Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Bailey, her pups, her mate, and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic 3 Chapter 5
As the days steadily pass and the timeframe to embark on the Hogwarts Express nears so quickly Harry and Bailey encounter more and more acquaintances as they too make the rounds for their school supplies.
For example, there are his fellow yearmates in Gryffindor, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom.
Much to Harry's disappointment, there's no sign of Ron and Hermione anywhere.
At least not until the final day.
They were definitely cutting it a bit close down to the wire on that one.
Harry and Bailey were on their way to Quality Quidditch Supplies to get one last look at that magnificent Firebolt when a familiar voice called out his name to them in the crowd.
Ron and Hermione are sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor waving them over with frantic arms.
Bailey sprints right over jumping onto them, tail wagging rapidly and yipping excitedly.
Upon sitting with them Ron says that he and his family had just settled inside the Leaky Cauldron before coming to get ice cream with Hermione.
Bailey suspects that they must've just missed each other.
They sit there for a little while enjoying each other's company, Ron showing off his newly purchased wand to replace the insufficient one he had last year, and, as pleased as she is to see them, Hermione doesn't waste any time rebuking Harry for blowing up Aunt Marge as he did. Like Bailey, Ron found the story hilarious when Harry told them his side of things. Harry may have had justified cause but that doesn't mean she approves.
Hermione is quite eager for them to be moving on. Other than spending the early birthday money her parents gave her on the three bulging backs of schoolbooks beside her for the impossible number of subjects she's taking this year, but her desire is to get an animal of her own. More specifically an owl. Hermione's logic behind it is that Ron's family has one, Harry has one, and so Hermione wants to purchase one too so she can communicate with both them and her parents better.
Ron finds going to the Magical Menagerie shop next highly agreeable. Not really for Hermione purchasing an owl for herself, but because Scabbers isn't doing too well. Ron's explanation is that Egypt's climate didn't really agree with his constitution. So he needs to get Scabbers checked out by someone to see what they can do about it.
Ron makes the mistake of extracting the raggedy rat from his front shirt pocket right in front of Bailey.
Bailey's hackles are immediately raised as she snarls at the rodent.
Firmly gripping her harness so that she doesn't dig her teeth into Scabbers, Harry said "No, Bailey!"
"Ron put Scabbers away. You know how Bailey is around him," scolds Hermione, reprovingly.
Wrapping an arm around Bailey's chest alongside the hand on the harness handle, Harry said "Hermione is right, Ron. After two years you should know better by now than to take Scabbers out where she can see him," said Harry, rubbing Bailey's chest to soothe her.
Upon seeing Bailey less than two feet away from him Scabbers had squeaked and fought to return to the pocket he so obviously preferred.
Permitting Scabbers to do this and placing a hand over the top to protect him, Ron said "Okay. Okay, I get it."
Shaking her head, Hermione said "I swear, Ron. One of these days Bailey is going to get him and it's not going to be her fault."
"I heard you guys the first time," said Ron, rolling his eyes, muttering further sourly under his breath as they headed for the magical creature shop after paying for the ice cream consumed.
By Ron's lack of care toward this one would think he has a death wish toward his pet.
As soon as Bailey steps inside the Magical Menagerie she is immediately barraged with an array of odors and noises from multiple animals clustered inside.
And the space there doesn't garner much room. Every inch of the wall is hidden by cages. The witch behind the counter is currently preoccupied with assisting another customer so the four of them take some time to peruse the establishment, examining the occupants in the cages.
Bailey is utterly intrigued by the different varieties on display.
A pair of enormous purple toads sat gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies. A gigantic tortoise with an expensive jewel-encrusted shell is glittering grandly near the window. Poisonous orange snails are oozing slowly up the side of their glass tank, and a fat white rabbit constantly keeps changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise. Then there are cats of every color, a noisy cage of ravens, a basket of funny custard colored furballs that are humming loudly, and a cage of sleek black rats that were playing skipping games using their long and bald tails.
Bailey has no idea how the proprietor can even handle keeping track of all of them.
Plus, Bailey is a touch put out that she doesn't see any dogs anywhere.
Bailey ends up huffing in offense.
The second the other customer departs Ron approaches the counter for his turn.
"Yes, what is it? What are you here for," said the witch.
Clearing his throat, Ron said "It's my rat. He's been a bit off-color ever since I brought him back from Egypt."
