[Hogwarts Between] Cyrus Goes Shopping

[Liz Trumitch]

> > > > > > "You said I could have an owl, dad. Could I get an owl?" asked
> > > > > > Cyrus. "Pleeeease?"
> > > > >
> > > > > "Why, of course!" said Eugene, beaming.  "That way your mother and
> > > > > I know we'll hear from you regularly, don't we?"
> > > >
> > > > "Yeah, dad. Sure." said Cyrus.
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Eugene led Cyrus down the street, continuing, "Eeylops isn't far.  They
> > > > > specialize in owls."
> > > > >
> > > Eeylops Owl Emporium sold owls and supplies such as owl treats. The
> > > inside was dark and full of a low, soft hooting, rustling and the
> > > flickering of "jewel-bright eyes." [PS Ch.5] Among the types of owls
> > > sold are Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy.
> > >
> > > A man wearing round, thick glasses whispered to an owl on his arm.  He
> > > looked rather like an owl himself, with his shoulders bunched up and
> > > his white laboratory coat sprinkled with various feathers and a few
> > > droppings.  He and the owl both looked like they've been ruffled a
> > > bit, and were calming down.
> > >
> > > The store was amazingly empty, though the cashier slipping away for a
> > > moment to have a break might have lead one to believe a rush had just
> > > ended.
> > >
> > Cyrus looked around, eyes wide, at the long rows of cages stacked
> > precariously one on top of another. He had never known so many
> > different owls existed.
>
> "Good morning, good morning," Eugene meanwhile greeted the man with the owl.  "Though I suppose it's afternoon by now, isn't it?  My boy here is looking for his first owl.  Hogwarts student, you know," he ended confidingly.

"Yes, of course," the olwish man said dryly, tilting his head to look
at Eugene.  "Well, look about, see which one speaks to you.  There's
more in the back, should no one out here want to go with..."  He waved
his hand around, and the owl on his arm squaked in bitter complaint.