The Houses Competition: Round One

House: Gryffindor

Class: DADA

Category: Drabble

Prompts chosen: [Location] Zoo

Word Count: 892

Summary: (Next Gen) Harry takes his family to a Muggle zoo and has a heart to heart with his daughter.

Title: Reptile House

James let out a loud, exasperated sigh as he, along with his siblings and parents, entered the London Zoo, making a big show that he wasn't happy to be there.

"I don't see why we have to come to a muggle zoo. It's gonna be so boring." James whined as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorframe in typical teenage fashion. "Why couldn't we go to Cosmic Falcon? They have graphorns, nundu, and augurey; all these animals do is stand around."

They only had three weeks left before school started up again, and James didn't want to waste that time in the Muggle world looking at animals that didn't have any abilities. What was so exciting about a lion anyway?

"James," Harry warned, having enough of his son's attitude for the morning, before explaining his reasoning. "You haven't even given it a chance yet. You may like the Muggle Zoo. There are lots of animals that you haven't seen before."

Both Harry and Ginny agreed to give their children Muggle experiences while they grew up. Harry wanted his children to experience the Muggle world because not only was it the world he grew up in, but they had family in the Muggle world. Ginny, on the other hand, wanted to teach her children that just because they were magical doesn't mean they were better than Muggles.

"Doubtful," James grumbled as he rolled his eyes, almost to the point where they rolled back into his head.

"Well, I'm excited!" Lily beamed as she looked down at the map that she took from the desk when their parents were paying for entry. "I'm mostly excited to see the sloths."

James rolled his eyes once more at his sisters excitement. He should of figured that she be into this.

"Did you know that sloths only defecate once a week?" Lily asked with a huge smile, loving the learning she was experiencing from this trip. She was gonna learn so much.

"Of course you would know that, freak," James spat. "Why don't you go to the reptile house? Maybe you will be able to make a friend there. Merlin knows you can't make any human ones,"

James chuckled. It was discovered last year that Lily inherited the gift of parseltongue from her father. As soon as her gift was discovered, she was outcasted from her friend group and labeled a freak by her big brother.

"That's it!" Ginny lost her temper as she placed her hand on James' shoulder, turning him to face her. "I know you want to be a moody teenager, but I have had quite enough. You do not treat your sister that way. If I hear one more snide remark out of you, your quidditch set would be taken away. Do I make myself clear?"

Ginny needed to make sure that James understood that his behavior wasn't okay.

"I would like to go to the reptile house; I read that they have a Ball Python. I would like to go and see it…if that's ok," Lily asked a little hesitantly as she looked up at her father.

"Of course that's ok," Harry reassured, hating that Lily felt the need to ask. "Why don't you take the boys to the bird sanctuary, and Lily and I can meet up with you guys after we're done seeing the Ball Python?" Harry explained, addressing his wife.

"Alright," Ginny agreed with a slight smile before leading the boys to the bird sanctuary. "Just don't take too long,"

Harry wrapped his arm around his daughter and walked her to the reptile house.

The area was dedicated to three groups: insects, amphibians, and reptiles. Lily took her time to admire their fascinating shapes and colors. Among the various animals, there were "invisible" stick insects, the giant African snail, the colorful arrow frogs, as well as the fascinating and mimetic chameleon, a splendid specimen of iguana, and some spider tortoises.

Lily was in the middle of admiring the Missulena spider when she finally said softly, "I'm ok with being a freak... I don't mind being a little weird,"

"Hey," Harry began as he got down on one knee so he could be at eye level with Lily. "You are not a freak; I don't want to hear you call yourself that again. I don't want you listening to your brother or anyone else who calls you that. You know, Aunt Luna is pretty weird, but you wouldn't call her a freak? Would you?"

"No, of course not," Lily answered. "Aunt Luna is awesome!"

Harry couldn't help but smile at Lily's answer, "yes, she is, and so are you, and honestly, I believe everyone is a little weird."

"Even you?" Lily asked.

Harry chuckled as he nodded his head.

"Yes, even me. Who do you think you get it from?" Harry asked, causing Lily to laugh. "Come on, let's go see that Ball Python and catch up with mom and your brothers."

Harry got back to his feet and continued to lead his daughter though the reptile house.

"We still gonna see the sloths right?" You know there only–"

"–defecate once a week" Harry finished his daughter's statement with amusement before adding, "Don't worry, we're gonna see all the animals today and you can tell me about each one."