Without an Address (Kaden)

Subject: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 5:33 pm

The cold never touched Matthew. It was a bit chilly in the owlery, the wind howling as it touched the stone walls, but not unpleasantly so. It carried in the scent of rain and it mixed with the dull stink of owl droppings. Matthew found comfort sitting on the straw-covered floor, among the regurgitated skeletons of mice and voles. He sat very still, taking in the many sounds; the ruffling of feathers, the occasional calling among the owls, the silent hum of the rain.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 5:56 pm

The rain did not bother Kaden much, but the cold and the wind made it impossible for him to breath. For anyone else, the wind and cold drench of rain would be a mild inconvenience, but for Kaden it felt like he was slowly drowning. The air in his lungs not staying long enough before it was whisk away back into the life stream. The healers at St. Mungos did warn him about the adverse effects to the cold, but still he went out into the chilly morning air, where the rains freshly coated the grounds of Hogwarts. He did not linger long enough to enjoy the view of the lake in the distance or watching the owls sweeping in and out of the owlery for their morning hunt.

Kaden dashed across the designated roadway to the tower, hitting every puddle that lay in between him and his destination. With a wheezing sigh of relief, he was in front of the doors to the owlery, still carrying a poorly wrapped package under his robes. With the queue of the coming storm, he took refuge in the owlery. There at least he would only have to fight one of the two elements plaguing his sort of breath.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 6:26 pm

Footsteps interrupted the symphony of sounds, making the melody less fluent, less relevant. It was not odd that someone else would come up to the owlery, even in this weather; though Matthew wished they did not, for the sake of preserving the calm. He raised his eyes to the circle room, found the tall opening and the arch; the door. Soon after, Matthew saw a boy come through. Rather than speaking, for Matthew wouldn’t know what to say, he observed the other boy silently. He took in the dark hair, the narrow nose; and noted the Gryffindor colours on his robes. With the boy’s breathing, Matthew heard silent whistling of lungs, barely audible, but most certainly there. It was a sound he sometimes heard when Auntie did too much work or lifted something heavy, or when Matthew himself was sick.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 6:42 pm

Kaden was preoccupied to notice anyone in the room. Right at the moment of him closing the heavy wooden doors, a strong gust of wind pushed them open. It took all the strength he had left, especially under these circumstances to shut the doors. Finally, the doors closed with a clatter, which point Kaden exhausted, lean up against the door. His face stalk white, and his clothes drench in water and mud.

As each gasp of air became easier and easier to take another, he turn his attention to the arch just before where the owlery lies. Not only did the owls look at him with indignation, but a lone boy with sleek black hair and a scrawny physique was propped up against the far wall, observing him.

“…Hello…” he said through breaths.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 7:08 pm

For another moment Matthew stayed still. Then his lips promptly curled up into a smile and he raised his hand in a little wave; and he said “Hi”, his eyes bright and curious. “What’s your name?” It was only one person, one boy, and Matthew thought he could handle it. A larger number of people would certainly have made him uncomfortable; but here in the owlery the only other living creatures were owls, and maybe cockroaches, and that was fine.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 7:35 pm

Not to seem ill manner, even though this probably wasn’t the best time to waste oxygen, he stepped through the threshold into the Owlery. Over the years he was in this room many times but it still amazed him each time. The tower went up at least four stories all filled with the brim of nooks in the wall, housing hundreds of owls. It was as if Kaden was in the middle of a symphony; owls hooting back and forth, owls’ wing flapping against the harsh wind to and from the opening in the wall to the outside. It was no wonder why this boy, thought it was peaceful.

“My name? Kaden Carr,” Kaden gave it up readily. “You can call me Kia though. And yours?”

As he took another step in Kaden almost slipped on owl droppings. Now he understood why others don’t seldom stay here. Mangled unrecognizable bones litter the molted hay floors, and even though a fresh breeze swept through the window a lingering odor still persist. Kaden on the other hand had no complaints though, seeing as how he hadn’t recovered from the cold.

Still flushed as he reached the opposite wall, leaning up against it for support, he took out his slender wand. The cedar wand felt natural in his hand, as if it was an extension of his body. With a whisk of his wand and a few words, his clothes became crisp and dry as if today was the first day he bought them.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 7:56 pm

“Matthew McGee, pleased to meet you,” the Slytherin chirped, picking up a piece of hay and twirling it between his fingers. “People don’t really call me anything other than that.” Auntie called him Matty, sure, but that was embarrassing and he didn’t want others using that name.

