Kenneth took a swig of firewhiskey as footsteps from behind resounded in his ears, but he gave no outward indication that he was aware of the presence as he tipped more liquor into his shot glass. The strong scent of earth and rain registered as the figure came closer, and when the stool beside him squeaked under the strain of its hefty occupant the 32-year-old wizard merely kept his eyes on the jewel-colored fluid in his possession. There was a silent code in places like the Hogs Head, make no acknowledgements unless one is engaged first, and even then dont be forthcoming with information. One never knew when the voice belonged to a friend or foe, but when the grisly man beside him zeroed in on him and demanded to know if he was Kenneth Macmillian, the Hufflepuff alumnus was certain this wasnt a friendly presence.

Tension among strangers had heightened since the tragedy in Diagon Alley, and the department head wasnt impervious to it. Suspicion and anxiety were forces he dealt with every day, especially since he heard the news of Pierces death. Pierce Madley, the jovial transportation department employee, had been Kenneths best friend since the two met on the train during their first year of Hogwarts. In the six months since his passing, the curly-haired wizard was forced to realize that hed been his only true friend, and a loneliness hed never known seized him when he wasnt neck-deep in work. So these days he spent more and more time locked up in his office. His subordinates whispered that he was becoming a hermit, an observation that was re-enforced when he skipped his annual holiday in favor of sorting through research proposals for new methods of ghost relocation.

Trust wasnt something he gave in droves, and its distribution had only lessened since the appearance of the masked deviants and their snake-like leader. For all he knew the bartender couldve been the one to send the fatal blow upon his deceased friend or the seedy old wench in the drab gray robes who placed the curses on the mail that took the life of one muggleborn and injured several others. He wouldnt give his unwanted companion the information he desired until Kenneth knew exactly why this man was so interested in him beforehand. His fingers flexed on his wand. Until then, hed remain prepared for anything.

Who wants to know? he asked nonchalantly as he swirled more amber-colored liquid in his glass. He turned his face toward the shaggy man in weather-worn robes, meeting his eyes without fear before throwing back another burning taste of firewhiskey. Intimidation was a game that didnt faze the brown-eyed man. Hed seen and experienced too much to quiver with anxiety at the sight of the other persons fangs. Caution, however, was exercised.