*Leon made his way up to the owlery. Not really getting much mail, his owl would just come to the table at breakfast, take a few bits of food and fly off. Today he decided to go and visit it, just to see how the owlery was. He brought some treats with him for his owl.*

"Eon, Eon, where are ya?" Leon called as he walked in. Suddenly a Northern Pygmy Owl only 7 inches tall, came flying to him. Truthfully Eon obviously wasn't good at large packages but he was a great companion. He flew around Leon's head a couple of times before landing on his should. Leon stroked the owl a little and then fed it the treats. The owl hooted appreciatively. Leon continued pulling out a few more treats till the owl was full and smiled at his companion.*

April headed upstairs towards the owlery. She was going to send a letter home, to let everyone know how she was doing. she had attached another, private letter, for Tyler. She was hopin for a quick response from him, since she missed him, Hopefully, he would realize this and write back as quickly as his quill would scratch out.

She noticed, upon entereding the circular room, that she was not alone. There was another boy, attaching a package to his owl, and talking to it softly. She smiled to him and called Zeus down from the rafters.

"Hello," she said casually, attached the letter to his talons and sending him off through the owlery window with a treat in his mouth; a bit of apple. Zeus loved apples.

*When Leon heard the voice, he turned around, a little to quickly for Eon. The owl flew up a little and hooted loudly, although small, the owl could be pretty loud.*

"Get back down here Eon. What do you think you're doing?" *Leon tried calling the owl down but it just continued flying around the rafters. Leon gave up and turned towards the girl*

"Hello. Didn't think anyone else would be here. Was that your owl that just flew off?" *Leon had noticed she was by the window and saw an owl flying away*

April followed the boy's owl with her eyes, watching it fly away from him, up into the rafters. He seemed to be evading capture quite well. She avoided the urge to snigger and smiled pleasantly at the boy.

"Yes, that was Zeus. I'm just having his deliver a letter to my family and a close friend. Sorry to have spooked you and your bird. I seem to have done more damage than I expected," she replied, shrugged her shoulders and looking a bit sheepish. She hoped he wouldn't be too upset; he seemed to be trying to call the bird back into his hand.

"I'm April Teagan by the way."

"Leon Faulkner. It's no problem. He's usually like this. Never likes staying still for too long, usually when he gets bored he'll start biting first, so it's actually a good thing you came." *Leon smiled back. Eon hooted a few times* "He's also this loud most of the time. Can't get him to be quiet for more than 2 minutes, unless he's stuffing his face of course."

*To prove this, Leon took the bag of treats he had and threw one up toward the rafters. Eon quickly flew towards it and ate it before it hit the ground.* "It seems to be the only thing he likes more than hooting." *Leon threw another one up to the same result* "Shockingly he's still only that small. Doesn't seem like he'll ever get any bigger."

"He is a bit small, isn't he? Looks really cute though, to me. Zeus is very big, hardly fits into his cage anymore. He's like yours though, eats like a pig. Loves apples. That's what I feed him mainly."

She looked around the owerly at the other owls. She wondered what Leon was doing up here, other than sending a package. He seemed to be waiting for something almost.

"Are you here just to send that package? Or are you visiting your owl, too?" she asked. She had never really come up here to just see Zeus, although that probably would be a cute thing for her to do.

"Actually, I just came to visit Eon. Don't really see him much because I don't get much mail, or most mail I get is to big for him, still he's my owl and I like him. Still he's still good for small stuff, like little packages of candy for Christmas or sending sweets from Honeydukes home. The main reason I got him was because he was the only one there like him. All the others were giants compared to him and he looked kind of scared. I have a weak spot for animals, especially birds."

*Leon tried to whistle for Eon this time, seeing if maybe that would bring him down. No such luck. Eon just jumped from the rafters and flew around like it was in a racing circuit.*

April felt sort of bad. She had scared awa ythe friend Leon had been trying to tal kwith. April was a little bit lacking in the common sense department today. Birds do tend to scare easily, and this little would be more prone to that.

