[Hogwarts Between] [HB] Owl Post - Paloma

[Brenda McCartney]

Tap.  Tap.  Tap.

Julie Avery tapped her wand impatiently on the kitchen table.  Her
breakfast remained uneaten.  "Where is it?!" she grumbled to no one in
particular.

"Where is what, pumpkin?" her father Paul asked from his seat at the
head of the table.  The old man winked at young Paloma across the
table when Julie turned to peer out the window yet again.  He
obviously knew what his grown daughter was waiting for and simply
wished to needle her.

"The OWL!  You know very well what I'm waiting for.  Paloma's OWL!
Today's the day.  We got the notice at work yesterday to be prepare
for a long night.  The house elves have been emptying the boxes and
stocking shelves all night," she said shrilly.

Finally, in a rush of wind, a large owl breezed in through the open
door and landed before Paloma, a parchment envelope held tightly in
its beak.  Julie grabbed for it, but the owl hopped away from her,
insisting on giving the envelope to Paloma only.