The Darling Daredevil Pet Finished

✧  meow ✧

The crooked houses of Diagon Alley seemed a little more friendly than usual as a girl and her brother ambled across the cobblestones. The sun glinted happily off shop windows and people milled in the street, the smell of burnt toffee pleasant on the breeze. The boy, to the utmost distaste of his sister, did not want to stop for snacks and desired to acquire an owl of his own within the hour. Unfortunately, Margo had decided it was her godforsaken mission to ensure that this happened as slowly and painstakingly as possible.

“Toby, look at that bird up there. It’s almost as majestic as that boring owl you want... oh wait, it’s a pigeon.”

No reply.

“Toby, I think there’s something wrong with my mouth. I can’t smile!.. oh wait, it’s because I'm dying from low blood sugar.”

No reply.

“Toby, I think I might be colourblind... oh wait, it’s just those grey clothes you insist are smart.” Margo scowled, straightening her neon blue bandana in annoyance.

“Y’know Mar, maybe you should be on one of those muggle picture boxes that require electricity. You really have a large flair for the dramatic.”

“They’re called televisions, oh smart one, and it’s not my fault you bore me to death with clothes that Grandma wouldn’t even be seen dead in.” Margo grinned mischievously. She wasn’t even kidding! Winella White was no fool when it came to fashion. In fact, the woman was rather like Margo herself- excepting the rather vicious walking stick she kept upon her person, of course.

“That as it may be, we have to be back within the hour. We can eat caramelised nuts after I have an owl.”

Margo fumed silently as Toby pushed open the door to the Magical Menagerie, the ringing of a bell indicating their entrance to the shopkeepers. As nice as it would have been to munch on toffee, the hum of animal noises as they entered was strangely calming, and a spark of interest wormed its way into Margo’s bright eyes. Her gaze swept the shop as Toby spoke quietly to the couple who owned the place. The owls were majestic, to say the least, but Margo’s stare caught on a furry figure scrambling up the side of an enormous cage in the corner. The owl ensconced looked distinctly unimpressed, but the kitten seemed oblivious to the amber gaze following every flick of its furry tail. Little did either of them know that a second amber gaze followed its treacherous path with equal curiosity.

Margo found herself creeping closer as the kitten heaved himself on top of the cage with triumph. The markings on the devious devil’s back were extraordinary. Defined and swirling, they reminded her of a little silver tiger.

The lively kitten looked up from chasing a speck of dust to meet a golden gaze level with his own. He tumbled backwards slightly in surprise, sporting the most accusatory expression Margo had ever seen on a cat. The little monster’s eyes were a pale, clear green, mischief swirling within their depths. She tentatively stretched out a hand to stroke the demon and let her hidden grin emerge as he leaned his head into her hand.

“I see this little trouble maker has caught your eye.” Margo turned to see a short woman with white hair smiling at her. She tried to pull her hand away from the kitten but winced slightly when he dug his claws into either side of her wrist, clinging on for dear life.

The woman chuckled. “He’s quite a stubborn one. You can pick him up if you want, heaven knows he seems to want your attention.”

Margo nodded, trying to hide the joy in her features as she scooped the kitten into her arms, stroking under his chin gently. “How old is he?”

“Three months just yesterday. He’s 10 galleons.”

Margo opened her mouth to reply. “I don’t…”

I don’t want a pet... I’m here for my brother. 

But could she really say those words aloud? Leave and act like the dog person she was? The little feline felt so warm in her arms, trusting her to protect him from the world. She knew that he’d be off exploring again soon enough -- adventurous beings like the two of them never let their curiosity rest for long. Could she really leave this spirited kitten behind and carry on with her life as it was before? She could feel him worming his way into her heart as she dwardled. Her heart that she kept so well guarded, so concealed from the outside world, its barriers falling away for this little furry bundle. A part of her worried that she was too careless, too erratic to look after such a delicate creature. But wasn’t her life ruled by change and spontaneity? Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to explore the world with, someone who didn’t care about the harsh words that often poured from her mouth? She looked down into the kitten’s green gaze and nodded, her heartstrings expanding by the second.

“Here.” Margo took out the bag of money from her pocket and emptied it onto the kindly witch’s hand. “And thank you.” She met the woman’s gaze and tried to convey her endless gratitude.

“Look after him, dearie. I have a feeling he’ll be looking out for you too.”

Margo smiled and nodded, looking around to realise Toby had already left. Once she closed the door behind her she turned to see her brother sitting on the doorstep, a beautiful tawny owl perched in a cage next to him. He raised an eyebrow at the purring kitten in his sister’s arms and stood, carefully hoisting the cage into his embrace. They walked up the street in silence, both preoccupied with thoughts of their new companions, or in Margo’s case, the little devil who now owned her heart.

It didn’t matter that she had just spent three years’ savings on a feline that would bring even more mischief into her life. Looking down at her cat, Margo caught sight of the scabs forming where he’d scratched her wrist earlier. “I won’t let you go either, little demon.” she whispered, only to realise that the kitten had fallen fast asleep, his small nose tucked into the crook of her elbow. “Oh Hades, we’re gonna be a force to be reckoned with.”

Reducio

Word Count: 1069 
What animal do you wish to purchase?
Silver Mackerel Tabby
What do you want to name it?
Hades
Is this a boy or a girl?
Boy
What is your pet's date of birth?
December 20th 2019

✧  meow ✧