Chapter 25
(Two things that would be nice, but not required, for the readers to do. 1 is review, I think we've established that. 2 is vote on my 'what story should I write next' poll. I'm not sure if readers really care since this series will be over, but if you do have an opinion, not many people vote so it shouldn't be too hard to get what you want.)
Six owls and a hypogriff, Otulissa, Cleve, Elna, Nyra, Arison, Midnight, and Buckbeak, flew into what looked like an abandoned building. Elna has been weakening fast from the claw to her throat, they'd needed someplace to stop. The building was completely dark and the window had been open, so it seemed like the best place to go.
"We have to get Elna back to the Ga'Hoole tree. We don't have any of the supplies the infermury has." Otulissa said.
"Well . . . some potions can heal, but it would take too long . . . to make." Elna panted.
"Wait, potions come in bright colors and flasks right?" Cleve asked.
Instead of answering Elna looked up. Cleve was flapping in front of a cabinet he'd opened. It was full of flasks holding brightly colored liquids. "Those are potions." Elna confirmed.
Suddenly Buckbeak, who had been relieved moments ago, changed dramatically. He lashed out, flapping and swinging his clawed front feet. "Bow!" Midnight ordered.
Cleve, Otulissa, and Elna all bowed. Arison had to shove Nyra, who was still looking very shell shocked, into a bowed position. Buckbeak calmed down, regarded them all, and returned the bow. "Sorry about that. I would've done it sooner if there had been a good time." Buckbeak said. Then he turned around and walked to the window. Cleve set to work on reading the potion labels.
Arison cocked his head and crept a little closer to Buckbeak. Buckbeak didn't seem to notice him, which was odd considering how loud owls were on the ground. Buckbeak sighed. "I wonder if my Other will notice I'm gone."
"You have an Other?" Arison asked in confusion.
Buckbeak turned around, looking startled. "Well, no. Not like owls have them anyway. But I did live with Others. One was Hagrid."
Arison nodded, remembering it was at Hagrid's hut he and Buckbeak had first met. "He seemed like a nice Other."
"Yes he was." Buckbeak agreed. "But then Harry took me away from him, and his friend gave me ferrets." He smiled. "And they gave me to a different Other, Sirius. He was the one who lived in that building, the one you found me it." Buckbeak sighed and looked back out the window. "But Sirius hasn't been back in over a year. He's probably not ever coming back."
Arison remembered Buckbeak's face when he'd said Others were weird. This must've been what he was talking about. Arison flew up onto Buckbeak and put a wing on his neck sympathetically. "Buckbeak, I'm sure if Sirius hasn't come back, there's a good reason behind it."
Buckbeak didn't get to comment on that, because at that moment Cleve shouted, "Found it!" He held out a healing potion.