[Hogwarts Between] Cyrus Goes Shopping

[Liz Trumitch]

> > > > > > > > > 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.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > Cyrus wandered up and down the isles, looking at snowy owls and
> > > > > > tawny owls, owls of every shape, size, and color. "I... I dunno,
> > > > > > dad." said Cyrus, looking fearfully into the eyes of a
> > > > > > particularly large horned owl.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Maybe you'd like to start out with something a little bit
> > > > > smaller," suggested his father.
> > > > >
> > > > "Yeah," replied Cyrus. "Maybe."
> > >
> > > The cashier came back out, carrying two cages she sat down by Cyrus.
> > > "You might like this one.  He's pretty, and very smart.  Right sharp,
> > > really," she said, motioning toward the smaller of the two owls.
> > > "Northern Hawk Owl, as people confuse them with hawks, you see?"
> > >
> > > The owl was beautiful, with speckled wings and immaculate white
> > > feathers. The way they sat around his head made him look like he was
> > > wearing a military helmet.  [You can see him here:
> > > http://www.owlpages.com/image.php?image=species-Surnia-ulula-1 ]  The
> > > owl looked curiously outside of his cage, somewhat put-upon at being
> > > moved around.
> >
> > "Oh, isn't he a beauty?" breathed Eugene.
> >
> "Yeah, it looks like a nice owl," said Cyrus. He then looked to the second cage.

In it three small owls with brown markings nestled together.  Their
feathers were so fluffy they almost looked furry.  "Northern
Saw-Whets.  They're foreign, but do just fine here.  Fourth generation
- you make sure they have a nesting hollow at home, get a boy, he's
like to bring home a lady to have babies for you."  She leaned down to
'whoot' at the little owls.