By the Lake ((Pandora))

[quidditchgirl]

Emma gazed across the lake, watching the ripples across the water. Everytime a ripple made the effect, her owl Armani dove to the water, skimmed her wing tip on the surface, and then flew up again. Every now and again Emma threw her snowy a treat, which she caught elegantly in the air before hooting a thanks at Emma.

The day was fairly cold, but Emma had grabbed her jacket before coming out so she was warm, although her ears had gone rosy red as they always did when in the fresh, chilly air. This made her pale face and black hair contrast extraordinariley with her ears, so she tried to hide them.

Throwing Armani another treat, she noticed a small, brown mouse crouched in the shadows of a tree. Trying to keep Armani occupied, Emma threw her yet another treat, but the owl had already seen the mouse. Folding back her wings, she prepared for a long dive, ready to capture the mouse in her sharp, deadly talons.

[pandora]

Hidden within the shade provided by the great tree at the edge of the lake, a pair of shining yellow eyes watched Armani’s flight with interest. Sharp claws shifted and scratched the bark of the tree limb and a long sleek tail thrashed in anticipation. As the snow white owl dove for the mouse now cowering at the base of the tree, another predator was also taking aim, though the mouse was not his target. Just as Armani swept beneath the low hanging branch, a large dark shape fell from the tree with a hiss and just narrowly missed the white wings. A few feathers were ripped out in the attempt and they fell like orchid petals around the now crouching feline; his gaze was still locked on the bird above him though, and as she wheeled about to escape, the feathers were promptly ignored. Orpheus scrambled back up the tree to take another shot but was snatched half-way through the air by a small pair of hands which threw him into an inescapable embrace.

Pandora was glad she was dressed for the cold as it stopped Orpheus from scratching her. Her small frame was wrapped in a heavy set of black wool robes with green satin lining, her hands were protected by fine black lambskin gloves with small silver snakes embroidered on the wrists, and her normal shining black shoes had been replaced by a set of leather boots that disappeared into the folds of her cloak. Around her neck, displayed proudly, was a green and white scarf with the Slytherin patch on one end. She looked distastefully at the owl flying away and then down at the cat in her arms. Orpheus had stopped struggling and slumped uncomfortably in her grip, his front legs stuck straight out over her arms and his back legs were splayed out as all his weight was borne up under his armpits. His ears were flat against his head and his sharp eyes never left the bird as it flew away and out of reach. Pandora shifted his weight and pulled him up to rest more comfortably over one shoulder; his weight now settled on his back legs and he turned around to put his back to the bird he had so narrowly missed.

Pandora stroked his ruffled fur gently and lightly chided him. “What have I told you about chasing other people’s animals? You simply cannot eat someone else’s owl. You don’t know where that thing has been and you shouldn’t eat junk food anyway.” She remarked snidely.

[quidditchgirl]

Emma looked away as Armani dove towards the mouse. She remembered reluctantly what had happened the last time her owl did this. Glancing around her, she noticed a dark shadow behind the trees. It was all in black, though a few green and white flashes could be seen. It reminded Emma of Pandora Munio, who she didn't really want to be reminded of. Trying to remember about the wand movements she learnt, Emma was distracted about a sharp nip on her ear.
"Armani? What no-Oh my god! What happened to my baby?" Emma stared at her snowy owl, checking for any cuts. There were none, though Emma noticed at least ten feathers had fallen out. She propped Armani on her padded shoulder, and began towards the shape of Pandora, comforting Armani as she went.

She stepped towards Pandora with vast, angry movements, and noticed by the ball of mangy fur in the girl's arms that her cat Orpheus must have attacked Armani in flight.
"Pretty lame for a cat to miss an oblivious owl. How old is that ball of dung?"

[pandora]

Pandora’s eyes grew wide as Emma approached her angrily. The girl actually had the nerve to insult her and Orpheus. Pandora’s hand ceased petting the cat and he let out a low growl when Emma got close, his eyes immediately fixing on the ruffled owl on her shoulder. Pandora’s eyes narrowed a bit and she raised one slender eyebrow. “Orpheus is only about 4 years old. He’s still in his prime…and would have caught that overstuffed feather duster on your shoulder if I hadn’t stepped in to stop him.” Pandora raised her chin a little higher and her lip curled in just the faintest hint of a sneer. “Of course had I known you wanted your owl to be killed I would have let him finish. You sound almost upset that he didn’t kill her.” Her tone lowered a little more dangerously and took on a distinct note of cold. “And nothing I own is dung, unlike YOUR family which seems to thrive in it from the smell of you.”

