A small, severely hunchbacked man largely ignored Ari and appeared to be trying to negotiate with the house elves.

"...look, I need one or I'm going to need one. What? No, I don't need yours right now." The house elf in the dark wig was clutching the cattle prod protectively, backing away.
The man sighed. "No, no, I'm not trying to take yours away, I'm just- would you listen?" The house elves were starting to walk away, trailing behind Ari again. "You've got a stockpile of them somewhere, right? I can pay you back, but I may need..." He scampered behind the elf, trying to keep up.
"Look, it's for science. OW! HEY!"