Felicity headed up to the Owlery with a rather detailed and heavy letter in her hand, one that she'd been up most of the previous night writing. She'd sealed it with magic, not because the contents was important, really, but because it was embarrassing and boring. The aspects of her first week back at school, from the food she'd eaten to the things she missed, focused heavily on how she felt seeing Flynn every day and how, when she wasn't feeling sorry for herself over that, she was already stressing over the NEWT's she'd be sitting at the end of the year.

It was the first time since her fourth year, her first in this Castle, that she'd noticed how much she was missing her parents. Calling her owl to her and feeding it a few treats, Felicity paused, wondering whether or not incinerating the parchment was a better idea than sending it. Of course, she didn't like keeping things from Colin and his advice was always well thought out and able to cheer her up, but she also didn't want him to worry, and so she stood there with her wand out, alternating between the desire to cast a spell to tie it to the owl and one to destroy it.

Cameron had promised Holly letters regularly, as always, but apparently this year their parting had been particularly hard for his sister. One more year, that was all, then she'd be allowed to come to Hogwarts with him. He'd reminded her of that over and over but at the time it hadn't really seemed to help. Which was why he'd explicitly put "write letter to Holly" in his schedule every single week.

This week's letter was probably more of the same, classes, studying, Quidditch, the occasional mention of a friend. The one thing different about it that Cam hoped Holly would enjoy was that he'd let Liam sign the letter too. Maybe he could ask him to draw something for her next letter. Cam made a mental note to ask him. Hopefully he'd be able to think of something to draw because-

He'd been so lost in thought that it was only when he stepped right up to the owls that he realized that he wasn't in fact alone in the owlery. Cam stopped, eying Felicity who had her wand raised for some reason and seemed quite focused. Was she practicing a spell? He didn't want to disturb her so instead he stayed very still, politely waiting for her to finish whatever it was she was doing.

So focused on the letter in hand was she that Felicity didn’t notice Cameron entering the Owlery, nor the look he was giving her. It took her a few long, excruciating seconds for her to make up her mind, but eventually she cast her spell. “Incendio,” she muttered under her breath, wand directing the fire at the parchment, which she dropped once it was alight.

Letting her owl fly back to the rafters with a treat in her beak, it was only when she turned around that she noticed the younger boy. A startled squeak escaped her lips as she stumbled backwards a few steps, arms pinwheeling to prevent herself from falling.

“Didn’t see you there.” Gasp. This was totally embarrassing.

It was getting cooler with each step Kay took on those stairs. The temperature wasn’t that bad yet she shivered. It didn’t help any more when the draft hit her through the glassless windows. She hugged herself as she stood there, still as ever, surveying the owls. Today, she had opted to go an old-fashioned way rather than using electronics to send messages.

She would be needing two of the feathered creatures as she had two letters- one for Ansley and one for Jordan. Kay missed them both immensely and how she wished she could talk to them face to face. Sadly, that would have to wait for Hogsmeade weekends for that.

Spotting a barn owl, Kay raised an arm to coax it down.

Unfortunately for her, it was quite stubborn.

Finally done with the assignments for the day, Daehyun would be paying a visit to his feathered companion. On his way up to the owlery, he still wondered if he should send Felicis home with a letter, but he would probably postpone till later. Besides, his birthday was only a few days away, so he'd be exchanging letters with his parents soon enough. He did wonder what the imps have been up to, though.

So, since he was only visiting Felicis and not sending her on a long trip home, the pockets of his robes were naturally filled with pellets and all sorts of treats that she loved and then some more for whichever hungry owl that wanted to have a snack. His tawny owl flew to him before he'd even spotted her, settling comfortably on his arm and looking up at him expectantly. The little rascal, she knew she was getting treats, since he'd made it his life's mission to spoil his companions.

As he pulled out a handful of pellets for Felicis, he finally noticed he was not alone. He hadn't spotted professor Stewart at first since Felicis had pretty much captured his whole attention as soon as he'd stepped into the owlery so, just as he'd opened his mouth to greet her, he saw her raised arm... and she'd been looking at a particular owl... who happened to be eyeing the treats in his hand that Felicis was happily munching on. He quickly caught on to what the professor had been up to. Sticking his other hand into the pocket of his robe, he took out another handful of owl treats and, moving closer to professor Stewart, he held his hand out and lowered his voice to avoid distracting the owl. "These ought to work."