"Your bird's name is Eon, and you're Leon? I'm sorry, that's a little funny," she said, chuckling lightly. She didn't mean to offend the boy at all, but naming your bird a name similar to yours was very funny.

"Yeah, Many people notice that. Honestly I didn't mean it that way but it's okay. I can't believe I didn't think about this earlier." *Leon pulled out another treat and held it in his hand while Eon looked at it. The bird quickly darted toward the treat and gulped it down while landing on his hand.*

"That's a good bird. Had enough exercise?" *Leon asked the owl which gave a hoot as an answer.* "I'll take that as a yes." *Leon began to stroke Eon's feathers.* "So how about your owl? Where'd the name Zeus come from, the only one I know is the ancient Greeks."

April was happy when Eon finally full into Leon's outstretched hand. She had felt terrible when it had been evading him, since it was her fault, so it was good that it returned. April watched with wide eyes at the way that Leon treated his bird, and she almost missed his question. She shook her head to clear her thoughts before answering.

"Well, you're correct. I took the name from the ancient Greek mythology. My mother taughe me all about the ancients Greeks and Romans and the like at home when I was younger. I was homeschooled, so we learned a bit of Muggle history as well. I found Greek mythology particularly interesting so... I named my pet owl after the God of all Gods."

"I see. I don't know too much about muggle stuff, but I know the basics of most. I actually only know because my mom was muggle-born. If not for that I wouldn't know anything about their lives." *Leon stroked Eon's feather again.*

"I named my Eon because my father had an owl back when he was a first year named Epoch. Since his was named after a length of time I decided to name mine that way too, then people started noticing that Eon is the same as Leon without the L."

April thought this was an interesting concept, and was definately funny in an ironic way.

"Well then, as long as it wasn't intentional... then that'd be really funny."

April leaned against the Owerly wall after checking for any sort of dirt or... Merlin knows what. She relaxed for a second and sank dow to the floor. It was very hot up here, and April was tired, and a little bored. She hated when there was never anything to do but schoolwork.

"So, what do you do for fun around here? Other than visit your owl, I mean."

*Leon smiled and answered in one word* "Quidditch. My father was a beater back during his time, so I decided to give it a go. I love being up in the air knocking beaters down."

"I also like to hang out at the lake or in the astronomy tower, I just like the scenery. What about you? What do you consider fun?"

(Sorry, bad post)

OOC: It's cool :)

IC:

April smiled brightly. It seemed like her and Leon had more in common than she had originally anticipated. That was good, because April was often at a loss for words with people she wasn't totally connected to in some way. She dropped onto the floor, tired from all the standing.

"You play quidditch? That's me as well; Slytherin Seeker. Played since I was a little kid... love it. And I also enjoy scenery; I'm usually by the lake or up at the astronomy tower at night... I'm surprised we haven't ran into each other."

"Yeah, that is. Well not surprising for me. Whenever I start to think or stare at something, I become oblivious to everything else. Like at the lake I'd be looking up at the moon and thinking and probably wouldn't notice if a bludger came by and knocked me in the face," *Leon smiled at Eon*

"Why don't you go get some exercise?" *Leon lifted his hand up as he said this and his owl flew up and out the window. He stayed close to the tower but flew around in circles.*

"That's one reason I play quidditch, I love the feeling of flying. Really wish I could do it naturally, no broom or anything." *Leon watched as Eon flew in and out of the windows as it flew around the tower*

April laughed at the bludger joke, and tried imagining that. It made her double up in even more giggles. She wasn't sure why she found his pain funny, but it was an enjoyable thing to laugh at.

"Yes, well, I doubt we'll ever be able to naturally fly, unless you were an animagus. Which, I am. And I don't really know anyone who is, to be honest. But flying on a broom works well enough for me. I like the heights, the scenery, the feeling in your chest... It's all very thrilling."

"Yeah, it is." *Leon then went back over what she just said. He looked straight at her*

"You're an animagus!?" *Leon started off almost yelling but managed to keep his voice down. He'd never met an actual animagus before.* "What kind? Were you naturally born with it? Did you find some way to become one?" *Before Leon could stop himself all these questions flooded out. When he finally noticed what he was saying he put a hand over his mouth.* "Sorry."

