In the bustling cobblestone street of Diagon Alley, the afternoon sunlight slipped through gaps in the clouds, casting a golden glow over the shops. Larry Potter walked beside Hermione, their hands occasionally brushing as they carried bags filled with school supplies. In Larry's hand, a small golden cage swayed gently, housing a golden eagle that surveyed the world with sharp, imperious eyes. Behind them, Mr. and Mrs. Granger followed, their faces weary but joyful after a day of shopping.
"You've got wands, books, robes… what's left?" Mr. Granger asked, checking a long parchment list in his hand. He ruffled Larry and Hermione's hair affectionately. "Professor McGonagall said you can have pets. Owls are great for sending letters, but there are school owls, so you can choose something else."
Hermione looked at Mr. Granger, her eyes sparkling with hope. "Can I get a cat?" she mumbled, almost to herself. "The school owls should be enough, right?"
Mrs. Granger smiled warmly, gazing at Hermione with affection. "Alright, Hermione, let's check the owl shop first. If nothing catches your eye, we'll look at cats in the magical pet shop, okay?"
Hermione beamed, her face glowing like a small sun. "Thank you, Mum!" she said, her voice brimming with excitement.
They headed toward a shop with a wooden sign reading Eeylops Owl Emporium, where the scent of hay and owl feathers greeted them as the door swung open. Inside, cages hung from the ceiling, each housing owls of various sizes—some small with speckled brown feathers, others large with glowing yellow eyes. Soft hoots and occasional low grumbles filled the air, creating a strange natural symphony.
Larry wandered through the shop, his bright green eyes, like spring leaves, scanning each cage. Suddenly, a sharp hoot made him turn. In the corner, a small snowy owl stared at him from a golden cage, its large eyes full of curiosity. Its feathers were pure white with faint black speckles, like snow dusted with midnight.
Larry froze, his heart beating faster. 'Hedwig,' he thought, recognizing the owl from vague memories of a story he once knew. The loyal owl who accompanied his brother, Harry, through danger, until a tragic end. A pang of regret crept into his chest, though he wasn't sure if it was from his strange system or something more real.
He stepped closer, extending a finger to stroke Hedwig's soft feathers. "You're a good girl," he murmured, his voice gentle. Hedwig tilted her head, nuzzling his finger affectionately, as if she knew him.
"Larry, do you like this one?" Mrs. Granger asked, approaching with a smile. She turned to the shop assistant, a young man in a green apron. "How much is this owl?"
"Snowy owl, very clever for delivering letters," the assistant replied, his voice enthusiastic. "Only ten Galleons."
Larry gazed at Hedwig, a faint smile on his face. "Aunt Granger, I don't think she's for me," he said, his voice firm despite a hint of regret. "She's… waiting for someone more fitting."
Mrs. Granger looked at him, surprised. "But you seem to like her."
Larry chuckled, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that made Hermione glance at him briefly. "I want something more… elegant, commanding. She's too cute for me."
Mrs. Granger laughed, pinching Larry's cheek fondly. "Alright, little Larry has his own taste. Let's look at the others."
The assistant nodded, though a touch of disappointment crossed his face, and led them to another cage. Larry walked slowly, his eyes casually scanning the owls, until he stopped before a large cage in the corner. Inside, a golden eagle stood proudly, its golden feathers gleaming under the lamplight. Its sharp eyes fixed on Larry with an expression that was almost… disdainful.
Larry stared back, his eyebrow raised. 'What's that look?' he thought, half-amused. He could almost hear the eagle's voice in his head: Red-haired kid, you think you can handle me?
"Galleon for your thoughts," Larry muttered to the eagle, his cheeky grin appearing. "You're a feisty one, aren't you?"
The eagle tilted its head, as if replying: And you think you're cool enough for me? It began preening its feathers with its beak, radiating confidence.
"Alright, I'll take this one," Larry said, turning to the assistant. "How much?"
The assistant approached, his face hesitant. "You sure, lad? This golden eagle… it's a bit hard to handle. Plenty have backed off after trying."
Larry smiled, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "I like a challenge. She's perfect for me."
