The owls had been coming in since Umbridge's decree, asking for appointments - but she hadn't gotten a request for a house call, until Theo Nott's letter.
Mr. Nott,
As of the decree, my schedule has become a bit... cramped. So, yes, I am able to tag yours and your wife's owl, however, the chances of coming to you might be on the slim side.
I can fit you in on Thursday evening as it seems a lot of people are waiting to see how long they can go without.
Let me know if that will suit. P. Clearwater
Obviously everyone thought this decree was ridiculous and were waiting it out, so to say. So much so that Penelope was thinking of having an open clinic on the weekend for walk-ins that needed last-minute tagging. Trying to fit them all in for appointments would be murder on everyone's schedule.
So she sent off her reply to Theo Nott and contemplated her idea, finally finding a moment to head off and apparate back to her parent's house. As it was, Molly had to stay behind with 'Grandmum' until Penny could find a babysitter here in town.