West Tower

Aerea held out the scrumptious treat, hoping Tyto would come and accept it. The large barn owl merely watched him with round, dark eyes from where he perched up high on a rafter. Aerea held it forward a little more. The barn owl made no move. With a sigh, Aerea dropped his hand, curling his cold fingers around the meat. "Well, it was worth a shot," he said. Tucking his chin down into his cloak, he huffed a small steamy cloud of breath before looking around at the other owls. They hooted and chittered and paid him for the most part no heed.

Aerea was about ready to leave the owlery and the owl altogether, when suddenly Tyto made a move. The barn owl spread its wings and swooped down to land on Aerea's shoulder, digging its talons in to stabilize himself. Aerea refused to flinch, even as he felt those razor claws dig into his skin through all the layers of his cloak and shirt. He held the meat up carefully, and Tyto snatched it away before gobbling it down.

Aerea flinched and looked up and around, finally spotting Ava among the owls. He did not like that there was another person here. Mostly because he had wanted to be alone. But it was something that could not be helped. He looked away from her and back at the owl perched on his shoulder. But his familiar was done eating now, and promptly released Aerea from its grip and flew back up into the rafters.

Aerea's attention shifted when he heard noises coming from outside the tower. The door suddenly groaned a little, and a few students from Slytherin walked in. They stopped when they saw Aerea, but unlike what was typically expected, they did not seem to be all chummy with him after all. "What are you doing here, Ravenswyrm?" the one Slytherin boy asked, glaring.
Aerea said nothing, turning his gaze to the floor. It was no good engaging with these people. He knew that from experience.
"Come to practice your dark practices on living creatures?" one of the other boys asked. "Bet it's easier to kill things that don't fight back."
"Oh, but it's a sport. It's an art form!" the only girl in the little group chimed in with a mocking tone. "Really, I know we as a whole house have a bad reputation, but you're rather a dark stain on all of our house, Ravenswyrm."
The first boy grabbed Aerea by his cloak and jerked him closer to him. "You better not make so much as a peep without our consent, you bloody freak. You trying to be like Voldemort or something? Well, you've got another thing coming. You and your brother. Don't think he's safe just cause he's in goody-two-shoes Gryffindor."
Aerea just glared at the floor, still silent.
The first boy shoved him back. "You better be paying attention. Mark my words, we will come after you."
"Ugh, we're gonna be late for class," the other boy said. "Let's leave him."
"Yah, yah, whatever." The first boy looked back at Aerea. "You get off lucky today, freak. Don't think next time I'll be so merciful."
They turned to leave. Aerea clenched his fists at his sides. "And who's to say you aren't the one getting off lucky today?"
The first boy spun around and slammed his fist right into Aerea's face. Aerea stumbled back and tripped, falling flat on his back. Stunned for a half second, he reached up and rubbed his cheek where it pained him.
"What was that? You threatening me now!?" the first boy snapped.
Aerea coughed once and sat up. "No, sir, just posing a thought."
The first boy walked up to him and kicked him. Aerea felt the blow connect with his already hurting face, and he rolled over on the ground and to his hands and knees. He spat on the ground, blood mixed with his saliva. His hand went to his side, fingers curling around his wand.
"Just stop already!" the girl snapped, getting between them and pushing the boy back. "That's enough!"
"What are you going to do, worm!" the first boy snapped, pushing against the girl as he snarled at Aerea. "Going for your wand now? Are you going to kill me? Is that how your treacherous family solves all its problems?"
"Just can it!" the girl snapped, dragging the first boy towards the door. "Now we're really going to be late. And if the teachers find out, you'll be in trouble for hitting a lower student."
The first boy protested, but the two of them dragged him out of the owlery with them.
Aerea picked himself off the ground and rubbed his hurting face gently with his hand. He was still holding onto his wand, and almost reluctantly, he let it go, flexing his fingers at his side.

Aerea flinched when she approached, and he turned towards her with a wide eyed gaze. In his thoughts, he had forgotten she was there. At her words, he covered his face with his hands and turned away. "So I noticed," he replied, then inwardly cursed himself for being so callous. He dropped his hands and glanced back at her. "I'm fine," he added, his voice less cold and more... defeated.