April stopped, and then realized how silly she had been. She had misspoken, and now Leon was having a heart attack in front of her. The thought of it made her giggle, even though it was her stupid mistake that had made him react this way.

"I'm sorry, I meant I wasn't. I mispoke. Silly me. I sort of wish I was an animagus... I didn't know you could become one though. I thought you were born with it. How does one become an animagus?" she pondered out loud, and then looked towards Leon.

"Do you know?"

OOC: I'm such an idiot. I typed the wrong thing, and of course, didn't look it over. >.<

OOC: lol, don't worry. I've done that before.

"I just heard from people, probably just bragging or something. They said they knew a way but I doubt it. But that's too bad. I've never personally met an animagus. It would've been awesome. If you were an animagus, what kind would you like to be? Personally I like eagles, or some other kind of birds. Anything with wings that can fly really." *Leon smiled again at the thought of being able to fly naturally*

"Well, being a bird would be truly interesting. I'm not sure I'd be one, but then again, I doubt you could pick... But if I could, I'd want to be a cat, I think. They're so graceful, and cute, and quick. I think cats are probably really smart too, especially if I was controlling it."

She laughed at her own joke. "I suppose, if I was to be an bird, I'd want to be an owl. They're beautiful and really intelligient."

(OOC: Sorry been sick and busy. Now I got a sunburn too.)

*Leon laughed at her joke too* "I'm sure any animal you'd control would be smart. I actually like cats a lot. I like birds better though. For some reason I'm not too fond of dogs. Big slobbering faces and such. I don't know." *Leon thought of how it was funny that he disliked dogs so much when his dad was such a fan*

"If I couldn't be some kind of bird I'd want to be a fox, There just so cunning and smart. Hard to believe they're related to dogs which look so unintelligent."

OOC: Gotcha. I got a sunburn too, bleh.

IC:

"Foxes are pretty smart and such. They're so devilish though, I don't think I'd be able to keep up with all thier little dirty tricks," she said, winking at him. "Actually, I probably could."

"But, dogs are really bloody cute. You have to give them that. Especially the little ones. Aw, my best friend has a little cocker spaniel. She's adorable and totally loveable."

"No I do not. They are disgusting little creatures and I don't care how many times someone tells me there is no way that it's mouth is cleaner than mine." *Leon looked quite undignified by the fact that she said he'd have to admit that the pups are cute. If anything he thought they were worse*

"The only dogs I care about are male foxes, which the male foxes are unfortunately called. However I will admit that a dogs sense of smell is something to boast about. But other than that I do not care much for them." *Leon disdain for dogs could easily be shown. He never thought such a creature could or should exist*

(OOC: This is fun. In real life my family actually has two dogs)

OOC: No doggy for me :(

IC:

April was surprised that Leon had such an obvious distaste for the animal. It was simply absurd, since dogs were very cute and loveable, especially to humans. She couldn't see why anyone wouldn't like dogs, unless they had been mauled or attacked by one.

"Did you get bitten by a dog or something?" she asked, wondering. "Because I don't see how anyone could think those creatures aren't lovely."

"Although asking about my history is quite personal I shall say that yes, I was attacked by a dog. Filthy little thing. It was our neighbors. I was about 6 or 7 at the time. It was a nasty thing too. Big, brown, and slobbery. Barked nonstop, always growling. My family kept telling them the fence was too small. Luckily my dad was home. It jumped the fence when I was playing in the backyard. Started to bite my arm. My dad ran out as soon as it had gotten me an used a spell to get it away."

*Leon looked at the window away from April as he spoke all this.* "Ever since then I've hated them. I'm just waiting for the day when I know it will happen again. But next time it'll be the stupid mutt that gets the worst of it."

(OOC: Wow, Leon seems really mean when it comes to dogs.)

