The Conqueror Of My Heart Pet Finished

July 25th, 2020

As soon as her feet touched the pebble street of Diagon Alley, Lindsey’s heart lightened. Today was a big day for the young girl. For, she would get her first pet in her life.
Her 12th birthday passed a few days ago, during the summer camp. It was colorful, and dreamy, for a twelve-year-old. She would soon be a second year——no longer a new student. Well, actually, in the girl’s opinion, her first year at Hogwarts slipped away quickly. It was really just a dream. Boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time and getting sorted into Hufflepuff seemed just happened yesterday.
She just couldn’t believe these things happened in her life. She was already too lucky to be a witch, and then too lucky to attend Hogwarts. Now, again, she’s too lucky to have a pet at the age of twelve.
The Springhalls gifted their children a pet of their own choice on their twelfth birthday. It had almost become a tradition.
Her brother Edmund was leading the way. As a fourteen-year-old, he had already received his own pet two years ago. Jadis was a beautiful and trustworthy snowy owl. Lindsey liked her a lot, and sometimes she just wanted to get an owl as well.
However her father told her if it’s possible, it would be best if she did not get an owl. It was not because they were rather expensive compared to other kind of animals——mind you, the Springhalls were wealthy——but because they lived in a muggle district. Kensington was somewhere you weren’t too likely to keep two owls. Especially if an annoying old muggle man was living next door. Mr. Harriman hated animals, and Edmund had too stay cautious to not let him discover Jadis. If he had somehow seen the bird, then the old man might try to catch it and use it to do experiments. That would be terrible.
Although it was Saturday, her parents were all busy. Fitzwilliam received a mail from one of his colleagues, which told him to get to the Ministry as soon as possible. Her mother Carolyn was called back to St. Mungos to look after a certain patient who was horribly sick. As a result, only herself and Edmund were here.
“So what kind of pet are you going to get?” Edmund asked. “If you are getting a rat, I may offer the name Reepicheep to you.” he smiled kindly at his sister.
“I like the name…” replied Lindsey, whose sparkling chocolate brown eyes were wandering carelessly around, “Though I guess I would determine everything after we arrived.”
A rat sounds tempting actually. But somehow Lindsey feared that her dorm mates and friends would be scared. And a cat would be nice…however she did not know what exact breed were selling in the Menagerie, so the cautious girl decided to determine afterwards.
She was always fond of animals. Well, maybe except the worms and bugs. Mammals and birds were all intriguing and attractive to the Hufflepuff girl, and somehow she secretly believed she would have a hard time to choose one at the shop.
But, after all, there would eventually be a perfect one, right?
“Morning children! You are for a pet here, aren’t you?” said a kind looking old woman with short, well styled white hair.
“Hello ma’am, name’s Lindsey, Lindsey Springhall, and I’m for a…I guess I’d just look around first.” Lindsey answered rather awkwardly. She soon realized the old woman as Mrs. Witticker, the owner of the Menagerie, who was quite famous around children.
“My sister’s hoping to get an adorable companion for her school life.” Edmund added. “By the way I’m Edmund Springhall.”
“Ah yes, I remember you dear…the proud owner of Jadis the snowy owl, if I’m not mistaken? I’m sure she’s happy living in your household now.” Anita Witticker said pleasantly.
Could she remember every single animal she sold out like Mr. Ollivander? Wondered Lindsey.
She listened to Edmund answering questions about Jadis by Mrs. Witticker, while wandered in the shop.
The shop was definitely not a big one, but strangely not crowded. She saw pretty owls stretching their wings near the ceilings. Lindsey just wanted to comment on these lovely birds, when a huge spider fell on her shoulder.
“Ahhhhh!” She jumped back, and tried to grab Edmund’s arms, while the spider fell to the floor.
“Oh dear, you don’t have to be so excited…he won’t harm you.” An old man rose from the counter and picked up the poor spider. This was Mr. Witticker to be sure.
“Sorry sir.” she muttered, while ran off to the other side of the shop.
“I’m sorry if he scared you Miss Springhall.” assured Mrs. Witticker. “He’s actually pretty friendly…do you want to take another look of him?
She waved her hands and shook her head fiercely. No, she would never have a spider for pet, just imagine the horrible situation when it climbed out of her pocket during lunch!
Lindsey grabbed Edmund’s arms tighter. He gently pushed her hands off, and turned to her with a teasing expression. “Afraid, huh? Bet you could only get a furry animal instead of a scaly one!” he pointed to a large glass box, where lied several lizards.
Lindsey trembled. Reptiles…though they seemed a lot better than those frightening spiders, she still did not like them. Why would someone buy a lizard as their companion while they have other fluffy ones to choose? Well, if there were indeed brave students, then she really admired them.
She stared fiercely at Edmund, the latter one only gave out a smile.
“Well, dear, since it seems that you like fluffy animals, what do you think of a pygmy puff? They are popular among students.” offered Mrs. Witticier. Her dress was nice…
Lindsey carefully examined them. Nice, but not fascinating. All it could do seemed just rolling over and over, and maybe stayed on your shoulder and hair. That seemed dumb and definitely not exciting. And they somehow looked like…um how to say…a pillow. Yeah, a pillow. A colorful, fluffy pillow.
