Lost in Letters and Feathers
Date:- September 5th 2025 | Friday
Location:- Owlery, West Tower
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 473
Time:- Dusk
Location:- Owlery, West Tower
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 473
Time:- Dusk
Ezra made his way up the spiral staircase in where he was informed the Owlery was, rereading his letters for the 24th time. He had spent his evening in the Hufflepuff common-room carefully crafting two letters, each for his parents and sister. It had taken multiple drafts to finally get them right, and he was proud of what he had accomplished. He had a nice formal, neat letter for his parents, informing them of his wellbeing and how he'd settled down nicely in his new school. And for his sister, the letter was much less formal. He wrote about how much he missed her (which he may or may not have slightly exaggerated) which was accompanied with a drawing. Ezra never considered himself much of an artist, but he had tried his best to make the picture accurate to himself. He drew himself in his robes, smiling widely in front of what was supposed to look like Hogwarts. It looked more like a shack than a castle but it would have to do. He looked up from his letters, finally satisfied, and was awestruck by the room he found himself in.
There were feathers and bird poop everywhere on the floor, and he internally groaned realising he had stepped on some on his way up. There were owls nestled in little nooks and owls flying about. He loved owls... from a distance. He found the flutter of their wings disturbing and their talons made him anxious. He realised he was clueless as of what to do. He had forgotten to ask how to send an owl to his family. He stood in the room for a bit, trying to get any ideas on how to go about this.
"Hey there owls?" He tried. The owls paid him no mind. "Greetings my fellow feathered friends." He tried again. Gosh this was ridiculous. Maybe he should go back and find someone with experience to ask how to send an owl to his family in Hampstead. Right as he turned to leave one specific owl seemed to find sudden interest in him. It flew down to his eye level and fluttered around his head for a few heartbeats. Ezra froze, paralysed. Was this bird going to hurt him or was it being friendly? He realised he knew nothing about owls and their behaviour. He made a mental note to work on that, but right now he had to figure out what this bird wanted. "How do you do?" He inquired. The owl before him was a barn owl. He'd occasionally seen them around his old school. The owl tilted its head at him. Now what do I do? He thought frantically, praying for someone to come and help him before he accidentally insulted this owl's ancestors and it decided it was his time.
There were feathers and bird poop everywhere on the floor, and he internally groaned realising he had stepped on some on his way up. There were owls nestled in little nooks and owls flying about. He loved owls... from a distance. He found the flutter of their wings disturbing and their talons made him anxious. He realised he was clueless as of what to do. He had forgotten to ask how to send an owl to his family. He stood in the room for a bit, trying to get any ideas on how to go about this.
"Hey there owls?" He tried. The owls paid him no mind. "Greetings my fellow feathered friends." He tried again. Gosh this was ridiculous. Maybe he should go back and find someone with experience to ask how to send an owl to his family in Hampstead. Right as he turned to leave one specific owl seemed to find sudden interest in him. It flew down to his eye level and fluttered around his head for a few heartbeats. Ezra froze, paralysed. Was this bird going to hurt him or was it being friendly? He realised he knew nothing about owls and their behaviour. He made a mental note to work on that, but right now he had to figure out what this bird wanted. "How do you do?" He inquired. The owl before him was a barn owl. He'd occasionally seen them around his old school. The owl tilted its head at him. Now what do I do? He thought frantically, praying for someone to come and help him before he accidentally insulted this owl's ancestors and it decided it was his time.
Last edited by Ezra Calloway on 6 Apr 2026, 13:36, edited 1 time in total.
I have no news. I live quietly. I love you and I wait
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Date: September 5th 2025 | Friday
Location: Owlery, West Tower
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word count: 486
Time: Dusk
The Owlery had become Lily's quiet escape from the weight of the Slytherin common room. After the Sorting, she headed straight for her common room with the rest of the Slytherin students. The dungeons were imposing, the air always a little too cool and the conversations could get loud. She had decided to explore on the second day here, and found herself drawn to the owlery. There the air smelled of feathers and parchment, and the soft hoots of the owls soothed her.