Pandora smiled at Emma but the smile was cold and unfriendly. “I should have recognized that bird when I saw it. Of course, she was far prettier on the train…when the lighting was rather bad.” Pandora nuzzled Orpheus a bit and the cat began purring, a deep throaty rumble that rolled out from his chest. He yawned as if suddenly not interested anymore in Armani and instead just sat happily in Pandora’s arms. “Orpheus here is a pure bred, with papers that go all the way back to Egypt. Where did you get your pet from? A discount store?”

[quidditchgirl]

Emma turned a deep shade of red as Pandora insulted her and her family. That was the problem with Emma's fair complection-she always, always turned red easily. Armani was definatley not an ugly owl, and anyone looking at her could see it clearly. Her snow white feathers were now all perfectly in place, her dark eyes shining, and her whole body was held in a straight posture, which made her look more elegant than anyone could say for Pandora's cat.
"Actually, we didn't really buy Armani. An owl farm nearby Cornwall had a sort of accident, and all of their prime owl's got free. We found Armani starved, homless and cold in a tree with two 'brothers', and took them both in. Several famous breeders have tried to buy them from us, for many galleons each-however, we have refused all offers. It's simply amazing that although so many cats in the world are starving and dying this very minute, you still have the need for an expensive, already well-looked after cat!! " Emma ended smartly. Armani hooted in response.

[pandora]

Pandora chuckled a soft, unpleasant laugh and sneered at Emma. “Why does it not surprise me you didn’t buy your owl?” With obvious distaste Pandora looked Emma over from head to toe, her eyes lingering on each piece of clothing as she inspected it. “At least I gained Orpheus through proper means instead of stealing my pet. Then again, it’s fairly obvious your family would never have been able to afford a proper owl any other way.” Pandora allowed an evil little smile to tug at the corners of her mouth. She rubbed her wind chilled cheek against Orpheus’s thick fur and elicited a hearty rumble of affection from deep within his chest. “And I wouldn’t bother with some second rate mangy alley cat. I, unlike you, have no interest in fleas. Besides, if an animal can’t look after itself, then nature should simply take its course.” Pandora shot Armani poignant look to bring her point home.

[quidditchgirl]

With a slight smile, Emma laughed.
"Actually Pandora, i'll have you know that my family is Considerably weathly! And as for your cat well,"
Here Emma paused, as if to study the ball of fluff. "it looks to me like you have bothered with some second rate mangy alley cat! And you sure do seem like you like those fleas..." Emma grinned sweetly, and wrinkled her nose at the girl before her.
"So, how do you like Hogwarts so far, Pandora? I see you have made yourself a lap dog to a slytherin girl already."

[pandora]

Pandora raised one graceful eyebrow and looked unruffled by Emma’s scathing comments. “Really? If your family has so much money, why do they dress you like a pauper? You practically look like a muggle. And why then, did they feel the need to steal you an owl?” Pandora protectively turned Orpheus further away from Emma and smoothed his thick fur with one black-gloved hand. “As for my cat, well, I didn’t really expect you to recognize something worth having. Orpheus has never had a flea in his life. The same cannot be said for your pets. You said on the train that your sister’s cat had fleas and in a moment of utter incompetence you even turned her cat into a flea. So were you lying then, or are you lying now?” Pandora offered Emma sweet and utterly unpleasant smile.

The smile quickly turned into a sneer as Emma made the comment about Pandora being someone’s lap dog. “I assure you I have no idea what you’re talking about. I am no one’s lap dog. If you’re referring to my interactions with one of the other Slytherin students, I don’t really expect you to understand what proper etiquette is when you see it. I, unlike you, only associate with people worthy of my time, people that require a little more respect than just rushing up to them and starting up idiotic conversations about quidditch. If treating someone else with respect makes me a lap dog in your eyes, then I shudder to think how you treat your teachers in class.”


Pandora rolled her eyes a bit and let the evil little smile fall back in place. “And yes, I am rather enjoying my time here. Some of the Professors border on being a downright tragedy when it comes to teaching, but there are those here who make the rest bearable. Mind you, a good cleansing of the student body would make things all the better. If only they would weed out those who aren’t worth teaching, the rest of the school might excel all the more.” Pandora raised an eyebrow and looked Emma up and down with obvious distaste.

[quidditchgirl]

Emma laughed softly. Pandora was soo lame. Emma raised an eyebrow, and tapped her foot on the ground.

"Pandora, i have no time for this. Your low, you and i both know it, and i guess Ariane does too. Now, i am going to go back to sitting by the lake, so goodbye! And by the way- you have some leaves in your hair."

At this, Emma turned smartly away, towards the lake edge. There she sat, letting Armani fly off, circling above her. Armani glared at the thing in Pandora's arms, and dipped her wings into the lake as she flew. She chased a sparrow, welcomed the squid, and flew around Emma's head teasingly. Emma smiled, sat back and relaxed in the sun.