Pawing Celeste's Heart

Celeste had always loved animals. She'd loved pet-sitting Eleanor's pet dog, Pickles, while she had gone on a trip back to America to see her grandmother for Christmastime. She loved watching the wild hares hop through the rugged hills of Dingle, and had always wanted a pet golden retriever puppy. She was one of the kids who despised anyone who purposely stepped on ants and had wanted to be a zoologist for forever.
So when Celeste heard about pets, that's where she went to get consolation after her...panic after the dining hall feast. She had been miserable to find they costed many galleons- she was almost broke, with a tiny bit more then three sickles. Luckily, a nice girl named Clair Fernandez had given her a whopping ten galleons to help! The girl was so nice- Celeste would have to repay Clair one day. But now, she reckoned she could afford something.
She heard that spiders, snakes, frogs, ferrets, fish, cats, owls, pygmy puffs (that's what the girl in the dining hall's puff was called), and rabbits were all the shop carried- no dogs, for good reason. Celeste would find someone in there perfect for her.
Celeste took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the Magical Menagerie and...gasped. The woodsy place had huge windows shining light across the area. Cages of owls hung across one wall, and scattered about were glass cages holding frogs or snakes. A big tank full of gold fish sat atop a shelf of pet treats, food, and leashes. Cats mewled and curled behind barred cages, and a ginger sat on a counter in front of the shopkeepers. Adorable pygmy puffs squeaked in their pens, hopping about on short legs. Yes- Celeste loved the Menagerie much.
An older man with white hair, a wrinkly smile, and black glasses and his wife, a wrinkled lady with short, curly white hair, rosy powdered cheeks, and a flowery dress sat behind a counter with a bell and a tub of sugar cookies. The old woman smiled slowly at Celeste. "Why, hello, deary. Why, you're one of the new students, aren't you?"
Celeste's mother had taught her children how to speak to elders- the Everstells were big on manners. "Good day, ma'am. Yes, I am new here, and it's wonderful. How are you doing?"
"Oh, aren't you a sweetie! Have a sugar cookie," the lady said, handing Celeste one of the cookies in the box. Celeste smiled slowly and thanked the lady, biting into the sugar cookie. It tasted like home.
"Anita, she's here for a snake or a pygmy puff, not cookies and tea!" jokingly scolding the man, flashing a twinkly smile. "So, my lady, what would it be?"
Celeste grinned at the man and his wife and said, "I think I'll take a look around the shop."
"Ernest! Where are our manners? We've not stated our names!" Anita cried, tapping Ernest's arm. "We're Mrs. and Mr. Wittiker. And who might you be?"
"Celeste. Celeste Everstell," stated Celeste, toying with the purple streak in her hair. Mrs. Wittiker nodded sincerely as Celeste wandered off into the shop. First she crouched at a glass tank full of green toads with black-brown spots on their backs. She was fascinated by each of their leaps in the way curious Celeste always was, but she certainty didn't want a slimy, loveless toad for a pet. She stood up and strode over to the pygmy puff pens. Fusia, falu, pink, magenta, and rose colored fluff-balls trilled and squeaked in their high-fenced enclosures. Celeste reached her hand out to let the puffs sniff her hand for a second before patting their fluffy fur. They were certainly cute and soft, but not quite what Celeste called too.
Celeste then examined the fish for a brief second, but again fish were...fish. She sighed and turned towards the cages of owls lining the wall.
Marveled by these creatures, she watched snowies preen and Tawny Owls hoot. She got to a small cage and gasped. Inside was the cutest, softest little Eastern Screech she'd ever seen! It had big eyes on its orange-y fluffy head, and it tilted its face at Celeste. It was so adorable! She reached out to touch its back feathers, where an owl enjoys being stroked. The owl whipped around and pecked the hand resting on its back. Celeste pulled back and watched the cutie. Yes, she loved it, but... there was no bond between Celeste and the owl. She knew some bonds take time, but she felt no connection to the Screech. With a small sigh, she turned towards the snakes.
She was halfway to the snake cages when she felt a small rub on her leg. She looked down to find a tiny silver tabby kitten playing with her shoe laces, chattering and mewling. She gasped at the cute little kit, with bright green eyes, vibrant, wiry fur, and a pink nose with a little black spot on the left side. Her legs were white as well as her belly, and the rest of her was a silvery grey with dark stripes. She'd never thought of cats; hardly even seen one in person. But her heart just melted at the kit, although the Screech was cuter. It looked up her with a look that seemed to say, Hi, I love you!
Gingerly, Celeste picked up the playful kitten and held her against her shoulder. She didn't know how the smidgen had gotten out, but she was glad she did. Smidgen. That was her name. Smidgen purred happily, licking Celeste's hand. She loved the kitten dearly and was sure it loved her.
Smidgen nuzzled Celeste's chin an she giggled. Yes, Smidgen was perfect for her.

Silver Mackerel Tabby
Smidgen
Female
21/9/23

(961 words)