[Hogwarts Between] Cyrus Goes Shopping

[Liz Trumitch]

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Oh, they're so so cute!" said Cyrus admiringly.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > "Smart too.  Would you like me to bring one
> > > out, then, mate?"
> > > > > > > > > > > > > the saleslady asks.
> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > "Uh... sure, I guess so," replied Cyrus.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > "They are awfully cute," said Eugene, as the sales clerk was
> > > > > > > > > > > extracting one of the owls from its cage.  "But
> > > I'm not sure a
> > > > > > > > > > > foreign species would be a good idea if you're
> > > going to use it
> > > > > > > > > > > for letters home, son.  If one of the local
> > > birdwatchers spots
> > > > > > > > > > > it, it might draw too much attention.  Old Mrs.
> > > McClanahan just
> > > > > > > > > > > down the road from us is keen, I believe."
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > "Aw, no, I mean, they've been in the Isles a hundred years now.
> > > > > > > > > > They're not so rare as that," she smiled, and lifted a little
> > > > > > > > > > puffy owl up on her arm.  With her free hand she draped a cloth
> > > > > > > > > > over Cyrus's arm.  "Here now, hold your arm up and he'll walk
> > > > > > > > > > right over."
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Cyrus gingerly took the owl, then jumped and nearly threw it off
> > > > > > > > > when a great racket started coming from a small cage
> > > near the back
> > > > > > > > > of the store. A little owl was hooting shrilly, fluttering all
> > > > > > > > > around the cage and knocking against the wire bars. The cage
> > > > > > > > > teetered precariously on a narrow shelf, and looked
> > > about to fall.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Eugene looked around, startled.  "That little fellow looks pretty
> > > > > > > > upset.  Scops owl, isn't it?" he asked the sales clerk.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The clerk laughed.  "Yessir - looks like he wants some attention."
> > > > > > > She reached up, stood on her toes, and steadied the cage.
> > >  "Stop that,
> > > > > > > now!  That's not proper!" she told the owl.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The tiny scops owl looked at her sullenly, but settled back
> > > onto its perch.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Maybe he's jealous," Eugene suggested with a grin.  "How long
> > > > > has he been here?"
> > > >
> > > > "All summer, but he's usually a quiet one."  She pulled down the cage
> > > > to hold it so everyone could get a closer look.  She inspected the owl
> > > > to make sure it was unhurt.  "We do get them all out to fly, but this
> > > > week has been bonkers.  He seems well enough.  Would you like to see
> > > > him?"
> > > >
> > > "Yeah, sure" said Cyrus. He then remembered the owl on his arm.
> > > "Um... what should I do with this one?"
> >
> > "Here," she offered, and took the little fluffy owl.  Back to his cage
> > he went, and she brought down the scops.  This one she settled back
> > onto Cyrus's arm.  "There, happy now?" she asked the owl, who tilted
> > his head at her innocently.
> >
> "I dunno", said Cyrus. "He's awfully cute." The little owl puffed up his feathers and hooted pompously, as if to say, "See? He likes me better!"

"Cute isn't everything," the woman pointed out.  "But... you know,
whatever suits you."