... it didn't occur to him that he could creep the living daylights out of the poor woman as he sneaked next to her. His sole focus was not distracting the owl she'd tried to summon.

....oops.

That was NOT his intention. The opposite really. Well then, his way of handling this situation had majorly backfired. "I'm sorry!" Cameron looked it too as he took a step towards her in an unreasonable attempt to make sure she didn't fall over; even though he would have been absolutely NO help because he wasn't even close to being close enough to her to catch her right now.

"I didn't mean to startle you." At all. Note to self: just announce your presence next time. "Are you alright?" Not just because he'd scared her but also because...she'd very clearly just lit a letter on fire. His eyes briefly darted over to where the remnants of said letter had just drifted to the ground in the form of ashes. Not that he was trying to pry or anything.

SPOILER!!: Dae! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

Finally done with the assignments for the day, Daehyun would be paying a visit to his feathered companion. On his way up to the owlery, he still wondered if he should send Felicis home with a letter, but he would probably postpone till later. Besides, his birthday was only a few days away, so he'd be exchanging letters with his parents soon enough. He did wonder what the imps have been up to, though.

So, since he was only visiting Felicis and not sending her on a long trip home, the pockets of his robes were naturally filled with pellets and all sorts of treats that she loved and then some more for whichever hungry owl that wanted to have a snack. His tawny owl flew to him before he'd even spotted her, settling comfortably on his arm and looking up at him expectantly. The little rascal, she knew she was getting treats, since he'd made it his life's mission to spoil his companions.

As he pulled out a handful of pellets for Felicis, he finally noticed he was not alone. He hadn't spotted professor Stewart at first since Felicis had pretty much captured his whole attention as soon as he'd stepped into the owlery so, just as he'd opened his mouth to greet her, he saw her raised arm... and she'd been looking at a particular owl... who happened to be eyeing the treats in his hand that Felicis was happily munching on. He quickly caught on to what the professor had been up to. Sticking his other hand into the pocket of his robe, he took out another handful of owl treats and, moving closer to professor Stewart, he held his hand out and lowered his voice to avoid distracting the owl. "These ought to work."

... it didn't occur to him that he could creep the living daylights out of the poor woman as he sneaked next to her. His sole focus was not distracting the owl she'd tried to summon.

"Please?'' Kay begged the owl. "I promise I will give you lots of treats for this.'' Perhaps bargaining would work... hopefully. But the owl remained stubborn, staring at her (or so she thought) with big brown eyes. She was just deciding that she would use another owl when a voice spoke close by which made her jump. In turn, she dropped the letters she had been clutching. A quick look in the direction of the voice told her it belonged to a certain Gryffindor.

"Mr. Yoon. Hello.'' Recovering for her jumpiness, she looked down at his outstretched hand. "That's a great idea. Thank you.'' She gave him a smile as she took the treats then retrieved the letters. "Here you go. Some of the treats I promised you.'' Kay continued to try to coax the owl until he fluttered onto her arm.

Now she grinned over at Dae. The owl was wasting no time in packing away the treats. "He likes them,'' she remarked quietly. "Are they regular treats that you get at the Emporium in Diagon Alley?"

"Sorry," he muttered when he had, indeed, scared professor Stewart with his appearance, making a mental note to not sneak up on people, even if his intentions were pure, as he dropped to the ground to help her pick up the letters. Felicis had given him a look, a very displeased one, when he'd disturbed her from her snack time. "Hello, professor."

"Mmm!" he hummed in response, happy when the stubborn owl gave in and dropped on professor Stewart's arm. No owl could resist the treats! "Father also sends me these dried vertebrates we found at a place near Knockturn Alley, which I mix with other things. They're... disturbing, to say the least, but Felicis loves them," he said with a light shrug. "I'd rather not be the one who feeds her cute reptiles and mice." Which was why he'd opted for a more vegetarian diet, while his little hunter could treat herself to whatever she liked when he wasn't around.