"Bang him on the counter," said the witch, pulling out a pair of heavy black spectacles out of her pocket for the examination.
Ron lifted Scabbers out of his inside pocket and placed him next to the cage of his fellow rats. They stopped sniffing Bailey's nose through the bars on their conjoint cage and scuffled to the opposite end of the wire for a better look.
Compared to these prim rats you can certainly see how lackluster Scabbers is next to them.
Humming lightly, licking up Scabbers, and holding him close to her face, the witch said "How old is this rat?"
Shrugging, Ron said "Don't know. Quite old. He used to belong to my elder brother."
"What powers does he have," asked the witch, tutting loudly as Scabber's tattered left ear to his missing toe on a front paw. "He's been through the miss, this one.
"He doesn't have any powers," said Ron. "And he was like that when Percy gave him to me."
"An ordinary common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so. Now if you were looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these."
She indicated to the black rats that promptly started skipping again to draw Ron's eye.
"Showoffs," he scoffed.
Honestly, Bailey is flabbergasted about how her boy and his friends can ignore the evidence that is right in front of their eyes that Scabbers isn't really a rat at all just one in disguise as she always knew from the first time, she encountered him. But they're not paying attention. Bailey really wishes someone in this room finally would.
Little does Bailey realize she is about to make her wish to come true.
Reaching under the counter and bringing out a small red bottle to offer to Ron, the witch said "Well, if you don't want a replacement, you can try this rat tonic."
"Okay," said Ron, digging into his pocket for some money. "How much…Ouch!"
Pouncing from atop one of the highest cages a huge orange cat lands on Ron's head, intent on attacking Scabbers. The feline spits madly at Scabbers, propelling itself a second time in his direction.
"No, Crookshanks, no," cried the witch, frantically backing away so this cat couldn't get to Scabbers.
Too late.
Amidst all the commotion Scabbers escapes, slipping from the woman's grip. Scabbers make a desperate break for freedom, scampering straight for the door.
"Scabbers," shouted Ron, racing out of the shop after him.
Harry follows.
Bailey chooses to stay behind with Hermione while she picks out an owl of her owl. Bailey doesn't even bat an eyelash at Scabbers slipping out the front door. She thinks it a very good thing if Scabbers suddenly vanishes on them. Ron would be better off with something else as his pet.
Left alone in the Magical Menagerie, Hermione surprised Bailey by doing the unexpected.
Instead of buying an owl as she first intended Hermione ends up gaining ownership over the enormous ginger furball that went over Scabbers so fiercely. The cat's fur is thick and fluffy, but it was definitely a bit bowlegged and its face appeared grumpy and oddly squashed as though it had run headlong into a brick wall. Now that Scabbers was gone from sight the cat's disposition did a complete flip. Crookshanks seems to gravitate toward Hermione right away. Purring, rubbing his head and body against her stomach and arching his back each time Hermione stroked it. Crookshanks's interest in her is reciprocated practically glowing as she holds the feline comfortably in her arms.
Crookshanks and Bailey's introduction is a bit more tense.
The dog and cat stare at each other not really knowing what to make of the other.
Bailey is the one to take the first step.
Taking cautious steps Bailey comes close enough to sniff the grumpy ginger cat's head, nose lightly grazing the pushed-in face. Crookshanks tolerates Bailey's curiosity. Now satisfied Bailey gently licks Crookshanks ears once and he lightly batts at her head in response. Not aggressive but not entirely friendly either. Right in the middle.
Hermione can't be any more delighted.
By the time they make it outside Harry and Ron have retrieved Scabbers and returned to the front of the shop.
Ron is absolutely horrified, covering a quivering Crookshanks in his pocket.
Mouth hanging open in shocked disbelief, Ron said "You bought that monster?"
"He's gorgeous, isn't he," beamed Hermione, glowing, uncaring of how Crookshanks looked.
Crookshanks purrs in even more contentment.
"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me," shouted Ron, totally against this decision.
"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks," cooed Hermione.
"And what about Scabbers," demanded Ron, pointing at the lump in his chest pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with that thing around? He already has Bailey to deal with."
"Oh, speaking of Bailey, she and Crookshanks have already made friends. They like each other," squealed Hermione.
Indignantly, Ron exclaimed "Right, of course, she and that monster get along well. They both hate Scabbers!"
"That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic," said Hermione, slapping the small red bottle into Ron's open waiting palm. "And stop worrying. Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers in yours, what's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in there for ages. No one wanted him."
