Sending Word Home

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante held onto small envelope addressed to her parents. She wanted to get permission for something she felt was most important to her, important to them as family. She was hesitant, though afraid her parents would think she was looking for trouble and may think Chante was too young to cross those boundaries. And they would be right and she would be wrong, but she would do it anyways. Or not, it all depends what they would say. In her heart she wanted more than anything to do this. It's not like she hadn't waited an entire year for this to happen. She had done so, and so as second year would it do any harm in asking? She didn't think so. And she sure Willow would bring it up eventually. What's the danger in asking and paying respect to the dead? Chante held her breath while she selected an owl to make that trip back home. They weren't far, she wouldn't have to wait long for that a reply. Chante petted the owl, feed them some seeds, than gave up the letter. She spoke both her parents names, the owl ruffle it's wing before it took off into the afternoon skies.
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[Alkander Avaskadiras]

It was the first time that Alkander was going to visit the owlery. Before leaving for Hogwarts, he had promised to write back home pretty often and share his experience with his little sister with whom, until now, were inseparable. After spending almost an hour composing a three page letter, he folded it into an envelope and left the common room to ascend to the north tower.

The boy entered the circular room. It was quite cold there, with a cool breeze whistling through the windows that had no glass. It made sense for the owls to come and go freely. Holding the envelope, Alkander looked around at the perches that reached the ceiling, searching for Nyx. Something snapped underneath his feet, announcing his presence to the other student currently in the tower. He looked down at the crushed skull of a mice he had stepped on. He just then noticed that the whole floor was covered with the regurgitated skeletons of small mammals.
"Sweet, a mice graveyard." He sneered as every step was accompanied by a cracking, hair raising sound.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante kept her warm gaze on the horizon until those wings were no more, and something alerted her of another presents nearby. The snapping of little bones, soles stepping on them made her cringe. She had avoided looking down for this long, then she remembers she basically at owl's resting and feasting place. The horror on her face when she looked down, she should be used to this by now. Bones were found almost all the time near her home. When one lives in the woods with wild creatures of all kinds, there bond to be all types of mess left behind.

"Sweet?" she echoes the boy. "There nothing sweet about stepping on mouse bones and owl droppings." Chante made a face. "I nearly made it back down without looking at the floor. Thanks a lot!" she laughs a little, circling in place. "I think someone should tell the keeper? Wouldn't want any first years screaming their heads off over bones."
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[Alkander Avaskadiras]

Alkander was a bit thankful that someone else was already there. He wasn't scared easily but from the moment he snapped that mouse skull, myriads sets of glowing eyes were fixed down on him from the perches. "I think owl droppings are the worst." He commented. He could catch a whiff of a foul-smelling odor. That couldn't be healthy to inhale for too long. "You're welcome." He smirked teasingly with his grey eyes scanning the perches in search for his owl. It must have been a tedious job to clean the owlery. There were so many owls in there that Alkander could bet that the place was going to be dirty again in a few minutes.

Having no luck detecting his owl, he took out of his pocket a leaf shaped whistle. He placed it to his lips and blew. A low, whistling tune soared through the tower and a shadow from above swooped down silently to roost on his shoulder. The little owl hopped twice on his shoulder, excited for the upcoming trip and the task it was going to be assigned. Alkander ruffled the feathers on Nyx's neck and offer her an owl treat for her valuable help. He attached the disproportional, large envelope on her feet and the owl with no trouble zoomed out of the window.

With his letter in good talons, Alkander turned around to have a better look of the girl. He hadn't see her in his classes so maybe she was older one or two years. "Do you need help?" He offered as she looked haunted. "I'm Alkander. My first year here. I'm in Gryffindor." He introduced himself although it wasn't the most idyllic place to initiate a conversation.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante observed in awed the boy interaction with his owl. How he had a little whistle in order to coax his little owl out of their resting place. She thought it was riveting to see the way they connected. It had her wanting to ask, most likely beg for her own little companion. Oh, how badly she wanted a small little mammal to look after. It would be nice! "Oh, what's their name?!" Chante stepped over the bones on the ground beneath them. She avoided cracking any. She had more to say about the condition of the owlery, though she much would rather watch the boy's owl fly away into the horizon. Just like she had done with the owl she had borrowed from school. After some time she was gone.

"Me, help?" Chante spoke up. She smiles warmly at the boy, shaking her head no. "No, I'm okay. This place could use a good scrubbing, other than that, I'm alright." Chante was mistaken when she heard what year he was in. She had intentionally thought he was about the same year or higher. "Oh, a first year! Wow, I was way off. I'm Chante, second year. Hufflepuff." Now that she recalls the first night and sorting, she did see his face among the first years. Willow was sorted into Gryffindor too. It's been hard keeping up with her cousin ever since she was sorted into another house.

