I know I'm way behind Year Six, but be patient with me as I try to catch up. Thank you for your continued support of my fanfic and hope you enjoy!
Chapter 158: Eagle-Owl
During Free Period, Claire decided to head over to the Owlery which was a thin tower that overlooked the Black Lake. Inside, hundreds of owls with different shapes and colors flew in and out from individual alcoves that had stone perches inside them. There was also a staircase that led up to several platforms, including one where Talbott was standing near an open window.
"Hey," Claire said, getting Talbott's attention. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
"It's where I like to get away from people, and stretch my wings," Talbott responded after some hesitation. "You probably think it's odd…"
"Not really," Claire replied.
Looking surprised, Talbott said, "That's an unexpected response. Most people can't look past the owl droppings and regurgitated pellets. But I admit I have been spending more time here than usual since this Statue Curse broke out."
"Can't say I blame you, especially since another student was found Petrified."
Talbott flinched momentarily before saying, "So, what brings you here?"
"I'm looking for a white owl, actually."
"Why?"
This forced Claire to explain finding Sickleworth with a White Quill, which led to her brother Jacob and their discovery that it was a Transfigured message from 'R' and their threat to kill one of Claire's friends.
"Now Jacob guessed the White Quill came from a white owl, so I figured if I found the owl it'll lead me to whoever sent the message," Claire concluded. "Does that make sense?"
"I guess, though now I'm wondering if we should be friends or not," replied Talbott.
"Look, I'm not asking you to be my friend," Claire insisted. "But can you help me?"
"Only if you'll let me have the place to myself again when we're done," Talbott decided. "Now I don't know if anyone in Hogwarts owns a white owl, but I'll ask around in my Animagus form. After all, what's a better way to get information about animals than from an animal?"
Unable to argue with that logic, Claire watched as Talbott transformed into a golden eagle and fly around the Owlery. So Claire inspected the owls that were perched, who seemed strangely calm as she approached them.
"Well, the white owl's not here," Claire determined after Talbott changed back into his human form. "Did you find out anything?"
"No," Talbott responded while shaking his head. "But — wait a minute, I think I've seen a white owl before."
"Where?" Claire asked.
"Over the Forest Grove, I think," Talbott recalled. "It was a while back, but this owl could be the one you're looking for."
So Claire went into the Forbidden Forest later that night, and approached the Forest Grove. There, Chiara was watching Liz who was stroking a white eagle-owl. But as Claire came closer, the eagle-owl flew off.
"Aw, you scared away Artemis," Chiara whined.
"You know that owl?" Claire flinched, looking at Chiara.
"No, Liz was introducing her to me and Borf," Chiara explained, looking down at a wolf pup that was beside her.
"Is that an actual wolf, or a Werewolf?" Claire wondered, looking down at the pup who wagged its tail excitedly.
"The latter," Chiara replied, but seeing Claire's nervous expression she said, "Don't worry, he won't hurt you. I know this, because I too am a Werewolf. That's why I skip class when there's a full moon, but don't tell anyone because I'm willing to trust you if you're friends with Liz."
"Yes, I am." Letting this sink in, Claire paused momentarily and looked at Liz. "Was that white owl yours?"
Liz shook her head. "I just feed and take care of her from time to time. Her name's probably not Artemis, but that's just what I've been calling her."
"You look startled," Chiara noticed while looking at Claire's face. "Is something wrong?"
"That's what I was wondering too," Liz added. "We've barely talked since Sixth Year began, and yet here you are worried about an owl I just happened to befriend."
"Sorry, Liz," Claire apologized. "But finding that owl is really important. I found a White Quill that had a threatening message on it, saying that one of my friends will die."
Chiara's blue eyes widened.
"Do you think Rakepick sent the message, Claire?" Liz wondered. "Bill told me about what happened to you and him in the previous Cursed Vault, saying that Rakepick was ordered to kill one of your friends."
"I'm not sure," Claire replied. "But assuming that whoever sent the White Quill owned a white owl, I think Artemis might be the bird I'm looking for."
"Well, I don't know a whole lot about Artemis," Liz answered. "I first saw her flying around Hogsmeade Train Station, then again in the Forbidden Forest when I went to feed some creatures. She didn't look well-cared for, and kind of smelled like a goat. But after I fed her, she's occasionally stopped by here."
"So where does Artemis usually hang out?" Claire inquired.
"The Hogsmeade Station, I'd say," replied Liz. "Probably due to the shade, or maybe its owner lives nearby."
"In either case, that's where I'm going next," Claire decided.
"But don't you want us to come with you, given that threatening message?" Chiara asked.
"No, you two should stay close to the castle in case Artemis comes back," Claire stated. "But I will bring along a Metamorphmagus that I know quite well."
###
At Hogsmeade's train station, Tonks was waiting for Claire when she showed up that weekend.
"Nice to see you again, Claire," Tonks remarked. "I thought you had disappeared with Mad-Eye Moody for good."
"It's just that I've been busy with looking for my brother, the last Cursed Vault, and Rakepick," Claire explained.
"No need to apologize," Tonks said. "But why did you want to meet me here of all places?"
"I've heard it's the best place to look for a white eagle-owl, because Liz claims they like the shade," Claire elaborated.
"And why would we look for a white eagle-owl?"
To be continued…