Looking at the letters she held, he said, "You could use Felicis if you need another owl?" Though if she chose to do so, instructions would be needed. His owl was rather back-offish around strangers.

SPOILER!!: Dae!<3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

"Sorry," he muttered when he had, indeed, scared professor Stewart with his appearance, making a mental note to not sneak up on people, even if his intentions were pure, as he dropped to the ground to help her pick up the letters. Felicis had given him a look, a very displeased one, when he'd disturbed her from her snack time. "Hello, professor."

"Mmm!" he hummed in response, happy when the stubborn owl gave in and dropped on professor Stewart's arm. No owl could resist the treats! "Father also sends me these dried vertebrates we found at a place near Knockturn Alley, which I mix with other things. They're... disturbing, to say the least, but Felicis loves them," he said with a light shrug. "I'd rather not be the one who feeds her cute reptiles and mice." Which was why he'd opted for a more vegetarian diet, while his little hunter could treat herself to whatever she liked when he wasn't around.

Looking at the letters she held, he said, "You could use Felicis if you need another owl?" Though if she chose to do so, instructions would be needed. His owl was rather back-offish around strangers.

Kay hadn't meant to make Daehyun feel bad. She could see that, it reflected on his face. And he was even kind enough to help her get the letters back. "Thank you.'' She gave him a genuine smile. It was impossible to be withdrawn while around him. You see, he was always one of her most hardworking students and she liked him a lot.

"Ah, so it's sort of a homemade treat. Half homemade...'' Kay really was interested in this. "That's fine. You can tell me unless you don't want to give your secret recipe away.'' She nodded as the owl finished off its treat. "They can do that for themselves. I can say the treat worked wonders. Looked, he's letting me give him the letter.'' To the owl, she said, "This one's to Ansley Finch.'' The owl gave a muffled hoot before flying off.

Kay was delighted. "I'll take you up on that offer, Mr. Yoon. Thank you. Er, does she need me to feed her treats first as well?''

Homemade treat, exactly! He'd always liked mixing things up for his babies so they wouldn't get bored of the simple treats that he got separately. "Another thing I'm mixing in here," he said, pulling a small pouch out of his pocket that was always present in there, "You can cut up thin slices of carrots and dry them into these chips. Usually smaller birds or rodents eat these, but Felicis loves them." And aside from that, his pouch was full of different types of pellets and such.

He couldn't help but smile at the satisfied owl. If his picky owl loved them, then he was sure he could charm any owl with the treats.

Speaking of Felicis... "You should just- maybe write on the envelope a big 'do not pet the owl'," he said, smiling meekly. "She's not all that fond of strangers touching her feathers." Right on cue, Felicis fluffed up her feathers that she was so proud and protective of.

SPOILER!!: Dae and Felicis! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

Homemade treat, exactly! He'd always liked mixing things up for his babies so they wouldn't get bored of the simple treats that he got separately. "Another thing I'm mixing in here," he said, pulling a small pouch out of his pocket that was always present in there, "You can cut up thin slices of carrots and dry them into these chips. Usually smaller birds or rodents eat these, but Felicis loves them." And aside from that, his pouch was full of different types of pellets and such.

He couldn't help but smile at the satisfied owl. If his picky owl loved them, then he was sure he could charm any owl with the treats.

Speaking of Felicis... "You should just- maybe write on the envelope a big 'do not pet the owl'," he said, smiling meekly. "She's not all that fond of strangers touching her feathers." Right on cue, Felicis fluffed up her feathers that she was so proud and protective of.

"That's very interesting. Healthy snacks these are too.'' They must be healthy because for a fact, the owl that had just departed definitely liked them. "Fancy having a job in the future making food and snacks for animals, Mr. Yoon?'' Kay asked, still rather much interested. This time, she was curious about the kiddo himself.

She laughed softly. "How on earth did you find that out?'' was the question as a hand fished around in one of her pockets for a pen. "Did she attack someone when they did that?'' On the envelope, Kay scribbled 'PS: Do NOT touch the owl.' Now she grinned over to Felicis. "Fear not. Jordan wouldn't touch your pretty feathers. Are you ready to do this delivery for me?''

