Matt hurried off, resisting the urge to break into a run so he wouldn't leave Jace waiting too long as he hurried down towards the kitchens and the secret entrance to the Hufflepuff common room.
Heading for the room he shared with his fellow fifth year boys he could hear the excited little beak snaps and hoots that came from the owl sat on the perch beside his bed. Robin, so named because of the permanent patch of red feathers on the otherwise mottled owl's chest -the unfortunately long lasting result of his sisters attempt to turn the whole bird red- watched him with those big black eyes of hers.
"I know Ro', I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you alone all day." Holding his arm out he waited for the owl to transfer herself there before scratching the top of her head gently. "We're gonna go meet Jace so you and Peedie can go flying though. Don't look at me like that… fine, fine, I'll see if we can sneak something from the kitchens for you on the way back, how about that?" Despite the fact the owl of course said nothing, simply blinking, it's head tilting a little as she regarded him, he was confident she understood what he was saying. Robin was a very smart owl in Matthew's opinion.
Hurrying back out, ignoring the stares from a few first years he headed for the green house where he'd told Jace he'd meet him, hoping he hadn't kept the other boy waiting too long.