Ah.. What a wonderful start to a new term at Hogwarts.. Detention straight out of the gate.. This was likely to be the first of many he'd be serving at this year. He didn't regret what he'd said and this surely was cementing his decision to join the resistance that was quickly building amongst the students since Scrimidgeon .. Or whatever his name was barged into the feast and rudely replaced their Headmistress.. As far as Cal could tell, this new guy was a turd.. A big fat stinky turd.. A real loo filler of a turd..


Up to the Owlery he went and met up with Professor Foster. He eyed the bucket of soapy water and sponge.. " Ya gotta be kiddin' me, Professor?!.. I could use a scrubbing spell and have this place spic and span?.. And again.. I said the word crap.. What the matter with that?"

He watched as the young Hufflepuff eyed the soapy water and suppressed the grin that was fighting to cross his lips. "Ah, yes, the easy way out seems to be the Hogwarts norm. I, however, am more old school in what I expect from my students." He shook his head and gestured to the dropping that covered the Owlery floor at the boys question, choosing to not dignify the use of the word again with a response. "While many hands make light work, it appears that in this case, many owls make more work for you. I suggest you get started soon so you are able to get some rest before the morning's run around the pitch."

He stepped aside, allowing Mr. Prichard room to grab the bucket and sponge. "Oh, and you will have better luck starting at the back and working your way towards me. And, yes, I'll be keeping an eye on you while you work. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about how to properly conduct yourself while at Hogwarts. I hate for this to happen again, or for you to lose your Hogsmeade privileges."

" The easy way?!.. I don't know who ya are, Sir.. Nor do I care to.. I think this place has turned into a fascist institution.. Or at least that's what the Gaffer has planned out... Along with the new Divination professor.. ", Cal griped back as he grabbed up the bucket and went to the far end of the owlery. He wasn't at all the type to do anything quietly.. Not when it was wrong to be punished for saying the word CRAP.. CRAP?!! Seriously?! A detention for NOT swearing?.. Bloody ridiculous..


" Watch me all ya like.. I don't give a frog's leg what ya do.. Just stay out of my way and stop ruining the silence.. Yur voice is upsettin' the owls..", he added as he crouched to start scrubbing the grubbing POO-COVERED floor... " Ya know this is hazardous materials to work with?.. The ammonia in their feces and the cleaner? Yur bloody brilliant, Sir.. And to think.. They got ya teachin' kids!.. ", Callum cuffed half under his breath.. Loud enough for Professor Foster to hear.

To be honest he didn't care what they threatened him with.. He wasn't going to bend when he was being subjected to an inflated punishment for saying a common everyday word!!! This was going to be a very long term..

His calm and composure never wavered. He stood, stony-faced, at the doorway while the youngster said his piece. He would much rather the young man get his anger out in a secluded area, far away from the new headmasters ears. After the mornings unfortunate display of complete disregard for the students safety in front of all the staff, he wasn't sure what Julian Scrimgeour would do behind the closed doors of a detention.

Yes, he heard him and was impressed that even in Mr. Prichard's apparent unsettled state he was able to call him sir. "Once you are finished, you are welcome to return to the dorms and shower." Something he truly hoped Mr. Prichard would do. "In the mean time, you are welcome to use the gloves." He pointed to the pair of gloves that had been sitting on a towel on the ground, next to a small wrapped package, just opposite of where he stood at the edge of the doorway.

He checked the time, noting that the young Hufflepuff was making quick work of cleaning the floor. "I know the task is displeasing. You are doing a fine job and, if you keep up the rate at which you are scrubbing, you should be finished soon." That would leave the boy plenty of time to clean up, finish any first day homework, and get some rest before another early wake-up call.

Callum didn't and wouldn't give a rat's tail if the Headmaster were standing right in front of him.. He'd say everything he just had all over again.. The fact that the professors must feel like they NEED to be harsher on the students was quite unsettling.. And he would surely be including everything that was going on in his correspondence with home...

" I don't mean to be rude, Professor, but... I was serious when I asked for silence... Stand still and quiet.. Listen to the sounds that surround us..", he suggested as he moved the pail forward.. And yes he'd grabbed and donned the gloves Foster had brought for him with a thankful nod. " So much to be gleaned from the sounds whispered on the winds.. "

He wasn't at all raised by savages and had the best of manners.. He was just sore from this heinous detention chore.. Scrubbing nasty owl dung.. Icky half-drippy owl poop!

Foster gave the young man a nod of understanding and stood quietly as he worked. He was sure the Olwery hadn't look so well in quite some time. The floors almost sparkled and it made him a little sad knowing the owls would be quick to repopulate the floor with droppings.

After another check of the time, and seeing that Mr. Prichard was almost finished, he cleared his throat to get the young Hufflepuff's attention. "Just that last little bit and you may consider yourself finished with the detention." He took a step to the side to get a better look of the entire Owlery. There was a slightly off contrast between the clean floors and dropping splattered walls and ledges. Maybe his next student's detention would be finishing the job...

"You may leave the bucket, sponge, and gloves here. I'll take care of cleaning those up. You may also take the small brown package. Please don't open it until you have washed up well."

The second year badger was grateful for the professor's understanding and appreciated his compliance. The songs of the evening birds and the purr of sleeping owls gave way to a natural rhythm of scrubbing and wiping.. Sort of the poo version of wax on wax off.. Maybe if he got into enough trouble this term he'd become some sort of Magical Nijna?

Cal nodded as Foster let him know his task was nearly complete.. Thank Merlin! Ooh, the package had been meant for him?! Brilliant. This might actually be the best detention ever.. Not that he'd ever been assigned to one before.

" Really?.. Wow.. Thanks..", he said with a bit of a grin as he pulled of the gloves just after rinsing the dung-soap from them. He placed them over the pail after he tossed the dirty water over the edge and out of the owlery. Truth was he didn't mind tidying up a bit. No sense in the professor getting all gross too.



" I'll see ya in class tomorrow, Sir... Thanks again for this. ", Cal said as he picked up the brown wrapped package and shoved it into his bag before slinging it over his shoulder. And with that he left the owlery.