Taking Chances

[Yerik Rhys Price]

The Owlery was probably an odd choice of a spot to hang out since it wasn't a place he frequented often. For one thing, it was in a constant state of cacophony. For another, there was the poop. Some poor sod probably had the job of cleaning the place, but Yerik Rhys was pretty sure it filled up again the moment the floor was clean. Despite all of its shortcomings, the Ravenclaw rather liked the Owlery. No matter what time of day he went, it always seemed to be bustling with activity, even if it was just of the winged variety. For all the ideas about owls being purely nocturnal, there were a surprising number at Hogwarts who were active during the day, probably just to confuse everyone. Clever buggers. Though, it seemed that now that the fourth year had an owl of his own to visit, his timing couldn't be more off. At the moment, the raven was content to just lean against the wall of the Owlery next to the window, of course, so at least the late spring breeze might chase away some of the stench and hide. Well, not hide, exactly. There was nothing really to hide from. It was just that every now and then, hiding out somewhere seemed like the best thing for the boy's sanity.

He was taking a break from his usual methods of sanity-saving, but now he was starting to feel a bit ill, and his hands were starting to get a rather worrying tremor, and... well, he just needed a place to go so that he could calm down a bit. That was all. Nothing was wrong. He was probably just coming down with something. Never mind that "the shakes" was usually something Yerik Rhys equated with "withdrawal." That was definitely not what was going on here. Maybe he had apoplexy. You know there's something wrong with you when you start hoping for apoplexy. The pureblood year sighed, letting himself slide down the wall until he was in a crouching position. He'd at least found a spot where there seemed to be the least amount of bird poop. Yerik Rhys could just stay up here for awhile until the shaking in his hands subsided, assuming it would. It was rather frustrating to try and do anything when the boy felt like this. Still he dragged his hands into the parchment, and got his quill inked. Scribbling a few words until it turned into a letter, there was only one person he could think of sending a letter to. Geni. Yerik's sister, at the same time he's only best friend or at least he think so. They shared everything together, from secrets to mistakes, everything. Out of boredom and paranoia, it was best to send his sister a letter.

Geni,
How are you these days? I hope mother and father returned your door, if not well good luck with that. I've heard that Ben is ill, I bet Dr. Newman already did his magic around him. He always does anyway. I've been missing you a lot and of course our family as well. School is fine, dull but fine. I haven't decided yet whether to come home this holidays, but since I have a choice, I'll think it over. If you're interested, we had this field trip to the muggle movie theater. It was nice but the movie's dreadful, we watched David Bowie. IKR. David Bowie, the movie's called 'The Labyrinth' and it sucked. You should let Luka watch it, tie him on movie room. He'll go nuts and make sure to video record him, to sum all the excitement up.

Only a few more years remain then I'll graduate, I hope to have high grades. Anyway, how's work? Is father treating you well? How's our airlines? Father have promised me that he'll be teaching me how to fly a plane that is when I turn sixteen, then there's this driver's licence thing. I almost forgot, how's your car? Is it still the same or you've painted it red already? I'm missing out. Tell father and mother, I send them my words that I'll get my O's. Hug Naddy and Ben for me. I'll wait for your letter, just don't let your stupid owl send dead rats. Ok?</FONT></COLOR>

- - Yerik​

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<COLOR color="#000"><FONT font="Verdana">Once he was done writing, Yerik Rhys rolled his letter and wrapped it around his owl, Cameron. The snow owl just in time as he whistled a tune, calling for him. Yerik Rhys glided his hands towards him, gently touching him. He looks please to see his owner, since it's been a long time that Yerik sent a letter. Usually it was his father who would send him letters, or perhaps his mother. Soon Cameron took flight and soared above the sky, on the other hand the fourth year watched him as he leaned his head to the wall once more.

 

[Isla Smith]

It was early morning and Isla was sitting in her room, studying Potions at her desk. her mother had told her that she would be sending for the exams soon that Isla was required to complete. It was tough, trying to study for her OWLs at home. She so very much wanted to go to school and learn in an environment with other people. She wasnted to learn how to properly socialise, like Mere or Kialla. Even though Kialla is currently home-schooled she is soon to be attending Hogwarts in New Zealand. Because of this, Isla was extremely jealous. It appeared that she was the only school aged member of her family, that was not, and will not, be attending a mgaical school. It was obvious that her family prefered her as the future matriarch. The simple fact that she was treated like she was told her that much. Isla sighed and continued to read through her text book. her mother would be coming in soon to test her on her knowledge at making whatever potion she saw fit to make Isla make. Which meant that Isla had to read over ten Potions, to make sure that she wasn't taken by surprise when her mother chose the potion she wanted her to brew. Though knowing her mother, she would pick one that was going to be hard or atleast challenging with alot of steps that could be taken in two ways, such as with the Felix Felicis, which could actually kill you if brewed incorrectly.