April seemed in shock. She wasn't much for blood or anything gory, so the attack on Leon by the dog seemed particularly violent to her. She shuddered, feeling bad for pushing the topic now. It clearly had caused Leon physical pain, and now maybe, emotional pain. She shrugged however, knowing it was over now.

"Well, next time, I'm sure you'll blast it and mangle it," she said, laughing lightly. "I can imagine you taking out your wand and stunning it until it's just... dead."

April then laughed nervously, not sure what else to say.

"Well, on the bright side, I'm more of a cat person myself. So, now dogs of mine will be attacking you next."

(OOC: Might want to be careful with your spelling "Now dogs of mine will be attacking you next." I hope you mean "No" instead of "Now" lol)

"Cats I can deal with. Cute little furballs. The kittens are the best. I like the ones with the stubby little tails. I don't know why though." *Leon chuckled. He liked cats almost as much as he hated dogs.* "They're quite smart too. And very sly. Kinda like foxes." *Leon looked out the window again but this time his smile was back. Funny how a quick change of topics could change Leon's mood. Leon just noticed that Eon had flown back in and perched on his arm*

"What do you want now?" *Leon looked at his owl and it cooed and started trying to move toward the little bag Leon had the owl treats in.* "Oh no, no more for you. You've had enough. Otherwise I won't bring you any next time I come." *Leon stroked Eon's feathers who responded with an unsatisfactory hoot and flew off his shoulder and onto the rafters where he started to rest. "Ungrateful thing."

OOC: Good point. >.<

IC:

April laughed as Leon comforted his pet owl. April thought thier relationship was cute and interesting, and a very good quirk in Leon''s personality. He was friendly, nice and funny, which was a good combination to have. The conversation had flowed freely, which was also very important.

"Yes, birds do tend to be a little greedy.. I know mine is. Well, it happens. What can we do?" she asked, laughing. She shrugged her shoulders and shivered from the cold breeze coming from the window.

"Is it always so cold here? Man, I feel like I'm only warm in my bed."

*Leon took off the coat he was apparently wearing (OOC: I guess I'll be wearing a coat) and held it out for April* "Don't know why I took it. I'm never really cold. In fact I actually like the cold. My parents call me nuts. I once went outside during the middle of winter in shorts and a t-shirt." *Leon laughed. He'd gotten a nasty cold from that but hadn't really felt anything. Leon would much rather be very cold than very hot*

"Anyway, go ahead and take it. Just bring it back to me later okay?" *Leon smiled warmly*

(OOC: Little shorter than usual. Sorry)

April graciously grabbed the coat and put it around her shoulders. It was warm from Leon's body, which was helpful. She immediately felt warmer, and the draft didn't reach her through the thick material, whatever it was. She was very grateful.

"Thank you, Leon. You're sure you're not cold? It's freezing up here!" she exclaimed, glad she was no longer shivering and under the spell of goosebumps.

"I'll be sure to give it back before we leave here. It's often hard to find anyone in this place. I never seem to run into people when I'm meaning to, especially if we're in different houses!"

"I'm fine, the cold has never and will never bother me. I embrace it with open arms. But I know what you mean. I don't really see many people. Not just because I don't see them around, but I'm just a little anti-social. I use the hidden passages most of the times, the ones I remember anyway." *Leon gave a laugh*

"I'm pretty smart but I've got a horrible memory. My mum gets so mad sometimes. Like she'll tell me to clean my room and I'll forget about 5 minutes later. I think she's gonna start force feeding me memory potions if I keep doing it." *Leon smiled*

April smiled, and then laughed. She knew what he was talking about, not being able to remember things. However, April had a pretty good memory most of the time, but she often pretended not to remember certain things.

"I know what you mean. I call that, selective hearing, actually. I choose what I hear, and thus so, what I remember. Like when I have to do a chore, or finish my homework..."

"My mom nags on me a lot as well. Usually not about cleaning, since she'd rather have the elves do it, they do a better job... but to do stupid things or to stop fighting with my sister..."

