Astoria, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, now stepped forward slightly, her gaze meeting Luna's in an almost tentative way. She hadn't known how to react to the conversation earlier, but there was something in Luna's demeanor that seemed to draw her in.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Luna," Astoria said softly, her tone polite but with a touch of curiosity. "How have you been?"
Luna's response came without hesitation, her eyes flickering slightly. "Oh, you know, Astoria... the usual. I became an editor of the Quibbler you know. My father was disappointed I didn't find the Crumpled Hornsack in America, but it is too early to lose hope.."
Astoria remembered Luna as the sole owner and employee of the Quibbler after her father retired from the newspaper industry. She didn't know what Mr.Lovegood was doing now, but it was probably something quirky that suited his personality.
Luna's voice became cryptic, drifting like a breeze. "It seems like the red Teratakomis have come back."
Astoria blinked, confused. "Red what?"
Luna nodded, her gaze sharp now in a way that caught Astoria off guard. "Dangerous things Astoria. They come back to haunt you after they bite you young."
Astoria's smile faltered briefly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm not sure what you mean, Luna. I haven't been bitten"
Luna simply smiled, that faraway look never leaving her eyes. "It's in your blood Astoria. They will come soon. "
The air between them seemed to thicken with Luna's words, and for a brief moment, Astoria felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She quickly masked it with a polite nod. "Thank you, Luna. We'll be on our way now."
"Wait a minute," interrupted Scorpio," what's in mom's blood, Aunt Luna."
"Enough!" Astoria raised her voice. She never did that unless it was a big deal which confirmed that she was hiding something. Luna may have been crazy, but she was surprisingly intuitive.
As the Malfoy family prepared to leave, Luna's gentle voice stopped them. "Draco," she said, her gaze finally settling on him.
Draco turned, offering a polite smile, though it seemed a little strained. "Hello," he said curtly.
Luna's expression didn't change, but there was a certain warmth in her eyes. "Oh, Draco," she continued as if the words had been waiting to come out. "Did you know that wrack spurts seem to love hovering around you? It's quite fascinating, really—they're invisible, of course, but they cause all sorts of muddled thoughts. You might want to clear your head later with some dirigible plum tea."
Draco blinked, looking both bemused and slightly unsettled. "I'll... keep that in mind. Excuse us," he said, gesturing for Scorpius. The last thing he wanted was to get caught in one of Luna's meandering conversations, especially when it veered toward something as nonsensical as wrack spurts.
Luna, however, was undeterred by his hasty exit. "It was lovely to meet you all," she said serenely, her voice carrying a softness that made it feel as if she were speaking from a place of quiet understanding.
Rolf gave a warm nod, and the twins, Lysander and Lorcan, waved awkwardly, their spoons still in hand, exchanging polite smiles with Scorpius. He returned the gesture, but the weight of the interaction still hung in the air.
Before Scorpius could fully turn to follow his father, Rolf called after him, "Scorpius, send us an Owl whenever you come to America. I would love to show you the bow trucks I keep in the sanctuary." Her words were soft and inviting, but they had an undeniable layer of mystery, as if she knew something Scorpius didn't yet understand.
Scorpius hesitated for a moment. Had the invitation come from a shady character, perhaps a dark wizard, he would have certainly refused. But Rolf Scamander didn't carry that same air of danger. He seemed genuine, warm, and trustworthy. "Of course," he said, managing a smile as he accepted the offer.
Draco raised an eyebrow at the mention of bow truckles, but he said nothing, only motioning toward the door. He didn't want to be caught up in the Scamanders's peculiar brand of insanity.
As the family made their way to the exit, the bell above the door jingled, and the bustle of Diagon Alley greeted them once more. The world outside seemed louder and more grounded than the odd encounter they had just had in the shop.
"Dad, we still need to get a pet," said Scorpius.
Draco flicked open his pocketwatch to see that it was only noon. "We have time to buy an owl, but don't expect us to stay there for hours until you find the 'correct' one."
"It won't take long Father," promised Scorpio.
