The door to the Magical Menagerie jingled brightly as Felix stepped into the shop, eyes scanning the store as they inhaled the fresh scent of owl droppings and… well, for lack of better words, animals. Despite spending most of their life outside, they had never been the best with animals. However, retirement was a bit lonely, especially because he had no spouse or child to fill the empty corners of his modest cottage with laughter. They hadn’t intended on stopping in the Menagerie during this particular excursion to Diagon Alley, but seeing the shop’s sign had reminded them of the smallest little budding idea of adopting a furry companion to keep them company in Puddlemere. Thus, armed with his purchases from Quality Quidditch Supplies, Felix had ducked into the Menagerie bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and wrinkly-nosed.

They were greeted by the shopkeeper, and they politely nodded, “Just browsing, thank you.” The usual big three, if you would, were present and prominently displayed: ribbiting toads whose buggy eyes Felix tried to avoid; cats either prowling or napping in their enclosures, ready to be the perfect magical companion to someone; and, of course, the classic owl, both regal and useful to the everyday wix. Most people assumed that Felix had an owl, associating their love of flight with the bird of prey. However, Felix had no interest in owning a pet who would be out doing their own thing a majority of the time, and instead wanted a companion to be largely ever-present in their day-to-day life.

As a child at Hogwarts, he had had a black cat named Ink Blot, a surly fellow who had been loyal until his passing. And as much as he had loved Blot Boy, he wasn’t too keen on attempting to herd a cat into the house from the open field in his backyard. But as he perused some of the newer, more exotic pets (what the hell was a pygmy puff?), a squirrely commotion from a few cages in the back corner caught his eye.

They hesitantly approached the cage, peering at the elongated rats that stared back at them with their widened eyes. “Miss?” he called out to the shopkeeper. “What are these?”

“You’ve never seen a ferret?” she laughed good-heartedly. “Why, you are in for a treat, my friend. Would you like to hold one?”

They nodded wordlessly, and the shopkeeper opened the cage and carefully picked out a chocolate brown furry worm, gently placing it in Felix’s open palms.

“This one’s a jill— a girl. About three months old, if I recall.”

“Gert lush…” Felix murmured, fascinated by the ferret already curling around one hand in order to receive pets from the other. “What a gem you are, you little chucky pig.”

The ferret promptly bit his finger.

The shopkeeper hastily apologized for the ferret’s behavior, hurriedly attempting to collect her from Felix’s hands to return her to her cage, but Felix held up a hand to stop her. “No, no, don’t worry, she didn’t break skin… she was just playing, if I’m not mistaken. She’s a sassy little lass, with character! How admirable. How much?”

“Fourteen galleons, ten sickles, sir. Are you sure?”

“Positive. I’ll take her.” Felix lifted up the ferret to his eye-level, staring straight into her dark eyes. “Hello, Stick,” they whispered with a smile. “I have a feeling we’re going to get along very well.” And although he couldn’t decide if he had imagined it or not, he could’ve sworn that Stick smiled back.

Word Count: 585
What animal do you wish to purchase? Ferret
What do you want to name it? Stick
Is this a boy or a girl? Girl (Jill)
What is your pet's date of birth? November 18th, 2021

Pet Permission Granted

Have fun with your furry little friend!