The King of Curses

Chapter Nine- Brown Owl Calls

Rain pelts the clear glass as beams of sunshine break through the curtain's gaps, heating the hardwood floor. Outside chimes with the call of a water-loving bird. Although it is raining, the world is quiet in the late morning hours.

That is until a sudden thud startles the young witch from her soothing slumber. Magdalene bolts upright. The blanket, that previously was covering her body, is flung off quick as lightning, while the pillow that was lazily resting over her eyes lands with a soft thump onto the floor. She slides over the silky sheets to the bedside table and retrieves her spectacles. Once on, she scans the room for the source of the distrustful sleep interruption. With nothing obviously out of place, she turns onto her side and re-covers herself with the blankets. She settles back into the cozy cloth of the blanket, willing herself to fall back asleep.

Suddenly, the window flies open as a furry of hazel soars through. The large collection of color lands onto the coffee table, knocking everything off in the process. Magdalene bursts out of bed and tumbles to the floor with a loud, pained thud.

Her hand shoots up and frantically searches the bed for her wand. She peaks her head up on the side of the mattress, locating her wand on the other side of the bed.

She whispers, "Accio wand."

The wand flings itself into her outstretched hand. Grasping it tightly, Magdalene points her wand in the direction of the rude awakening. She staggers upright. She cautiously stalks closer to the lump of brown moving over the top of the table. As she approaches the creature, two large yellow orbs make themselves visible. They stare into Magdalene's soul, slowly blinking while she tries to make out what exactly flew through the window.

The animal rolls around on the table. It straightens up and holds a plain card in its beak. The mess of tawny feathers now less of a mess, Magdalene acknowledges the owl resting on the table before her.

"Hello there little friend. Graceful, aren't you." She chuckles.

"Who sent you?"

Magdalene plucks the envelope from the bird's mouth. She tears off the seal, quickly scanning the contents swiftly. A brief message reveals to be a formal invitation from Garreth to attend Aquaitore with him and Poppy. Magdalene clutches the piece of paper in her hand and she closes her eyes, tilting her head to the ceiling and dances in place to silent, celebratory music. A strangled-squeal sneaks past her lips amidst her joyous dance ritual.

The brown owl continues to stare at the young woman beside it, head swiveling to capture the dance she performs.

Magdalene ends her prance, noticing the small creature watching her movements. She reaches her free hand out and offers it to the bird. Springing forthright, the owl lands atop Magdalene's index finger. The barn owl calls out and spreads out its wings in a large stretch. She wanders over to the opened window and holds out her arm. The bird glides it head towards her and blinks several times.

Go on, go home little one.

Calling out once more, the owl turns out to the damp morning scenery. Its wings expand. The creature takes off into the light drizzle outside. Magdalene watches as the brown ball with wings soars past the garden and disappears behind the forest.

Her door creaks open. She turns to find a frumpy old house elf looking over a large piece of parchment while a collection of folded clothing floats above her. She glances up from her paper. Locking eyes with Magdalene, the elf flicks her fingers towards the bed and the clothing flies to her command. The neat pile gently floats above the foot of the bed as the covers fold over. Magdalene watches as the bed makes itself and her clothing, now cleaned, are set down on top of the smoothed sheets. She turns back to thank the elf, but finds the space empty and the door shut.