Lily was surprised at the shiver that ran up her arm at James' touch. Get a grip, Evans. She slid her letter into the envelope and held it up. "All right, hopefully this won't alarm my parents too badly."
Mrs. Potter gave a sharp whistle with two fingers, and a large, old barn owl flew into the room a split second later, landing on the arm of the couch. "This is Guinevere," she told Lily. "She'll take your letter."
Lily held out her envelope, and the owl took it in her beak with a soft hoot. Mrs. Potter opened the window and Guinevere soared away, disappearing through the thick forest of trees that dotted the landscape. Lily suddenly wondered where in England they were; she had never thought to ask James where he lived.