Edric hadn't bothered to see if the maid was lurking nearby, but he could just imagine the look on her face. They probably looked ridiculous, sitting beside a tree with a garden, her looking all pretty and him in his work robes while they pestered each other with petty insults and condescending comments. It was ridiculous, but what could he do about it? She was being stubborn, and he was just—well, he was maybe being a pain in the arse. Just a little.

"I don't see where you got that impression," he retorted, scribbling a messy circle around the scars and adding a little note. Her hand reached over and brushed his—accidentally, he assumed, but it was enough to cause his gaze to flick towards her. Her cheeks were pink, Merlin, and his whole "I'm going to return to the office and forget about this" idea went right out the window. Insufferable woman. What was she even thinking?

"Yes, I—" He opened his mouth to continue, but no words came out. Well, at least the loss of his eloquence was accompanied by the loss of her wittiness. He took a moment to contemplate his words—a very long, very agonizing moment for the man who enjoyed a constant stream of snippy comments—before continuing.

"I must let you know that further inquiries regarding the case may come through the owl post, but I'll see to it that another auror handles it." It came out colder than he'd expected, as evidenced by the regretful glance he cast in her direction a moment later. "—I would hate to continue being irritating."

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