Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Please Read & Review!
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Charles immediately ran for the toads, but Jacob and Holly strolled in the owl section.
The store sold owls of five kinds: Snowy, Barn, Brown, Screech, and Tawny.
While they were both attracted to the snowy owls, after looking at five different ones, Jacob lost interest when he saw a lovely young Barn Owl. Holly watched earnestly as his face lit with joy.
Holly laughed, "So you'll be taking her then?"
Jacob put his hand in the cage cautiously and stroked the owl's feathers, to which the owl looked at him with a look of cautious enjoyment.
Holly kept smiling, "She likes you Jacob! So what'll her name be then?"
Jacob took his hand out and grabbed the small gilded handle of the cage, "Eridessia."
Holly nodded, thinking to herself, and said "A lovely name for an equally lovely bird. So who shall my feathery soul mate be?"
Jacob started off towards the man behind the counter, "Might not be feathery Holly, might be furry. Or slimy at that, I wonder if Charles has found his 'soul mate' yet."
After he purchased his owl, Jacob and Holly walked down the section marked "Screech" and stopped in front of a small cage that had a small, red, timid looking Screech. It hopped about awkwardly, its pale gold eyes full of fright.
Jacob leaned closer and whispered, as if not to disturb the bird, "What's wrong with it?" The bird squawked quickly when he spoke, and fluttered its wings as it lost balance and fell.
Holly's sharp eyes had already spotted the poor creature's problem: Its right foot was twisted slightly. Holly stuck her hand in, and saw that it was shaking, and gently pet the owl.
It hooted and righted itself on the cage floor. It nipped Holly's finger playfully, she saw no harm behind the animal's eyes, and when she stood straight and took her hand out, it let out a pitying cry.
A young lady, who obviously worked there, what with the feathers tangled in her hair, turned, and looked shocked when she first looked at Holly, who she recognized, then looked at the owl she was playing with, "Miss, I assume, Potter, why are you playing with that bird?"
Holly's eyebrows furrowed and she looked confused, "Why, I intend to buy him! He's awfully sweet."
The lady's mouth gaped, "But, Miss Potter, that ratty bird has a mangled foot! Honestly, we planned to release him out in the wild."
Holly's face burned red, somehow what this lady had said about the owl reminded her of her own weaknesses and how people underestimated her, "Well, all the more reason to buy him! Just because he's got himself a lame foot doesn't mean he's no good himself! He's a perfectly wonderful Screech, and I will buy him." The lady turned and hurriedly shuffled away.
Jacob raised his eyebrows, "You'll be buying 'im? What's his name to be then?"
Holly's eyes softened as she picked up the cage and the owl crooned at her, "Heldir. Yes, that'll be it."
They purchased Heldir and walked near the entrance to find Charles sitting on a stool, a small black cat purring in his lap, obviously only about a year old or so, maybe younger. Charles smiled, "Meet Shadow. You all thought I'd get a toad now, hadn't you?"
They both nodded, and he continued, "So ya both got yourselves owls, eh? Not surprised. Let's show Dad and Uncle Scorpius!"
They all rushed out the door and found their fathers sitting at a large table with sandwiches and ice cream. Scorpius was beaming at Holly, seemingly happy with her choice of pet.
Albus was the first to examine Heldir thoroughly though, "Holly, are you aware that your owl is injured?"
Holly's lips pursed, "Yes I am Uncle Albus. Heldir's foot is twisted slightly. But one disability," she said sharply, with a quick glance at her father, "does not mean that Heldir isn't fully capable of being my owl."
Albus nodded, "Of course Holly, and I can see why you of all people would defend that. And Jacob, your owl is very beautiful. Eridessia then? Lovely indeed."
Charles fidgeted in his seat, and Albus groaned, "What is it Charles?"
Charles bounced in his seat and his eyes were wild, but his voice was a mere whisper, "It's time to get our wands!"