I take a trip to Diagon Alley to get my school supplies. My parents have given me extra pounds to purchase a pet. I’m super excited. First, I head to Gringotts to exchange my muggle money for wizard money. Once I’ve done that, I go straight to the magical menagerie to pick out my pet. I already know that I want an owl. When I walk inside there are so many pets to choose from. There are cages all over filled with owls, cats, toads, rats, lizards, pygmy puffs, and spiders. It’s very loud in here with the animals making noises. I walk up to the cat section. I do love cats but my heart is set on an owl, but still that doesn’t mean I can’t look at them. There are some orange, silver, brown, black, and white cats. Several of them meow at me. I pet some of the more friendly looking ones and move along to the owls.

I can’t spend more than 12 galleons or else I won’t have enough for my school books and supplies. The Tawny owls catch my eyes. They’re not too big and they have pretty rust coloured feathers. They only cost 10 galleons, perfect. There are 5 of them. None of them react when I get near except for one that’s smaller than the rest. It hoots happily as I approach its cage. According to the card by its cage the owl is a female and she was born on October 19, 2018.

The saleswoman approaches me. “Hello,” she says warmly. “Would you like to purchase that owl?” “Yes, I would love to.” The owl hoots as if she understood me. “Very well,” the saleswoman says. She brings the cage to the counter and I follow. “That will be 10 galleons. The cage will come with the owl.” “What about food?” I ask. “You need not worry. Owls are very independent; they are capable of getting their own food.” I take out my wallet and give the woman the galleons. “Thank you,” she says. “What will you name her?” I look at the owl in front of me that is now my pet. I hadn’t thought about a name. She looks like a toasted marshmallow but I don’t know if I want to name her that. I think about Amber, Coco, or Pumpkin but none of them are really sticking. Then I think of a name that I like, “I will name her Maple.” I decide. She hoots in approval. “A lovely name,” the saleswoman says as she hands me Maple.

[Word count: 430]

What animal do you wish to purchase? Tawny Owl
What do you want to name it? Maple
Is this a boy or a girl? Girl
What is your pet's date of birth? October 19, 2018

Approved! I hope you have fun with your new friend! Take good care of Maple.

Warmest Regards,
Alaric Equinox
Head of House Ravenclaw
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.