Cordella Quinn had stared at her mother’s dull features just that one time too many, ticking her over to the point where she hated being in her own home. So she left.
The wayward Slytherin didn’t tell her mother where she was going, per se. Hogwarts was as vague as it came in terms of pinpointing a position; and after packing a duffle and slamming the door, it was clear that for that summer, Della wasn’t going to be staying too long.
The girl took a train from Kings Cross up to Scotland, to Hogsmeade, to be precise. The train chugged along throughout the night and as she smoked and drank she allowed herself time to think and brood over some of the books she’d taken with her last minute. She counted out her money before making sure she had her Gringott’s key with her. She accounted for everything she had, even the ash in the ash tray. In the end, it all meant nothing and she knew that; but for now it mattered, it determined her short survival.
When she arrived in Hogsmeade it was already nigh the middle of the day and the first thing she knew she had to do was see if Gisele had replied to her. Dell had sent a letter during the night, half-asleep and feeling oddly romantic. Hung-over and using the benefit of hindsight, she was thoroughly embarrassed but decided she’d ride it out. If it got her laid, she wasn’t about to complain. First, though, she’d have to make sure her owl got back to the owl emporium – so it was there that she headed first with a crack of Apparation.
The bell on the top of the door screamed shrilly at her when she entered and the man behind the counter looked up, managing a smile for her as she strode in.
“Mornin’ Bob,” Dell greeted as she made her way to the counter. She scratched one of the loitering owls on the head and pursed her lips at it playfully before picking up a nut from the bowl on the counter and offering it to the animal. “Did Mags make it last night?”
“She did indeed Miss Della,” The man nodded and smiled brightly at her. “Awful tired though, she was. Still sleepin’ in the back. Why d’you need her?”
“Not yet. Just checkin’. How’s business?”