Her Tulip Heart | R.J. Lupin

Chapter 26

It was the next day and Alethea was at breakfast alongside the majority of students. Most were having a last breakfast with their friends before they went home for Christmas break, some were happy and others were sad and anxious. Alethea was sitting with Adelyn at the Ravenclaw table, munching on a bit of toast, while her friend read today's edition of the Daily Prophet as the two awaited the arrival of Estella. In the meantime, this gave her the opportunity to wonder how Harry was holding up this morning after being very distraught and upset about Sirius yesterday outside of the Three Broomsticks. Alethea of course, tried her best to comfort him and let him know that he wasn't alone, but she feared he may not've believed her.

Just as she was about to stab an egg with her fork, she heard the familiar screech of an owl making its way into the Great Hall. Alethea was slightly confused as to who would be getting mail the day students are returning home. Not caring about who the owl was for, she returned to her egg about to try and stab it again. With her fork hovering dangerously above the egg yolk, the weight of something suddenly landed on her shoulder and hooted directly in her ear. Jumping in shock, Alethea's hand slammed back down onto the table- well technically her fork did and it went straight into the egg yolk.

'AHH!' Adelyn yelped in surprise, dropping her paper onto her bowl of cereal as yolk splattered onto her jacket and the parts of her face that weren't shielded by her coffee mug. Alethea gasped and hurriedly moved to take her wand out of her boot, to hopefully fix the mess she unintentionally created.

'I'm so sorry Addy! Oh Merlin- I didn't mean to do that!' She rushed out as she first pointed her wand at Adelyn's jacket and then her face, performing a nonverbal cleaning spell.

Adelyn just laughed lightly at her apology, having overcome the initial shock of being splattered with egg. 'S'all good Thea, I'm more worried about who's sending you mail!' She pointed out as the owl started to nibble Alethea's ear. Turning her head to look at the owl, she came face-to-face with two large, round and beady black eyes that belonged to a common barn owl. Scratching behind its head affectionately, Alethea carefully untied the crumpled envelope that was tied to the bird's leg. Looking at the messy scrawl on the front with just her name in it, she opened the envelope and took out the letter inside.

Dear Thea,

I've just heard word from the Ministry and Buckbeak's got a trial date and I don't reckon I can help him. Please come to me hut for tea after breakfast.

-Hagrid

Folding the letter back up carefully and placing it in her jeans pocket, she looked back up at Adelyn who was watching her expectantly. Alethea sighed softly and handed the owl, that was still sitting on her shoulder a bit of toast. The owl accepted it graciously and nuzzled its head into her neck before flying away.

'It's from Hagrid. He wants me to meet with him- probably to help him with the hearing Buckbeak's going to have.' Alethea explained quietly to Adelyn who was listening tentatively.

Adelyn nodded thoughtfully as she swallowed the spoonful of cereal she was chewing. 'I see....well if there's anything I can do to help over break, feel free to owl me,' she offered, genuinely wanting to help. Alethea smiled at her friend and sent her a nod, using the comfortable silence to look around the Great Hall for Estella. And right on cue, Estella came barreling through the Great Hall doors, bumping into people whom were exiting the hall.

Out of breath from running, Estella plonked herself down on the bench next to Alethea and leant over her to steal her goblet of juice.