Tonight she had come again for the fourth time this week, he was hoping to write a quick letter for her mother. Her letter to her mother was already half-written in her mind, as she thought about it the whole way up the stairs. She had also brought along a sketch of Hogwarts she had just finished earlier that she wanted to send along with the letter. She was really excited to read about how her family was doing, but letters took a little longer to get back to her. She wasn't even sure if the letters were being sent right, she just had to hope. She had written a letter to her parents and brother the first night she came up here. She let them know she got into Slytherin, hoping they agreed that it's a good fit for her. She included many descriptions of the Great Hall, the way the stairs here moved when you weren't paying attention, and she new her mother would love to know about her full first week.
The rustle of wings could be heard as she almost reached the top. She thought back about how she wished she could share this experience and the beauty of the owlery with someone. She would talk and share the beauty of this place with them. Even as this was her escape for everyone and the noise of her common room, she would always welcome someone to join her.
As she reached the top, she noticed across the room a boy. He seemed frozen in place, an owl in front of him, waiting. The owl tilted its head, clearly amused by his own game. I recognized that owl, the bird was one of the first ones she had interacted with. It was the friendliest one she met here, but it had some sass. Lily watched the two interact, or lack there of. They reminded her of the first time she entered the Owlery, lost and hesitant. Her fingers brushed the parchment letter she brought for her letter. She could stay quiet and climb up to her little hideout she had. Or she could stay and help out. After a breath, she stepped closer and made herself heard. The owl, head still tilted, glanced back at her, noticing her first. Then the boy turned. "Hi," she said quietly, her voice steadier than normal. "Sorry, you look like you could use some help."
Location: Owlery, West Tower
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word count: 486
Time: Dusk
The Owlery had become Lily's quiet escape from the weight of the Slytherin common room. After the Sorting, she headed straight for her common room with the rest of the Slytherin students. The dungeons were imposing, the air always a little too cool and the conversations could get loud. She had decided to explore on the second day here, and found herself drawn to the owlery. There the air smelled of feathers and parchment, and the soft hoots of the owls soothed her.
Tonight she had come again for the fourth time this week, he was hoping to write a quick letter for her mother. Her letter to her mother was already half-written in her mind, as she thought about it the whole way up the stairs. She had also brought along a sketch of Hogwarts she had just finished earlier that she wanted to send along with the letter. She was really excited to read about how her family was doing, but letters took a little longer to get back to her. She wasn't even sure if the letters were being sent right, she just had to hope. She had written a letter to her parents and brother the first night she came up here. She let them know she got into Slytherin, hoping they agreed that it's a good fit for her. She included many descriptions of the Great Hall, the way the stairs here moved when you weren't paying attention, and she new her mother would love to know about her full first week.
The rustle of wings could be heard as she almost reached the top. She thought back about how she wished she could share this experience and the beauty of the owlery with someone. She would talk and share the beauty of this place with them. Even as this was her escape for everyone and the noise of her common room, she would always welcome someone to join her.
As she reached the top, she noticed across the room a boy. He seemed frozen in place, an owl in front of him, waiting. The owl tilted its head, clearly amused by his own game. I recognized that owl, the bird was one of the first ones she had interacted with. It was the friendliest one she met here, but it had some sass. Lily watched the two interact, or lack there of. They reminded her of the first time she entered the Owlery, lost and hesitant. Her fingers brushed the parchment letter she brought for her letter. She could stay quiet and climb up to her little hideout she had. Or she could stay and help out. After a breath, she stepped closer and made herself heard. The owl, head still tilted, glanced back at her, noticing her first. Then the boy turned. "Hi," she said quietly, her voice steadier than normal. "Sorry, you look like you could use some help."
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 327
Word count:- 327
Ezra followed the owl's gaze and found a girl standing there. He nodded rapidly. "Do you speak owl? I don't know what this guy wants." He asked, internally sighing with relief that someone had turned up. This kid looked like she knew what she was doing. She had offered to help so she probably had experience sending owls before. He was grateful she decided to help him, after all she could have walked away. He fidgeted with his letters, wondering if he should introduce himself. His mother's advice replayed in his head.
