Hoax, The Morepork Owl Pet

Simon's father had contacted the Magical Menagerie beforehand regarding an Eastern Screech Owl that had just been imported from Mexico. During his trips to America, Raeborn Tilia had heard that the Eastern Screech Owl was unusually fast at delivering letters because of its relatively small size. As Simon was both looking for a pet, and would soon learn to know people from the Wizarding world, his father thought it was time for him to get his own owl.

"Good afternoon", said Mr. Tilia as they approached the old shop keeper.

"Hello", said Simon.

"Welcome, gentlemen!"

"We're here regarding the Eastern Screech Owl we contacted you about a couple of weeks ago." Mr. Tilia put his hand on Simon's shoulder. "This young man is getting his first pet."

"Oh yes, I remember! I'm Mr. Witticker, Ernest Witticker, how do you do?", said the shop keeper and shook Mr. Tilia's hand. "Unfortunately, there has been a mistake. I'm terribly sorry, sir, but we didn't get an Eastern Screech Owl."

"I'm sorry?"

"What? The owl isn't here?"

Simon's heart sank. Mr. Witticker looked genuinely bothered and gave Simon a compassionate yet troubled smile. After all this time of waiting, would he not be coming home with an owl today? Simon had looked at pictures of Eastern Screech Owls and learned all there was to know about them.

"But you said... We've been waiting for weeks."

"Again, I'm so sorry, sir... They must've labeled the owl wrong. It was a Morepork we got. Originally from New Zeeland, but lived with an old lady in Paraguay until it was kidnapped by poachers. When it was finally rescued, unfortunately the old lady had died. You can see it if you want, but it seems a bit depressed, to be honest. Poor thing..."

"I wanna see it!", said Simon and looked at his father. "Please. I want to see it."

"Alright then."

Mr. Witticker led them to the cage where the Morepork owl was kept. It was a bit bigger than an Eastern Screech Owl and looked tired and dozy. As soon as it got a look on Simon, however, its yellow eyes widened. Simon let his hand out and stroked its feathery cheek. Slowly, the owl leaned towards his finger with closed his eyes, almost reminding him of a cat.

"Dad, can't we keep her?"

"It's a he", said Mr. Witticker with a smile.

"Him."

"I must let you know, though, that a Morepork is a bit more expensive. It will be 17 galleons."

Simons' father sighed. "Well, then. We'll take it."

Said and done, Mr. Witticker gave the cage with the owl to Simon and told him to be careful and take good care of him. As they payed for the owl, Mr. Witticker's wife offered them a cookie before they left the shop.

"If I didn't know better, I would say this was all a hoax", said Mr. Tilia in a low voice as they strolled down the streets of Diagon Alley. "Not from Mr. Witticker's part, though. But the middle-man probably promised a cheaper owl just to close the deal before breaking the news upon its arrival that it was in fact a more expensive one."

Simon shrugged his shoulders. "Well, even if it was a hoax, that hoax led this owl to me. Perhaps it was meant to be", said Simon and looked with growing affection at his new friend. "In fact, I think I'm gonna call him that... Hoax. How do you like that, huh?"

The Morepork chirped and flapped his wings.

Word Count: 575 / 400

What animal do you wish to purchase? Morepork Owl
What do you want to name it? Hoax
Is this a boy or a girl? Boy
What is your pet's date of birth? 17th May 2020