Astrophel was beyond shaken with his own actions. He hardly knew what to say or how to explain himself and suddenly he was paranoid. What if a hit-wizard saw him? Or an Auror? He'd have no excuses now, whether he remembered doing or saying things or not it was still him. His father was dead.
He almost knocked a book display over as he backed up further, wide eyed and clutching at his head.
"Of course," he said breathlessly. Then he turned and hurried out of the shop at once, not daring to look back.