Eeylops Owl Emporium

[xmoonlightblossomx]

Chang Family

Alex Chang, 19 years old, Hogwarts alumnae


"Hurry up Alex! These galleons aren't going to spend themselves!" yelled an impatient Ami. Alex sighed as he ran to catch up with his younger sister. She had sneaked out of the Palmer mansion in western scotland using Floo powder, chickened out when she realized she was alone, and called him here. He could tell that she was in a bad mood. Retail therapy seemed to be what she regularly turns to when she's lonely. It's as if she was buying things to fill up the holes in her heart. If only mom and dad actually cared about us. If only I didn't lead the busy life of an auror. I haven't seen her in nearly a year. If only...if only Ai didn't get killed in the Battle of Hogwarts. , he thought. Ai. He hadn't thought about his late older sister in ages. He quickly shook those thoughts away. They were too painful, plus Ami was starting to pout. "You know, money can't buy happiness!" said Alex jokingly when he finally caught up to her. Ami smirked, "Maybe, but it makes your suffering a lot easier." He laughed. "Still the same smart-mouth Ami as always, huh? Come on, let's go get you an owl."

The walls were filled with owls of all kinds, and smelled of dust, food pellets, and regurgitated food. The shopkeeper introduced himself, then hurried on his way, leaving the two siblings to wander around. They had looked at just about every owl in the store, but none of them seemed like the one. Ami looked dissapointed that they didn't find anything. "Let's come back next time Ami. Maybe they'll have new stock." comforted Alex. Just as they were stepping out the doorway, a loud crash was heard from the back of the store, followed by a couple screams. They rushed back in to see hell unfolding.

A small owl with brown speckles had escaped and was squawking, knocking other cages over, clawing at customers' heads, and in short, causing quite a hullabaloo. Their were shrieks of terror coming from a group of middle-aged witches who's hats were being stolen by the owl, and the shopkeeper was stumbling around with a net. But it was useless, the bird was flying too swiftly to be caught with a reuglar net. The shopkeeper seemed to realize this too, as he suddenly dropped the net, took out his wand, and was just about to utter a fatal curse, when Ami jumped in front of the frightened owl and screamed, "Stop!" He lowered his wand and cried " This owl was terrorizing my customers, and destroying my store! He cost me so much money, and I don't know how I'll pay for repairs!" "If it's money you're worried about, I'll be more than happy to pay for all the trouble this owl has caused, plus I'll take her out of your hands. She only acted like that because she's always trapped in a cage. Just please don't hurt her."she pleaded. He immediately accepted her offer, and his jaw dropped when he saw Alex and Ami open their large wallets and pour out a ridiculous sum of money. "I-I-I think you overpayed...buy a lot" he stuttered, still in awe. The girl was dressed in normal street clothes, but he had a suspicion that she was not what she seemed. "Keep the change and go buy yourself something pretty." replied Ami as she tried to keep from laughing after using such a cliche phrase. The two then left the store with their new mischievous pet.

"So," asked Alex "what are you naming her?" Ami was quiet for a moment. "Love. I'm naming her Love." They stood in silence for a few seconds as they both tried to hold back the tears before Alex finally replied, "just like Ai." She nodded, then cleared her throat. "C'mon Alex, let's go get some icecream. Race you there!" He looked fondly at his sister. She seemed to change moods quickly. She was the most important person in his life, and he was hers.