Round 2 of the House Competition. Year 6 (Stand in) for Hufflepuff, Drabble.
Prompt: [First Line] The parchment he/she just received simply said very clever.
Word Count: 337
Betas: Dark Angel, Aya
The parchment she just received simply said very clever. Hermione couldn't help but examine the owl which delivered it. She recognised him - or was it a her? As tempting as she was to tie a reply to the owl, she decided against it. Why would anybody send her such a cryptic message if it wasn't to mess with her head?
Hermione stroked the owl before watching it fly off. Owls were truly beautiful creatures. The way they glided was mesmerising.
It was the following day during the morning post that Hermione found herself ignoring Ginny and looking up.
"What are you doing?"
"Just looking."
"Harry and Ron are too busy this week to send us mail, remember? They're training to be Aurors whilst hunting the rest of the Death Eaters."
Hermione brought her attention back to Ginny. Though she spoke to Ron and Harry regularly, it seemed that Ginny always knew more than her. It was rather frustrating. Especially when the other girl presumed she already knew. "I haven't paid much attention to the owls in the school, that's all."
Ginny looked up before shrugging. "That's because you own a cat. Where is Crookshanks, anyway?"
Hermione once again turned her attention to her friend. "She likes to wander the castle and grounds. She sleeps on my bed every night though. Why?"
"I just never see her."
Crookshanks was a lot more adventurous this year at Hogwarts; then again, she was always running around. A fond smile made its way to her face as she remembered when her beloved cat continuously chased Scabbers. She always wondered if her pet knew the rat was actually a man. She supposed she could add that to the list of things she'd never know.
Although, the identity of the owls owner would soon become apparent as she spotted the owl. Brilliant. Ginny's next words were lost to her as the owl swooped down low and then landed in front of- No. It couldn't be- Malfoy. What was he playing at this time?