The eagle glanced at him, as if saying: We'll see about that. Larry just chuckled, feeling a small spark in his chest—points from his strange system, perhaps from his boldness or Hermione's admiring look beside him.
The assistant sighed. "Fine. This eagle's got thunderbird blood, the best in the shop. Fifty Galleons, plus ten for food and supplies."
Larry pulled sixty gold coins from his pouch, handing them over with a smile that made the assistant smile back. "Get everything ready, please."
Soon, the assistant returned with a bag of food and supplies, along with a larger golden cage for the eagle. "Instructions are on the label," he said, handing over the cage. "But be careful, she can be… fierce."
Larry took the cage, locking eyes with the eagle. "From now on, you're Themis," he said, his voice firm. "What do you think, Lady Elegant?"
Themis regarded him coolly, but there was no hostility in her eyes. Larry gently stroked her feathers, and the eagle didn't resist, though she maintained her aristocratic aura.
"Cold lady, huh?" Larry teased, making Hermione giggle beside him.
"She suits you," Hermione said, her eyes sparkling with laughter. "You're both impossible to manage." Then she turned to Mrs. Granger, grabbing her arm playfully. "Mum, if Themis can deliver letters for both of us, I want to check out cats at the magical pet shop. Can I?"
Mrs. Granger melted under Hermione's pleading gaze. "Of course, darling," she said, almost forgetting about the owls. "Let's head to the magical pet shop."
Mr. Granger frowned. "Sure you don't want an owl? Themis might get tired delivering letters alone."
Larry smiled, lifting Themis's cage. "Uncle Granger, Themis isn't your average bird. This golden eagle's strong, fast, and… a bit arrogant. She can handle it." He glanced at Themis, who gave him a look as if saying: You dare give me extra work, kid?
To appease the eagle, Larry pulled a piece of raw meat from the supply bag and offered it. Themis ate it gracefully but still rolled her eyes.
Mr. Granger laughed. "Alright, if you say so. Let's go to the magical pet shop."
They left the owl emporium, heading toward a building with colorful windows labeled Magical Menagerie. Inside, the scent of dry grass and animal fur mixed with chirps, hisses, and soft growls. Cages and aquariums lined the walls, displaying shimmering frogs, rainbow-colored birds, and even mice dancing on tiny wheels.
Hermione held Larry's hand, her eyes gleaming as she explored every corner. "Larry, what animal do you think suits me?" she asked, her voice curious but tinged with doubt.
Larry looked at her, his cheeky grin appearing. "A cat, maybe? Something smart, independent… like you." He scanned the shop, searching for the orange cat that should be here. 'Crookshanks, where are you?' he thought. 'Not here yet? Or has the story changed?'
Hermione wandered for a while, inspecting glossy-furred cats and hopping rabbits, but her face grew gloomier.
"Larry, am I being too picky?" she asked softly. "Why doesn't anything feel… right?"
Larry slung an arm around her shoulder briefly, his voice gentle but confident. "It's not your fault, Hermione. Maybe it's just not the right time. We can come back next year, or anytime. The right pet will find you."
Hermione nodded, her face brightening despite a hint of disappointment. "You're right," she said, giving a small smile. "Next time."
Larry looked at her, his mind racing. 'Crookshanks shows up in third year, doesn't he? Maybe I can buy him later as a gift for Hermione.' He smiled to himself, feeling a spark of points from his strange system—perhaps from Hermione's smile or the way she held his arm.
"But," Larry continued, his eyes gleaming with a new idea, "I want to pick a pet for… my brother. Wanna help choose?"
Hermione grinned, her enthusiasm returning. "Absolutely! Let's look together!"
They walked past the shelves, Larry scanning the shop carefully. His thoughts drifted to Harry—his brother he hadn't met, the tragic hero with a knack for Parseltongue. 'If Harry had a snake… that'd be cool,' he thought, his eyes stopping on a small aquarium in the corner. Inside, a tiny snake with emerald-green scales coiled, its eyes meeting Larry's with an almost… human curiosity.
Larry smiled, approaching the aquarium. 'This is it,' he thought, his heart racing. 'The perfect gift for a Parselmouth.'