Matthew winced when Kaden nearly slipped, but relaxed once the other found his balance. He’d dropped his piece of hay in that moment so he picked up another. Gentle warmth reached him as Kaden dried his robes; only then did Matthew become aware of the cold, because the dry air was something to compare it to. “Did you come here to send a letter?”

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun May 19, 2013 8:22 pm

“That’s better,” Kaden told himself, feeling for the moment warm and cozy as if he snuggled up by the fire with someone. The only thing left damp, was his untamed hair, which to him seemed to fit his style better. “McGee. Nice name,” he said not remotely sarcastic. Kaden had a habit of connotating a name with a face, wither it is a nickname, a pet name, or in this case his last name. The name fit his image. There are a thousand Matthews in the world, but McGee, Kaden hardly came across that name.

“Oh, Yah. Almost forgot,” Kaden said, patting himself down to find his package. It was still pinned precisely under his robes, where he first pinned it on. Finally, untangling the package from his robes, it was a poor imitation of a wrapped present. The brown paper stuck out at odd places, and Kaden used probably three pounds of tape. But even though the parcel was a mess both the content inside was edible and his writing was clearly legible.

The package was addressed to St. Mungo’s second floor staff.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Wed May 22, 2013 1:55 pm

“Is it?” Matthew looked thoughtful for a moment, but then gave a shrug. “I never really thought about it.” McGee was his father’s name; foreign and figureless. It was his mother’s name, fragile as a memory and, Matthew supposed, his own. It was the one thing that connected Matthew to his ma and pa, because it said so on the letter he found in Auntie’s sock drawer, even though Auntie never showed it to Matthew.

From where he was sitting, Matthew couldn’t see to whom or where to the bundle was addressed. Still he nodded twice, in regard to Kaden’s package. “I guess that makes sense.” Why else would people come to the owlery if not to send a letter, a piece composed of information for their loved ones, or a package, carrying a sacred item. Then again, Matthew had come without thinking of such things. He had no letter written, for he did not know what to say in it; and he could not send it, for he had no address of its would-be recipients.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Thu May 23, 2013 12:04 am

It was self-evident to Kaden that McGee was a man of few words. Even though Kaden could not see it, McGee’s responses were directed more toward himself, and his tranquil stream of consciousness, than toward Kaden. Did he mind? Not at all, in fact Kaden enjoyed the induced silence, it made his fast paced lifestyle, the hustle and bustle of throwing around the quaffle, seem more complacent in comparison. For a time, Kaden closed his eyes and listen to the sounds around him; the low hoots back and forth between one owl and another, the wind whistling through the cracks of the open windows.

Kaden just felt tired. His eyelids just felt heavy to keep them open any longer, and he could hardly lift his limbs. His thoughts slowly drift off to the between place: neither the tangible of reality, nor the illusion of the dream. Suddenly, his eyes bolted open, and he jump up with a fright screaming, “Sorry Professor. I dozed off.” He realized that he was not in the middle of class, taking his Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, but in the Owlery. There was no professor looming over him, but McGee. “Sorry,” he muttered laughing at his tom foolery. If you couldn't laugh at yourself, who could you laugh at?

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Sun Jun 30, 2013 11:12 am

It took another moment as Matthew considered his options; in the end, he must have decided that it was useless, and he lifted his head to Kaden again. The boy had closed his eyes, and Matthew watched him watching something unseen, something behind his closed eyelids.

The result was rather amusing, as the boy’s alarmed scream echoed through the owlery; waking owls and making them flutter their wings in agitation. Matt stood to try and calm those closest to him, whispering soothing words and motioning carefully with his hand. It worked after a moment, and the restful energy spread in a spiral, all the way up until the last owl calmed.

“You’re fine,” Matthew turned back to Kaden and flashed him a smile. For someone who spent most of his time among other Slytherins, it was not often that he saw someone acting quite so silly. It brightened the air around them, despite the grey walls and the clouds outside.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:17 pm

Rather embarrassed, he could not help but turn his head away from McGee as he fettle with his package. Seeing as quite a few owls were returning and the cold blistering winds seemed to settle just a bit, Kaden got to his feet, approaching a large Barn Owl. He pet the owl for a time to calm himself and the owl down, before sending him/her (he did not know) off into the winter/spring rain and wind.

Ever so gently he tired his poor excuse of a wrapped package to the owl. “Send this to St. Mungos. They will know who to give it too.” The owl nodded his/her head in recognition before taking off to the storm. He watch as the owl slowly disappeared behind a sheet of rain clouds in the distance. Kaden felt bad for letting the barn owl loose in such poor condition but it could not be helped.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:05 pm

Somewhat sensing his embarrassment, especially as Kaden avoided his gaze and turned to thumb at his package, Matthew turned his eyes elsewhere. He shuffled his feet, hand sneaking into his robes' pocket and fingers tugging at a piece of parchment that he had meant to send. Yet no words had come to him still, nor did he suddenly become aware of the address he had to have to send it.