"I'm Ezra by the way. I have to send some letters back home. Do you have any idea what I'm supposed to do? I'm really lost here." He admitted, nervously laughing as he ended his sentence. Inwardly he groaned. He sounded so hopeless. A real wizard probably knew how to send an owl, he was absolutely clueless. The owl rustled its wings restlessly, startling him. He definitely was not used to being in such close proximity with birds, especially owls. They has always creeped him out as a kid with their void-like eyes. They made him nervous. He did not enjoy their company, especially this close.
His hands were shaking, he clasped his letters tighter, so he wouldn't accidentally drop them. Gosh, he would die if someone saw his silly drawing. He turned his attention back to the girl. He noticed she has paper with her. "Are you here to send an owl too? No, she's here to do pushups- of course she was here to send an owl! He really couldn't shut up could he? Always blubbering something or the other. It was some effect the school had on him. He was never like this back home. Oh well, He thought. Guess I'm just going to have to roll with whatever comes out of my mouth. He hoped this girl would find him entertaining at the least, and not be irritated by his cluelessness.
"I'm Ezra by the way. I have to send some letters back home. Do you have any idea what I'm supposed to do? I'm really lost here." He admitted, nervously laughing as he ended his sentence. Inwardly he groaned. He sounded so hopeless. A real wizard probably knew how to send an owl, he was absolutely clueless. The owl rustled its wings restlessly, startling him. He definitely was not used to being in such close proximity with birds, especially owls. They has always creeped him out as a kid with their void-like eyes. They made him nervous. He did not enjoy their company, especially this close.
His hands were shaking, he clasped his letters tighter, so he wouldn't accidentally drop them. Gosh, he would die if someone saw his silly drawing. He turned his attention back to the girl. He noticed she has paper with her. "Are you here to send an owl too? No, she's here to do pushups- of course she was here to send an owl! He really couldn't shut up could he? Always blubbering something or the other. It was some effect the school had on him. He was never like this back home. Oh well, He thought. Guess I'm just going to have to roll with whatever comes out of my mouth. He hoped this girl would find him entertaining at the least, and not be irritated by his cluelessness.
I have no news. I live quietly. I love you and I wait
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word count: 387
Lily took a small step closer, keeping her movements slow so as not to startle the owl, nor Ezra. The bird's wings beat softly, a quiet rhytthm beating to the same beat as her own nervousness. She tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and let her eyes flicker from the owl to the letters in the boy's hands. "No," she said with a faint smile, finding Ezra's rambling cute. "I don't speak owl. But I think I know enough about them to help." She reached into her satchel she brought with her everywhere, and pulled out a spare piece of string. "This is usually where I tie the letter to the owl's leg or attempt to give it to them," she explained, "they kind of... know what to do after that. Or, at least, I hope they do. You don't have to talk to them if you don't want to, you just have to trust them." The owl seemed to nod in agreement with her. Lily saw Ezra still confused, "You'll be fine," she said, more to herself than to him, though she meant it. "I'm Lily, by the way. And I'm also here to send some letters back home. I was lost at first, don't worry."
The owl settled closer, perching on the low ledge next to Ezra's letter. Another owl arrived at the same time, coming up next to Lily. She looked at the bird, about to give her own letter as a demonstration, but then she remembered nothing was written on it. You can't give an empty letter to an owl. Now, she was the one lost, she didn't know how to tell Ezra she needed to write her letter. Normally, people come up here to send the letters, not write them. She decided to help him out, than go and write her letter quickly, she only really had a short message to add, the sketch was going to be her main letter. Maybe, I could just send the sketch, it doesn't really need a note to go with it.
Lily decided to go ahead, and give her sketch to the owl. "See, it's simple really." She said as she gave her sketch to the owl in front of her. It took it by it's mouth and flew away immediately.
