A Sappy Little Slugger Pet Finished

Thursday | August 15, 2019 | Afternoon

The small welcoming bell jingled as the Oliveire family stepped inside the spacious pet shop. "The Magical Menagerie." The older woman said, sighing as she looked around the animal-filled store. The man beside her adjusted his spectacles, looking down at the parchment that was in his hands, his deep brown eyes scanning around on the paper's list. "Okay, soooo..." The man muttered, scanning around the list. "Ah, there we go!" He said, showing the section he found to his wife."'Students may bring if they desire, an owl, a cat, or a toad.'" The dark-skinned man recited from the paper. His face dropped a bit and turned to show an expression of concern as he reread the sentence. "O-oh dear, an owl...?" The man turned to his wife. "What did you get when you were in school, Jeanie?" He asked.

Eugenia laughed, lightly patting his husband's cheek to reassure him. "I had a cat meself. Named her Holly Golightly. " The red-haired woman leaned down to talk to their daughter, Breana, evidently having giddy feet as she looked at her potential pets with anticipation. "Alright, Breezy Baby, take your time in picking out a pet, okay? It is a big res--" Before Eugenia can finish, their little girl already darted off, her mind buzzing with an idea of what she wants. "... Responsibility." Eugenia finished, sighing at her child's enthusiasm.

Breana quickly wandered around the shop, then finally stopping in her tracks as she saw the aisle that she was hoping for. With her eyes brimming with excitement, she leaned in closer to the glass cases that were filled with multiple species of frogs and toads. She walked slowly, her blue-ish brown eyes scanning slowly at the hopping little blobs. The child giggled as she saw one of them hopping on top of another frog. Then a certain frog caught her eye. A common toad, it looked like, but the amphibian was obviously larger than his neighbors. As the toad croaked and showed how large its mouth expanded, Breana laughed happily with how fat it looked.

"Quite the biggin', ain't he?" A booming voice echoed. Breana jumped in surprise, quickly turning around to see what she can presume is one of the shopkeepers. "Almost fifteen centimeters, this lad. With a bigger heart, if you can tell..." The large man leaned down to level with the curly-haired girl, pointing something in the case. "See that?" Breana blinked for a moment, but then followed the shopkeeper's finger, noticing what he's gesturing to. "See the little 'uns there? They're like his siblings, he usually keeps an eye out over on them with the other biggies in case they start fighting." The freckled girl let out a sound of amazement as she watched how the toad croaked as a pair of frogs were ribbiting at each other as if he is stopping the fight.

Breana then frowned, looking up at the shopkeeper with concern. "E-erhm, would it be awful... if I-i keep him as a pet in Hogwarts?" The shopkeeper let out a hearty laugh, which made Breana jump again. "It's no trouble, lass! The big guy's probably tired of being the middle guy now. I'm sure he'd love to keep ya company just like the little 'uns..." The shopkeeper then walked over to the glass case, gently scooping up the toad. "Now, cup your hands, lassie..." The shopkeeper slowly plopped the large blob to Breana's hands, which made her adjust her hold as she was surprised at how heavy he was. "You two get acquainted while I handle the papers for your parents."

Breana stared at the toad just laying his fat belly on her hands. "Uh, hey there, buddy..." She started. The toad let out a low ribbit, before sticking out its tongue and having it stick on one of its eyes. It's so... so... ADORABLE. Holding him close, Breana skipped over to where her parents were. "Mama, Papa!! Look, look!" She then held out her hands, showing off her chosen pet. The two adults turned to look at their daughter and her newfound friend. Eugenia couldn't help but snort at how the toad's tongue is on its eye. William leaned down to look at the amphibian better, adjust his glasses.

"Ah, the common toad, or the sapo-po, as what I called it as a kid." William chuckled as a hint of a Portuguese accent dripped from the little nickname he told her daughter. Eugenia went to the counter to iron out the payment, so the father continued."So what are you going to name him, Breezy Girl?" He asked, smiling as the toad croaked and expanded its round mouth. "Hm..." Breana pondered for a moment. Then, in a quick hop, the large toad jumped over from the tan-skinned girl's hands to her hair, as if settling on a fluffy nest. She giggled before continuing. "Sapo. Sapo Cocas. Saps for short!" William stifled a laugh, knowing full well that she named him after a Muppet. "Perfection. Welcome to the Oliveire family, Saps." The father greeted. The toad responded with a loud ribbit.

Word Count:
846
What animal do you wish to purchase?
Common Toad
What do you want to name it?
Sapo Cocas
Is this a boy or a girl?
Boy
What is your pet's date of birth?
August 30