"I'm being a Ravenclaw," Alex clarified, then shrugged. "And a geek, sure. And no, Mercury's not in the fifth house, but the answer would be seventy-four if it was."
He nudged Jamie back a little. "I'm always looking for a place to hide, don't you know that? It's what got me ignoring Al in the first place, and I'm sharing rooms with my not-uncle and my won't-be-father, and how weird is that? So I go there as late as I can, and leave the first chance I get. I don't have any idea what to say to either one of them half the time, so I talk to the Aconite. Don't tell anybody though, or I'll be sharing space with Rose." He grinned, rubbing his nose. "And I liked her better normal, too."
He patted the pocket with the breadcrumbs. "At least the letter was useful. The booklist started my fire last night, and this is carrying the birds' lunch. Besides, I'd look horrible in fur."