::Unplanned::{{Family}}::Meetings::

[truffle]

Why, oh why had she pulled herself out of bed at this hour? Out of her warm, sanctuary of a bed, that was once snuggled up in under the covers. But no, sadly, that wasn’t where she was now. She found herself pulling one foot after the other, up along the long, seemingly never ending staircase – in the pitch black of night, that is – shivering ferociously in the icy atmosphere. And, all she had for protection was a pair of baby blue flannelette PJ pants, white tank top and thin black cardigan. She was beginning to regret coming out at here, at such a late hour, in the arctic whether, feeling some what naked. The wind whipped harshly against her porcelain skin, feeling as if it were cutting deep, permanent scars in to her flesh, and freezing the blood underneath her skin, solid. Her clothes weren’t doing much of a good job at keeping her warm.

She felt her body tense with each long step she took up the staircase – right now wishing she had those model legs, that seemed to go on forever – but sadly, not only being exhausted from not being able to sleep, but freezing to the bone. Her tiny hands were clutched tightly to her chest, concealing an enveloped piece of parchment. Nothing urgent or serious, like she was dying or something – although she felt, after this, her chances of getting gnamonia was quite high – but merely a letter to her mother, nothing special. The usual letter most students send to their parents; how are things going back home? Schools good. Oh, I met a really cute guy today… Yadda, yadda, yadda…

And, she could’ve waited ‘till morning to post it, until facing this blistering cold, but, after not being able to sleep, she thought it would be best to do something to exhaust herself, and, well, just think things over.

Finally reaching the top of the stair case, she felt a long sigh of relief heave from her chest, and brake through her solid, blue lips. She took one step in the darkness of the owlery, and already felt a bit safer, within the containment of walls, instead of out there… Freezing to death. As her chest heaved and sunk back, she could see the small cloud erupting from her lips in to the darkness before her, making her lightly shiver. The darkness engulfed her, as she crept deeper in to the owlery, an occasional ‘caw’ or ‘hoot’ lightly breaking the silence.

She glanced around the room, suddenly feeling anxious as she saw all the bright eyes staring back at her with curiosity, as to what she was doing there at such a later hour. Thank god, them being nocturnal, she didn’t wake them. Dominique glanced around for an owl. No specific owl, in particular. Just a regular old owl, capable of taking the letter to her mother and father, Bill and Fleur Weasley. A pair of golden eyes stood out from the rest, staring at her inquisitively, watching her every movement. As her feet slowly dragged her forward to the feathered creature, her eyes began to adjust to the darkness, and she saw the owl was a snowy white, the tips of it’s wings a raven black. Holding her hand out cautiously to the bird, it resisted, before arching it’s neck forward. Opening it’s sharp yellow beak, it gently nibbled on the tip of Dominique’s fingers. She smiled, finding the slight tingling feeling in her finger quite relaxing.

She held her forearm out to the bird’s chest, and after a moment, she felt it’s sharp claws attach themselves to her skin. Slowly, she made her way over to an open window, shivering as the wind rolled into her. Leaning out of the window slightly, she handed the envelope, entitled ‘Mr and Mrs Weasley’ in a scribbled handwriting, to the owl. It’s claws held the letter firmly, before suddenly, pushing down on her arm, spreading it’s wings, and diving in to the arctic night. Smiling to herself, she sighed, as she watched the white figure dance across the sky, until it disappeared in to the night.

Slowly, she turned, glancing at the many eyes, that darted around the room, cooing softly, as if speaking in their own little language she wasn’t able to understand. Stepping away from the open window, she made her way over to an empty brick wall, which she leaned against for a moment, before slowly sliding down to the wooden floor. She hugged her legs tightly to her chest, resting her head against the wall behind her, and gazing back out the window.

Hoot…
Hoot…
Hoot…

The Soft, almost poetic voices cooed above her, sounding as soft and graceful as the wind, whipping heavily outside the four walls that kept her warm.

[Victoire Weasley]

At first she had thought it was merely the insomnia that usually kicked in just before a Quidditch game, for tomorrow's match was against Hufflepuff, and she couldn't wait to show her brother that she wasn't the girly girl he constantly told her she was. But, as Victoire stared at the ceiling above her, she knew it had to be something more.
There was a rustle, and the Gryffindor fought to keep still, pretending to sleep. Most everyone would fall for it, unless it was Rosie, who knew too well about Vikki's sleeping habits. The rustle, of blankets and sheets, continued for another minute or two, and then the girl -for this was a girl's dormitory- must have realized how much noise she was making, and stopped. Or, she was making a break for it. The door opened and shut, with barely a muffled 'umph', and the only reason Victoire heard it was because the room was near silent, and most of the girls within were incredibly self-conscious, and performed non-snoring spells before sleeping.
Despite the intense resistance from her body, Victoire sat up, and glanced around the room, trying to figure out who was missing. Rosie was here, Lily was passed out, Bella was curled underneath her blankets, Dom was...
Dom's gone. Gawd, I wish she's sit still longer. Maybe she just went out to the loo or something
She pulled her reluctant self out of bed, shivering in a pair of shorts, and a rather abused t-shirt, and crept outside. Now that she was awake, she'd never fall asleep, and figured she'd go say hi to some owls. Though she didn't own one for herself, she often took care of the Owls owned by the school. She'd have to ask her mother for an Owl of her own.
She climbed the many stairs, regretting the fact she hadn't brought a sweatshirt or something, for it was incredibly cold for August. The sound of cooing made her smiled, as she walked inside, speaking to each of them by the names the house elfs had told her. "Evenin' Libra. Looking pretty, Gem" She patted a bold white one on the head, the same owl that had been named after her uncle's. "Hey, Hedwig" She whispered to it, and then realized she wasn't alone.
Dom sat on the florr, her arms wrapped around her legs, and looking like she was falling asleep. Of course, it was none of her business what her younger sister was doing, but she was the elder sibling, and it was in her nature.
Vikki stood by the window, and smiled, rolling her eyes. "Most people enjoy sleeping in beds. I see you enjoy sleeping with Owls. Should I be worried?"