Gilderoy Lockhart

On August 19, Cordelia prepared to go to Diagon Alley to buy books.

A month and a half.

She had spent a full month and a half catching up, working her way from the basics of Charms to practical Transfiguration, while tackling History of Magic, Herbology, and Potions as well.

She had read her copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade One so often that its spine had cracked. She had filled the flyleaf with notes on what she needed to review.

Dumbledore's reply had arrived only yesterday. It contained just three lines:

"Dear Miss Rowle,

I am pleased to inform you that your application for a Resit Exam has been approved.

Please watch the notice board after term begins so you do not miss the exam."

Diagon Alley was as crowded as ever that morning.

Dew dampened the cobblestones, leaving them with a faint sheen.

The bronze doors of Gringotts stood open, and a Goblin teller filed his nails beneath the portico.

Outside Eeylops Owl Emporium, several first-years stood in line clutching empty cages. One little boy's Owl had stolen his hat.

The awning at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour had just gone up, and the owner was stacking freshly made mint ice cream in the freezer.

Cordelia wore a floral dress—

She had grown quite fond of floral dresses. Her silver-gold ponytail bounced lightly behind her shoulder, and she held a densely written book list in one hand.

She walked more steadily than she had a month ago, with an ease that came naturally.

Her body had filled out, leaving her figure both shapely and slender.

As she walked over the cobblestones, Cordelia gazed curiously at the window of the Magical Menagerie.

Though she had been born into a wizarding family, this was her first visit to