It had been a fortnight since the incident with what Atticus now knew to have been called a 'fire crab'. His injuries (physical and to his pride) had since been tended to, but apparently as the key muggle witness to the incident—an incident to which he was a party—someone from the appropriate branch of magical government needed to speak to him about it. Belladonna had reassured her anxious brother over and over again that it was nothing, that they would not erase his memories of the event, but it was still with apprehension that the muggle made his way, just after lunch, to the local Complaints Office for what he imagined to be some sort of interrogation.

"Good afternoon. I'm looking for a Mr. Percival Adlard—I was directed to meet him here," he expressed to the secretary with a smile he hoped did not betray his nerves. With a smile of her own, she directed him to a small office, where Atticus entered the open door to find, he assumed, the wizard in question.

"Atticus Sharpe," he offered by way of greeting. "I do believe I am your two o'clock appointment."

@"Percival Adlard Jr."