too close to the sun solo pet finished

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august 10th, 2021 diagon alley, london sunny weather, light breeze word count 853

animal: ferret name: Icarus gender: male birthdate: August 17th, 2021

Maisie had forgotten how busy Diagon Alley was, especially during late summer months when the beginning of the school year was just around the corner. All the stores were busy and bustling with life; not a single shop that Maisie and her family had fewer than five customers, and a wait shorter than ten minutes.

Since Maisie’s family was currently at Madam Malkin’s picking up new robes for Maisie’s brother, Dio, Maisie decided to go on a walk. The robe shop was a bit too stuffy and dark for Maisie’s liking, plus, there was dust everywhere and it was starting to collect on her clothes. With every step, she felt the weight of the coins in her pocket hitting against the top of her legs. Between all her birthday money, allowance from helping out with chores, and stray coins she had found over the years, Maisie had a considerable amount of galleons to spend on a treat for herself.

She began her way to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour when she suddenly remembered the conversations she had with her mysterious pen pal, Rae, back at school. A topic they would often discuss was pets, and the joys of owning a pet. Last year, when Maisie’s brother went to Magical Menagerie to pick out his owl, Moki, Maisie had tagged along out of pure interest. She remembered those fluffy pygmy puffs, silly ferrets, and beautiful cats, and suddenly felt a longing for a furry companion.

“Seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen!” That should be enough to purchase something, she thought. Even if it wasn’t enough, it would be worth the trip just to check prices for the future and to see what other companions the store had to offer.

Maisie finally arrived at the store. Compared to the brightly lit and colorful Ice Cream parlor across the street, the menagerie looked a little run down, perhaps even sad. She pushed open the mahogany door which caused the silver charms above to ring, alerting those of her presence. The store was small and cramped- spacious cages filled with an assortments of animals lined the walls. Luckily, from what Maisie could see, it was empty. She made her way to the front desk, hoping to find some sort of assistance to guide her.

“Hello there sweetheart, how may I help you today?” A sweet-smelling older woman was tending to one of the animals- from its silver coat, Maisie guessed it was a cat. The woman closed the cage and wiped her hands on her bright, flowery dress. Maisie liked the woman instantly, and liked how her dress was so bright it seemed to bring a little glow to the dark store.

“Good morning ma’am. I’m a second year at Hogwarts and am looking to purchase a pet. My older brother has an owl, and although they’re beautiful I do not think they’re right for me.” She sighed and pulled out the coins from her pocket. “I’m also a little tight on money, as I’m a student and have no job. Is there anything I can purchase with this?” She handed the lady her coins, who counted them, and handed them back to Maisie. “A pet slightly on the low-maintenance side would be preferable.”

The lady smiled, revealing straight, white teeth. “Oh dearie, please call me Mrs. Whitticker. Ma’am makes me feel too old.” She laughed, and Maisie couldn’t help but smile back. “You have plenty of galleons and can purchase almost anything with the exception of the, spiders, pygmy puffs, and select cat and owl breeds.”

“Oh lovely, thank you so much!” Maisie exhaled in relief. She thought to her visit to the menagerie last year, and although the memory was hazy, she could vividly remember seeing this one, little brown colored ferret emerging from his burrow and performing a little dance.

“You wouldn’t by any chance still have this one brown and white ferret? I remember seeing him last year when my brother came to purchase his pet and I would like to see him again if he hasn’t been purchased already.” Mrs. Whitticker gestured Maisie to follow her to a cage close by. There wasn’t much activity, however soon enough Maisie could see the ferret’s small muzzle peeking out of the burrow, twitching. Curiously, he stuck his head out, looked around, then fully emerged from his hiding spot.

Maisie stuck her finger in the ferret’s cage, which he reluctantly approached. He sniffed it, and then burst out in what looked like an advanced dance sequence that included sideways hops and leaps. “What this gib, that’s what neutered male ferrets are called, is doing is called a weasel-war dance. They do this when they’re excited. This one right here is a little bit of a show off, and is VERY cocky.” Mrs. Whitticker laughed.

“I like him…quite a lot. His cockiness and self confidence remind me of myself a little,” Maisie admitted. The ferret now lay still by her finger, as Maisie delicately stroked the top of its delicate little head. “I’ll take him. And for his name, because of his overambitious personality, I’ll name him Icarus.”