CHAPTER 18: WHAT'S IN A NAME?

"I still can't believe you're a wizard, too, Butler," Beckett stared at him in awe.

"Yep. As a matter of fact, legend has it the Butlers began serving the Fowls because of a magical vow made centuries ago. I still can't believe Artemis is a professor at Hogwarts," Butler grumbled. He turned to his young charge. "Are you sure you don't need me there? I can be a groundskeeper, or a janitor, or a cook, or—"

"Actually, Butler," Artemis Senior lifted a finger, "all the chefs at Hogwarts are house elves. Anyways, Hogwarts is pretty safe against outside threats."

"It's not outside threats I'm worried about," Butler folded his powerful arms. "It's inside threats. You-Know-Who was a student there."

"Voldemort, Butler. 'Fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself,'" Artemis Senior winked at his sons. "Dumbledore said that. He's the best headmaster in all of Hogwarts history, and a very powerful wizard."

"Given my research," Artemis the Second deadpanned, "I find it shocking there ever were other headmasters in Hogwarts history. I must admit, he is very accomplished. I think the twins and I will be safe, Butler. Rest assured, I will send an owl if we need help."

"And I'll keep him safe, too!" Beckett puffed out his chest confidently. Butler had been training them all for years, but he was the faithful bodyguard's star pupil.

"I still can't believe it," Butler sighed. "You've all grown so much, I'm feeling a bit old."

"If you never went to Hogwarts," Myles tilted his head, "where did you learn magic?"

"That, young man," Butler winked, "is a Butler family secret." All Butler bodyguards trained at a secret academy, and it appeared nothing would make him reveal it. The mysterious family always fascinated Beckett—they weren't even allowed to reveal their first names, which made Juliet an anomaly.

"Angeline should be arriving home from Asia in a couple of days," the head of the Fowl family—equally mysterious in its own way—decided to fill their servant in on recent events, "with the rest of their school supplies. Artemis, will you be staying long enough to say goodbye?"

"Of course, Father," Artemis wanted to see his mother one last time before heading away for too long. As much as they sometimes bothered him, it always made him exceptionally happy to see his family together. Sometimes, he could almost forget losing each one of them. The young professor thought of that boy, Harry Potter, again. Not everyone is so fortunate as I was, he reminded himself.

For the next couple of days, the air inside Fowl manor tingled with excitement. Myles and even Beckett could barely remove their noses from their textbooks. Myles got the idea to split up their reading and fill each other in on the material, so each could focus on their favorite subjects without falling behind. They received a call from their mother saying their snakey friend was safely released into his natural habitat.

"And just wait until you see your pets!" she sounded even more enthusiastic than the recipients of the news, "I just know you'll love them! Is Arty still home?"

"Yeah, Mum," Beckett held the phone, which they insisted on sharing, so he got first dibs on responses this time.

"Why do you ask?" Myles was a bit suspicious. As loving as their mother was, she kept trying to make Artemis more 'normal', much to all three brothers' dismay.

"Because I found the perfect little friend for him, too!" She gushed. The twins looked at each other, a mixture of horror and sympathy on their faces. They knew Artemis was never fond of pets, and going away meant he'd have to care for it himself. Still…their mom was so happy…

"What is it?" Beckett tried to sound enthusiastic, but their mother knew him too well.

"Oh, don't worry, my little Becky," It was moments like this Beckett really sympathized with Arty, "he's going to love this cat—it looks exactly like him!" Angeline squealed. "It even has mismatched eyes like him! It's seven-toed, too, which means it's lucky! Don't tell him, though—I want it to be a surprise." She giggled like he'd be the happiest man in the world.

Just like that, the twins had to hold back laughter. Imagining their dignified brother's face upon receiving a seven-toed feline look-alike from their mother was funnier than any prank they'd ever pulled! He would have to accept it, too—he could never refuse anything from their mum.

"Want to know what your pets are, too?" she held a teasing tone in her voice, like she already knew the answer.

"Yes, please!" Beckett gave away their anticipation. Myles would've wanted to play it cool, but he shrugged it off.

"Hm, should I tell you?"

"So we can think of names," Myles broke the first-dibs protocol to save negotiations. Beckett nodded to him, signaling it was okay to take the reins.

"Oh, alright," she laughed. The twins silently high-fived. Victory was theirs.

"Beckett, honey, you get…an Asian Spiny Toad!"

"Yes!" Beckett whooped and pumped his fist in the air. "Thanks, Mum!"

"I'm so glad you like it! I thought you'd find her fun to take care of, and she's so charming! Myles your new friend is…"

Myles held his breath. Unlike Beckett, he wasn't sure what kind of pet he really wanted.

"A Eurasian Eagle Owl! He's so big and serious, but I had a feeling it was meant to be as soon as I looked at him. Plus, I remember you can use owls to deliver mail, so maybe he could be useful, too! What do you think?"

"That sounds awesome, Mum," Myles felt relieved. "Thank you."

"I bet they'll like you so much. See you soon, my dears!"

"See you, Mum," they returned her farewell together.

"We should look up our pets' species," Myles suggested when she hung up, "so we know how to take care of 'em."

"And what they look like," Beckett agreed. "That name thing was a good excuse, Myles."

"Thanks, Beck."

"I think I'll name my toad Seraphina."

"Why?" Myles lifted an eyebrow. Beckett always was more creative with names.

"It just fits her."

Myles rolled his eyes. They haven't even seen their pets yet. Now that the toad was getting a cool name, though, there went the idea to call his owl 'Mr. Hooty'. "I can't think of a good name for my owl."

"Let's look it up together," Beckett suggested.

"Sure thing, Beck."

This chapter was all about names—first family names, and then pet names!~

I sometimes have a hard time naming pets, simply because I want to be careful what I end up calling an animal for the rest of its life. I always want the name to suit them, and to fit their level of dignity. I was fine with calling parakeets Ollie and Mira, or doves Margo (Argo when he turned out to be male) and Phoebe (after a snake my brother had), but if I ever got a horse or a majestic owl, I would want the name to be cooler. I also detest naming pets after food (like Oreo, Pepper, Milkshake, Sweety Pie, Pumpkin…the list of cringey names goes on and on).

SERAPHINA: I recall reading the name somewhere…I think it was a dragon's name, like from Eragon or something…Anyway, it suits the toad. It just does.

ASIAN SPINY TOAD: Also known as the Asian Common Toad, Asian Gold Toad, etc., bufo melanosticus is a pretty (in my opinion) kind of toad widely native to South/Southeast Asia. It can grow to about 20 cm (8 inches)—a decent size for a toad, right?

EURASIAN EAGLE OWL: Native to a wide range of habitats, this massive, deep-voiced owl reminds me of the Butler family.

ASIAN PETS: True to the location in which Mrs. Fowl purchased them, these Asian pets will serve as a nod to the serpent at the beginning of this fanfic. I love that snake.

THE CAT: I thought it would be a fun idea for Artemis to have his own "Mrs. Norris", haha. First his unexpected wand match, and now this…I'm happy with the direction this is taking.

I OWN NEITHER THE HP NOR THE AF FRANCHISES. WHY IS THIS DISCLAIMER NECESSARY ON A SITE CALLED "FANFICTION" FOR STORIES CLEARLY LABELLED WITH THEIR INVOLVED FRANCHISES?!