…
Ten minutes later, they ended up in front of Eeylops Owl Emporium. Draco peered through the window, his sharp gaze scanning the shop's interior. Then, without a word, he froze. His posture stiffened, and his face took on the expression of someone who had just seen a Blast-Ended Skrewt saunter into his drawing room.
Without sparing a second, Draco turned on his heel, his robes swishing dramatically. "Scorpius, we're going to another shop."
"Wait, but the owl emporium is right there," protested Scorpius, pointing to the obvious sign above the door.
"There's a new shop," Draco said quickly, gesturing vaguely down the street. "Much better quality. One of our tenants. I was due for a visit anyway."
Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "We have properties in Diagon Alley?"
"The Malfoys have several properties in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley," Astoria chimed in smoothly. "We used to have more, but your grandparents had to liberate some for... damage control."
Scorpius squinted, mentally translating her diplomatic phrasing. Malfoys supported Voldemort. Voldemort lost. The ministry demanded compensation.
Meanwhile, inside Eeylops Owl Emporium, Harry Potter, the savior of the wizarding world, was busy navigating a different kind of chaos: family shopping. He stood by the counter, watching as Albus, his younger son, meticulously examined a row of owls. The boy was taking his time, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he studied each bird as if making the most important decision of his life.
"Albus, just pick one already," grumbled James Sirus Potter, Harry's elder son, who was leaning against a cage and earning annoyed hoots from the owl within. "They're all the same—feathers, beaks, done."
"They are not the same," Albus shot back without looking up, his tone sharp. "This one has a personality. I can tell."
"Personality? It's staring at you like it wants to peck your eyes out," James retorted, smirking as he poked a nearby cage, sending its occupant fluttering indignantly.
"James," Harry said, his tone calm but firm as he walked over. He gently pulled his eldest son back by the shoulder. "Stop antagonizing the owls. Or your brother."
James rolled his eyes but obeyed, muttering, "If he's gonna take this long, then he could just borrow my owl Bolt."
Harry sighed and turned to Ginny, who was holding their youngest child, Lily, close to her side. The little girl clung shyly to her mother, her bright red hair partially obscuring her face as she peeked out at the owls with wide eyes.
Ginny leaned down to whisper, "See any you like, Lily?"
The girl shook her head, her grip tightening on her mother's arm. Ginny chuckled softly, smoothing Lily's hair. "It's okay. We don't have to pick one today if you're not ready."
Harry caught the tender moment out of the corner of his eye but didn't say anything, his attention briefly wandering toward the shop's front window.
It was then he froze.
Through the glass, he spotted a familiar figure—tall, pale, with platinum-blond hair that practically glowed in the sunlight. Draco Malfoy. Of all people.
For a split second, their eyes met.
Time seemed to slow as Harry's stomach dropped. It wasn't that he particularly feared or disliked Draco anymore; they had reached a sort of unspoken truce over the years. But that didn't mean he wanted to engage in awkward small talk about kids, owls, or anything else. It was awkward enough, being Draco's boss. No need to interact more than that.
On the other side of the glass, Draco appeared to feel the same way. His already tense face became an unreadable mask. Without hesitation, he turned away, his robes billowing behind him, gesturing to his family to leave.
Harry blinked and quickly turned back to his children, pretending nothing had happened. He wasn't about to mention this to Ginny—not here, not now.
Instead, he focused on pulling James away from another cage. "I said stop poking the owls."
"What? I'm just saying hi!" James protested, though he quickly backed off when Harry gave him a warning look.
Behind them, Albus continued his owl selection with great seriousness, and Lily clung to Ginny, still unsure about the whole affair. Harry exhaled and ran a hand through his hair.
There was enough chaos in his life without adding a Malfoy encounter to the mix.
…
The Malfoys stepped into Auntie Em's Owl Emporium, a quaint little shop tucked away in a quieter corner of Diagon Alley. Unlike the bustling chaos of Eeylops, this shop had a much more intimate charm. The shelves were neatly lined with cages of varying sizes, each containing owls of different breeds, colors, and temperaments. A faint scent of wood shavings and fresh hay filled the air, accompanied by the occasional rustle of feathers and soft hoots.
