Bragi would later feel a little awkward at having relied this day on the sympathies of young ladies, but for now would take all the help he could get, and remain ever grateful. Although lacking what Mrs Wilson might rather meanly call the societal graces of the previous lady, this new stranger seemed rather more likely to indulge in his quest until his cat were found or his hopes did stramsh. She was, after all, surrounded by animals herself.

"She hasn't", he replied, chewing his lower lip. "But we are new to Hogsmeade, she may be lost. A neighbour suggested I check these alleyways", he nodded back the way she'd come, "apparently a haunt for roaming cats".

Suddenly Bragi heard a noise up the far end of the alley behind a pile of abandoned trellises. "Ah — could that be...?" he marched hurriedly towards the noise.

The lady and her animals might be first to realise it was just a fox.