She suddenly realized what she wanted after all these useless searching in the shop. A cat. They were the best. She would really like an animal that could play with her when she’s bored, and could joyfully laid in her arms when it’s sleepy.
“Um…I think I’d like to have a look at those cats.”
“Follow me.” Mr. Witticker led her to the corner which stayed many, many cats. Most of them were sleeping, so they did not make much noise. That’s why she hadn’t seen them. “We have different kinds of cats. Are you interested in one of these lovely tabbies?” he picked up one, and carefully handed it to Lindsey. “Two years old. Silver Mackerel.”
Lindsey patted its head gently. It seemed nice…but too quiet. This tabby seemed a sleepy one, and Lindsey doubted whether it would wake up from its sweet dream.
“Sir…?” she raised up her head while gently put the cat down.
“Yes my child?” asked the old man.
“Do you have more active cats? Like…playful ones?”
She saw Mr. Witticker rubbed his face. “Hmm…let me think…I’m getting older and older now…” he slowly closed his eyes and let out a small smile.
Mrs. Witticker opened her mouth as if she would like to say something. But eventually she just smiled as well. Her mysterious smile made Lindsey confused.
“Hey maybe you’d like this Lynn?” while she was concentrating on the old couple, she head Edmund calling her.
Lindsey walked over to her brother. He was kneeling down on the floor, and playing with a small cat. She knelt down beside her brother.
It was indeed a pretty small cat. It looked really exotic, with a leopard looking and charming big eyes. It was jumping up and down, and seemed pretty enjoyed the time playing with Edmund, but as soon as it saw Lindsey, it let off a joyful meow and came over.
“Pretty cat.” she murmured, while giving a finger out for the cat to rub against.
“Do you like him darling?” Mrs. Witticker came over. “Bengal. Exactly three months till today. Rather a young lad.”
Bengal…? She now understood why he looked so exotic. And he seemed really intelligent…handsome as well…
“From the time he was born, Napp was the leader of the young kitties.” added Mr. Witticker. “Born to be the head. Extremely smart, and curious. He might be one of the most playful cat I’ve met as well.”
Napp was leaning against her leg now. His paws went down her shoes, and seemed interested in her shoelaces. Lindsey patted his head, and the cat looked at her with large curious eyes. They were in a beautiful amber color, and melted her heart at once.
“You like my suggestion, then?” Edmund smirked.
“Yep.” she simply answered, chocolate brown eyes still sparkled at the cat. “Ma’am…what’s his name again?”
“We call him Napp. Not Nap, but with double P.” the old lady answered.
Why Napp? It sounds like…nap, just like what Mrs. Witticker had clarified. But this cat was definitely not likely to take a nap. Especially a nap all day long. He should be called…
Lindsey searched in her head. Small…a natural leader…intelligent…curious…active…name’s Napp…she smiled.
“You have an idea for his new name?” Edmund asked.
“Yeah…what do you think of Napoleon?” her eyes fell on the cat. “Napp just sounds…a bit normal and lazy.”
The cat meowed listening to her words. “You like Napoleon?”
The cat let out a joyful groan. His eyes were sparkling, and Lindsey knew that he agreed with the new name. After all, he could still be called Napp as a nickname if he liked.
“I’ve decided on him.” she stood up, holding Napoleon in her arms. “How much is he?”
“Seventeen galleons.” answered the old man.
Seventeen? That’s…rather a large sum. Even larger than how much Jadis had costed. Though just like what had mentioned, the Springhalls were rich, and probably wouldn’t even blink a bit hearing this sum, but their children were taught to be thrifty. Imagine, when she came to buy her school supplies, her parents only gave her half of the amount. And the amount included the fee of a wand. Dear, was that the reason why not every children were getting pets?
But the thought of expensive just flew over her head. How could she leave such a lovely kitty alone? And, she could get whatever she wanted on this special birthday. In the match of money vs Napoleon, apparently, Napoleon had won.
She did not know how she paid the money. Maybe Edmund did it, but anyway, when her feet touched the ground of Diagon Alley again, a cat ran besides her. Two went into the shop some hours ago, and now it came out three.
“Wow, congrats on your new cat!” grinned Edmund. “Do you think poor old Mr. Harriman would get annoyed?”
“I bet so.” she answered, while looking at her handsome little cat. “And no, Ed, don’t you dare to use my cat to harass Mr. Harriman.”
“I won’t! Just wondering if he’ll get annoyed.” he replied.
Lindsey smiled. Napoleon was probably the most lovely cat in the world. She couldn’t wait to get back to Kensington, and show her neighbors the cat. Though they were muggles, it did not obstruct from the fact that most people loved cats. Mr. Harriman would have a hard time, indeed. He hated animals, and Lindsey decided she should be really careful not let him to take Napoleon away and use it in his experiments.
She hadn’t been so happy before——well, maybe except the time she received her wand. A wand, plus a cat, she was already lucky enough. Only, the wand was not a live one. It could not have reactions to her, nor could it say something to her. But Napoleon could.
Lindsey looked at the small cat following her like a puppy. Somehow it seemed that he would not just sleep in her arms or lay on her shoulders. She smiled. That was exactly what she wanted.
Napoleon had successfully conquered her heart.

Word Count: 2024

What animal do you wish to purchase? Bengal
What do you want to name it? Napoleon
Is this a boy or a girl? Boy
What is your pet's date of birth? April 25th, 2020