4Harry's Halloween Tail – chapter 2
Harry had fun cleaning up Mrs. Gray's house and making foods for her. She was such a polite and dear lady, worrying about Harry and thanking him for everything he did. No one had ever thanked him for working before.
He looked in her recipe book and made foods that were delicious but also nutritious and easy on the tummy when one was recovering from illness.
She praised his cooking and smiled at each first taste.
Harry did laundry and looked at his own clothing. He couldn't wash it because then he would be naked and that would be impolite, and she might need him if he was standing around starkers. He stared at the fabric, and thought of it, and explained to his magic he wanted it strong and clean and sweet smelling. He also wanted it to really fit him, since his clothes were too big.
He felt his magic touching the clothing and making changes, mending, strengthening, cleaning, stretching, shortening, all sorts of wonderful things. The colors became brighter, it felt wonderful on his skin and smelled as though it had hung on a laundry line in a fresh breeze. This time after performing magic he didn't feel fatigued. He didn't know if it was because he was well fed or because he was getting better at magic, but he was pleased and happy.
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Mrs. Gray woke up and gazed through her window, feeling grateful for being better. She supposed she should have a phone installed so she could call for help in future. Then she saw a magnificent white owl sitting on a branch in the shade outside her window, watching her.
In all her years here, she had seen wonderful things that she never told people about. She was sure it was something about the forest. Sometimes she heard odd cries and saw lights. She had seen animals she never heard of except in children's books . Most people acted like it wasn't there, and Mrs. Gray felt it was a place of wonder, so she never told anyone about it, but today, she would see if Harry could see the beautiful owl.
When he came with her lunch, the owl flapped its wings in a preemptory fashion, and the boy opened the window. "Hedwig," he scolded, "She might be afraid of owls."
The owl hooted at him, and to Mrs. Gray it sounded like a mother scolding.
She couldn't help it. She laughed.
"Harry, any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Please come in Hedwig."
The owl flew in and perched on the end of bed. She fluffed herself and made a kind of churr noise that made Mrs. Gray laugh again.
Harry grinned. "I was afraid you would be frightened of her."
"She's so lovely," Mrs. Gray whispered. "I love her visiting. She must come any time she wants. Do we have food for her?"
"She really likes bacon," said Harry.
We have some frozen bacon," said Mrs. Gray, her eyes still on Hedwig, "Make it up for her if you like, Dear, and make sure you have some too. You are a growing boy."
Harry immediately went to make bacon and Mrs. Gray smiled at Hedwig.
"I think you are magical, like the forest. And Harry too." The owl flapped her wings in surprise and then hooted questioningly."
Mrs. Gray smiled, "The kitten is Harry. He's never here when the kitten is. Since I got sick, I haven't seen my kitten friend at all."