The rest of the trip went along as Harry expected. Hagrid stopped to get him some ice cream, this time, it had been vanilla with chocolate chips. Harry ate it and thought that they would have to stop at Flourish and Blotts for his books next. Hagrid seemed to think his silence was a sign Harry was troubled.
"Something bothering ya?" Harry looked up from his cone and into Hagrid's dark eyes. He blinked twice, not expecting Hagrid to question him.
"Worried about sorting?" Harry decided to go with Hagrid's assumption. He guessed he would have been worried if he really had just been introduced to this world.
"Yeah... I've read on it, but I'm still awfully confused. I just don't know what house I'll get." Hagrid nodded, his thick hair not moving even slightly.
"I get yer confused. I suppose the best thing I could do is clear up fer ya. There're four houses, each of em got their own strengths. Hufflepuff is for the kind and hardworking, Ravenclaw is for the smart and wise, Gryffindor is for the brave and determined, and Slytherin's are the slimy no-good folk. You don't wanna get mixed up with dem Harry." Harry had finished eating the rest of his cone.
"Why not?" Hagrid stared at Harry like he was mad, his eyes bugging out a bit. Harry thought Hagrid had done an excellent job explaining the houses, obviously not Slytherin. That kind of explanation had been expected by Harry, though.
"Why! Harry, you've got a lot to learn. I'll tell you this though, no witch or wizard that has gone into Slytherin has come out good." They sat in silence for a couple minutes, tension resting in the air. Harry guessed Hagrid was remembering. Harry knew that wasn't true; surely, not every wizard there has gone bad.
Hagrid eventually dragged him off to buy his books. He was slick enough to sneak a book that was maybe on the darker side. Harry then paid, and they went to pick up potion supplies. Harry knew if he'd had been just a tad less spiteful, he would have done great in potions.
He would have to do better this time; he wouldn't give Snape a reason to dislike him. Harry also paid for that, and he and Hagrid left the Apothecary.
"Now, just yer wand. Oh! Almost forgot to get yer gift!" Harry had almost forgotten about his darling birthday gift. Hedwig, would she even be there still?
"A gift? You shouldn't." Hagrid waved away Harry's words; Harry knew he couldn't convince him to not get him a gift. They went into the pet shop, the number of beautiful animals left Harry speechless. But the one creature Harry searched for was missing.
Harry felt a sharp pang of pain through his heart, knowing he'd probably never see her again. She probably would live a longer and happier life without him anyway. Harry turned to Hagrid, preparing to ask him a slightly strange question.
"I don't mean to be ungrateful, but could I look on my own?" Hagrid looked confused for a second before he had a look of understanding flash across his face.
"Can't fault a boy wanting to bond with his beast. Go right ahead Harry, I'll be nearby if ya be needin me." Harry gave Hagrid a grateful smile and nodded, looking after Hagrid till he was out of sight. Harry immediately went for the snake area, planning to look for things for Rio.
"Can I come out?" Harry laughed at Rio's tone; he sounded like a cautious child. Harry looked around before he answered. The place was surprisingly empty.
"Yes, come out. Be careful, though." Rio uncurled from his leg, crawling down to the floor. Harry carefully kneeled so he could gently pick up Rio. The snake shifted away from his hands and instead crawled up his arm. He secured himself on the human, his head raised so he could see correctly.
Harry chuckled as he stood up; of course, Rio had to be complicated. Rio looked around the somewhat neglected corner of the shop. The snakes there looked unhappy and abandoned. Rio looked at Harry; Harry could see the evident discomfort and sadness the snake felt.
"Promise me you'll never leave me like this..." Harry was sickened at the sight of these snakes and almost offended that Rio thought he could do this to him. Nonetheless, Harry answered.
"I can't promise you a lot Rio, but I can promise you that." Rio nodded, thankful for the promise. Harry picked out a snake cage and some food; he quickly got out of that area. Harry wanted to spend no longer looking at those poor creatures. Even though they were well cared for, they missed any spirit.
They were beings that had no reason to live; Harry couldn't help but pity them. Harry knew he still had to pick out an owl; he was stalling. Harry felt as soon as he touched a new owl, Hedwig's memory would be tarnished. Harry still went to the front of the shop, where all the owls were on display,
They all were rather dashing, well brushed, and shiny. Purposefully put at the front of the shop to attract customers. Harry couldn't decide which one appealed to him. The only owl on his mind was Hedwig. He looked to Rio in question, hoping the snake could help him.
"Do any of these owls look like a good companion?" Rio looked at him and then to the owls; he tasted the air in front of him.
"We can't have a skittish owl; I do want to get along with it." Harry found the idea of Rio running through the forest with an owl hilarious. He snuffed his giggle and just stayed quiet. Rio moved his rather bulky head in the direction of a brown and white feathered owl.
He tasted the air once again, and the owl moved its head, so it stared straight at Rio and Harry. The owl had large dark eyes, but Harry swore he saw intelligence in the owl's gaze.
"Him, he's certainly the one." Harry was nodding; he couldn't help but agree with Rio. Harry carefully approached the owl; he couldn't help but feel slightly intimated by the creature. It was a giant owl with a sharp beak and sharp talons.
Harry realized his right arm was occupied by Rio, so he stuck his left arm out in offering. The owl studied it for a second before he pounced. His wings fluttering for a second before he was gently perching on Harry's arm. Harry and the owl looked at each other, and the owl excepted him with a nod of the head.
Harry moved slowly to the front of the shop; the lady there stared at him like he was crazy. On one arm was a snake, and on the other was an owl. He put his cage and food down on the counter and smiled kindly at her.
She had a warm caramel skin tone and dark black hair. She had a face that seemed quick to smile and hazel eyes. She wore what Harry assumed was the uniform for the shop. She was on the curvier side and looked about eighteen.
"Like pets?" She asked, chuckling. He nodded and laughed, a little bit embarrassed. He paid for the owl and the stuff for Rio, but he thought of something before he left.
"Could you do me a favor, miss? I promise I'll pay you for it." She looked confused for a moment before shrugging. He took it as a yes.
"Could you charm my cage small?" She raised an eyebrow.
"And why does a little boy need a cage to be small?" A smile came to her face easily, and she shook her head lightly.
"I'll do it, I'm not so old that I can't sympathize with a kid trying to fool his parents." She laughed when Harry turned a bit red. And she pulled out a light, springy-looking wand from her shorts.
"Reducio!" She whispered, and his cage shrunk till it could easily fit in his hand. She smiled when he stuck it in his jeans. He pulled out a galleon from his little pouch, but she waved it away.
"No need, it's free of charge. I don't know how you're gonna get that back to normal size, but I can't charge you for a tiny little spell." Harry smiled gratefully at the young woman and left the shop, his owl in a cage, Rio safely in his pant leg, and the pen in his pocket.
He found Hagrid right around the corner, easily spotted by Harry. Harry waved to him, and the giant shot him a big grin and walked over to Harry. Hagrid observed the owl in the cage, and it seemed to like that, standing tall to show off its beautiful feathers.
"Ah, a Barred owl. Good choice, Harry! Beautiful thing ain't e? What's his name?" Harry stared at the owl for a long time, and the owl stared right back.
"Argus." The owl blinked at the name and seemed to agree with it. Harry smiled and carefully pet the creature through the cage.
"Right then! Off to get yer wand." Harry grinned and followed Hagrid with the new addition in tow. Harry couldn't wait to get his wand back after so long of not having it.