"Is someone hurt?" Matthew asked instead, leaving the parchment alone for now. The words sounded awfully intrusive on his lips; and Matt had to apologise, for he did not know Kaden well enough to ask such a question. "I'm sorry."

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:19 pm

The prattle patter of the rain pooled against the window ceil and the floor below the open window. Kaden stick out his arm to feel the rain against his skin and between his fingers as all around him a symphony of owls hooted back and forth. Several times a small crash drew his attention as an owl let loose a torn carcass of one of its preys, hitting the hey covered stone floor.

He pondered Matthew’s question as the rain slowly crept down his arms and onto his robes. It was a genuine question that any curious mind would want to know. He had nothing to hide so Matthew did not need to apologize for such things. “It is fine,” he said taking his soaked hand and using it to rewet and comb his untamed hair. “No. No one is sick. It is a gift for the staff who treated me so kindly the past year I was absent from school.” He did not mind telling others want had befallen him, but he did not want their pity. “I had a blood disorder that I was not getting enough oxygen in my system. Thanks to my si-,I mean the Healers I am almost cured.” He corrected himself before revealing that he had a sister, because he promised Leia that he wouldn’t.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:08 pm

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Wed Jul 03, 2013 11:30 pm

“Yes I am!” he said in a boyishly good mood as he bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. His shoes made this rather odd squishing sound as they soaked up the water beneath his feet. McGee’s kind words did not go unnoticed. It wasn’t filled with pity or an apology for what befallen him years ago, but kindness and positivity. Like Kaden, he too is a kinder spirit in that way. To return his kindness he asked, “It is still early enough in the morning before breakfast; want to explore more of the castle with me?”

His friends were great and all, but they were extroverts. They always needed to be stimulated in one form or another. They need hustle and bustle and exploring the castle more in depth did not suit them at all, because they found it boring and wasteful. Kaden found it peaceful and fun. He extended that invitation to McGee, seeing as how he might share the same interest.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:59 pm

"Uh," Matt appreciated the invitation, he really did; but as much as he liked to explore it was usually rather outside than the inside. Never mind the rain. The only reason he had been cooped up in the owlery was because he had been trying to write the letter.

On the other hand, no one had ever invited him to do anything together. Either Kaden didn't think Matthew was that much of a freak or Matt hadn't given him enough reason to think so. It seemed reason enough to accept, this one time. What was the worst thing that could happen?

"Yeah. Yes, I do," he said promptly, in case Kaden thought to change his mind.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:07 pm

“Alright,” he said slipping away from the open window back toward his original position in the Owlery. He extended a hand towards McGee, a new found friend, so they could make their fortunes somewhere else. “Maybe we can explore the third corridor passageway? I heard a few years back that a boy went and got candy from Honydukes through a secret passage in the castle.”

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:30 pm

Oh no. Matthew stood awkwardly now. He hadn't thought to explore any secret passageways. He couldn't. Such things had to be narrow and closed. Just the thought made tiny drops of sweat form on the back of his neck. "Couldn't we explore the, um," he didn't know what to say. The image of a closed chamber had frozen in his mind and the walls had begun closing in, closer, tighter, impossible to breathe. "The. Something else?"

He gave a tight lipped smile, couldn't do better. He wanted out. He needed the endless green of the castle grounds. Even the rain on his skin; it was nature. It was life. He didn't want the cold stone.

"Actually," Matthew muttered out weakly, apology in his eyes. "Some other time, maybe? I forgot to do my Transfiguration homework. I should do that before class." Matthew was a liar. He lied to Auntie and sometimes he lied to his professors, when they asked him questions he didn't want to answer. He lied to Kaden too. He smiled after he did so, and walked past the Gryffindor on his way out of the owlery.

Subject: Re: Without an Address (Kaden) Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:58 pm

Everything happened so suddenly. At first McGee seemed willing to go with Kaden and explore the many passageways of Hogwarts. Now, he seemed to spin on a dim, hesitant to even be seen with him. Was it something Kaden said? But before he could get in a word in to apologize and asked for forgiveness for whatever he said or did, McGee was out the Owlery and disappeared into the pouring rain.

The door was left ajar, and rain poured in. The already cold tower was swallowed up by the new sheet of bone chilling winds. It howled as it moved through one opening to another. A cold dead wind indicative of what just happen here, now. All Kaden could do was weather the storm.