Chapter 2: Shopping Excursion
The weekend following the Welcoming Feast was the first weekend the 3rd years and up had a chance to go to Hogsmead to start their shopping.
Ron had apologized to his friends and promised to try and be friendly with the Slytherins. Harry was glad. He hated when he and Ron fought.
So they traveled together to Hogsmead for a day of shopping.
Harry told Hermione and Ron he'd meet up with them later at The Three Broomsticks. He wanted a chance to look around on his own, plus he needed to stop at Gringotts.
Harry wandered in and out of shops, picking out things he knew his intended would like. As he was walking past the owls, one particular owl caught his eye and his breath caught in his throat. He quickly went into the shop.
"Excuse me?" he asked the shopkeeper. The elderly wizard turned around and smiled.
"Mr Potter! This is a pleasant surprise. What may I do for you today?"
"What kind of owl is that in the window?" He pointed to the one he had seen.
"That is a Burrowing Owl. It's a very rare species of owl. I happened on this one during my travels in the United States some years ago."
"What makes it so rare?"
"It was originally due to a banned insecticide but now it's because Americans are destroying their natural habitat. A shame really. They are really beautiful creatures and they differ from other owls in so many ways."
"How so?" Harry was really intrigued.
"While most owls are nocturnal the burrowing owl is diurnal, like humans. In most owl species, the female is larger than the male, except in burrowing owls, whose females are smaller than the males. The small birds feed on insects, small frogs, lizards, and rodents. They produce a variety of different calls, from a shriek to a whistle to a laugh to a coo. And Instead of nesting in the trees, as most birds do, the burrowing owl gets it name because it burrows into holes in the ground to live. The owl makes its own holes, but more commonly lives in abandoned prairie dog and squirrel holes. When the owl sees something approaching its home, it bobs up and down a few times, and then dives into its burrow. The owls breed from spring until fall, and the females lays around 6-8 eggs. These take one month to hatch, and the young owls stay in the nest for about 42 days before leaving." the man explained. The whole thing fascinated Harry.
"I would like to buy her. She's beautiful."
"Actually, she's a he. Are you looking for a mate for Hedwig?"
"No. He's a gift to...an acquaintance."
"Ah. I heard about the Headmistress's Christmas Celebration. Novel idea that is. I'm assuming this has to be an anonymous gift then?"
"Yes."
"I'll go mark your bill and you can use these to send your message. His name is Caedmon, by the way." He brought the owl over and Harry gently stroked the soft brown feathers.
"I do hope he takes good care of you, Caedmon." Harry whispered as he wrote his message. He paid for all of Caedmon's things, shrunk them into a small package and tied them to Caedmon's leg, charming the whole thing to be only open and read by the one who it was to go to. He told the shop owner when Caedmon was to be delivered and, with a large smile on his face, left the shop.
He completely forgot about joining his friends for lunch. He went straight back to the school to hide the items he'd bought. Then he lay back on his bed and fell asleep with a smile on his face.
Meanwhile...
Draco split off from his friends inane chatter. He still hadn't found a first gift yet and he was getting discouraged. He wandered around for a bit, stopping in Honeydukes to restock his chocolate stores.
He stopped at The Three Broomsticks and met up with his friends there, who were laughing over Butterbeers. He sat down beside them and sighed. Blaise looked at him.
"Problem?"
"I can't think of anything to buy."
"Well that's a first." Pansy laughed.
"You know what I mean, you slut." he smiled.
"Draco, here's a thought. Now go with me on this one." Blaise began. "Those glasses don't do much for his eyes, you know."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"In the 7 years we've known him, have you ever looked at him when he's not wearing those ugly things?"
"I happen to think he's very sexy with glasses." Draco stated, indignantly.
"You have to admit, Drake. He might look irresistible without them." Pansy added. He thought about that for a moment. Suddenly, he smiled.
"You've just given me an idea. I'll meet back up with you at school." He rushed off to finish his shopping.
A/N: Diurnal means active during the day (in case that escaped your notice).