"What about you?" She asked to return the gestured. "Is there something I can help you with? And how are you liking Hogwarts so far? Everything you expected?" Chante inquired. She didn't mind that they were in the owerly in the middle of this mess. Regardless, it was spring and the winds weren't so harsh this time of day. She didn't mind it at all.

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[Alkander Avaskadiras]

Alkander noticed the enthusiasm that the girl exhibited in his owl. Accustomed to being around magical creatures, owls were too ordinary but he had a similar reaction when he had first received his first pet. "That's Nyx." He said as he looked at the little owl flying off into the distance. "I named her after the personification of the night because, you know, owls are more active at night." He explained the logic behind the name in case she wondered. "I have her since she was a hatchling." He added and turned back to face the girl. Owl training was hard but he had plenty of time spent grounded in his bedroom back home to teach Nyx a few tricks, such as recognizing that tune.

Now the girl looked less troubled and Alkander thought that perhaps she was homesick or missed her parents. "I'm sorry. I don't know any cleaning spells to help with that." He shrugged. The only spell he could cast was just the wand-lighting charm, and even that for a considerable short time. He then nodded and smiled when she introduced herself as well. "Nice to meet you Chante!" He said, thinking she was the first second year he was having a proper conversation. Alkander then shook his head when she asked him if he need help. "No, thanks. I was just sending word back home. I have neglected them to be honest." He chuckled shamefaced, referring to his father and younger sister.

He regained a hearty smile when Chante asked him how he liked Hogwarts so far. "Much better than what I had expected! It's wicked!" He beamed with delight at his remarks. "I've been exploring a lot the castle. I'm discovering a new secret every day!" He bragged for his accomplishment. He decided not to go in depth about his work of making an elaborate map of the castle and its shortcuts and secret areas. Once he was done with this project, he had plans for the forbidden forest. It was the word 'forbidden' that made it so promising. He wanted to visit it so badly but at the same time he was reluctant to do so alone. "I want to explore the forest as well." He announced and looked at the forest through the window that his owl previously flew off. "Have you went there? What is like?" He asked curiously, thinking that as a second year, Chante mush have visited the location at least once.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

"Nyx." She repeated it out loud and in her head. It was pretty unique, she like that. "Great name. Perfect for most owls." She thought genuinely. "A hatchling? That would explain so much! You've trained her well." Chante had seen first hand what's it like to raise a creature from their time of birth. But unlike Alkander, they didn't stay in her home for long. Their stay were about four weeks in with her family, after that, they were introduce into the wild or given to a wizarding family who would care for them. It's kind of agreement the ministry had with her parents. Strange thing, she don't get why after so many years she yet to have a pet of her own.

Chante chuckles. She moved her hand up to her thick hair and pulled it back, she trying to maintain it's wild texture. "I didn't think so. There are other ways to cleaning up y'know." Chante could confirm with just that information that he was younger than her. Probably about the same height, without the whole experience of a first year. "Nice to meet you too, AL-kander, Alkander? Am I saying it right?" She simpers, cheek tinge flushed as she corrected herself. Alkander first, firsties she actually talk to like this. She would like to be more helpful to them. She was failing to appeal to them, but apparently not Alkander.

She happily enjoying all that he's done for a firsties, it's not unusual for some of them to get comfortable like this. Yet, as he said more she was shocked, wide eyed. The maps weren't a problem, it was his interest in the forbidden forest. Chante pulled on her hair again, tugging to it's side as she maintain it's form. "No, I haven't! I want too, it's forbidden though! You can get in so much trouble if you go there." Chante advice him not to go, however she wanted more than anything to visit the forest like she explain in her letter. Chante sighed, conflicted. "I want to go, really bad. Doesn't have to be all the way in, the outskirt would be enough. But they'll take house points away and you would have to serve detention if you get caught." ​

 

[Alkander Avaskadiras]

It was the first time that Alkander encountered an individual who exhibited interested to his pet owl. Most wizards and witches considered them just the wizarding post but to him, his owl was a friend, a company when he was grounded or when he felt alone. "Yes, she was my birthday gift a couple of years ago. Though I asked for a griffin hatchling. My father raises them as guardians for other families or for the conservation program to expand the gene pool of the species in the wild." He talked about his dream to one day own an actual griffin. He could talk for hours about magical creatures but he decided not to bother the girl he was barely acquainted with.