She did not just open that topic. Oh, if only professor Stewart knew that he could talk her ears off if she prodded any longer. He couldn't keep his grin at bay, his eyes basically disappearing into small crescents. "I'd like to do a lot more!" Though she had given him an idea to start his own line of products - how cool would that be? "I've wanted to become a magizoologist since before I learned how to read. Although... I'm not sure if I should specialize in anything in particular." He wanted to work with all sorts of creatures. Preferably those with the most dangerous M.O.M classification.

He giggled at professor Stewart's question. "I experienced it first-hand, plenty of times," he said, his fingers moving to rub the side of her neck. Felicis immediately fluffed up her feathers and leaned into his touch. No matter how dangerous or mean a creature was, you just had to find their soft spot. "She's only nice to me now because I'm the one with the treats." Ahh, the power of the treats. As professor Stewart addressed Felicis, the owl hooted happily and fluttered her wings once, nearly slapping Daehyun in the face in the process, ready to accept the letter.

"Do you have any pets, professor?" He was digging his own grave with that question, as schoolgirl squeals would likely follow and she would classify him as the king of weird, but he was curious.

After regaining her balance - and her breath - Felicity stood with a hand on her chest for a moment longer, just to make sure she wasn’t going to trip again. “You don’t need to apologise,” she waved the words away with a shake of her head and stowed her wand away in her robes before looking back at him. Honestly, it was as much her fault as it had been his - if she hadn’t been lost in her own thoughts, focusing on a dilemma that was mostly in her own mind, she would have noticed him arrive.

“I’m…” She started to answer, before she caught his glance at the ashes, and realised that he didn’t just mean regarding the almost-fall, or shock. “I’m alright,” she managed with a little shrug, and a wry smile. “Just decided my dad didn’t really need a letter full of me whining about unimportant things.”

SPOILER!!: Daee! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

She did not just open that topic. Oh, if only professor Stewart knew that he could talk her ears off if she prodded any longer. He couldn't keep his grin at bay, his eyes basically disappearing into small crescents. "I'd like to do a lot more!" Though she had given him an idea to start his own line of products - how cool would that be? "I've wanted to become a magizoologist since before I learned how to read. Although... I'm not sure if I should specialize in anything in particular." He wanted to work with all sorts of creatures. Preferably those with the most dangerous M.O.M classification.

He giggled at professor Stewart's question. "I experienced it first-hand, plenty of times," he said, his fingers moving to rub the side of her neck. Felicis immediately fluffed up her feathers and leaned into his touch. No matter how dangerous or mean a creature was, you just had to find their soft spot. "She's only nice to me now because I'm the one with the treats." Ahh, the power of the treats. As professor Stewart addressed Felicis, the owl hooted happily and fluttered her wings once, nearly slapping Daehyun in the face in the process, ready to accept the letter.

"Do you have any pets, professor?" He was digging his own grave with that question, as schoolgirl squeals would likely follow and she would classify him as the king of weird, but he was curious.

That expression said it all.

Obviously she had brought up a topic that Dae rather enjoyed; his passion. "Oh, really? That's exciting!'' Kay was pleased that he had discovered what he loved at such a young age. It meant that he could put more time in to work towards his goal. "Are there any creatures in particular that you feel drawn to? I know there are quite a few dragonologists out there. Hippogriff breeders too." These were just a few examples but the aim here was to find out if they should narrow down Dae's area of interest.

Kaysha laughed. "All pets are like that, I guess. I've got a crup named Marshmallow. Hyper little thing but she's extra nice when there's treats for her.'' Fond thoughts ran through her mind about the crup kept in the barnyard. "Have you ever experimented for creatures other than owls?'' The woman held out the letter to Felicis. "Jordan's at the Ministry, Felicis.''

Birds make mess.

Just like Toddles make mess.

More than studentses made mess. But that’s what elves do. Clean up messes in between all the cooking of the foods. Cleaning and cooking. Cooking and cleaning. Not that Argyle minded. Argyle clean up owl home as studenteses bustle around back from their home. Rag and bucket in grasp as she popped into the tower in question. Time for scrubs. Serious scrubs.

Scrub, scrub, scrub…scrub, scrub, scrub…scrub, scrub,scrub.

