Sirius: After Azkaban

Chapter 13:

An Owly Weekend

"Good morning Ms. Wetherby. How was your night?" greeted her new manager, as Siriussa walked in.

"Oh, can't complain." She replied, "Um . . . by the way, what's your name?"

"It's Petreous, but you can just call me Pete."

Siriussa grinned, "Okay, Pete. What would you like me to do today?"

"I would like you to work on my list – " Pete started, rummaging around his desk, "– that I made – " he rummaged some more, moving every paper on his desk, "– that needs to be completed." He then threw open the topmost drawer on the right side of his desk, "Ah! Here we are." He looked at it, his eyes visibly moving down the paper as he did. He then handed Siriussa the list and said, "Well, there you go."

She took the paper and glanced at it, then looked back up at Pete, "Well, what're you waiting for? There is work to be done!" And with that Pete plopped down at his desk chair and got distracted, once again, with all his papers.

'Okay, this will be fun!' Siriussa thought, looking back at the paper again. 'I've always wanted to know what bookstore people did beside sorting through books and such.' But to her disappointment that's all the list contained. Sorting and stacking and straightening and alphabetizing, the list could go on forever! Even though, to her immense relief, it didn't. Yet she had a feeling Pete would keep her a great deal busy while here.

Pete looked up at Siriussa and cleared his throat. She looked over at him startled, "Oh! Yeah, sorry – sorry, I'm off."

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Siriussa's days from here were consumed with work, food, and sleep. She worked every day at a little over small pay. She tried to fill up the rest of the fall days as much as she could. She wanted a break from her journey; she wanted to just live life as normally as possible for a few weeks, at least.

One day, though, Pete pulled her aside at work to talk to her.

"Siri, is everything all right?" he asked her.

"Yeah, why are you asking?" she responded, having a hint of suspicion.

"Well I just thought it strange that, since you started working here. You haven't missed one day, and – "

Siriussa looked at him incredulously, "Your complaining that I've been to work every day? What – would you like me to be late, or not show up at all, or something?" Siriussa interrupted rudely, her voice rising.

"No Siri. It's just that you haven't missed ONE day. You haven't even taken a personal day!"

"Well, maybe that's because I needed money, and because I have - uh - commitment issues. Yeah – I have commitment issues." Siriussa stood tall, glaring right into Pete's eyes, almost as if she were penetrating his skull, looking right into his mind, reading his thought.

After a minute of staring at each other intently, Pete broke the silence, "Well, commitment issues or not, I am not letting you spoil this wonderful holiday weekend working in a bookshop." He paused, then as if settling the matter, he ordered, "Go on, get out of here." Siriussa stood there, not moving even a muscle.

Pete reached his hand in his robe and pulled out a handful of silver sickles, "Here," he said, grabbing Siriussa's hand and putting them in it, "buy yourself something nice. I heard they just got a shipment in of snowy owls, down at Eeylops Owl Emporium, from Alaska, your native. Maybe one of those would bring you some perspective?" he smiled, then grabbed her arm and dragged her to the door. She stood gazing no where in particular, then took a quick glance at Pete.

"Now get!"

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The street of Diagon Alley was filling up fast, full of holiday shoppers whose alarm didn't wake them up as early as planned.

Siriussa stood outside of Eeylops, pondering her situation. Then, like she was giving into a battle she'd never win, Siriussa marched into Eeylops and up to a salesperson.

"Excuse me . . . excuse me miss. Excuse – " The person turned around, but instead of a friendly-looking witch, Siriussa had come face to face with an irate-looking trollish man. "Uh . . . "

"What do you want?" said the trollish-looking man, in a deep, aggravated voice.

"Uh – I want to buy an owl – "

"Of course you do! Why else would you come here? Come on lady, don't have all day!"

"Uh – " Siriussa began, not really knowing what she was doing.

"Vincent! What are you -? Your not being rude are you!" A woman, who looked equally trollish, yet seemed much kinder, marched up to the man whom Siriussa approached, and started yelling at him.

"What did I say about your attitude? Huh? Didn't we agree that everyone was going to be more positive? Didn't we – " She cut off when Siriussa cleared her throat, then she walked over to her. She pushed Vincent aside and put on a smile, "Sorry about that, you'll have to excuse my brother, he's a bit. . . anyways, can I get you anything?" she asked sweetly.