Alkander smiled relieved when she spelled his name correctly. "That's right." He confirmed, thankful that she didn't butcher it like another slytherin he knew. The boy then noticed the impact that had his mention to the forbidden forest. He couldn't believe that a person that had spent already a year at Hogwarts, hadn't visited the school's forest. She sounded however, like she really wanted to go there. "I know but it is so vast and dense. What are the chances to be caught if you're extra careful?" He wondered, trying to find anything to counterpoise the consequences. House points weren't really resonating with his willingness to walk under the emerald canopy. The detention was something that had him have second thoughts. "We could go as far as the outskirts." He agreed with her idea. "We can come up with a good excuse if we get caught." He insisted, having the collection of potion ingredients as a first excuse at the top of his head. "I'm in if you decide it. I can move quietly and I've been forest trekking with my family for a long time. It's better to have company than go alone." He tried to present himself as the perfect candidate for a companion. What started like a typical visit to the owlery, was slowly turning into an opportunity for adventure.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante would be stunned if their conversion had stayed elevated towards the talk of creatures. She had much to share on that topic and how her parents were assisting the ministry to help and protect magical creatures. Chante would've gone full on if she was allowed. So many of that work were deemed classified. Madlyn reminded her daughter every single time they were out there feeding hippogriffs or keeping a dragon egg out of the wrong hands of their enemies. It's not everyday one bump into abyone who could indulge in this subject together.

"I don't know. I ah, sort of just send word to my mom about this. If she says no and I go against her word, then I'm in trouble with her." She see he was ready to take on the forest and all it's mysteries. The mention of going about as near as the entrance sounded fun to him. Chante moved back to the arched window, her eyes scanning over the forest grounds. And how is this helping this first year? It's leading him to a death wish more like it. But then again....She breathes. She shakes while holding onto the solid foundation in front of her. "Okay. We can go at the entrance and nothing farther than that, okay? I want to leave flowers for someone who passed away a long time ago. If I agree, please don't make me regret this?"
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[Alkander Avaskadiras]

Alkander had a subtle puzzled expression on his face when Chante mentioned that she had asked for her mother's permission in order to visit the forbidden forest. He was never going to inform his father about his
misdemeanors. After all, exploring wasn't a wrongdoing and he thought he was careful enough to avoid getting caught. After this short chat with this girl, the boy was craving for an outdoorsy adventure but she was too thoughtful about it. "Someone died in the forest?" He exclaimed shocked, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. "How it happened?" He continued with undimmed enthusiasm as he looked outside the window at the forest. He suspected of course an incident involving a student. "I thought that the forest was named forbidden because of dangerous creatures but we can explore its fringes. It must be safer than going deeper." He promised in an attempt to quench his thirst for adventure but also conform to Chante's prudence. "So, when are we going? I'm ready when you're ready!" He stated, hardly containing his impatience. He wasn't expecting to go now right away. He just hoped that she would consider it and let him know so they could go together.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante was hesitant to say who that was that passed away. Chante didn't like the reaction he gave when she mention it. But as long as he was going with her, there was no point in keeping this bit information to herself. "Yes, my granddad. And I don't think he's the only one that's passed away in that forest." This school had a long history, and she sure that not everything about it was magical and pretty. "I rather not say." Chante said above a whisper. Meaning she wasn't told of the gruesome details. Madlyn told her enough so that she would understand, but not enough to stomp out any future potential questions. There was a lot she liked to ask about, but afraid too because it might upset her mother if she did asked. "I'll let you know by breakfast tomorrow? I should have picked flowers in the gardens by then. So it may be tomorrow afternoon, if I'm not behind any of my assignments or anything. Sounds good to you?"
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[Alkander Avaskadiras]

Alkander felt horrible when Chante shared that the person that had passed away in the forbidden forest was actually her grandfather. His excitement was wiped out in an instance and remorseful, lowered his head slightly. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know." He apologized not sure what else to say. Realizing that this was of a higher significance for Chante than his regular adventurous ventures, he decided to behave and just escort her without getting her into trouble. Alkander could show the necessary respect since he had relatives who were killed under unknown circumstances.

The boy didn't insist to learn more. He was fine with her inviting him to come along. "Yeah, that would be great." He agreed, thinking that she could find him at Gryffindor's table at the Great Hall. Alkander then checked his watch and remembered of the homework he hadn't yet finished. "It was nice meeting you Chante in this lovely place." He sneered, not for meeting her but for the place that wasn't really the best place to make acquaintances. "I should be going now. Let me know whenever you know. Take care and see ya!" He gave her a wave goodbye as he went for the exit.

Alkander made his way to the common room, halfhearted that he had to do his homework. At the same time he was excited for his plan with the Hufflepuff girl.

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Chante waved him off. "It's okay, you didn't know. I had to tell you just in case we get caught. They'll probably be more understanding if we told them that." Which was the honest truth. No lie there. She will gather the flowers and meet him afterwards. That was the plan, which is why she didn't understand his enthusiasm. The forest was no joke. She may live in a forest, but she's protected by her parents. Thanks to their grand structure, Chante never worried about exploring the area where she lived. "There are centaurs, y'know? We can't tread anywhere near them, so don't get any ideas about anything else?!" Chante called out after the boy. "It was nice meeting you too, Alkander!" She waved goodbye, then took the staircase fastest towards the kitchen. She had to prepare for tomorrow's small mourning ceremony. It's been years since her granddad had one properly done at the forest. She would like to believe her grandmother would be so proud of her for dong so.
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