[Hogwarts Between] Cyrus Goes Shopping

[Liz Trumitch]

> > > > > > > > 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.
> >
> > "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."