It had been a while since she'd written to her parents. No doubt they were worried sick about her. They'd always been a bit overprotective, always hovering, always overscheduling, but Lydia loved them for it. She wouldn't trade her parents for the world. Sometimes she'd wondered what it would be like to have siblings, but then maybe she wouldn't have become best friends with her mum if she'd had a sister or a brother to confide in. Ruminating over her family, Lydia didn't see the little house elf scrubbing the owlery floor as she entered.

Her foot came into contact with the elf's body, and she toppled. At the last second she managed not to fall on the elf himself, which was fortunate. She didn't want to squish him! But instead she ended up faceplanting on the floor, which was not so good.

"Oof!" she cried. Lydia sat up, rubbing at her dirty face. Her nose had taken quite the bonk, and it was pretty sore. Against her will, tears sprang into her eyes, more from surprise than pain.

She glanced over at the house elf. "I'm sorry!" she cried. "I'm so clumsy." She bit her lip, trying not to cry. She really hoped no one had witnessed this!

Gaston had just finished his daily check of Gryffindor tower and was on his way back to his office when he remembered the letter he'd been meaning to send. He'd seen his parents fairly recently over the Christmas holidays, but his mother was already badgering him for new pictures of Desiree. That and he had a question for his father, so a letter back home was due.

A neatly sealed envelope in hand, he entered the owlery. Wow, this place brought back a lot of memories! It was in this very room that the love of his life agreed to give him a chance, and here they were nearly six years later, happily married with an adorable baby girl. He shook his head to distract himself from his thoughts as thinking of that day suddenly turned into a bad reminder of how hard it was to be at Hogwarts without her. His bright blue eyes searched the room for the fat owl that had been present that day years ago. He didn't find the owl, but he did see Argyle scrubbing the floors. He smiled at the elf. "Hello, Argyle," he said. He didn't want to distract her too much from her work, but it would be rude not to say anything.

He then noticed Lydia, and his smile vanished. The poor girl looked like she was about to cry! Oh, no, this would never do! Upset students always sent Gaston into overprotective dad mode. He sidled over to the girl, bending so that his eyes met hers. "What's the matter, Lydia?" he asked, eyeing her with concern. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Scrub…scrub…scrub.

Scrub…scrub…sc----

The house elf taken by surprise at the contact and falling the couple of inches to the floor on all fours. Her scrub brush going flying away from her small fingers. Argyle was quick to scramble back up, especially as she heard tears coming from the girl who appeared to have tripped over her. “NO! Argyle sorry….” The house elf absently pulling at her ear as she looked forlorn and apologetic. “Is Mistress okay?…Argyle not mean to trip mistress.”

Oooo Professor!

“Professor Master Marchand!” Professor help students if hurt. All be good…right? The house elf glancing between girl and man. “Argyle sorry…Argyle not mean to hurt. Argyle just cleaning.”

Hiccoughing a bit and wiping at her eyes, Lydia glanced up at the face of someone she recognized: Professor Marchand! Oh no, this was going to be very embarrassing. What must the professor think of her crying in the owlery? He would think she was just another silly little first year. The thought of disappointing one of her teachers made her want to cry even more. She bit her lip. Maybe that would stop the tears.

The house elf, Argyle, looked so forlorn and apologetic that Lydia immediately crawled over next to her. "Oh no, Argyle!" she said, wiping her face again. "It's not your fault. I'm just clumsy is all. I should've paid better attention where I was walking."

Lydia turned to the professor. She got up, dusting off her robes. They were quite dirty now from her fall, and she didn't want to spend too much time imagining what was on the owlery floor, although Argyle had just been scrubbing it so maybe it was clean.

"I'm sorry, Professor," she said, rubbing at her cheeks. Oh no, now her face was probably all red and puffy and gross. "I tripped over Argyle, but it's not her fault! I didn't look where I was going, and...and I was about to send a letter to my parents. I..I miss them."

Suddenly a huge wave of homesickness crashed over her. It had been MONTHS since she'd seen her parents, heard their voices...Letters were all well and good, but she'd never been away from them for this long.

Text Cut: Argyle & Lydia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argyle

SPOILER!!: Lydia and Marchand

Scrub…scrub…scrub.

