrugging,

"I have no idea Christopher. It happened very suddenly." he paused before looking down, "The attack was meant for him."

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