Word count: 387
Lily took a small step closer, keeping her movements slow so as not to startle the owl, nor Ezra. The bird's wings beat softly, a quiet rhytthm beating to the same beat as her own nervousness. She tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and let her eyes flicker from the owl to the letters in the boy's hands. "No," she said with a faint smile, finding Ezra's rambling cute. "I don't speak owl. But I think I know enough about them to help." She reached into her satchel she brought with her everywhere, and pulled out a spare piece of string. "This is usually where I tie the letter to the owl's leg or attempt to give it to them," she explained, "they kind of... know what to do after that. Or, at least, I hope they do. You don't have to talk to them if you don't want to, you just have to trust them." The owl seemed to nod in agreement with her. Lily saw Ezra still confused, "You'll be fine," she said, more to herself than to him, though she meant it. "I'm Lily, by the way. And I'm also here to send some letters back home. I was lost at first, don't worry."
The owl settled closer, perching on the low ledge next to Ezra's letter. Another owl arrived at the same time, coming up next to Lily. She looked at the bird, about to give her own letter as a demonstration, but then she remembered nothing was written on it. You can't give an empty letter to an owl. Now, she was the one lost, she didn't know how to tell Ezra she needed to write her letter. Normally, people come up here to send the letters, not write them. She decided to help him out, than go and write her letter quickly, she only really had a short message to add, the sketch was going to be her main letter. Maybe, I could just send the sketch, it doesn't really need a note to go with it.
Lily decided to go ahead, and give her sketch to the owl. "See, it's simple really." She said as she gave her sketch to the owl in front of her. It took it by it's mouth and flew away immediately.
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 273
Word count:- 273
Ezra nodded, grateful for her advice. He had been overthinking everything again, after all it really was a simple task. All he had to do was trust. He turned his attention back to the owl. "Hey there, little guy. I'm going to call you Guy. Please deliver this to Eleanor Calloway. Please." He said nervously to the owl, handing his letter to it. The owl made a chirpy kind of noise and picked up the letter in its talons, then it took off and flew out one of the windows. Well. That was that. He hoped that Guy had a safe journey. Owls really weren't as scary as he thought. He looked around the owlery and met the cold gazes of the other owls there.
Okay, maybe they were as scary as he thought. But Guy wasn't one of them. He didn't have those blackhole eyes that would have given him nightmares, he had kind horselike eyes. He didn't know if that was a valid analogy, after all he had never seen a horse. "How long do you think it would take for him to get back? I want to come visit him again." He asked. He had heard owls were faster than normal mail, so he hoped Guy would be back soon. He made up his mind to make friends with him. If there was any fear he could manage to conquer, it was his fear of owls. Perhaps Lily could help him with that. He hoped they might become friends, she seemed kind. And Guy seemed to like her, which was a plus. "Are you a first year too?" He inquired.
Okay, maybe they were as scary as he thought. But Guy wasn't one of them. He didn't have those blackhole eyes that would have given him nightmares, he had kind horselike eyes. He didn't know if that was a valid analogy, after all he had never seen a horse. "How long do you think it would take for him to get back? I want to come visit him again." He asked. He had heard owls were faster than normal mail, so he hoped Guy would be back soon. He made up his mind to make friends with him. If there was any fear he could manage to conquer, it was his fear of owls. Perhaps Lily could help him with that. He hoped they might become friends, she seemed kind. And Guy seemed to like her, which was a plus. "Are you a first year too?" He inquired.
I have no news. I live quietly. I love you and I wait
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word count: 210
Lily watched Guy's wings beat as they slipped through the window. She quite liked that Ezra named the owl. "I think it'll be fast," she said softly, her gaze still following the retreating figure of the bird. "Owls are... clever about paths to take. They don't get lost like people do." She paused, then added with a small smile, "At least, that's what I hope. The letter I sent 4 days ago came back two days later, but the other I sent when it had come back, I still haven't gotten a return letter."
She turned back to him, Guy too far gone to see. The air in the Owlery felt cooler now that the sun had started to lower, the scent of feathers and dust sharper. You really want to make friends with Guy?" she asked, her voice gentle. She smiled, hoping to become friends with the owl too. She also hoped to be friends with Ezra, he seemed fun to be around. She definitely felt more relaxed now, her earlier nerves smoothed out by the quiet reassurance Ezra seemed to provide her. She was glad she hadn't turned around earlier, she would have regretted it. First year, Slytherin." She answered, shortly after he asked. "What about you?"
