Finn hiked up the flight of stairs to mail a birthday message to his grandmother. He was greeted by his owl, who had a message for him. Finn had no idea, but this message would change his life forever. He untied the scroll from his owl, patted it on the head and gave it a treat. He unfurled the letter. He began to read it silently to himself.
Dearest Finn,
You are nearly 18 now and we feel you have the right to know something. We are not your birth parents.
Finn felt his heart stop.
Your mother was a noble Griffindor who died fighting in the war several years ago. She was one of my dearest friends and a good person. Your father... Well, I never knew him, but if he was half as decent as your mother, he was a great person as well. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us. It was wrong of us to deceive you like this. I'm sorry. We tried our hardest to raise you the best we could.
Love,
Mom
Finn threw the paper on the ground and curled up into a ball on the cold stone floor. He started to cry. Not just cry, but sob. he sat up and looked out the window. He felt like dying. He wasn't sure if the fall would kill him. He sobbed one more time before hearing footsteps coming up the spiral staircase. He stopped crying as best he could. It didn't matter though. He was clearly upset.

Casey wandered up the familiar steps to the Owlery. She was on her way to send another letter to her father, not that it made any difference. She didn't know why she insisted on sending him letters, he never replied anyways. She sighed, she was not in the best of moods. Kaden had disappeared again and this time she decided to let him go. She couldn't keep on living like this with him disappearing for months at a time without a word and no way to find him. She was giving up on him, she didn't want to admit but she knew she couldn't hang on forever.

When she reached the Owlery she stopped as she found that it wasn't empty, but what made it worse was that it was a guy. She stiffened, hesitating and cast her eyes downward. "I... I'm sorry. I thought... I didn't think anyone was in here" She stammered apologetically. She noticed he seemed rather upset and she felt a pang a sympathy. "Are.... Are you ok??" She managed, still keeping her eyes cast on the ground. She hoped she wouldn't anger him with her question, that was the last thing she wanted. She just wanted to help, that was all.

"What the f*ck do you care?" Finn said, getting defense. He punched the wall, breaking some of the bones in his left hand. He didn't care, he couldn't feel pain anymore. He hung his head, he didn't know why he had to be so mean... "Look, I'm sorry..." He said, his hand stinging, "I've just been having some... Some problems..." he didn't really want to talk about it, but knew she would ask...

Casey took a step backward, making sure to put some space between her and Finn. From experience she knew to tread the water carefully and keep the space. SHe kept her mouth shut and watch as he punch the wall, glad that at least he hadn't punched her. She flinched when punched the wall. "I.. I'm sorry" She stammered quietly. She hadn't meant to upset him. "I-I-I'll go if you want me too..." She wanted to ask but her better judgment told her to wait and let him calm down before asking anymore questions.

"No," he said, calmly, "Do what you were going to do..." he sat with his feet hanging out the window. "What's your name?" he asked.

Casey nodded and she went to her owl which swooped down and stuck out her leg for Casey to tie her letter to. "Thanks" She said to Finnigan as she stroked her snowy owls beak. She turned to look at him, "Casey Bryant" She stated, her voice still small and shy.

"Finn." he said, rather shortly. He sat in silence for a while before asking, "Who are you writing to?"

Casey nodded in acknowledgement. She let her owl go and with a whoosh she flew out the window. Casey watched Gwen (her owl) waiting until the snowy owl seemed to fade into the distance until she turned to Finn, "My dad..." she said slowly, a small hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Oh," he said, hearing the resentment in her voice, "You're lucky to know your real dad... I just found out that I'm adopted..." He pulled a stick of gum out of his pocket and carefully unwrapped the foil. He began chewing it. It wasn't the same as drinking, but it was sure better for him.

Some how Casey doubted his words, she'd lost count of many times she wished she could be adopted. "I doubt that somehow..." She told him, again the bitterness was apparent in her voice. She regretted her words, hoping he wouldn't ask any questions. "I'm sorry... But at least you grew up with people that loved you" she pointed out in hopes of making him feel somewhat better.

"If they really loved me, they would have told me sooner..." Finn said, not really believing his own words. He knew his parents loved him, but... Now was the worst time he could have found out. "I guess this is just a bad time for me..."

Casey looked at him, "I'm sure they have a reason for not telling you sooner... Would you really of wanted to know that when you were a kid?" She understood where he was coming from, but maybe his adoptive parents were just looking for the right time to tell him. "Life is what you make it... Besides everything's alright in the end, and if it's not alright then it's not the end. If you don't like that quote how about this one: When life hands you lemons make friends with someone whose life handed them vodka..."

"I can't see things getting better..." Finn said, "Did life hand you vodka?" he was joking, but hoped she would say yes. He needed a friend. He was going insane in his own head. Five minutes ago, he was ready to jump out the window... She calmed him down, not just anyone could do that. He needed her to help him through this time.

"I can't see things getting much worse either though..." She told him as she walked over to lean against the wall a little closer to him. He seemed nice enough, so far she had little reason to be afraid of him, but she was still cautious. "Fraid not. I got lemons too, I guess we're both outta luck. Still there's some sugar in the kitchens, I bet we can make lemonade seeing as we can't attain vodka"

"Vodka isn't hard to get..." Finn said, smiling, "You just gotta know where to look..." Finn moved away from her, some but not that much. I could have been mistaken for pacing. He couldn't get close to anyone. Physically, or emotionally.

"Well you seem experienced in the matter. Though I have to admit, it sounds rather appealing at the moment" She told him with a smile. Really she just wanted to get her mind off of things, was that too much to ask? She noticed the fact that he seemed to move away a bit, but she didn't think anything of it.

"Do you want to go get a drink?" he asked, half serious. He knew she probably wasn't old enough, but that didn't bother him. He would buy her a drink. He hadn't had anyone to drink with in a long time.

Casey thought about it for a second, it didn't sound like a bad idea. Sure she was underage, but she'd had a drink before. It wouldn't kill her. She shrugged and a small smile formed on her lips. "I'm up for it if you are"

"S'go then." He led her down the stairs from the owlery and out of the castle. He continued up the road to Hogsmeade, then finally to the three broomsticks.

OOC: I'll make the topic.