Astoria was immediately drawn to the larger owls, admiring their majestic wingspans and sharp, intelligent eyes. "Scorpius," she said, gesturing to a regal-looking snowy owl perched near the window, "don't you think this one is splendid?"
Scorpius refused. "If I take a snowy owl, I would be tempted to name it Hedwig," he called over his shoulder.
Astoria moved on to another one "Look at this one," she said softly, gesturing to a petite barn owl with striking heart-shaped markings around its face.
Scorpius wandered further into the shop, weaving through the narrow aisles. As he passed, a small tawny owl ruffled its feathers, and a screech owl let out an indignant squawk.
Draco lingered near the counter, where a stocky witch with a no-nonsense demeanor greeted him. Her name tag read Emmeline Vitter, and she gave Draco a knowing smile as he approached.
"Mr. Malfoy," she said, extending a hand. "Good to see you again. Here for another pet, or just checking in?"
"A bit of both," Draco replied smoothly, shaking her hand. "I heard you've had some success with the exotic breeds recently. Sales going well?"
"Quite well, thanks to the extra space you let us expand into last year," Emmeline said, motioning to the shop's newly added corner filled with tropical-looking birds. "Rent's still manageable, I hope?"
"It's stable," Draco said, giving a faint smile. "Though I trust you'll keep your promise about staying competitive. Eeylops is only a short walk away."
"Don't you worry about Eeylops," Emmeline said with a confident wink. "Our owls are better trained and far less temperamental."
While Draco and Emmeline discussed business, Scorpius moved further into the shop, stopping abruptly when he heard a strange noise. At first, it was a low croak, but then it morphed into a raspy voice.
"Mornin…Boy"
Scorpius turned toward the sound and saw a jet-black raven perched on a high stand, its glossy feathers shimmering under the shop's soft lighting. The bird cocked its head and stared at him with its beady eyes.
"Did that bird just speak?" Scorpius asked, approaching cautiously.
"Oh, that one's a character," Emmeline called over from the counter. "He's a mimic. Picks up bits of conversation here and there and repeats them."
"I didn't know crows could talk!" exclaimed Scorpius.
"Crows can't talk master Malfoy, but ravens in the wizarding world can imitate our speech. This one's unique. Most ravens can only speak one word rarely. I have never seen one like this." said one of the saleswomen.
Scorpius's eyes lit up. "Can he learn new phrases?"
"Absolutely," she said. "Though he tends to repeat what he finds amusing."
Scorpius grinned and leaned closer to the bird. "Hello, there."
The raven tilted its head and rasped, "Hello... there."
Scorpius gasped. "Oh, this is brilliant."
Astoria joined him, smiling as her son engaged with the raven. "It's certainly unique," she said. "But are you sure you wouldn't prefer an owl? They're more... practical."
Scorpius shook his head. "Owls are fine, but ravens are way cooler. Why don't more people use ravens?"
Astoria answered this question," You should reconsider Scorpius. Owls are more magically attuned. They can easily be trained compared to other birds."
"I don't care," said Scorpius stubbornly," Hey Raven, do you want to be my partner."
The raven hesitated for a moment before croaking, "We…are…venom"
Scorpius laughed, clapping his hands together. "Did you hear that? He's quoting Eddie Brock!'"
By this point, even Draco had wandered over, his interest piqued by the commotion. He raised an eyebrow at the bird. "You're seriously considering a raven over an owl?"
"Yes!" Scorpius said enthusiastically. "Look at him. He's brilliant."
Draco crossed his arms, skeptical. "Can he even deliver packages?"
"I would rather have the coolest pet in Hogwarts," Scorpius replied without missing a beat. "Plus, he's smart. He could be useful. Who needs some lousy package?"
Draco exchanged a glance with Astoria, who shrugged with a faint smile. "He does seem taken with it," she said.
The raven, as if sensing it needed to seal the deal, croaked, "Brilliant... pet... yes."
That was all it took. Scorpius turned to his father with a triumphant grin. "We're getting him."
Draco sighed. "Fine. But you're responsible for teaching him proper phrases. The last thing I need is him blurting out something embarrassing at a family dinner."
