[Hogwarts Between] Cyrus Goes Shopping

[Liz Trumitch]

> > > > > > > "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."
> > > >
> > > > "Temperament is important, though, and compatibility," offered
> > > > Eugene, then added to Cyrus, "You know that from working with
> > > > horses, son.  If you like him and he likes you..."
> > >
> > > Cyrus was only half listening, engaged as he was in watching the little
> > > owl strut up and down his arm. "He's cool, dad." said Cyrus. "Can I have
> > > him?"
> >
> > The saleslady broke into a grin.  She gave Eugene an eyebrow.
>
> Eugene grinned back.  "Looks like we have a match," he told her.
> "How much?"

She put the fluffy owl away and named a price that wasn't
unreasonable.  "They're a good value - people underestimate them
because they look boring, but you know, they can hide themselves,
unlike some of the others."