Scrub…scrub…sc----

The house elf taken by surprise at the contact and falling the couple of inches to the floor on all fours. Her scrub brush going flying away from her small fingers. Argyle was quick to scramble back up, especially as she heard tears coming from the girl who appeared to have tripped over her. “NO! Argyle sorry….” The house elf absently pulling at her ear as she looked forlorn and apologetic. “Is Mistress okay?…Argyle not mean to trip mistress.”

Oooo Professor!

“Professor Master Marchand!” Professor help students if hurt. All be good…right? The house elf glancing between girl and man. “Argyle sorry…Argyle not mean to hurt. Argyle just cleaning.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyx

Hiccoughing a bit and wiping at her eyes, Lydia glanced up at the face of someone she recognized: Professor Marchand! Oh no, this was going to be very embarrassing. What must the professor think of her crying in the owlery? He would think she was just another silly little first year. The thought of disappointing one of her teachers made her want to cry even more. She bit her lip. Maybe that would stop the tears.

The house elf, Argyle, looked so forlorn and apologetic that Lydia immediately crawled over next to her. "Oh no, Argyle!" she said, wiping her face again. "It's not your fault. I'm just clumsy is all. I should've paid better attention where I was walking."

Lydia turned to the professor. She got up, dusting off her robes. They were quite dirty now from her fall, and she didn't want to spend too much time imagining what was on the owlery floor, although Argyle had just been scrubbing it so maybe it was clean.

"I'm sorry, Professor," she said, rubbing at her cheeks. Oh no, now her face was probably all red and puffy and gross. "I tripped over Argyle, but it's not her fault! I didn't look where I was going, and...and I was about to send a letter to my parents. I..I miss them."

Suddenly a huge wave of homesickness crashed over her. It had been MONTHS since she'd seen her parents, heard their voices...Letters were all well and good, but she'd never been away from them for this long.

Seeing Lydia like this was breaking Gaston's heart! He didn't think less of her for crying in the owlery; as a matter of fact, he could remember doing the same thing himself a few years back. If anything, he was sad and concerned for her. He wanted to give her a hug, but instead, he pulled a clean handkerchief from his inside jacket pocket and handed it to her. "Here, take all the time you need..."

Blue eyes blinked in confusion as he watched Lydia crawl toward Argyle, but things started to make sense when she spoke. It was only then that he registered the poor elf apologizing profusely. "It's alright, Argyle," he said, giving the elf a small reassuring smile. "It's not your fault; it sounds like this whole thing was just an accident." He eyed the elf with concern. "You're not hurt, are you?"

He held a hand out to help Lydia up, but she was already doing that herself. His eyes surveyed her up and down; he noticed the dirt on her robes but no obvious signs of injury. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Did you hurt yourself?" His hand automatically gripped his wand. "I can use a spell to clean you up, if you like..."

Then the subject changed, and Gaston smiled a little when Lydia mentioned her parents. He'd almost forgotten about the letter in his other hand until just now! "It seems great minds think alike..." he said, showing her the envelope in his hand addressed to Raoul and Marceline Marchand of Rouen, France. "I understand; I still miss my parents sometimes too. It's always hard to be away from our loved ones."

Argyle watched as the girl crawled over to her, wondering what was to happen. Would there be anger? Punishment? Argyle could do that herself if needed. Though she didn’t seem mad, but rather remained sorry…to HER?! Sorry to Argyle?!

Clumsy?

Argyle got clumsy. Argyle understood clumsy. All house elves had their moments, with the small limbs and the quick movements and all. Surprising studentsess and professoreses could be added to the list of clumsy causes. She did think she was still at fault despite the girl’s reassurances on the subject. And the Professors. But she gave into the humans and relaxed her apologies.

Attention was turned to her and Argyle went bashful. The house elf shook her head emphatically. “Argyle is okay. Argyle not injured.” No hurts here. And the girl on the other side of the collision seemed fine as well, if not just leaking a little bit. Professors Marchand was taking care of that though, so Argyle was unsure what to do. Until she heard what was being said above her head. Homesickness?

“Does Mistress want anything?” Students have this homesicknesses Argyle knew. Maybe food would help!