Word count: 210
Lily watched Guy's wings beat as they slipped through the window. She quite liked that Ezra named the owl. "I think it'll be fast," she said softly, her gaze still following the retreating figure of the bird. "Owls are... clever about paths to take. They don't get lost like people do." She paused, then added with a small smile, "At least, that's what I hope. The letter I sent 4 days ago came back two days later, but the other I sent when it had come back, I still haven't gotten a return letter."
She turned back to him, Guy too far gone to see. The air in the Owlery felt cooler now that the sun had started to lower, the scent of feathers and dust sharper. You really want to make friends with Guy?" she asked, her voice gentle. She smiled, hoping to become friends with the owl too. She also hoped to be friends with Ezra, he seemed fun to be around. She definitely felt more relaxed now, her earlier nerves smoothed out by the quiet reassurance Ezra seemed to provide her. She was glad she hadn't turned around earlier, she would have regretted it. First year, Slytherin." She answered, shortly after he asked. "What about you?"
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 274
Word count:- 274
Ezra smiled. "That's a relief! I guess I'll come back and see him another day." He said, half to her half to himself. He placed his hands on his hips and stared out in the directed Guy had gone for a few moments, imagining him flying to his house. He wondered what his mother would do when she found an owl delivering her letter, after all she was quite sceptical about this whole "wizard" thing. Perhaps Guy would convince her that it was all real. Or she'd make up some excuse. His sister believed though, and he appreciated her. She was only four but she understood better than his parents, she just didn't have the right words to say it.
"First year! Hufflepuff." He said with a grin, extending his hand to shake hers. He liked Lily. He was going to become her friend. She made him less nervous. "I'm going to come back on Tuesday to check if Guy made it back safely. Would you want to join me?" He offered. He would have come on Monday but he still had to read up about owls before he attempted friendship with Guy. The library was a good place to start. He had yet to explore that part of the school, so Tuesday was probably the best day. He shivered a little. It was getting colder up here and he did not bear well with cold. He inherited that from his mother. They were both very sensitive to the cold, but could go without sweating in varying degrees of heat. He used to call it their superpower, before he realised he actually had power.
I have no news. I live quietly. I love you and I wait
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word Count: 209
Lily smiled at the idea of Tuesday, the small quiet promise of a friendship forming settled her over active thoughts. "I'd love to join Tuesday," her voice soft. "I wouldn't mind checking on Guy and maybe we could talk some more." She glanced at the window again, the sky now a deep blue and the air cooler. The chill made her shiver. The owls watched with quiet, patient eyes, their wings folded tightly against the cold. Lily was really hoping her sketch made it to her mom well, and that what little she knew from owls was right.
Becoming friends with Guy would be interesting, Lily officially wanted to learn more about birds. She might stop by the library before meeting back here on Tuesday. She hoped to find a good book about owls and explore them more. Maybe she could talk about what she finds out with Ezra and confirm the information with Guy.
She was also excited, whille still the tiniest bit nervous, about seeing Ezra again. She liked him, and she was hoping they were going to become good friends. Lily felt like she finally found someone she could freely share this part of her life with and she wanted to keep that.
Word Count: 209
Lily smiled at the idea of Tuesday, the small quiet promise of a friendship forming settled her over active thoughts. "I'd love to join Tuesday," her voice soft. "I wouldn't mind checking on Guy and maybe we could talk some more." She glanced at the window again, the sky now a deep blue and the air cooler. The chill made her shiver. The owls watched with quiet, patient eyes, their wings folded tightly against the cold. Lily was really hoping her sketch made it to her mom well, and that what little she knew from owls was right.
Becoming friends with Guy would be interesting, Lily officially wanted to learn more about birds. She might stop by the library before meeting back here on Tuesday. She hoped to find a good book about owls and explore them more. Maybe she could talk about what she finds out with Ezra and confirm the information with Guy.
