Post by Johanna Winters on Sept 2, 2011 15:41:23 GMT -5
It was a tradition; something her father did the first year the two of them visited Diagon Alley together and something she continued to do without him. She knew, as well as he did, that it wasn't exactly allowed but she couldn't help but feel sorry for the caged birds, even if they weren't mistreated. Besides, it wasn't like the owls didn't enjoy the extra attention and a small treat.
Johanna wandered into Eeylops Owl Emporium, a hefty messenger bag at her hip, eyeing the room full of cages and fluttering, hooting owls. Her father had a way of smuggling in enough insects and meat chunks for nearly all of the birds in the shop, but Johanna hadn't figured out how he managed to do that with only one bag and the owner more than prepared to give them the boot if necessary. So, without his aid, Johanna had turned to picking the owl she felt a connection with; the one she would happily take home with her if she had the permission or the money.This year it was a rather large barn owl near the back of the shop, thankfully farthest from the already bothered clerk, that she set her sights on.
To avoid being noticed immediately, fearing that the clerk on duty would recognize her from years previous, Johanna took her time to weave around the cages and shelves. Slowly she made her way to the owl of interest, her new friend, and softly tapped on a bar of its cage. The bird noticed her instantly, but didn't seem particularly interested in the young girl and why would it be? She was sure all of the cages in the shop had been rattled by countless numbers of young people lately, most of which had absolutely nothing of interest for the creatures, but she was sure it would perk up with what she had in store for it.
And she was right. The moment she tossed the small, dead rat into the owl's cage it quickly livened up and hopped about to reach the snack. Johanna cooed at the animal as it ate, speaking to it almost as if it were a child; something she learned rather quickly that a majority of other people who visit Diagon Alley find incredibly strange which is a very big reason why she avoided treating the owls outside of the shop in such a way.
Johanna wandered into Eeylops Owl Emporium, a hefty messenger bag at her hip, eyeing the room full of cages and fluttering, hooting owls. Her father had a way of smuggling in enough insects and meat chunks for nearly all of the birds in the shop, but Johanna hadn't figured out how he managed to do that with only one bag and the owner more than prepared to give them the boot if necessary. So, without his aid, Johanna had turned to picking the owl she felt a connection with; the one she would happily take home with her if she had the permission or the money.This year it was a rather large barn owl near the back of the shop, thankfully farthest from the already bothered clerk, that she set her sights on.
To avoid being noticed immediately, fearing that the clerk on duty would recognize her from years previous, Johanna took her time to weave around the cages and shelves. Slowly she made her way to the owl of interest, her new friend, and softly tapped on a bar of its cage. The bird noticed her instantly, but didn't seem particularly interested in the young girl and why would it be? She was sure all of the cages in the shop had been rattled by countless numbers of young people lately, most of which had absolutely nothing of interest for the creatures, but she was sure it would perk up with what she had in store for it.
And she was right. The moment she tossed the small, dead rat into the owl's cage it quickly livened up and hopped about to reach the snack. Johanna cooed at the animal as it ate, speaking to it almost as if it were a child; something she learned rather quickly that a majority of other people who visit Diagon Alley find incredibly strange which is a very big reason why she avoided treating the owls outside of the shop in such a way.