Harry was done.

Absolutely done.

First, Theo had spent the entire trip to Diagon Alley hovering, ready to hex anyone who so much as breathed near him. Then Ginny bloody Weasley had tried to flirt with him, and Theo had nearly murdered her with words alone.

And now?

Now, apparently, Death itself had decided Harry needed a pet.

Because of course it had.

It started when they walked past the Magical Menagerie.

Harry hadn't planned to go in, but the moment he passed the door, his magic pulled—a sharp, insistent tug, like something inside was calling to him.

And Harry?

Harry had learned not to ignore magic that called his name.

So he stepped inside.

The shop was warm, filled with the sounds of creatures rustling, mewing, and hooting in their cages. Exotic birds fluttered, kneazles stretched lazily, and in the back, a massive black snake coiled around a tree branch, its golden eyes watching him.

But none of them were what was calling him.

No.

That was coming from the darkest corner of the shop.

Harry's breath caught as his gaze landed on a small, shadowy creature curled in a silver-lined cage.

It was stunning.

Sleek and foxlike, with pitch-black fur that shimmered like smoke, and glowing silver eyes that flickered with something unnatural. Its tail was long, curling like a wisp of mist, and the moment Harry stepped closer, the creature snapped its gaze up, locking eyes with him.

And then—

The shop went silent.

Magic hummed in the air.

The creature tilted its head, watching him, then—without hesitation—stepped forward and pressed its forehead against the bars of the cage.

Waiting.

Harry's breath hitched.

Because he knew.

Without question.

Without doubt.

This creature was his.

And then—

"Well."

Harry blinked, turning to see Theo standing beside him, smirking far too knowingly.

"Looks like Death sent you a present, Potter."

Harry exhaled sharply. "Oh, for Salazar's sake—"

The shopkeeper, a frazzled-looking old wizard, hurried over the moment he noticed where Harry was standing.

"You—You don't want that one," he stammered, shaking his head.

Harry frowned. "Why not?"

The man swallowed. "That's a Tenebris Fox."

Lord Nott, who had just entered, stilled.

"…A what?"

The shopkeeper wrung his hands. "A Tenebris Fox," he repeated nervously. "They're… they're extremely rare. They only appear to those who are—"

He hesitated.

Lord Nott's eyes darkened.

"…Those who are claimed by Death," he finished.

Silence.

Theo chuckled. "Oh, this just gets better and better."

Harry groaned. "Brilliant. So I'm cursed with a pet now?"

The fox tilted its head, looking distinctly offended.

The shopkeeper shook his head violently. "No—no, my lord, not cursed! A Tenebris Fox is a sign of great power! It means—"

"It means," Lord Nott cut in smoothly, staring at Harry like he had never seen anything like him before, "that you are not just anyone, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, Death's Chosen, heir to Slytherin, yada yada yada." He crossed his arms. "But what does the fox do?"

The shopkeeper swallowed. "It is… a guardian," he admitted. "It exists to protect and serve its master. It is bonded by magic and fate itself."

Theo grinned. "Harry, I hate to break it to you, but you just got yourself a soul-bound familiar."

Harry stared at the fox. "Of course I did."

The fox yawned, showing sharp silver teeth, looking completely unbothered.

Harry sighed. "Fine."

And then—

He reached forward, unlatched the cage, and let it out.

The moment the fox stepped onto the floor, the magic flared—a silent, final seal on what had already been decided.

The Tenebris Fox stretched lazily, then leapt onto Harry's shoulder like it had belonged there all along.

Harry huffed. "Well, aren't you bold."

Theo smirked. "Fitting, really."

Lord Nott was still staring.

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Merlin, this boy is going to rule the world."

Harry snorted. "I'd rather just survive the school year."

The fox purred, curling its tail around his neck like a shadow come to life.

Harry had a terrible feeling this was just the beginning.

The Tenebris Fox perched elegantly on Harry's shoulder, its silver eyes glowing with something ancient.

Harry exhaled sharply. "Right. So, you're mine now, I guess?"

The fox blinked at him slowly, then—without warning—licked his cheek.

Theo grinned. "Oh, I like this thing."

Harry groaned. "Bloody fantastic."

Lord Nott, still watching with sharp calculating interest, hummed. "You should name it."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "It's a magical shadow creature gifted by Death itself. I doubt it needs a name."

The fox snorted.

Theo chuckled. "Give it a name, Harry."

Harry sighed, looking at the sleek black fur, the way it moved like mist, the way its presence felt like a second shadow, bound to him in magic and fate.

He smirked.

"…Noctis."

The moment the name left his lips, the magic sealed—a pulse of energy curling around them, locking the bond into place.

Noctis huffed approvingly and nuzzled into Harry's neck.

Theo looked far too smug. "There. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, shove off, Theo."

Theo leaned in slightly, voice low and amused. "Make me."

Harry flushed.

Lord Nott sighed dramatically. "Salazar help us. The two of you are unbearable."

After securing a ridiculously expensive enchanted collar for Noctis ("You're going to look regal as hell," Theo had said while Harry rolled his eyes), they finished their school shopping and made their way to the entrance of Diagon Alley.

It had been a long day.

But, of course—

It wasn't over yet.

Because waiting for them near the Leaky Cauldron was Ginny Weasley.

And she wasn't alone.

Molly Weasley stood beside her, arms crossed, her expression a mix of forced politeness and barely restrained frustration.

Harry sighed.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake."

Theo's magic coiled tightly, his posture shifting instantly from casual amusement to something dangerous.

Ginny beamed, ignoring Theo completely. "Harry!"

Harry winced. "Weasley."

Molly stepped forward. "Harry, dear, we were hoping to have a little chat."

Theo made a low, unimpressed noise.

Harry plastered on his best fake smile. "Were you now?"

Molly nodded. "I just thought we could discuss your… future. You see, dear, Dumbledore has already arranged—"

Theo snapped.

"You mean the invalid contract?" Theo cut in smoothly, his voice silk and steel. "The one that has already been voided?"

Molly's face twitched. "Now, now, Mr. Nott, there's no need to be rude."

Harry grinned lazily. "No, no, let him talk, Molly. He loves explaining how Dumbledore's plans went up in flames."

Ginny huffed, glaring at Theo. "You don't deserve him."

Theo's smirk turned razor-sharp. "Oh?"

Harry groaned, rubbing his temple. "Merlin, here we go."

Ginny's face flushed red. "Harry's supposed to be with someone good, someone proper. Not some—some dark pureblood who probably grew up practicing Dark Magic!"

Theo's magic snapped.

The air around them turned ice cold.

Noctis, still perched on Harry's shoulder, let out a low, warning growl.

And then—Theo stepped forward.

Harry barely had time to react before Theo was right in front of Ginny, his voice low, dark, and deadly calm.

"Listen to me, Weasley," Theo murmured. "Because I'm only going to say this once."

Ginny froze.

"You don't speak about me." Theo's gaze flicked to Molly. "You don't speak for him." His voice dropped even lower. Lethal. Possessive. "And you will never—not in this life, not in the next—touch what belongs to me."

Ginny gasped. "You can't just—"

Theo smiled. Sharp. Cold. Final. "I already have."

Harry… felt that.

Felt it like a brand.

And Merlin help him, he didn't hate it.

Molly's face twisted into thinly veiled fury, but she knew. She knew.

She had lost.

Harry smirked. "Well, this has been fun. Let's never do it again."

And with that—

Theo took his wrist, Noctis purring in satisfaction, and together, they walked away.

Together.