Chapter .3. Feathers and frustration.

The bell clanged as Eldinwen entered the Magical menagerie. She was greeted by squawks and squeaks and a loud commotion from the animals in cages and cases around the store. A tall, dark haired witch stood behind the counter, trying to calm down the frantic animals around the store.

"Shut up, SHUT UP!!!" she shouted and the animals started to become steadily quiet again. She walked round to meet Eldinwen who was looking at the many rows of animals. Something short, round and prickly was banging its head on the bars of its cage next to Eldinwen.

"Ruddy animals!" joked the shopkeeper to Eldinwen. Eldinwen nodded in answer and continued to stare at the prickly animal banging its head. The shopkeeper rubbed her bony hands together and smiled pleasantly.

"Right…what was it you were looking for?"

Eldinwen stared at the tall woman and smiled back.

"Just a pet, something easy to look after and can attend Hogwarts with me."

Eldinwen carried on walking along the rows of creatures studying each closely. The shopkeeper followed her, obviously deep in thought.

"Well…" she climbed a ladder and fumbled around through cages. "Maybe you could take your pick from one of these beauties!"

The old witch stared pulling down cages and boxes storing small inhabitants with a different look about each. The first to be put on the table was what appeared to be a strange green slug. The small beast gave a slight hiccough and spayed green goo over the witches desk and robes.

"He's always doing that." Reassured the witch with a small smile of affection. "He must have a cold or something."

Eldinwen had an unsure look about her face. She wasn't sure that THAT was the kind of pet for her.

The next looked more promising. It sat on a ripped and battered old cushion cleaning a long and slender leg. It stopped and stared at Eldinwen with a pair of bright yellow eyes. It seemed to be some sort of cat, except it had bright purple fur. Eldinwen thought it rather smart and was about to say she would take it when it pounced with the force of a lion onto Eldinwen's pretty face, digging its hooked claws into her skin. She tried to pull the wretched thing off, but it held fast. All she could see was purple and smell mothballs. The pain spread through her face and she couldn't breathe. But something wrenched the cat from her face and threw it behind the desk. It hissed wildly showing a set off teeth too big for its head and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Well," said the shop assistant cheerfully, "obviously not that one then!"

She climbed the ladder again as though nothing had happened. Eldinwen's breathing was heavy and shallow.

The shopkeeper hummed to herself as she moved along the shelves, studying the contents of the cages.

"Ah ha!" she yelled in triumph, "this must be what your looking for!"

Eldinwen felt a little uneasy about this. The shopkeeper didn't exactly receive her full trust after the disappearing cat. Now the woman was pulling at another large cage. Something inside squawked loudly. Eldinwen tried to peer inside and decided that it must be some sort of bird. Its feathers were golden yellow in colour and reminded Eldinwen of bright golden flames, bursting with energy and power. The shopkeeper placed the cage on her desk and sat down.

"Well?" she said after a few minutes, "take a look girl, it won't bite!"

That's easy for you to say! Eldinwen thought I bet a flying purple cat hasn't attacked you!

Eldinwen edged towards the bird enclosed in the cage, become more uneasy seeing its long pointed beak. She stood a few paces away from it and tilted her head a bit to the side. The bird cooed lovingly, rubbing its crested head against the bars of its cage. Eldinwen couldn't resist stroking its feathered head with the tip of her finger. This one was for her. And she didn't care how much it cost. The bird chirped loudly with satisfaction and fluttered its wings.

"I thought you'd like him. He's a phoenix you know. Clever birds they are. And certainly allowed at Hogwarts."

"How much?"

"For you my dear, I'll say…50 sickles?"

"Deal!"

Eldinwen began rummaging around in her purse looking for the right amount for the phoenix. She just had enough. What a stroke of luck. She paid for the bird and headed back to the café. Her half an hour was up and she didn't wish to be late.