A Little Oddity
Harry slept late that next morning, and went downstairs to find that everyone else was already dressed and eating breakfast. Katrina seemed to be in a pleasant mood. She was chattering with Ginny about her plans for the day, which included a trip to Diagon Alley.
“I want to visit Eyelops Owl Emporium.” she said. “I need buy my own Apparition Owl.”
“An Apparition Owl? Those don’t come cheap. Do you have the money? ”Mr. Weasley said curiously.
Katrina just smiled. “I can afford one.”
Mr. Weasley just nodded.
“Well, I’ll go with you, Katrina.” Ginny announced. “I’ll help you pick out the best one.”
Percy cleared his throat loudly.
“Unless...er...unless you and Percy want to go by yourselves?” Ginny said awkwardly.
“No! No!” Katrina said instantly. “Don’t be silly, of course you can come, Ginny. I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
“Why?” Fred asked. “Eyelops has a good selection of owls. I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a good one.”
Katrina laughed. “No, that’s not the problem, I’ll see all the owls, and I’ll want to take them all home!”
Mrs. Weasley then suggested that everybody go together. The Hogwarts letters had just arrived, and they needed to get all their school things. In the end, that was what they decided to do.
As soon as they got to Diagon Alley, Percy immediately tried to drag Katrina away from the others. But Katrina would not let him. “Ginny and I want to go look at the owls together.” she told him. Percy sulked but in the end, he didn’t get to steal her away all to himself.
When Katrina asked to see the Apparition Owls, the wizard at the counter gave her a strange look. “There not cheap, girlie.” he said in a grumpy sort of voice. If you don’t have the gold, then don’t waste my time!”
Katrina simply took out a handful of gold coins and laid them on the counter. “I’ve got the money, so don’t you waste my time.” she said in a very annoyed voice.
The man simply walked over to the door leading to a tiny room where the Apparition Owls were held. He said things underneath his breath. Harry figured that the wizard suspected Katrina stole the money or something.
When they entered the room, they all saw that it was a small broom-closet like place with no windows and dim lights. The owls hooted anxiously at them.
“You keep these owls locked up in this tiny room! That’s horrible!” Hermione cried.
“Well, this lot is quite valuable.” the wizard told them. “You can’t just let them sit around in the main showroom where everyone comes in and out. Someone might steal them. They might escape. No, they cost too much for that. Better this way.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter.” Katrina said angrily. “There still living creatures!”
Percy put his arm around her shoulders and spoke soft words trying to calm her anger. It didn’t work because she pushed him off her and stormed off into the opposite corner of the tiny room.
“Poor things.” she said in a sad sympathetic voice. Katrina looked all around the room at the owls, locked away in the dark cold room. Finally, she spotted a very strange looking bird. It was cotton candy pink, and had the body of an owl but the head of a parrot.
“That’s a horrible, ghastly looking bird. You don’t want that one, little girl.” said the wizard.
“Ooooooo. What is it?” she asked, fascinated.
The wizard sighed. “It’s part owl, part parrot, part flamingo. Some freaky witch in Ireland was breeding them. Got in big trouble with the Ministry. The Ministry was going to destroy them but found that they had been trained to be very useful Apparition birds. So, they sent her here. But nobody will buy her. She’s been sitting here for 17 months.” “That’s horrible! I think she’s beautiful!” Katrina said.
“Well, that’s good somebody does. If you really want to do something good for her, give the bloody thing a home. If nobody takes her by the end of the week, I’m going to have to put her down.” the wizard.
Katrina gasped. “Oh no! You can’t do that! I’ll take her! I’ll give her a good home!” she said frantically. “Just don’t kill her!”
“Okay, girlie. Relax. She’s yours. If you can pay for her, that is.” the wizard told.
Katrina quickly opened up her hand bag and shoved some gold coins into his hand. The wizard picked up the bizarre looking bird’s cage and ended it to Katrina.
“You’re really going to buy that ugly thing?” Percy asked flabbergasted. “But it horrible looking!”
“She’s not horrible. She’s beautiful, and I’m going to call her Aphrodite, after the Greek goddess of love and beauty.” Katrina told Percy indignantly. “I happen to think a little oddity gives things character.”
“Well, it’s unusual, all right.” George said chuckling.
“Humph!” was Katrina’s reply as headed towards the door. “What do you think Harry?”
“I think if you like her, that’s all that matters.” Harry said carefully. “At least nobody else at Hogwarts will have one like her!”
Katrina beamed.
“Hey Katrina.” Hermione said as they walked down the street. “I think Aphrodite is a little too heavy of a name for an owl. How about Aphro for short?”
Katrina shook her head. “No way! That sounds too silly.”
“How about Rod?” Fred suggested. Katrina laughed.
“No, I don’t think that gives the same effect.” she said smiling.
“How about O’ Dite?” George offered laughing. “Everyone will think you have an Irish Owl!”
Katrina grinned.
“Ro” was Percy’s suggestion, but Katrina said it was too short of a name.
Harry finally suggested just plain ‘Dite’.
“That’s an awesome idea, Harry!” Katrina exclaimed. “That sounds just right. Dite. Perfect!”
“Wish I would have thought of that.” Percy grumped under his breathe. Fred, George and Ron laughed at this.
Katrina treated everyone for ice cream before they headed back home. As they were sitting at the table, Harry noticed that Katrina was wearing the golden sun charm on her necklace. Along with it, was another charm, the one that she always wore. It clashed horribly with Arizona Brown’s gift.
Harry couldn’t help but stare at it. She usually wore it tucked inside her blouse. It was a long, golden tube with what looked like emeralds, and a single silver spiral circling it. It was a very beautiful piece of jewelry, and it was no wonder to Harry why she never wanted to take it off.
In the next chapter, they are going back to Hogwarts. Any ideas?