She was also excited, whille still the tiniest bit nervous, about seeing Ezra again. She liked him, and she was hoping they were going to become good friends. Lily felt like she finally found someone she could freely share this part of her life with and she wanted to keep that.
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions:- @Lily Young
Word count:- 218
Word count:- 218
"I'm looking forward to that!" Ezra grinned from cheek to cheek. He was more than excited to come back on Tuesday. He couldn't wait to bond with Guy and possibly Lily aswell. He was definitely going to hit the books before he came back. He shivered with excitement. Or was it from the cold air starting to flow through the owlery? Ezra glanced out of a nearby window. It was getting dark. Time had flown by so fast! Wasn't there something he was supposed to do?
"Oh shoot! What time is it? I've got to go! I promised I'd meet someone! It was really really awesome meeting you Lily! I'll see you on Tuesday?" He blurted. He waved goodbye and quickly ran off. He felt a bit rude for running away like that but his friend would murder him for being so late. As he rushed down the spiral stairway and escaped the cold air and cold gaze of the owls that found him in the owlery, he couldn't help but smile like an idiot. He felt warm inside, and was filled with contentment and hope for his years at Hogwarts. Maybe he wasn't going to miss home as much was he thought. Maybe there was more to Hogwarts than just learning magic. I can't wait for Tuesday!
"Oh shoot! What time is it? I've got to go! I promised I'd meet someone! It was really really awesome meeting you Lily! I'll see you on Tuesday?" He blurted. He waved goodbye and quickly ran off. He felt a bit rude for running away like that but his friend would murder him for being so late. As he rushed down the spiral stairway and escaped the cold air and cold gaze of the owls that found him in the owlery, he couldn't help but smile like an idiot. He felt warm inside, and was filled with contentment and hope for his years at Hogwarts. Maybe he wasn't going to miss home as much was he thought. Maybe there was more to Hogwarts than just learning magic. I can't wait for Tuesday!
I have no news. I live quietly. I love you and I wait
Lost in Letters and Feathers
Mentions: @Ezra Calloway
Word count: 215
"Yes, I'll see you Tuesday!" Lily said as Ezra hurried down the steps. With him gone, the Owlery felt emptier now, left with only the owls soft hoots and rustling feathers filling up the space around her. A small smile appeared on her lips as she replayed the moments that just happened. The thought of Tuesday lingered in her mind and excitement stirred through her. She couldn't wait to continue this adventure with Ezra and Guy. She shivered once more as the cool draft slipped through the open window, the sky deepening as night settled.
Now that Ezra was gone, Lily would write and sketch like she had planned. As she settled into her corner to draw she thought about what she would put on the parchment. She pulled out her quill and ink and began the soft lines. The deeper she got into the sketch the more she saw the formation of Guy. Lily would finish this sketch and hope to show it to the owl, in hopes they like it. Folding the parchment nicely, she placed it in her bag and looked back one last time out the window. Walking back down the long stairs, she thought one last time about Tuesday. She found herslef filled with excitement and content for the future.
Word count: 215
"Yes, I'll see you Tuesday!" Lily said as Ezra hurried down the steps. With him gone, the Owlery felt emptier now, left with only the owls soft hoots and rustling feathers filling up the space around her. A small smile appeared on her lips as she replayed the moments that just happened. The thought of Tuesday lingered in her mind and excitement stirred through her. She couldn't wait to continue this adventure with Ezra and Guy. She shivered once more as the cool draft slipped through the open window, the sky deepening as night settled.
Now that Ezra was gone, Lily would write and sketch like she had planned. As she settled into her corner to draw she thought about what she would put on the parchment. She pulled out her quill and ink and began the soft lines. The deeper she got into the sketch the more she saw the formation of Guy. Lily would finish this sketch and hope to show it to the owl, in hopes they like it. Folding the parchment nicely, she placed it in her bag and looked back one last time out the window. Walking back down the long stairs, she thought one last time about Tuesday. She found herslef filled with excitement and content for the future.