17 Mar 2020, 07:45
Call of the Wild
@Allegra McAfee
23 November, 2019
Leanne wasn't sure why she kept going back to the owlery. Maybe it was because of the icy grip of the elements that stung her cheeks as the weather turned worse and worse every day, or the cacophony of owl calls that was strangely soothing to her. Or perhaps because it was the only place her soul could be free, away from the scrutinizing eyes of the staff and the student population.
Clutching her scarf tightly and shivering, she headed up the cold winding steps of the tower, a scrunched-up letter in the other hand. She could imagine all the other students drinking butterbeer in the warmth of their common room, while she was out here, due to a stupid decision on her part. "Oh why, oh why, Leah, you tell me", she whispered under her breath, applying another warming charm to herself. "Why did you refuse to get your own owl in Diagon Alley? Stupid me, stupid me."
Leanne cursed under her breath as she almost fell down again while climbing the stairs. She was quite prone to tripping these days, she realised, and the slippery texture of the stairs did not help her situation. Reaching the owl stands, her eyes lit in happiness as she realised that her favourite school owl was here! The Tawny owl, affectionately named "Brown", gave a hoot of acknowledgement, and flew down to greet one of the most commonly seen humans.
"Here, girl. Take these to Wiltshire for me, could you?" Stroking the owl's soft feathers, Leanne offered a handful of grain from a purple pouch she carried. The tawny owl looked at her grain-filled hand, back at her, and back to the grain with a questionable look; this made Leanne chuckle. "No bacon for today, I'm afraid." She guilty looked back. Seeing the owl curiously eye her pouch, she revealed its contents. The bird gave a deadpanned look, and a small grin emerged on Leanne's face, which no frosty weather could stop.
"See, it's just grain. But I'll promise next time I'll give bacon!" Saying a last farewell to the owl, Leanne watched as the brown outline of the bird slowly faced away, among the whitening backdrop of the forest. She stood there for a moment relaxing, admiring the scene, when a flash of red caught the corner of her eye. Leanne prided herself on her remarkable senses, ones good enough for qudditch, but her broom skills said otherwise.
A mysterious student must tried to sneak up on her but failed. Not turning her head around to greet her guest, she remarked: "So, either you're here to spy on me, or you're genuinely here for some other thing. Whatever the reason, come join me." Leanne gestured to the empty spot next to her on the balcony, overlooking the majestic forest.
Clutching her scarf tightly and shivering, she headed up the cold winding steps of the tower, a scrunched-up letter in the other hand. She could imagine all the other students drinking butterbeer in the warmth of their common room, while she was out here, due to a stupid decision on her part. "Oh why, oh why, Leah, you tell me", she whispered under her breath, applying another warming charm to herself. "Why did you refuse to get your own owl in Diagon Alley? Stupid me, stupid me."
Leanne cursed under her breath as she almost fell down again while climbing the stairs. She was quite prone to tripping these days, she realised, and the slippery texture of the stairs did not help her situation. Reaching the owl stands, her eyes lit in happiness as she realised that her favourite school owl was here! The Tawny owl, affectionately named "Brown", gave a hoot of acknowledgement, and flew down to greet one of the most commonly seen humans.
"Here, girl. Take these to Wiltshire for me, could you?" Stroking the owl's soft feathers, Leanne offered a handful of grain from a purple pouch she carried. The tawny owl looked at her grain-filled hand, back at her, and back to the grain with a questionable look; this made Leanne chuckle. "No bacon for today, I'm afraid." She guilty looked back. Seeing the owl curiously eye her pouch, she revealed its contents. The bird gave a deadpanned look, and a small grin emerged on Leanne's face, which no frosty weather could stop.
"See, it's just grain. But I'll promise next time I'll give bacon!" Saying a last farewell to the owl, Leanne watched as the brown outline of the bird slowly faced away, among the whitening backdrop of the forest. She stood there for a moment relaxing, admiring the scene, when a flash of red caught the corner of her eye. Leanne prided herself on her remarkable senses, ones good enough for qudditch, but her broom skills said otherwise.
A mysterious student must tried to sneak up on her but failed. Not turning her head around to greet her guest, she remarked: "So, either you're here to spy on me, or you're genuinely here for some other thing. Whatever the reason, come join me." Leanne gestured to the empty spot next to her on the balcony, overlooking the majestic forest.
Leanne Chua
Inspire One, Inspire All