Hogwarts AU

[headmanagement]

 

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[untodeath]

[ The dread is already evident on Grell's features, shoulders slumped and frown deep set! With a groan, she settles for the gloves first, since even the aprons look dirty! ]

I can't believe they're making me clean, of all things. [ Eyes on the ground as she ties her apron behind her back, she gives a sobbing whine! ] Can one even get this place clean?!

[death_glare]

I come to help here often. It is possible, but I doubt we'll finish it completely.

[ He holds out a broom to her. ]

Tie your hair back. The owls will want to bite at it.

[untodeath]

[ The prospect leaves Grell looking HORRIFIED. But she does as she's told, tying her medium-length hair into a tiny top ponytail. ]

And you actually like doing this?

[death_glare]

I like being around the owls. And it's calm up here. I can relax a bit.

[ Apparently the bird hooing and chirping doesn't bother him. ]

It isn't that bad, so start sweeping.

[untodeath]

[ With a sigh, Grell picks up the broom and starts pushing it around. She's a bit clumsy at it, clearly not accustomed to sweeping, herself. ]

I mean. They're a bit cute. I just wish they weren't so messy.

[death_glare]

They are very intelligent, though. And loyal.

[ Since Grell's being tolerable at the moment, William decides to introduce her to his own owl. It excitedly hops out of its cage onto William's shoulder when he opens the door. ]

This is mine. His name is Gregory.

[untodeath]

[ Even Grell seems surprised that he's opening up, even if in such a small way. Inching closer, she extends a hand - almost timidly - and if Gregory doesn't seem like he'll nip at her, she'll run a knuckle down his chest. ]

Hello, Gregory... I hear you're a very good hunter. I do think that's remarkable.

[death_glare]

[ Grell's lucky that she hasn't put William in a bad mood yet, or Gregory would certainly nip at her. But William's calm and willingly introducing them, so the tiny bird gives her a soft hoot instead. ]

I'm assuming you don't have an owl of your own.

[untodeath]

[ Okay, so maybe she'll smile a little. It's soft, its hoots are endearing. ]

No... I've a cat, myself. An orange tabby. [ Maybe she'll pet Gregory a bit more. ] He's often too busy exploring, I think, but he'll sleep on my feet, sometimes.

[death_glare]

[ After a few more pets, Gregory nuzzles her hand a bit. ]

Does he have a name?

[ He's oddly enjoying Grell's company for once. Why can't more of their interactions be this way?! ]

[untodeath]

[ While she's a bit taken aback, Grell cheeks warm at the affection from the animal! She's rather shocked that a pet of William's could like her at all. ]

Of course! Tybalt: King Of Cats. [ She giggles. But is quite serious. ]

[death_glare]

[ That earns a frown and a shake of his head. Why would he have expected anything less dramatic. ]

I'm not a huge fan of cats, but perhaps I'll meet him one day.

[ A good notion that William's willing to continue their friendship...or whatever you would call their relationship. Setting Gregory down on a nearby perch, he reclaims his broom and begins sweeping under some of the larger cages. ]

[untodeath]

[ That seems to lift Grell's mood substantially! Picking herself up with the smallest of smiles, she hums in agreement-- before getting back to sweeping. Ew.

It isn't long until one of the owls becomes flusted by her sweeping too close to its cage. Beating its wings against the cage it squawks in protest - and Grell squeals in surprise, dropping her broom as she spits feathers away from her mouth. (She hasn yet to notice the ones in her hair.) ]

[death_glare]

[ With a heavy sigh, William walks to the cage, hushing the owl to calm it down. ]

They can be very territorial. Don't make them angry by getting too close.

[ Ah, maybe that's another reason William connects with the owls so well. They understand his desire for personal space! ]

[untodeath]

[ Drooping her hands to her sides in exasperation, Grell huffs. ]

Fine, I just won't sweep there. [ Lips pursed off to the side, she looks at the owl, brows raised! ] Enjoy your filthy floor.

[death_glare]

[ Not wanting anymore commotion for either party, William takes up the task of sweeping under the cages, leaving the center of the room for Grell to do.

He completes one side of the room's cages before he finally turns back to Grell. ]

You do realize you have feathers in your hair, as well.

[untodeath]

[ Grateful for the swap, she has been on the incline to a slightly better mood-- until now. She gasps, reaching up to touch her hair, but stopping short. As she doesn't want to touch it with filthy gloves.

So, leaning over, she gives her head a good shake, hair going wild and most escaping its ponytail. ]

--Did I get them all?

[ Far from it. And, now, her hair is all over the place- notably, in her face! ]

[death_glare]

[ Of course, she could have just taken the gloves off, but it's too late for that now. And if William was one to laugh at all, he'd be doing so at the sight before him. Instead he just turns to her, cocks his head to the side slightly as if contemplating and frowns. ]

Not nearly.

[untodeath]

[ With an exasperated groan, she sets her broom against one of the cages, much to the chagrin of its occupant, and sets about peeling off her gloves. Discarding them to the floor, she attempts to find them by carefully plucking at her strands. Not finding that very effective, she then starts to rake her fingers through! ]

Oh, this is impossible--!

[death_glare]

Then cut your hair.

[ He could help but instead he just continues sweeping under a few more cages, none of the birds seeming to be bothered with how close he gets, at all. ]

[untodeath]

What--?! How is that a reasonable solution?!

[ An angry frown!! ]

I don't want to, besides...

[ Marching up to him, she crosses her arms and looks away, almost bashfully. ]

Could you pick them out for me.....

[death_glare]

[ If they didn't have a whole coop to clean, he would have told her to finish it herself. But they aren't going to get much done if he goes that route. Plus, it's obvious she's pushing her pride away to ask him. So he sets his broom aside and removes his gloves. ]

Honestly, how did you manage to make it worse than when it first happened?

[ Seems her fussing broke some of the delicate feathers into smaller pieces. He plucks at a few of them before forcing her hair back from her face with his fingers. ]

[untodeath]

[ Shoulders relaxing a bit when he agrees, she still finds her cheeks warming as he sets about the task. ]

Did I...? I-- haven't the slightest...

[ And with him revealing her face in such a way, she can feel the sting of a full-fledged flush! She just won't look at him, is all. Maybe consider what Ann's doing right now - or think of her breasts??? Maybe that will work. ]

[death_glare]

[ It's impossible to miss the blush that's tinted her cheeks. And the fact that it isn't paired with some rudely flirtatious comments shows how honest it is. Something about it is calming to William. Perhaps knowing that she's still attracted to him is comforting.

He won't say that aloud, though. ]

You may need to wash it to get them all out.

[ A decent batch flutter to the ground as William shakes them from his hand. ]

[untodeath]

[ Such evokes a sigh from Grell. ]

Well, thank you for trying, in any case.

Glancing up at him, she still can't help but break into a little lopsided smile. He's actually been quite kind today, and she can't quite piece together why! ]