"An owl? Really?" It was an exciting prospect - owning an owl. Aaron had mentioned it in passing before, but he didn't think his parents would take him seriously. They had never owned any family pets before. His mother had owned a cat when he was a baby, but other than that, nothing. It was both exciting and terrifying to think that his parents thought he was ready for this next step. An owl? How much had they researched? Did they really think he could take care of it all on his own? They were a muggle household - sure Aaron would be at school for most of every year, but when he was home for summers, how would they explain?

There were so many questions running through Aaron's mind as his mother handed him a pouch of galleons. Everything from the morning made sense now. Why they had booked a hotel room in London the night before. Why they had shown up here at Diagon Alley to begin with - they had said to restock his parchment and quills, but he had never said he was running low on either. And this explained the feeling that his parents had been hiding something from him and his siblings.

His parents wanted to be able to communicate with Aaron more often - that was the catch. That he had to write more often than he had been. Since second year had started, he had definitely written less than first year. Being at boarding school wasn't as scary the second time around, and so he hadn't taken the time to go to the owlery and write as much. That didn't sit well with his parents, so this was their solution and Aaron's early birthday present. An owl of his own.

Just a few moments later, Aaron and his brother Avery were left on their own outside of the Magical Menagerie. Their parents took their sister to go get ice cream down the alley while they chose the owl. The twelve-year-old wizard didn't hesitate any further, and pushed open the door to the shop.

"It's kinda crazy that mum and dad are letting you get an owl," Avery said - almost muttered - as they entered. This comment prompted Aaron to look at his twin strangely, wondering why he had phrased it that way. Before he could question the serious look on Avery's face and the green in his eye, the look was gone and Avery was smiling again. In fact, he was off and into the shop, exploring the tanks of lizards on the other side.

Aaron tried not to dwell on the strange feeling that lingered from that comment, so he instead turned his attention to the cages of owls. So much hooting and fluttering of wings. There were so many different kinds! The brown and the gray and the white. How was he supposed to choose? Why had he been given so much freedom? Is this how pet shopping was normally done? Aaron felt more pressure here than at the two Quidditch games he had been part of.

He walked through the shop for what felt like forever, walking among the birds and the cats and the colorful fur ball creatures. His brown eyes stayed glued to the owls of course, trying to figure out how to tell which would be best. Was it like how wands chose wizards? He should pet them and they'd react accordingly? Do owls purr? Would it purr if he chose the right one? He saw the shopkeepers hanging about, but they were occupied with other customers at the moment and he felt a bit shy to approach them with silly questions like these. Surely he had to figure this out on his own? Except, he wasn't alone. He had-

"Avery, I-"

Aaron had turned to find his brother, but stopped speaking when he noticed that Avery had a finger to his lips and an owl on his head! It was a really pretty white owl with black flecks. Aaron almost burst out laughing at the sight, but as soon as he made eye contact with the owl, it flew right over to Aaron and did the same. Perched right on top of his head! The claws didn't hurt like he thought they would because it wasn't clinging to his head, it was just sitting there. Aaron froze in place, his wide eyes finding Avery now the one almost laughing! But Avery rushed over with a huge smile, admiring the bird on Aaron's head.

"Wow, she really stands out doesn't she? Her white feathers and everything?! I read snowy owl girls have more of the black flecks, so I'm pretty sure its a girl!" Avery looked so happy to be seeing this owl up close, and it made Aaron's smile hurt his cheeks. After a moment though, the owl flew back into the air and elegantly perched on one of the wooden posts near the ceiling of the shop. Aaron watched it in awe, seeing the beauty that Avery had pointed out. Avery was rattling off all kinds of snowy owl facts now, and Aaron listened happily to his brother.

After a moment of the two boys admiring the owl in question, Avery's expression seemed to drop slightly as he looked at Aaron. "So, which one spoke to you?" he asked, his voice far less enthused now that the snowy owl was out of reach. Aaron did not hesitate in his response.

"Let's choose her!" Aaron said, gesturing to the snowy owl that now flew down to the counter, clearly expecting to be paid for. Avery's expression lit up all over again. Even though both boys knew the owl would be primarily Aaron's, the gesture in the choice was clear and it brought them both joy.

Word Count: 971/400

What animal do you wish to purchase? Snowy Owl (15 Galleons)
What do you want to name it? Chae-rin
Is this a boy or a girl? Girl
What is your pet's date of birth? January 16th 2020

Have fun with your new little friend! Take good care of her.