"Well, I was just looking for an owl, you see – " she started, but the lady interrupted.

"Yes, yes, and I can definitely help you with that." She said, matter-of-factly, "Follow me."

She gestured for Siriussa to follow, and headed to the back of the Emporium where there were some chairs. "Sit." She ordered.

After they both got comfy, and after the lady took what seemed like a long glance at Siriussa, she said, "So, you got a need for an owl? Well, you hit the place! You have any idea of which breed you want?"

"Well, not really, but – " she started.

"Okay, that's all right. I can deal with that." The lady interrupted, jumping on the chance to help. She then pulled a notepad from out of her robes and glared at it for a minute, before starting to interrogate Siriussa. "So, where are you from?" The lady inquired.

"The United Stated, but– "

"What's your favorite season?"

"Well, uh - I suppose it's fall. Can – "

"Would you prefer ice cream or cake?"

"Ice cream, of course."

These questions went on and on, and it seemed like forever to Siriussa. But after only ten minutes the lady said, "Ah ha. Yes, yes. I knew it from the beginning. The owl for you would have to be – the Snowy owl." The saleslady paused, looking proud and important, "Well, I'll go get you your owl, then. You wait here." She said, then got up and disappeared past some cages of owls.

It seemed like only seconds later that the saleslady came back into view with a snow white owl perched on her arm. "Meet your new male, snowy owl." She walked up to Siriussa, "Put out your arm now – there you go. Now give a little whistle." Siriussa whistled, and the owl jumped over to her arm and rubbed its head on her shoulder. "Oh look, it likes you already." She smiled, then continued more seriously, "Okay, now I'd suggest you give your new owl a nice, strong name; and you may want to buy a cage and some treats also, to help you bond with him more." She smiled again, as Siriussa put her hand to the owl's head and the owl nibbled it affectionately. "Well, come. Follow me and we'll pay for it." The saleslady said, motioning for her to follow.

They went back to the front of the store and Siriussa took out the handful of sickles that Pete had given her. "Okay, lets see – eight sickles please, and do you want a cage and treats?"

"I'll take some treats, sure."

"Okay, then nine sickles." The lady told Siriussa, who handed her the handful of sickles, "Well, I guess that's all then!" the lady exclaimed, after taking care of the coins, "Hope you and your owl have many good times! Thank you for coming."

"No problem." Siriussa replied, petting her owl and clutching her treats. She then turned and walked away. "I hope I have fun with you too, Ramon." She mumbled, walking out of the store.

Flashback

"Hello again, Siriussa. Can I come in? We need to talk." Siriussa stepped away from the door allowing Dumbledore to walk in.

"What do we need to talk about? I made my decision weeks ago. We already planned it all out . . . " Siriussa rambled, leading the way to the living area and sitting down on the sofa.

"Yes, Siriussa – about that." Dumbledore said uncertainly, sitting down opposite Siriussa and looking at her with his dazed blue eyes.

"Is there something wrong?"

Dumbledore took a long, hard glance at her, then put his head into his hand. After a minute he looked up again, "Siri, I think I may have made a mistake."

"What do you mean?" asked Siriussa, "What mistake?"

He looked at her with concerned eyes, "Siri. I think we need to reconsider you going to Scotland – I think it would be best – "

"What? You mean not going to Hogwarts? But why – " Siriussa interrupted. Then Dumbledore stood up and sat down next to her on the sofa.

"Siri, I – " Dumbledore paused and looked up at the ceiling, thinking. Siriussa stared at him in confused anxiety, "You can't go to Hogwarts anymore, Siri, it won't work out." Dumbledore finally said, looking back down at Siriussa, "I'm sorry, but you can't go to Scotland – you can't go to Hogwarts, Siri."

"But – what about my education? Where can I learn all about magic?"

"There are many schools here in the Untied States that are suitable. I can get you enrolled and you can start as soon as you are ready to."

Siriussa looked away from Dumbledore and stared at the floor, thinking, "But – I don't understand. Why can't I – " She started.

"Siri, it's too complicated for you right now. You wouldn't understand fully. But I assure you, it's for the best."

Siriussa looked at Dumbledore with very confused, deep eyes; eyes that were full of sadness and disappointment.

"I'm very sorry, Siri. But one day, I promise, you'll understand."

End of Flashback