No Moon, Silly Owls!

[Avi-kins]

It was past curfew, and Alys felt guilty for being in the Owlery instead of the cozy, underground, Hufflepuff dormitories, but she just could not stay down there on this night. It had to do with the cycle of the moon. There was no moon tonight, and on moonless nights Alys always felt safe and secure. Her father was pretty normal on this sort of night, for a madman, and her mother had usually been more alert too. The Hufflepuff had just felt the need to confirm that her enemy, the moon, wasn't there.

She could have gone to a window on a different floor. The room smelled musty from owls, food, and droppings, and dozens of the creatures flew about or stared at her with luminescent eyes. Still more made soft churring noises, screeches, or hoots as they communicated with their brethren. Owls swooped in and out of wide, glassless windows. Alys rested her arms on a ledge of one such window, hardly paying attention to the creatures around her as she looked out upon the dark grounds. It was peaceful to be alone and without worry.

Unfortunately, a grand barred owl landed next to her, staring into her face with intelligent brown eyes. At first Alys merely looked at him quizzically and the owl did nothing. Then he lunged forward, irritated, and nipped at her hand. Alys cried out and then realized that the owl had a letter- it must be for her.

Cautiously she reached for the letter, feeling a little ashamed for making noise and hoping that the owl chatter would have covered it. She really didn't want a detention...or to lose points...her pale hands shook as she untied the letter, and the barred owl gave her one last reproachful look before flying to a different perch.

[Nevermore]

Andy couldn't sleep. It wasn't that odd for her any more. Since the Incident, she had been having frequent nightmares and woke up in a cold sweat. Yet since that day when she nearly killed herself, things had gotten better. The witch sighed and she pulled her sleeves over her hands, keeping them warm in the cool castle. A small smile formed on her lips as she remembered the feel of Gabriel holding her. He was so kind.

The fifth year followed her feet, not having a care in the world where she went to. Yes, she was a Prefect, and getting caught would not be good for her. Though Andy didn't care. She had too much to worry about. Like ridding herself of her nightmare, and wondering what was going to happen on the next full moon. After all, wouldn't it be the first time Gabriel would be changed? Andy gave a soft shudder at the thought. She really didn't want to face it. Not now. She wanted to be alone. Physically and mentally. No voices in her head this time.

A breeze blew past her and the scent of poo and owls filled her nose. She was at the Owlery. Well, that fine. She could spend some time with Moony and the other owls. They wouldn't talk to her and expect her to reply. And if she wanted to speak, they would not tell a soul what she had said.

Andy walked into the high ceilinged room, and carefully made her way across the straw and poo covered floor. A non-owl sound caught her hears and she turned to see Alys standing by a window. A letter in her hand.

Andy swallowed. Great company. Turning quickly around, the witch headed back the way she came, when she remembered something. Wasn't she Prefect? Shouldn't she turn the first year in? Yeah, but the teachers would wonder why you were up too. Still, she girl should be in bed. With a silent sigh, Andy turned back to Alys.

"You're up late," the Gryffindor stated as she came up beside Alys.

[Avi-kins]

Why did she have a letter? No one had ever sent her a letter before, and it looked nice. Her parents would not have sent her one. She had not sent any letters herself, so it could not be a reply. Maybe it was a warning? Did she do something wrong? Alys didn't want to open the letter because she did not know anything about it, and it could be-

Alys jumped. She had not noticed Andy entering the room or coming next to her. When the fifth year spoke, it was like someone had pushed a cattle rod into Alys. The first year took a tentative step back from the window and from Andy, unconsciously crumpling the letter as her hands tightened.

"W-What ar-re you d-d-doing here?" she stammered, looking into Andy's eyes. She was more than just a little panicked. New moon or not, she just wasn't comfortable with Andy being there, especially since the last time she had seen the older student she had just attacked and killed two, and changed another. Something in Alys crumpled too as she realized that she had come to Hogwarts -she had been eager- because it was an escape, but she couldn't escape from anything. She didn't start crying, but Alys did feel defeated. Cheated.

Yet her father had constantly drilled into her that werewolves deserved her respect always, and were in many ways more important than her. Was she being respectful enough to her father's superior race, or had her question been too demanding or whiny?

[Nevermore]

Moony swooped down from her perch at the sound of her owners voice. The large barn owl landed close by, hoping to get some treat. Andy smiled wrily and stroked the bird's head. Such a simple creature. Nothing at all like the humans here. Moony would love her even if Andy had nothing to give her. Unlike the humans. They feared her. Shunned her.

Andy gave a soft smile at Alys. The girl still feared her. A stab of guilt filled the witch's heart. she still felt bad about the Hospital Wing when Andy had first met Alys. Her reaction to the girl's father was less than welcoming. And while Andy had apoligized, she knew Alys would always be slighly jumpy around her. After all the girl's father was a killer. An evil, ruthless werewolf. Who knew what he did to his daughter?

Andy shrugged. "I couldn't sleep." She sighed, and glanced up in the sky. It was a nice night. "I take it you had the same." The witch looked back at Alys and smiled. "Don't worry I won't tell on you. I'd get in trouble too, for being out this late."

She didn't know why, but the Gryffindor wanted to be friends with Alys. They were both misfits. Bonded. Just like Andy and Gabriel were. Alys was joined with the two. All three were affected by the moon's cycles.