Chapter Thirteen: Viva La Revolution! (Or Nests & Eggs)

"Welcome to the United States of America, Harry," Ben introduced as Ship finally touched down stateside, morphing, around them, from corporate jet tominivan as they used an empty freeway as a landing strip.

"The country created out of a temper tantrum," Harry deadpanned.

"We kicked your asses; it wasn't no 'temper tantrum'." Kevin replied.

"Ship," Julie whispered to her pet, "speed up."

He did so, going at a blinding speed and yet being the safest driver on the road. The trees blurred into the road, becoming colorless and shapeless.

"Whoa."

And then they suddenly came to a complete stop, jarring them only slightly, in the driveway of an ordinary suburban house.

"Where're we?" Harry asked as his seatbelt unbuckled itself and his door opened on its' own.

"Home." Gwen replied with a gleeful grin.

"Gwen and Kevin live here," Julie explained, "this's their home; and yours now. I and Ben live with our parents."

"But they're just kids! How can they afford this?" Harry asked as he was herded to the front step.

"It's a long story kid," Kevin growled as he kicked up the doormat, pulled a set of keys, and inserted one into the keyhole, "let's just say I have a lot of extra money and it's mostly dirty but it makes a nice nest-egg…" he opened the door and led them into a nice hallway, "Gwen can you show Harry his room and everything?"

"Sure, c'mon Harry." She took the boy by the shoulder and steered him down another hallway, opening a door to an opulent guest bedroom. His trunk and Hedwig were already in the room.

"There's two doors," she explained, showing them to him, "One heads into the bathroom; full bathroom, toilet, sink, hot-tub bathtub and optional shower stall. The other door is a walk-in closet. Down the hall to the right is the library, you can work on your schoolwork there; beyond that and taking a left is the Master Suite, make sure to knock and verbally ask for entrance before you come in and if you don't what happens next is your own fault." She opened the window to let Hedwig out, "and don't worry about letting her out, people around here are pretty used to some very abnormal stuff happening…Follow me to the kitchen."

He did so, unaware as to what was happening above the house.

The next few days passed by in a blur, Harry was accepted into the fold without issue and was actually happy outside of Hogwarts. Kevin and Gwen were laid back guardians; he had a curfew of eight o'clock PM, bed time at ten PM, and no fun until homework was done. When they were on a mission he was put into the custody of Gwen's parents until they got back. That was it. As long as those conditions were met he was free to do as he pleased.

It wasn't until the day before Christmas that Harry noticed that something was off about Hedwig. So he waited until she was out hunting and inspected her cage. In a nest woven of newspaper strips, twigs, and threads sat two eggs, colored like someone had flicked different colors of paint on them.

There was a shrill shriek and suddenly he felt talons grazing the back of his head. He turned around expecting Hedwig but found, "Theron!"

The bird cried again, intensifying his attacks.

"Desino! Desino! Desino!" he cried, shielding his face and neck, but the bird wouldn't stop until he ran from the room.

"GWEN!" he shouted until he found her, "I think Julie's bird raped Hedwig."

"What?" she stopped chopping carrots for the stew that they were supposed bring to Ben's place on Christmas day, staring at him in confusion.

"Theron and Hedwig did the no-no and now there are two rainbow eggs and a very overprotective hawk in my bedroom," he said this loudly and slowly as if she was a young child.

"Don't be silly Harry." She laughed, "Falcons and owls don't breed together, they can't."

"Tell that to him, her, the eggs, and my arms!" he rolled up his sleeves and showed her the claw-marks, "He's in my room!"

"Alright. Alright." She charmed the kitchen to continue on without her and headed to his room. She opened the door, saw the glint of talons coming toward her eyes, and slammed the door shut only to hear a thud as Theron hit the door.

"We need Julie."

"Theron did what now?" Julie blinked in shock.

"Blimey! You people are deaf! He shagged Hedwig and there're now two eggs in her cage and I can't get into my room because he's attacking everyone!"

"Okay, okay. I'll get him."

She went into the room, "Theron! Theron! Desino!" he promptly landed on her shoulder but pecked at her head irately.

She stroked him, "Cognosco ova?" she hoped she was using the right words. He cried again and bobbed as she approached the nest. She inspected the eggs, asking him, "Quisnam fungor tu facesso?"

He pecked her again, prompting, "Tu gero permitto Harry in is cubiculum vox vocis?"

He cried again just as Hedwig came in through the window. She glared at Julie, settling herself over her eggs and used her beak to shut the door to her cage. Theron left Julie's shoulder to perch on top of the cage and started to glare at his owner as well.

Julie wisely left, telling Harry, "They should let you in now but leave them alone. Besides you might just wanna rest today…"

"Why?" he asked.

She smiled, "Christmas with the Tennysons…it's an experience to be sure…Sweet dreams Harry." Cackling she left.