Kind And Beautiful Pet

This was the second time during the holidays that Scott found himself in Diagon Alley. They'd had to return again, because Ben had apparently managed to lose yet another set of three quills during that very short amount of time... There was a reason as to why Gretchen would only buy Scott the expensive ones, and it certainly wasn't favouritism.

But Scott did far from mind this trip. He greatly enjoyed Diagon Alley, much more than he did the muggle parts of London where he'd otherwise be. He'd spend time at the ice cream parlour, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes... He'd even visit Quality Quidditch Supplies more than once! Mostly because there were so many people, and once because Ben made him.

But now he was on his own, and had only one thing on his mind. The last time he'd been to Diagon Alley, on the journey of Ben's first set of quills- he'd visited the Magical Menagerie for the first time, as before there'd never been any time. He'd met a friend from Hogwarts that once, Alan, and the two had looked around and seen all kinds of animals- which had really put an idea into Scott's head that just wouldn't go away.

He wanted a pet.

Scott had never nagged to his parents about anything, ever, before. He'd seen Ben do it and knew it wasn't any use. But up until now he'd never really wanted anything so bad, either. He'd never been one to want a particular broomstick, or an expensive set of robes... But this was different, and after a while both of his parents could tell.

So, much to the shock of his brother, Scott had gotten the permission to this time walk inside the Magical Menagerie with money in his pocket. Of course, Ben then wanted to get one for himself but was distracted from this (in all honesty dangerous) idea by the offer of a new broomstick instead.

"Good morning, Mr. Witticker!" Scott had asked for both of the shop owners' names the first time he'd been around, and he was greeted by the husband as soon as he stepped inside and the little bell rang.

"Mr. Alexander, wasn't it? You bring a smile with you! Could this mean what I think it means?"

Scott rushed to the counter, passing numerous cages and spun his head around to look at each one in his move. "I think it does, Sir. I've got the money right here! Only I don't know.. Oh I don't know! Look at them all!"

Mr. Witticker laughed as he opened and passed through a small wicket to leave the desk. Scott thought he could hear his wife snicker joyfully from the inventory, as well, but it may as well have been a cat or a small owl.

"You all come in with the same questions on your minds. Which one's for me? Couldn't I just buy all of them? Well the answer is you could, only Anita and I would probably miss them very much."

Mr. Witticker smiled, and looked at Scott thoughtfully from over his glasses. "You're a lively boy, aren't you?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Yes... Well, I think that'd rule out owls, in your case. Not that they can't be just as playful as the others- you'd have to keep him in a cage. No, a Pygmy Puff? Many girls have been walking off with those lately, very popular."

Scott threw a long, impressed look over to where the shop owner was hinting- and gaped at the clouds of pinks and purples. But in way, he supposed, he had made up his mind.

"I want a cat." He said. "A nice cat."

"A nice cat! Well, I can assure you, young man, all our cats are nice."

The man lead Scott over to a corner of the shop where, more than in the rest of the place, most cats dwelled. He then removed his hat, and warned that the youngest ones liked to grab onto things like it.

There were gray, yellow, red and black and white cats. Other than this, Scott didn't know much about the animals at all. They'd never owned a cat, the closest thing would be the old one living in the Lancashire Mansion in which his family would sometimes spend the holidays. That was not a nice cat. These ones all seemed to be.

"They're incredible. Look at that one, climbing!"

"That's an Egyptian Mau. Playful thing..."

"And that one, it's all jumpy!"

"A bengal," Mr. Witticker nodded. "Maybe that would be one for you... There's no sitting still with a Bengal, I say-"

"What is he?" Scott, unfortunately, interrupted him. He pointed to a still, gray cat sitting on the floor only some feet away. Its tail moved slowly against the floor and its yellow eyes seemed very interested in the two of them.

"Oh, well, he's a she, actually. A Chartreux. Our very own little Frenchwoman... You say you were looking for a nice cat and I dare say she's the kindest one. And she likes you."

The Charteux had walked over, without hesitating, and as Scott crouched over she'd begun to circle his legs affectionately.

"I like her, too." Scott said dreamily to Mr. Witticker. "She's very beautiful."

"-And fourteen Galleons. Will you be good with her?"

Scott shot up to standing again, now with the cat in his arms against no protest of hers.

"Yes!" He assured proudly. "I will. Because she's kind, and beautiful, and my pet."

Scott gave Mr. and Mrs. Witticker their fourteen Galleons along with the widest smile he'd offered anyone this whole Holiday. Lady Madeleine, which was the name he'd given his new friend since it was both kind and French, was still pressed tightly against his chest when he did so- and he only put her down once outside in the now hotter sun, where she circled his legs again over the cobbled road.

Word count: 990

What animal do I wish to purchase? A cat, Chartreux
What do I want to name it? Lady Madeleine
Is it a boy or a girl? A girl
What is your pet's date of birth? 2/1, 2016