Isla sighed and closed her textbook, electing instead to write out some of the Potions she knew by heart and seeing how much she remembered. It was times like these that Isla had to admitt that she sometimes got annoyed with her parents, always expecting such great things of her. It was definitely something she was not so accepting of. One of the houseelves came into her room and Isla whipped around to stare at it with disgust and anger on her face. How dare it come into her room! "Who do you think you are, Elf!? You may not pass through my door without first acknowledging your presence. Remove yourself this instance you insolent Creature." She then watched as it scurried away and rolled her eyes in exasperation. She couldn't believe the nerve of some of those creatures. How dare they just waltz in unannounced. Did they think she was stupid? Tolerant? Incompentant? She sighed in mental anguish as she returned to her work and tried to ignore the interruption. Though as she got further into her work, she suddenly became aware that there was something scratching at her window. Curiously she opened it, and almost fell backwards as an owl flew through the window, nearly colliding with her. She blinked confused and looked at the Owl. She didn't recognise it at all. So it wasn't Meredith's. Curious again, Isla picked up the letter and ripped it open. She quickly read over it, and frowned. How dare this Yerik person, send her a letter that was for someone else. His dirty owl was sitting on her floor. She was not impressed. Not at all. Moving over to her desk, Isla pulled out a fresh pad of parchment and more ink, intending to write this boy a letter to express her distaste with this.</FONT></COLOR>​

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Now see here Mr Yerik,

My name is Isla Smith and I must say that I do not under any circumstances appreciate you sending me a letter that was meant for another! I care not as to whether it was done with purpose, or by accident, but you should like to know that your filthy owl is on my floor and I just had it cleaned. Thankyou very much for dirtying it with your owl! I do not appreciate being taken from my studies and as such I shall blame this mishap on whoever this letter was meant for. Please remember that my studies are very important to me and I do not appreciate being taken away from my studying time. Whoever this Geni is, you must send your letter again. I have enclosed it within my own letter, simply for you to resend. Please next time make sure you know where it is going.

xxIsla.

<COLOR color="#8D496D"><FONT font="Tahoma">Isla enclosed the letter into the envelope and with it, the letter meant for whoever this Geni person was. She was still not happy after the Owl left and proceeded to call the houseelves to clean her room before going to find her mother.​

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[Yerik Rhys Price]

The circumstances was that Geni could receive the letter or she couldn't since Cameron seems to be hazy these days. He loves that owl but with the time period he's been not sending letters, it made his worry if ever Geni would receive anything. Yerik Rhys sighed, hoping this time he'll get it right, just this once. Folding his arms as he leaned to the wall, the Ravenclaw closed his eyes for a moment knowing that Cameron's fast and Geni is a fast writer as well. There's a reason to wait for her, at least that was his thinking. The weather's overwhelming, the soundless place seems soothing, everything could be perfect except for the bird poops scattering. It wasn't after a couple of minutes when he heard Cameron, chirping as he got screw or something. Yerik approached his pet and saw his letter still attached to his claws, as well as a new letter. Well this is surprising. Maybe Geni didn't want his letter but it was so unlike her, she used to keep their letters even as kid it was expected of her.

Yerik Rhys scratched the back of his neck and approached Cameron, who seems to be nervous of his owner. "What do you have here?" he asked the bird, knowing he won't respond ever. He reached into his claws and saw his note, then the other note. Slowly he opened it, just to see something surprising. Someone else handwriting, it wasn't certainly Geni or his siblings, cousins as well. Even Clea wouldn't write such thing, a stranger. A rude stranger who seems to be irritated by the fact that Cameron send her a letter. It's a girl too, a girl not a lady. "Isla? Who's Isla?" Yerik kept repeating the questions inside his mind, until he wondered where the h3ll Cameron went on. He straighten up the letter and began to read the strangers words, "What the? She could have just said that my owl sent her my letter by mistake." he hissed as he glared at her handwriting. He hated how Cameron sent the letter to a girl he doesn't even know or intend to send any message to, and that this Isla girl is irritating by such mistake.

As a gentleman, he didn't bother to argue. It was so unlike him or at least what he is now, he didn't want any arguments. Since the last time, it ended with a real girl glaring at him. "I'll just apologize for now." Yerik said to himself as he took another parchment and began apologizing for the mishap. Hopefully she wasn't a muggle by any chance, then that would be horrible. Still it was unlikely to happen, with his quill inked he wrote down some words but decided to keep it simple, short and concise.

