[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.
> >
> "Oh, they're so so cute!" said Cyrus admiringly.

"Smart too.  Would you like me to bring one out, then, mate?" the
saleslady asks.