Careful to dust down any dust from his ebony robes, Alexandre Banlui took hesitant steps out of the fireplace, having just used the Floo system. Never his preferred way to travel, he struggled to mask the disgust as his hands swept over the dark material with practiced ease.

His gaze scanned the room warily; his first visit to the British Ministry was not under pleasant circumstances in any case, and his only wish was that this would be quick, easy. An in-and-out job, nothing more. All hopes were diminished when he noted the "welcoming party" for his fellow Auror and himself. Coming to a stop just a few steps from the two Britons, he greeted all three with a curt nod.

In-and-out. That was all Banlui wanted.