Closed White as Lilies

[Benji Killian]

Benji had spent a few days getting accustomed to his new life away from home. Memories of his dad had begun to whisper to him in the quiet moments of the day. He was old enough to go to school finally, and he was not there to take pride in Benji's accomplishments. It was tough, especially when most of the first years were writing home to tell their family and friends all about their experience for the first time away from home. Benji had Jamie, of course, but it was different with him. Not bad, just simply different. So without bothering him with his thoughts, Benji had not written to him about his nightmares but rather updated him with the need to know.

Sitting on a bench in the Hogwarts garden, Chasseur, his pet raven, sat perched on his shoulder as they overlooked a section of white lilies. Benji always loved the white flowers though he read somewhere that they were often flowers found at funerals and funeral arrangements. "How fitting, Chasseur, don't you think?" Benji said as he reached over his shoulder and ran a finger over the raven's small head. The bird cawed in approval as it turned its black eyes on Benji, and it blinked. Benji smiled as he turned his attention to people watching as the gardens had several visitors.

@Charlie Helkovaara

 

[Charlie Helkovaara]

Charlie had barely been able to sit still since coming to school. He was restless, missing his dad terribly. He hated this, he hated being away. His entire life, all he had ever really had was his dad, and he hated feeling like he didn't even have that anymore. He'd been walking around for a while, eventually finding his way into the gardens. He had Kohaku nestled in his hoodie pocket, keeping his hands in his pockets as well and softly stroking the birds feathers. He'd kept Kohaku with him after the first night at school. He found himself in the gardens after a while. He wondered around, stopping to look at some flowers, smiling softly as his jacket rustled a bit and Kohaku cooed.

 

[Benji Killian]

"Your pocket is cooing," Benji said as he and Chasseur looked at both the boy and his cooing pocket. He was unsure if the cooing was an owl or not, but he knew it was clearly avian. Benji could not help but smile as it seemed sweet to tote a pet around in a pocket. Chasseur, his raven, would protest to that sort of treatment which was fair. He was far too large to fit in Benji's pocket. They did spend a considerable amount of time together in between classes. Benji was surprised at how quickly he had bounded with the raven. But he was happy to have a piece of home with him to get him through the school year.

@Charlie Helkovaara

 

[Charlie Helkovaara]

Charlie looked up when he heard someone speak. "Oh, hello," he smiled shyly, nodding at the boys words. "I like your raven. What's his name?" Charlie asked, walking over to the other boy. Charlie stopped when he was closer, gently pulling Kohaku from his pocket. The little owl seemed annoyed, ruffling his dark feathers and settling in Charlie's open palms. "This is Kohaku," he introduced the little bird, smiling fondly.