There's a Ghost!

After leaving the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Cordelia and her roommates went to the Slytherin table for dinner.

Gavin had barely said goodbye to them when an owl intercepted him.

The owl dropped an envelope and a bag with an air of lofty indifference, beat its wings, and flew off without looking back.

It wasn't a Hogwarts owl. Its feathers were grayish, and a silver band bearing a crest was fastened around its leg. It belonged to the Rowle family.

Gavin had written to Mr. Rowle that morning. He hadn't expected a reply so soon.

In his letter, Gavin had asked whether Mr. Rowle could contact Dumbledore, though he hadn't held out much hope. He had also warned that Lockhart was dangerous and asked whether Mr. Rowle could help persuade the Board of Governors to replace him. Mr. Rowle had mentioned joining the Board to protect his daughter. Finally, Gavin had asked if he knew how to undo Polyjuice Potion.

His owl had set off before dawn. The reply had come in less than six hours.

Did the Rowle family's owl have some special flying trick, like those Ministry of Magic owls that could turn up anywhere at any time?

Gavin opened the envelope. The handwriting on the parchment was fluid and firm, and the ink hadn't quite dried.

"Gavin:

I have no way to contact Professor Dumbledore, but I can ask around and see if anyone knows where he is.

Also, the Thief's Downfall can wash away all potion-based disguises and concealment spells. Gringotts uses it for its vaults. It costs two hundred thousand Galleons and takes six months to make. I'm in the process of joining the Board of Governors, and I'll propose installing one as soon as the paperwork is done. Money isn't a problem,