Letters Home Solo

Timothy pulled his cloak a little tighter as he made his way up the winding stone steps towards the school owlery. The air grew cooler the higher he climbed, carrying with it the faint scent of feathers and old wood. The rustling above him told him the owls were already stirring, shifting on their perches as they sensed someone approaching.

At the top, moonlight slanted through the tall, arched windows, illuminating the circular room. Owls of every colour blinked down at him from the parliament above. Some curious and some mildly annoyed at the disturbance. Timothy smiled apologetically at a particularly grumpy looking tawny and slipped his satchel off his shoulder.

He rummaged inside until his fingers brushed parchment, then pulled out a sheet and smoothed it against a ledge worn smooth by generations of students.

He paused here, looking out onto the starlit grounds contemplating what he would write. It was ten minutes later when with a deep breath, Timothy uncapped his ink bottle and began to write.

Mum and Dad,

First off, Dad you owe Mum a galleon. Sorry. I know you were so sure I would be in Gryffindor like you, but the sorting hat placed me in Ravenclaw. Mum please try not to gloat too much.

Honestly, I think I am going to like it. The common room is incredible. It is warm and quiet, and full of comfortable nooks you can sit in to chat or read. My favourite place to sit has an amazing view of the forest. It feels comfortable. Like I'm where I belong.

I've already met a few people. There is this girl (Shut up Dad, before you say anything) her name is Rose Pearce. She's really clever, kind of funny, and she didn't make fun of me when I started talking about ancient runes. I'm hoping we'll become good friends.

Classes start tomorrow, so I'll write again next weekend once I know how much homework I'm drowning under.

Miss you both, give my love to Grandma.
Love

He dotted the 'i' in his name, blew gently on the ink, and folded the parchment neatly. One of the school owls, this one a speckled barn owl, hopped down to land on the ledge beside him, tilting its head expectantly.

"Thankyou, give me a second" Timothy murmured to the bird, tying the letter to its leg with practiced care.

The owl hooted softly, then swept off into the night, wings flashing pale in the moonlight as Timothy watched it disappear into the sky. He stood there waiting until he could no longer see the owl.

Sighing, he wrapped himself in his cloak once more, scooped his satchel off the floor and began making the trek back to the Ravenclaw common room.