Besides the rabid love of pink small girls often displayed, there was another classic symptom of the female gender, and that was a weakness for small, furry animals of any sort. Hannah Harper was certainly aware of the stereotype, but she didn't mind perpetuating it. Not when the school owls were so cute. So here she was, all alone up in the owlery which smelled of soft dusky feathers and, admittedly, a little like owl droppings, softly stroking a saucer-eyed barn owl's head. Maybe the owls sensed her timidness, or maybe she was just very very careful (she remembered the owl Landis had owned for many years, who was very mean and who had absolutely no tolerance for toddlers), but she hadn't been bitten yet, and the owls seemed to enjoy the attention. The poor things probably didn't get very much love, since a lot of students had their own owls. Hannah didn't, though. She didn't have anyone to write a letter to, except home. So she petted them, and maybe she even talked to them a little since no one else was up there, and they preened for her and sidled closer for the careful pampering of her small, soft hands.
 

Evelyn Pascal was way overdue in writing a letter to her mother.  She had recently been sent a package of some of the newest fashions, courtesy of Witch Weekly. Evie and some of the other 5th year Slytherin girls had been quite excited about the arrival.  But now, the girl owed her mother that letter of thanks, lest she think that Evie no longer wished to be sent such items.  If that were to happen, she would just die.  It was part of her blood to be fashionable!

But now, Evie walked up to the Owlery to find her owl in order to send that letter of thanks.  She was dressed warmly as there was starting to have a bit of a chill in the air as the school year moved into October.  When she reached the Owlery, she nearly ran into a small girl, who looked to be a first year.  The girl was a cute looking blonde, who was up there alone.  Evie gave her a smile as she tried avoiding the owl droppings on her way to her owl.  Evie was thankful that she wasn’t wearing any of her more expensive shoes, as well.

“Good evening.” Evie said as she gave her smile to the young girl.

With a small whistle, Athena, the beautiful brown owl which Evie received for her eleventh birthday flew down to one of the lower perches. Then, she smiled at the bird, nearly forgetting about the young girl behind her as she pet the owl and gave her a treat.

Hannah turned to look at the new arrival, revealing the color of her tie- Gryffindor. Surprise widened her blue eyes, but she smiled back warmly enough at the older girl. "Hullo," she said politely back, and continued to stroke the school owl. But she was distracted by the other girl's pretty brown owl, enough so that her petting of the first owl stopped and it nipped impatiently at her fingers for her to continue.

That wasn't the only thing distracting about Evie's arrival. Hannah was meticulous about her own appearance, so the very first thing she'd noticed about Evie was, of course, her clothes. Her very fashionable clothes. Hannah snuck glances at her, part open curiosity and part admiration. That was another thing she liked about Hogwarts, people-watching, and especially when some of the older girls dressed like Evie did.

After giving her owl a pet, she did remember the young girl behind her.  Turning around, Evie saw the girl, and her Gryffindor colored tie.  Though, despite what other people might think, Evie didn’t dislike people by house.  Most of what they saw was an image she just tried to uphold because of her friends and others.  The girl had an owl which she had been petting, and it seemed to be nipping her.  Also, Evie noticed the young Gryffindor was looking at Athena.

“Would you like to pet her? She’s quite friendly.” She asked, moving aside so the girl could get a better look at the bird.  “I’m Evie. This is Athena.”

Evie felt good not being surrounded by other Slytherins.  That’s why she had gone up here alone in the first place.  It was always nice to take walks on her own, mainly to clear her head.

Hannah would have been pleased to know Evie didn't judge by House alone. With both brothers having either been in Slytherin, or currently in Slytherin, she didn't either. House prejudice seemed rather silly to her.

She nodded assent to Evie's question and moved closer, careful not to pet too close to Athena's eyes or mouth. "Thank you," she said, and beamed at Evie. "She's beautiful. I'm Hannah. What year are you?"

Evie smiled as the young girl approached her and her bird.  Hannah was gentle, and Athena appreciated that. The owl had a pleased look on her face and gave a soft coo. Evie smiled to see that. Her owl was a present given to her by her father when she’d been accepted to Hogwarts.  While she didn’t always get along with him, Athena had been the one that Evie was able to talk to when she was upset about her parents. It was good that the owl would have a new friend.

“I think she likes you. And I’m a fifth year. It’s nice to meet you, Hannah. Would I be correct in assuming you’re a first year? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Though there are a lot of people around the castle and I could be mistaken.” Smiling at the young girl, Evie softly petted Athena’s head.

“If you’re up here again and Athena is alone, I’m sure she’d love for you to talk with her. She’s a very good listener and friend.” Evie smiled again.