Gary!! Pet

Sometime between 4th and 5th year...

Howard had made his way back to Diagon Alley for the annual trip to resupply and stock up on everything a growing boy might need. Mostly a bunch of junk food and butter beer, but some school supplies as well. He would always curse the magical world as he shelled out his coin for quills, ink and parchment. Who knew Muggles had it so good with their computers and mobile phones. Just think of the Galleons saved! However, he would shake away the grumpiness as now was no time to let his sour moods take control. This was the only time of year that he got to explore something other than Hogwarts or Hogsmeade and he had to make the best of it.

He got the boring stuff out of the way first. A trip to Gringotts to manage the funds, then to Flourish and Blotts to acquire next years text books. It seemed ever week he grew and inch so a trip to Madam Malkin was a dire need. Howard would prioritize his nutrition with a well balanced lunch at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor before wasting the rest of the day at Quality Quidditch Supplies. The boy could live the rest of his life in that shop and die a happy man, but as the day waned it would soon be time to make it back to Hogwarts. With his bag filled to the brim he would make his way down the alley, but as he passed one more shop something about the scents and sounds that escaped building peaked his curiosity.

The Magical Menagerie. The very shop responsible for most of the pets that scurried around Hogwarts during the school year. Howard had never been inside for he had never gave the idea too much thought. Mostly the many animals seemed to be a bit annoying as the squawked and meowed for attention, but there was a part of him that couldn't deny the pang of jealousy when he saw how much the owner's seemed to enjoy the companionship. He had never had a pet of his own. Sometimes a stray would hang around his parents shop, but that was few and far between before they ran off. As his thoughts wandered his long legs would absentmindedly walk through the shop door.

Ding...

A bell marked his entrance before he was warmly greeted by the elderly shop owners. They would politely offer their help before allowing him to search the store. Howard's eyes would be drawn to glass enclosures at first. Within them housed an assortment of frogs, lizards and snakes, kept separate of course. A quick thought bounced through his mind as he thought of how many of the pets were natural prey to others. How awkward would that be. Howard shook away the thought as he now came upon the cats. It was a hard no really. Such devas! He would offer a flash of his fangs and a hiss of his own as the nearest cat to him reciprocated his disdain. The hoot of an owl would draw his attention next, but there was just something cold about them that turned him off. Perhaps a spider or a rat? No, it just wasn't right. With a shrug Howard would turn to make his way out of the shop. Maybe he just wasn't meant for pet parenthood.

Squeak...

It had been quite sometime since Howard had heard such a noise. He spun on the spot to see a smaller cage, within it the poofiest of purple blobs. "Gary?!" The Dhampir could barely contain his excitement as he looked upon the Pygmy Puff. It was downright impossible that any of those Puffs had made their way from Hogwarts to Diagon Alley, but this was a world full of magic after all. A long index finger would make its way towards the little creature before the smallest and wettest of noses gave him a sniff. The most disgusting of giggles would escape Howard's lips as the bond was immediate formed. With a quick spin he made his way back towards the counter, the heavy weight of the gold of no concern as the transaction was complete. Not but a moment later Gary the Purple Pygmy Puff would make its way into the inside pocket of Howard's robe. A place it would often stay for years to come.

Word Count: 736

What animal do you wish to purchase? Purple Pygmy Puff
What do you want to name it? Gary
Is this a boy or girl? Boy
What's your pet's date of birth? June 1st, 2021