A new friend

The rest of the day passed quietly, Prof Humphrey showed her all the shops in Diagon Alley and assisted her with her purchases. Yet Anya couldn't help but notice that he refused to meet her eye and kept stealing glances at her, as though expecting her to suddenly do something bad, was it something she did or was it something Mr. Olivander had said….about her wand? Besides who was Salazar Slytherin…he must have been important whoever he was?

"Right Miss Riddle, last off is a pet… I would recommend an owl there good for carrying letters… then again cats are loyal" He mussed…"Which would you like" he said pointing to a friendly looking shop. Anya couldn't believe it she was going to have her own pet, her father had banned them a soon as he found out about her being a witch… the cat got sold… poor "champion".

"Um... can we go look..."

"Sure, come on." He led her into the shop, it was filled with all varieties of animals, many she hadn't seen before but some the standard cat, frogs and rats.

Immediately her eye was caught on a small black female cat in the back, its eyes were a deep green and gave the impression that she could read what you were thinking. Ignoring all the owls on the back shelf she walked straight towards her.

"Hello little one…who might you be" the cat purred up against her purring loudly. The shopkeeper chose this moment to appear, she was an old looking woman, with curly black graying hair and a round figure. "Well dear how can I be of service…" she stopped dead staring at the scene before her "How did you do that my dear that cats the devil…I mean a rather nice pedigree there..." she quickly recovered herself.

"She's gorgeous…what's her name?" Anya asked, what was this woman talking about, this cat was like a kitten…a real darling

"Her names Eclipse…because of her markings…would you like to buy her?"

Humphrey spoke up then, he had been busy admiring a pair of mice dancing in a music box. "Miss Riddle maybe you should look around first…you haven't even looked at the owls…" But Anya was already shaking her head

"I would like Eclipse, besides she seems to like me… and I used to have a cat…dad made me get rid of him…but he can't with her coz I need her for school, he can't can he?" She had a look of fear in her eyes; she obviously cared for the animal, would her father be so cruel as to send her pet away?

"Well it would be up to him of course…but if she is who you want then, I'm sure he won't have any objections" he added this when he saw a tear threaten to slide down her cheek, best not upset the child with perhaps a dark future…no don't be silly…she's just a child…still.

So it was settled Anya was given a basket to put Eclipse in ready for the journey home and paid her 6 sickles? Mrs. Owen – the keeper- didn't even hide her relief that the cat was finally going home. Eclipse looked less than pleased about being put in the basket and even took a swing at Professor Humphrey when he picked him up, she was hastily given to Anya after that and touched as little as possible. Anya couldn't help but prey her father wouldn't try to make her get rid of her cat, Eclipse was her friend…he wouldn't would he?

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"Daddy" Anya called as they arrived home that evening. Professor Humphrey came in behind her carrying some of the shopping…"Mr. Riddle?"

"In here" came the gruff reply from the sitting room. Anya sighed great…this will be interesting. "Anya can I hear a cat?"

Anya held her head high and walked into the room carrying the basket with Eclipse in. The cat was peering out surprised by the surroundings around her, she meowed unimpressed.

"Yes Daddy…this is my pet Eclipse, for school…" Anya spoke rather loudly as though daring her father to make her take Eclipse back.

Mr. Riddle took a deep breath and turned to his daughter, his eyes were piercing and he scrutinized the cat in the basket for a moment. "Very well you may keep her, but she is your responsibility and if I catch one whisper of trouble she will be sent away immediately…do you understand?"

Anya shocked not only at his acceptance but at his tone nodded and mumbled "Yes daddy."

"Good, now dinner is waiting for you in the kitchen… run along." He replied waving a hand at her, as though she was a servant. Anya nodded and turned walking into the kitchen bringing Eclipse along with her. "Well that didn't go so bad" she mumbled to Eclipse, whom meowed in response. "Just think 3 more days and we'll finally be on our way to Hogwarts…

I wonder what it will be like.

An – wasn't really planning this chapter but it wormed its way in. well at least she has one friend now. In the next chapter she'll finally be going to Hogwarts…finally. Anyone got any ideas who her friends should be?