Sarcastically, Ron said "I wonder why."
They then set off for the Leaky Cauldron.
Here they find the Weasleys intermingling and waiting for them to show up.
They're very happy to see Harry and Bailey again, greeting them with hugs, hushed hellos, and shaking hands. For Bailey, they have hugs, belly rubs, kisses, on the head, and shaking hands with her paw.
Dinner that night was a very enjoyable affair. Tom the innkeeper put three tables together in the parlor for their large party. They made their way through five delicious courses. Bailey enjoyed every morsel sneaked to her whenever Mrs. Weasley wasn't looking. A little game was actually made from it.
After dinner, everyone felt very full and sleepy, stomachs stuffed to the max. One by one they made their way upstairs to their rooms.
Believe it or not, Fred and George discreetly borrowed Bailey for something after inquiring with Harry if it was all right for them to do so.
Harry gave them an all-clear signal and they did just that.
Turns out they needed her to steal Percy's Head Boy Badge. A bit of payback against Percy for how high-and-mighty he's been acting since achieving this rank in the student body.
Bailey succeeds, locating it sitting in a prime spot on the bedside table. She gets out of there just before Percy manages to come up the stairs and hides in the shadows on the landing after delivering it into the twin's hands.
Moreover, as the twins make modifications to it they can barely contain their laughter as Percy's irate voice berating Ron and accusing him of doing something to his precious Head Boys Badge in their room.
Harry discovers them after retrieving Scabber's rat tonic that Ron had mistakenly forgotten.
"We've got it," whispered Fred, gleefully. "We've been improving it."
The badge now reads Bighead Boy.
Suits Percy's personality wonderfully.
"So this is what you needed Bailey for," said Harry, grinning broadly.
"And what a splendid job she did," said George, patting Bailey on the back.
Bailey raises her head at the praise.
Harry went to give Ron his rat tonic and he and Bailey went to their room.
Here Harry flopped backward on the bed, groan muffled in the coverlet.
A concerned Bailey jumps up onto the bed and paws his side, wondering what is wrong.
Exhaling deeply, Harry said "Bailey…you will not believe what I just heard."
Authors Note:
For those of you on fanfiction I'm sure you've been facing the many unwanted ads when you're reading a story. Well, yesterday, I finally had enough, and I got an adblocker app. It worked! No more ads on any level! The one I got is Adblock Pro: Safari Ad Blocker. It really works. Just follow the instruction video that it attached to it.
Heads up everyone there's someone on fanfiction you need to seriously watch out for. Early a couple of months ago after I woke up I was checking my email and I saw I had a new guest review on my A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic 2 sequel. I took a look at it and got a very big shock. Some random person I've never spoken to before on here or anywhere else in my life was basically threatening me. Intimidating and practically ordering me to write a threatening letter to someone on their behalf, telling to stay off of for life or else they and everyone else close to them would be killed, disgustingly telling them to kill themselves. And at the bottom of the message this crazy person wasn't done. Warning me that if I don't send the letter then they would kill me and for confirmation to email them to make absolutely sure I complied with their demands. Of course I did nothing of the sort. Instead of doing what they wanted I reported them to the website, sent copies of this deplorable guest review message to police officer cousins of mine so they could have it on file, and I went to a nearby police station and reported it.
When I spoke to the police officers and they checked everything on the message they saw, that while the address and names of business were accurate the people and their names were not. They agree it was more than likely a scam because of the email address on the bottom in order to perhaps get access to personal information or potentially hack my computer. Despite that I'm still very happy they took it seriously as I showed and told them everything. All the same I'm still very happy that I brought this to the attention of law enforcement. Even though the entire thing might be fake I'm still very happy to have brought this to the attention of those who can do something about it if it was legit in some way. This may have been a scam, but it's obvious these people are beyond irresponsible if they try to goad people into sending death threats to random strangers just to get access to info.
Be that as it may if this does unfortunately happen to you do not send any messages to the email addresses they put down and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you bring the message to the authorities immediately whether it is legit or not.
Because it's a guest review it might not be visible for a couple of days as it loads if it is sent to you. But when it does you should definitely pressing the report abuse button and send it to the email that leads to the support staff that is available.
Just a heads up to those of you who aren't aware of this yet, Email alerts for this website are now only active if Email opts is enabled in account settings.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.