Postmaster Pete sat on a stool in the corner, his feet propped up on the counter. It had been a slow day so far, which was just how he liked it. Bad enough he had to put up with the smell and mess of the owls, but he hated having his naps interrupted.

Steven arrived at the post office, keen to start his first mission for the ministry. He hoped it all went well, after all they had a ministry officer with them. He saw a man, half asleep and then asked Amelia how to approach the man.

With a crack, Amelia apparated outside the post office. She rearranged her robes awkwardly, hating the wizarding attire, but knowing this was the price of fitting in. With her long hair still up in her bun, she looked very ordinary in the surroundings but to her, she felt so out of place. She entered the shop, looking around at all of the magnificent owls all about her, but wrinkling her nose slightly as the smell was quite overpowering.

She noticed a man sat on a stool, dozing behind the counter and smiled to herself. 'Aww, bless him,' she thought. She went over to Steven and motioned to approach the counter.

"Excuse me," she said gently to the postman, hoping it was loud enough to stir him but not startle him.

'Huh?' was Postmaster Pete's reflex response. Once he had a look at his visitors, his demeanor changed quickly. He slid off his stool and up to the counter. Leaning forward towards the lady, he asked 'And what can I do for the Ministry today, luv?' His eyes never left her. 'You just tell ol' Pete and he'll fix it right up for you.'

Steven looked up at the man, not knowing whether to trust him or whether not to. He didn't thing he should acuse anyone on his 1st mission but he was cautious.

Amelia smiled, watching Pete's demeanor change instantly. "Well, I was hoping you could Pete. I'm Amelia. Are you the manager here? Because we were hoping for a private word about something you could assist us with."

She saw Steven's gaze directed at the postman and noticed a quick look of distrust that he hid well, especially as Pete's eyes were transfixed on her. He was right not to trust people straight off the bat, however, Amelia knew that it was important that her first impression to anyone should be approachable and kindly. If it needed to change later it would, but people did seem to be more receptive to pleas for help.

'A private word, you say.' Postmaster Pete leaned even closer. 'What a great idea. How about you and I skip down to the pub for a quick nip? We can have many a private word there. Junior can hold down my patch for a while...right, Laddy?' he asked, finally acknowledging the young man.

Amelia smiled abit, pretending to be slightly bashful. "As tempting as that sounds, Steven and I were hoping for your help here. We were hoping for some information regarding an owl that was rented from this store. Is that something you could help us with?" she smiled, leaning in slightly.

'Now why would such a lovely lass as yourself want to stay in this smelly place and talk about owls? Wouldn't you rather go someplace quiet and talk about you and me?' Pete asked. 'A much more interesting topic, wouldn't you say?'

Amelia raised an eyebrow at the prospect of talking one on one with the postman, and she was thankful that Steven was there with them, but she didn't let this show on her face.

"As tempting as that is, my boss wouldn't be too happy if I snuck off on a social outing," she laughed. "Steven and I are interested in a particular owl that was sent to the Ministry this month, using one of your fine owls. This owl contained information that is of interest to us so we were hoping you could check your records to get us any information that would be useful," she recounted. "Is that something you could help us with?"

'Now who said anything about telling your boss....I'm sure the Laddy here knows how to keep his trap shut.' Pete said, glancing over had the lad.

'I'll make you a deal...I'll tell you what you want to know and you'll go out for some fish and chips tonight? I know a pub that does them up good and proper...a pint or two, some darts....we'll have a jolly good time, what?'

Pete looked over to the young man looking for support.

" Why don't you just tell us what we need to know" Steven said, angrily. He really didn't like this man and after the first impression that the postman gave him, he had good right not to.

Postmaster Pete jerked back at the young man's outburst. Clearly, he wasn't going to get anywhere with the lovely lass while he was around.

Pete straightened up and spoke directly to the young man, 'Okay...what is it you want to know? Which owls? When? Hurry up lad, we must get you out of the way so the lovely lady and I can play!'

" I don't think the lovely lady is interested" Steven said, his teeth grinding.

Amelia smiled thankfully at Steven as he was defending her.

"I'm gonna cut to the chase, Pete. We need to know who hired an owl from you. Our information is stetchy, but this owl was rented this month, sent to the ministry possibly by a witch, the content of the letter was about a certain potion. Can you tell us anything about it?"

The airiness went from her voice and it became very business like. Her stance became upright and now there was going to be no nonsense. Her eyes still had the sparkle in them, but she was not to be walked all over.

Postmaster Pete wasn't getting anywhere with the lady...another ice maiden, just his luck.

'this month...possible by a witch, if not, then a wizard. That certainly narrows it down.' He said, sarcastically. 'Contents about a potion. Hey, are you suggesting that I snoop in other peoples mail...cuz if you are, you can just beat it right now. I never read anybody elses mail....against the code, that is.'

" Oh, I can imagine what the code means to you" Steven mumbled under his breath. They were not going to get any information out of this man.

Postmaster Pete ignored the snide remark. 'Do you have any more information that would help narrow the search? I betcha over a hundred owls were sent to the Ministry by a witch last month.'

Amelia was watching the two men snipe at each other and knew this wasn't getting them anywhere, but the information they had was limited at best!


"What kind of information do you need in order to find it out?" she asked him, hoping he could point them in right direction and they could get some where with this investigation.

Postmaster Pete was pleased that the lass was speaking again. She was much more pleasant to deal with...maybe he still had a chance.

'If you could cut down the time, it'd help. Doesn't the Ministry keep track of incoming posts? 'specially the unsigned ones. Even me old Gran kept all hers.' Pete said with a smile. 'and if you can get what potion they're on about, I may be able get you the goods that way. Keep me eyes open, I do. Like to chat with the shopkeeps on me breaks...not much else to do, is there?'

Steven thought that the rude postman was quite being truthul but because it was his first mission, he let it go.

"Well, I'm not exactly sure when it was received, all I have been told was during this month, so quite recently, but also the potion is an unsuccessful love potion," Amelia told him, cautiously. She knew she had to give out certain information, but she didn't want to give out too much, something her Police Inspector father had taught her.

She saw Steven's expression harden on his face, 'wow, these guys really do not get on,' she thought chewing on her smile.

'Love Potion' Pete said with a snort. 'I dunno what you gals see in 'em. All a bloke needs is a smile and a kind word. Just the other day, I was havin a bit of a chat with Cass over at the Potion Shop...I tells 'er the same. Just give a bloke a chance...don't need to give me any of y'er nasty brews...ye go out, have a pint or two...it'll work out fine.' he said with a wink.

'It's gonna take me a bit to put a list together for ya...about an hour should do it. Ya might have better luck with Cass over at the Potion Shop. She might be able ta tell ya whose bought Love Potions.' Pete suggested.

For once Steven thought the man was right. " Thanks for the info" Steven said, finding it hard to say these words. " Should we go?" Steven asked Amelia