Scorpius nodded eagerly, already imagining all the geeky phrases he would teach his new companion. "We are going to have so much fun together," said Scorpius, while Emmeline practically bent over backward in showering his father with praises.
Astoria asked, "What is your raven's name?"
"He needs a good name," said Scorpio," Hey Raven, I'm going to repeat some phrases, choose which one you like."
Scorpio began to list a bunch of fantasy names in alphabetical order,"
Scorpius grinned as he stood in front of the raven. "Alright, my clever friend, let's pick you a name. I'll go alphabetically, so listen carefully and squawk when you hear something you like."
He began, his voice animated. "Aragorn… Alucard… Azog…"
The raven tilted its head but stayed silent.
"Balrog… Bond…Boromir… Balerion…"
Still nothing. Scorpius continued undeterred. "Caliban… Ciri… Cedric…"
"Cedric," the raven croaked, then followed up with, "Hulk smash."
Scorpius snorted. "No, no, we're doing names right now. Focus. Dumbledore… Durin… Dagon…"
The raven shifted, but there was no squawk.
"Eowyn… Eragon… Elrond…" Scorpius paused for a reaction. Nothing. "Fine, let's try F. Fenrir… Frodo… Fawkes…"
"Fawkes," the raven said softly.
Astoria smiled. "It's fitting, don't you think?"
Scorpius tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Not bad, but let's keep going. Gandalf… Gimli… Galadriel…"
The raven bobbed its head and croaked, "You… shall… pass!"
Scorpius grinned. "You get an A+ for word association, but Gandalf isn't cool enough. We need something more… unique."
This continued for a while as he rattled off names like "Hades… Haldir… Helios…" and "Legolas… Lucien… Lyanna," but the raven remained silent or squawked half-heartedly.
Finally, Scorpius said, "Rivers," almost as an afterthought, and to his surprise, the raven croaked loudly, "Rivers!"
Scorpius blinked. "You like that one?"
The raven tilted its head as if considering, and then repeated firmly, "Rivers."
Astoria, intrigued, stepped closer. "Rivers is the name of one of the sacred twenty-eight."
Scorpius's eyes lit up. "Brynden Rivers," he said with a flourish. "Like Lord Bloodraven! He was mysterious, powerful, and incredibly clever."
The raven gave an approving croak, almost as if it agreed, and ruffled its glossy feathers dramatically.
"Rivers… Bloodraven…" the bird muttered, as though trying the name on for size.
Scorpius laughed, clearly delighted. "This is going to be amazing."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Brynden Rivers? Bloodraven? Where on earth did you get that name? It sounds... oddly specific."
Astoria nodded her expression a mix of curiosity and mild suspicion. "It doesn't sound like a name from any wizarding family we know."
Scorpius, caught off guard, quickly improvised. "Oh, uh… I read about him in… Fantastic Birds and Where to Find Them: A Complete Compendium of Raven Lore." He spoke the title with as much authority as he could muster.
Draco frowned, trying to recall if he'd ever heard of such a book. "I don't remember seeing that on your Hogwarts reading list."
"It's… a random read," Scorpius said hurriedly, waving a hand. "You know, one of those books tucked away in the back corner of the Malfoy Library."
Astoria tilted her head, still skeptical. "And this… Bloodraven? What's his story?"
"Oh, he was, uh…" Scorpius scrambled for something plausible. "A famous raven… who… served as a messenger for an ancient wizard. Yeah, like a magical spy bird. Super important. Changed the course of magical history."
Draco gave him a long, measuring look. "A spy bird that changed history. That's what you're going with?"
"Absolutely," Scorpius said confidently. "Pretty cool, right?"
Astoria exchanged a glance with Draco, her lips twitching with suppressed amusement. "If you say so, darling. Just remember, he's your raven to care for."
The raven croaked, "Spy bird!" as if enthusiastically backing up Scorpius's story.
Draco sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But next time, perhaps pick a name that doesn't sound like it came from the imagination of a Gilderoy Lockhart."
Scorpius grinned to himself. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, already planning to teach Brynden some even more nerdy phrases.