Ms. Smith,

I have no idea how my owl is this inane to send you a letter, since it was meant for someone else. My apologies Ms. Smith for how my pet acted, then again your thank you deserves a welcome in return. Though it wasn't my pleasure to cause any dirt on your floor. Thank You for returning my letter.</FONT></COLOR>

- - Yerik Rhys Price​

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<FONT font="Verdana">He felt he needed to write his real name, since Isla did. Though it was hi first time hearing such name, since there were a lot of Smith's around the globe. Though if she is a witch, she'll probably knew him by his name. Especially if she's a pureblood, the Price were well known around the wizarding world and even sometimes in the muggle world. Their airlines is a reason as well, that is if she is that witty. With all said and written, Yerik Rhys attached the letter to Cameron. Making sure he'll return it to Ms. Isla Smith, <COLOR color="mediumblue">"Return it to that grouchy girl, okay?" he whispered to his pet and watched him flew up, up and away.

 

[Isla Smith]

It was finally time for Isla to speak with her father. The time had come for their evening chat and she was eager to hear how the buisness side of things were coming along. During their last talk, she had discovered that the Smith family is infact quite a lot more wealthy than she had once thought. It was a shock to her, after thinking she was only a millionaire, she learns she is a billionaire, atleast she was in muggle terms. She shook out her hair and clasped the last clip on her dress before stepping out of her room and into the hall. She then bagan to head to her fathers study. However, once she reached the staircase she heard a strange squawking noise from above her and she looked up to see that same disgusting owl from before. How annoying. She took the letter from the filty bird and walked up to the owlery where it could eat. If he was going to be flying round, then she may as well have fed him. She looked at the owl. Any further correspondance that occurs between myself and Yerik, will be undertaken here and nowhere else. Is that understood. I will not have you flying around the mansion like a crazy bird." She opened the letter and looked at the hand writing. If there had been any doubt about who this letter was from, it was all gone now. She shook her head at the apologetic tone of the letter, although if she was not mistaken, she had heard the name some where before. Yerik Rhys Price. She shrugged. She was sure if it were important to her it would come back to her.</FONT></COLOR>​

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<FONT font="Georgia"><COLOR color="#000">Mr. Price,

I can not help but to feel embarrassment over my earlier letter. My behaviour was equal to that of a small child. It was behaviour that I should never have displayed, whether it was through a letter or in person. Please accept my apologies as I too accept yours through your owl. I hope that this has not tainted your ideas of what I must be like. I assure you that my behaviour, is never like what I had displayed.

Sincerely
xxIsla.

Isla finished her letter and attached it to the well fed owl. She rolled her eyes and shooed it away. However just as she was going to leave, she had a thought and quickly fetched a small notebook out of her pocket and scribbled a few extra words.​

Please if you wish to write a reply, send my owl Pixie, she is not likely to get lost and she requires very little nutrients.
xxIsla

She then attached it to her beloved owls leg and sent her off, wondering why she was so eager to get a reply.​

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

He'd rather be back at home, resting in his bed and just enjoy his time with his family. Instead here he was near a bird poo at the same time wondering why on hell did his owl acted foolish around that girl. Cameron probably felt that the stranger's a bad person or something like that, though it's too early to judge her. As much as possible he tried not to underestimate other people or to judge them, even though some would consider doing this to him. Every night he'll wonder how to change himself, like maybe be milder or something. Gain friends or try something really knew. There are a lot of things to change but he didn't know how to start at all. The people he had met seems to be a blur to him, just a couple of Gryffindor and no Ravenclaws. He couldn't think of a person to call as a friend, still he would never gave up finding at least one. As he was about to leave, Cameron returned with a new letter for him. This surprised the fourth year, she'll probably insult him this time. At first he wanted to ignore the letter and return to his dorm, since the corridors were already crowded by students. Cameron on the other hand is on his shoulder, "I'll see you in my dorm. Go." he said to him.

When he flew away, he noticed his owl change. It was obvious that someone fed him or something, if not then he'll be clawing him.The Ravenclaw then read the letter, and was surprised to see her apologize. Which mean she isn't that bad of a person, he figured that to be the end of their conversation but when he reached their common room. He saw a new eyes peeping into his window, raising his eyes brows he felt puzzled. Though there was no one inside and he figured that the letter was for him. He opened the window and saw another letter coming from Isla. It took him a few minutes to decide if he'll reply or not, there was nothing wrong about this situation and since Geni didn't received his letter he took this a sign to meet a new friend or something. Something snapped inside his mind which made him move to his study table to write her back. With his parchment and quill, he started to write his thoughts out.

Ms. Smith,

Since I have no idea how old are you (well maybe not that old), I think that I'll address you as Ms. Smith right now. Thank you for offering your owl, Pixie. I'll try to fed him as well, as you did to Cameron. My view of your personality haven't change nor do I have one really. As you're a stranger I think it's best not to judge at all. Anyway, since were sending letters by owl I figured you're a witch. It would be nice to actually get to know you, even by letter sending. That is if you want to, I'm giving you a choice.

- - Yerik Rhys Price​

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