The name meant nothing to Ernest, and he was entirely dissatisfied by the introduction — not a word of why this man was here, or how he supposedly knew so much about this strange object. For a moment Ernest wondered if he ought to have waited for someone else from the Ministry to accompany him — an auror, perhaps, for a little extra muscle. It had never been necessary before, though, and he was used to coworkers just getting in the way more often than not.

Not being one to lose his head or be easily swayed by confidence alone, Ernest drew his wand. He took one step matter of factly in the direction of the redheaded man, putting the two of them on one side of the object and Mr. Fox on the other.

"I'll advise you not to touch it, either," he said coolly. "And take a step back, please, unless you'd like to explain what you know about it, and why."