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Terence was starting to regret his decision. Perhaps, he really hadn't thought this through. Terence knew... Actually... Everyone knew that Hedwig – Harry's pet owl- had a fiery temper. She was both independent and fiercely protective. For some reason that Harry refused to explain, the Gryffindor had been looking for someone willing to keep his owl for the upcoming Summer. Terence, eager to help and to prove a better friend than the little upstarts calling themselves friends, had immediately offered to take Hedwig in. His family had an owl, after all. They knew how to take care of one and had more than enough place in their owlery to keep an eye on another owl.
He had been warned by the Weasley twins that Harry's white owl listened to no one but Harry. He probably should have heeded their warning. Sure, he knew that the bird of prey refused to let anyone but Harry get a hand on his letters, but he hadn't quite expected this.
Okay, first of all, don't listen to Miles. Hedwig hadn't made a run for it. She hadn't flown away despite what his friend might tell you. She was just... being difficult.
"Hedwig!" he yelled, well-aware of the childish tone seeping through it. "Please, come down!"
Hedwig hooted in defiance and kept circling the sky, low enough to taunt him but high enough that he couldn't catch her.
"Hedwig!"
He was not about to cry because the owl equivalent of Satan was tormenting him.
The white owl let out a high-pitched, piercing sound. She was screeching at him now. The nerves.
"How's it going, Pretty Boy?"
Terence almost wanted to cry. That's just what he needed: Miles walking on him making a fool of himself. Terence stopped running after Harry's rebellious owl, and he turned his head to give Miles a look.
The Keeper raised his hands in defence:
"Hey, I'm just asking. Why are you even running after her?"
"She got her wing scratched a few days ago. She needs her daily medicine, and she won't come down!" he hissed the last few words, frustration seeping through his tone.
Miles walked to him, a sympathetic smile forming on his lips. Miles always looked so damn handsome, Terence thought with a pout.
"There, there, Lovely Boy," the other boy said as he patted Terence on the shoulder.
He always had to call him pet names, too. The former Seeker internally cursed as he felt himself blush.
"Here. I'll get her for you."
And, without waiting for a reply, Miles trotted after the evil owl and proceeded to strike an agreement with her by bribing her (with beacon) into coming down. That... Terence should have thought of that, but it felt like losing a battle.
She still hooted angrily at him when she landed on Miles' outstretched arm.
"Why does she hate me?!" Terence whined and sniffled when he felt frustrated tears gather in the corner of his eyes.
"She doesn't hate you," Miles told him, holding the blasted ball of feathers in his hand and petting her with the other.
She didn't deserve pets!
"Yes, she does! She's so mean! I don't know what Harry sees in her – Ouch! You meanie!"
Terence knew he was being childish, but he couldn't help it. He tended to revert to both childish behaviour and tone whenever he felt stressed, overwhelmed, or angry.
"Aw, it's okay," Miles said, approaching him and shushing Hedwig at the same time.
Terence all but sagged into his best friend's arms when the other boy welcomed him into an embrace.
.
Still, Terence thought as he all but melted in the hug. He would have to tell him that Hedwig was a demonic owl. There was no other possibility for the nightmare she put him through.
He was certain she was showing her jealousy through her petty behaviour. Just because Harry and Terence were close friends! He was sure of it.
There was no other explanation; animals loved Terence. Hedwig shouldn't be the exception unless she was jealous.
Terence promised himself he would hug Harry extra hard the next time he saw him. He was already going to do that before, but with Hedwig's recent behaviour in mind... Well, Terence was not going to let her win.
Nothing would change his mind, though. Hedwig was a mean bully.