Pet She was not Born to Hide in the Shadows

Note: Pre-dated a week before school starts, specifically August 23rd.

Before his send off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Blaize had one goal on his mind: to get a companion. It was the least his parents could do, much to the complaints of his younger sister. Afterall, he was sure he could handle a pet when he had to live with his sister for the past 9 years since she had “blessed” them with her presence. She was more than feral at times so a pet would be a piece of cake. Although, he was strongly advocating for a cat, much to his parents' dismay, as an owl would be much better for communication. Truth be told, that is the last thing he wanted to do while he was away at school.

The jingle of the bell atop the door sent excited shivers down the boy’s spine as various noises entered his ears, causing him to be quite overwhelmed. Colors, patterns, and various species, some magical and some mundane sat stacked high in cages, splayed all around the large shop. Blaize would make his way up to the counter, approaching the lady. Clearing his throat to grab her attention from the Pygmy Puff she coddled in her arms, he’d fidget with his hands. Once her eyes turned onto the small boy, he’d quickly ask where the cats were located as his parents carefully stepped around the cages, their noses semi-wrinkled in distaste.

With the given instructions and his parents still distracted, he would zip off to a darker corner. His gaze roamed over the tabbies, Chartreux, Siamese, Bengals and other varied coat colors. He tilted his head at an empty cage, wondering why it was left there. Then two golden orbs blinked open. The cage was not empty after all. He debated asking to take the feline out of its cage, but other wizards and witches filtered through the area, and it seemed the lady was busy at the front with a customer. The boy reached to squeeze open the door of the cage, a small pop signaling it worked. As the door swung open, the feline paraded out. It was not a kitten, nor was it scared or noisy. It took a few paces out and stretched before drawing a paw to its own maw to groom behind its ear. The boy was in awe of the cat. It commanded the room with its presence, its black fur as dark as the fine velvet curtains, they had in their manor.

Yet another thing caught his attention, the cat had a tail significantly shorter than most cats, being half it's normal length. Usually, the tail ended up being the same length as their body and it also helped with their balance. He had read up on cats before his visit including their nutrition and habits, which is why he was so shocked at the demeanor of this particular feline. Blaize would slowly sink to his knees, catching the cat’s attention, its gold orbs fixated on him once more. The short tail curled to that of a question mark shape as if observing him too. It outstretched its paws, batting at Blaize’s loose curls, a rumbly chirp escaping it, the first noise it had made.

“You’re perfect.”

He breathed, claiming the cat in his arms as he brought the cat, now of which he identified as a female, to the counter. The noises re-entered his senses, making him cringe lightly, but the soothing thin fur of the cat tickling his chin eased his nerves. The voices of his parents raised higher as he re-appeared at the front of the shop. The lady at the counter signed and exchanged a few words with his parents before pointing in his direction. Ah.. right, he had wandered off. Before they could open their mouths to badger him with questions and voicing their concerns, he’d set the cat on the counter, fishing galleons from his pocket. The lady’s face softened as she looked at Blaize.

“This girl has needed a home for a while, we mostly get kittens or young adults, and her odd looks never helped her case. I’m glad she found you.”

Blaize set the coins on the counter, pondering her words. Found her? They had found each other. After the exchange was made, he decided to tune back into his parent’s bickering about an owl compared to a cat. He sighed, chest growing heavy again. Grasping the cat back in his arms carefully, he’d begin his way to the door before he heard a laugh.

“Young man, her cage! I don’t care how well behaved she is or if you’ve handled cats before, you can’t go around Diagon Alley with her like that.”

Blaize flushed, embarrassed but hurried over to the cage and detached the cat from his arms. As he closed the cage door, he let his hand linger, the cat’s paws meeting his as they exchanged a look of understanding. With a great grunt, the boy picked up the cage, about the size of his torso and left the shop. The tinkling of the bell would forever linger in his mind as a reminder of his first friend.

WC: 862

What animal do you wish to purchase?: Bewitched Midnight Stalker
What do you want to name it?: Pip
Is this a boy or a girl?: Girl
What is your pet's date of birth?: October 9th, 2021