#9
"So I was thinking," Kameron started. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked at her. "You all either have or have had a pet. Harry has Hedwig, Hermione has Crookshanks, Ginny has Pig and Ron used to have Scabbers." The others waited for her to get to her point. "So how come I don't have a pet?"
Harry shrugged. "Because you haven't bought one yet, I guess."
Kameron nodded slowly, contemplating what he'd said. "I think I'm gonna buy one."
Hermione and Ginny seemed thrilled.
"What are you going to get?"
"Can I help you pick out a name?"
"I don't know, and yes," Kameron said. "I'll tell you when I decide."
At the end of the very next Hogsmeade weekend, Kameron came home with something long, brown, and scaly wrapped around her neck.
Ginny screamed bloody murder. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT?!"
Kameron smiled happily. "It's a reticulated python! I've named him Monty. I think he's sleeping right now—the guy said they were mostly nocturnal."
Ginny fainted.
"Does the school get Internet access?"
Harry sighed. "No."
"Telephone?"
"Nope."
"Snail mail?"
"Owl mail is all we've got."
"What about Floo?"
"Students can't."
"Oh."
"…"
"Can I borrow Hedwig?"
He looked at Kameron suspiciously. "Why?"
"…"
"Kameron…"
"I may be looking to acquire a snow leopard."
"What for!"
"My pet."
"I don't think they allow ferocious jungle cats at the school."
"Oh. What do you think of piranhas?"
"…"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Where would I keep it?"
"Miss Morge."
"Yes Professor McGonagall?"
"Hagrid has brought to my attention that you asked him for the addresses of several Tasmanian devil breeders."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You are aware that Tasmanian devils are against the rules here."
"No, ma'am, I wasn't."
"Well, that oversight has now been rectified, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Which means you will not be contacting any of these breeders, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Very good."
Damn.
"So, Kameron," Hermione said, "have you decided on a pet, yet?"
Kameron was quiet for a moment. "You know, I think I'll do just fine without one for now."