The scarf didn't prove to be productive. Mitch left town, and Kiki took over his quarters in Bumpus, telling Mrs. Shelby she was also a writer, looking for a sampling of the Highlands life, particularly nature in winter. Wearing the scarf around town brought no response at all.
With the scarf in her pocket, she began walking down the C861 each day to the mysterious woods, and off into the trees to observe. Sitting there a while in the cold, she saw the many owls coming and going. That weekend, she saw Katy Noonan walk down the path, on schedule, but, there were no scarves.
She spotted Jock Noonan one day, off to hunt with his friends. She avoided him; he might remember her, having ridden in her company Land Rover on the first trip here.
More than once, she tried walking down the path on her own, but each time, there were snakes... threatening growls from the woods... low-flying birds nearly colliding with her... thorny vines looming across the ever-narrowing trail. She never went too far before giving in to these fearful intimidations.
On the second Saturday, she got very lucky. At 7.28 in the morning, two men walked into the woods, one wearing a scarf of blue and bronze, and the other the familiar dark red and gold. Today was her day! She retreated through the woods towards Bumpus, putting on her scarf, then stepped out on the road and began walking back toward the path.
Sure enough, as she neared the path at 7:45, she encountered Katy Noonan, walking to work.
"Good morning," said Kiki. "May I join you? This is my first time in."
"O' course. Especially fer a Gryffindor fan! Are ye from the valley?"
"No, I'm from Surrey. I drove up, and took a room in town. Wanted to see the country for a few days, otherwise I would have gone from King's Cross with the others."
"Thot's the easiest way, fer sure. But ye're doing right to get here early and get a good seat. M'husband and his friends'll be doing the same. Beautidul day fer it. Ha' ye been to Hogsmeade, at least?"
"No."
"Thot's where I work, in the book shop. Ye be getting here early enough to skive a spot of tea and whatnot before going to the pitch."
By now, they had long since passed the place where creatures and vines usually intervened. Nothing had happened. The trail stayed as wide and clear as ever, and any birds in the vicinity were busily hunting seeds. It was working!
Kiki remembered the odd coin Katy had once proffered in town. "Do I need knuts and the like?"
"Or Muggle money, either one. The storekeepers ken, and they take both; or ye can stop at the bank and change shillings for sickles and so on. It's depending on how long ye're staying, I suppose. So! Do ye have kin in Gryffindor?"
Kiki wasn't sure how to answer that. "Oh... it runs in the family."
"Likewise. M'husband's a Muggle, tho. M' little one hain't shown any signs o' powers yet. I'm hopeful still."
"I hope it turns out all right for you."
"Thank ye. Well, here we be."
And here they were, at a village she had only seen in a photo from two hundred miles overhead. There was a playpark at the outskirts, and something caught her eye right off: her own company's logo! It was on the tents they had left behind that day, which were now set up in the playpark.
Beyond was a beautiful medieval-looking street of small shops, with villagers mostly dressed in robes. Mitch had mentioned robes, but Kiki had overlooked that little detail.
"I hope my winter coat won't make me too exceptional. It's very comfortable."
"Not t' worry, ye won't be alone. Many folk prefer coats, especially on a breezy day. Cuppa?"
After an hour outdoors in February, Kiki was not prone to argue with that. "Great idea. I can use a little inner warmth." They ducked into the doorway at The Three Broomsticks. Kiki had reached her Brigadoon. It all went well for her -- for a while.