"I don't have any siblings, I'm an only child, so was my dad. What's it like having a sister?" *Leon wondered how it was to have someone there to talk to that could be around the same age, maybe a little younger or a little older*

"Being an only child is okay. Just gets boring. If you can't find someone to hang out with you're always by yourself or with the parents. My mom was lucky and had a brother and a sister. She says I'm lucky because they drove her crazy." *Leon laughed*

"Well, I personally agree with your mother. You DO NOT want a sister or a brother. Well, I'm not sure. Maybe you would. But, let's put it this way. You don't want MY sister. She's just horrible. There's never any escaping her and she thinks she owns the ground I walk upon."

April got angry whenever she thought about her sister, but she was now letting it all out. She tended to like to vent to blow off steam on occasion.

"She's not even my parent's favorite. I mean, I hate my mom too, but even she adores me over my sister. And my dad... well he doesn't even like her. They totally consider her a traitor to the family."

"Really? Well that seems a bit extreme. I hope I'm not prying into anything too personal but why is she a traitor? What did she do?" *Leon looked a little confused, he thought that family was family no matter what. He also looked a little curious. Whenever he hears something he always wants to hear it all the way through.*

(OOC: I'm so sorry it's so short, I wanted to reply and it's kinda late and I'm tired so I just posted)

"Well, you've got me started now, so I might as well go on."

April was unsure of how to explain this to him, without seeming extremely Pureblood extremist. She took a deep breath, and then spoke.

"Well, my sister is in Gryffindor. Generations of my family has been in Slytherin, and she's the first not to be. It's sort of a disgrace to them. You'll notice, I'm in Slytherin, although I'm not a sniveling little beast. Anyways, my parents aren't exactly all for killing the race, of course, but they think Purebloods should rule. I'm not so much to that extent, don't worry. But my sister has Muggle friends and such. It doesn't go down with my parents."

*Leon was a little offended by April's parents mentality, not that he hadn't seen it or heard about it before. Still at least she didn't seem like most Slytherins, going around boasting about being pureblood and how anyone who wasn't was worthless.* "Not to be offensive but that's kinda mean, just because she's Gryffindor? It's not like she chose to be in that house, that was the sorting hat's choice."

(Short again, I hate it when I can't make good posts.)

April chuckled, having already known that Leon wouldn't understand. It was her parent's mentality, not hers, and that was always difficult to explain. April could never do it justice, and now Leon was offended because her parent's came off death eater-ish, which wasn't totally the case.

"It's sort of a family thing. I know it makes no sense, but to a family of Slytherins, it's like.. the end all be all. The apocolypse. It's a little overdramatic, but what can I do about it? I didn't like her before that, so I wasn't going to go sticking up for her."

April sighed.

"And yes, it was the sort hat's choice. But it was Taylor's decision not to be in Slytherin. She molded herself to be different from everyone else in the family, and made the choice NOT to go to Slytherin. That's a big choice to make, and one the sorting hat takes into consideration whe nmaking choices."

*This was true. Your choices were what the sorting hat mainly used to make up his mind. Still this sister sounded interestring. He never met a Gryffindor he didn't like* "Still why don't you like her? Is this just more of the sibling rivalry thing my mom tells me about or is she a total snob or what?"

*Leon looked around and saw Eon for some reason looking out the window at something. Leon turned his attention back toward April* "Honestly the Gryffindors I've met have never seemed like bad people but of course there's always the one that sticks out. Kinda like how most Slytherins I've seen have been kinda jerks but then there's you who's very nice."

April nodded. "I suppose it's sibling rivalry, but I was upset when she was sorted to Gryffindor too. You grow up expecting one thing, and you get something totally opposite. She's not like me at all, and our personalities are very conflicting. WE tried, when we were younger, to get along, but we gave up."

"And yes, I'm sure she's nice to her friends and such. And I'm a nice Slytherin, yes, but I just like to have friends. I can have a bad side, which most people never see. And, what I said was true, our choices can determine our fate. I chose to be a Slytherin from a very young age. The Sorting Hat didn't hesitate to give me what I asked for."