Misconceptions Pet

It should really be an owl they’d said. Mum and dad had told her how indelibly useful an owl had been for them in their school days, both in terms of writing home and, later, to one another. (Selfishly, they probably wanted to encourage her to write home as well.) An owl would give their daughter freedom of expression, peace of mind, and a sense of responsibility.

And Maisie would have none of it.

From the moment the Gemmells had entered Magical Menagerie, Maisie’s attention gravitated towards more furry creatures: the cats and ferrets. She’d get up right close to the cages and try to talk to them. There was, strangely, something more retable about a something that also had four legs and fur. And there was just something about those big eyes that drew her right in. She spent plenty of time with each animal—or as much as they would let her—trying to understand their person. Some took better to that then others.

She continued to walk through the store until she came right to the very back, near where an old woman in a floral dress sat behind a counter. Close to her was a cage that looked empty—until she got closer.

The creature was way far back in the cage, hidden by the shadows cast by the walls in the corner. She might have missed it entirely if she hadn't seen the glimmer in the creature's eyes. Kneeling down, she scooted closer and let out a gentle cooing to try and coax it closer. But it didn't move. Maisie too stayed still, observing it's shape and loopy ears, outlined in the window'd light.

As she stayed there, she could lightly overhear her parents in the distance remarking about the strength and speed of some owl. But she just turned up towards the older female shopkeeper and asked, "Why won't he come out?"

A beat passed before she the curly-haired witch replied, "I think he's afraid."

"Of what?" she asked.

The shop owner just smiled. "Have you ever felt a little bit different, not because you were different but because people thought you were different? And you thought maybe they might not like you? They might even be afraid."

It took a few seconds for her to untangle those sentences, but within time, she couldn't help but nod. "At my old school it was pretty obvious. All the new cool stuff, I never get that. My mum makes most of my dresses and I love them, but sometimes people think they're weird," she considered the memories, "And at my new school—"

"—Let me guess, Hogwarts?"

She nodded eagerly. "There, I don't really know."

"And you're afraid?"

Gently, she felt her head nod just so. She didn't want to admit it. Everyone in the family was so excited for her magical education and she was too—what exploring there was to do!—but there was also a nagging feeling that it wouldn't go well, that people wouldn't like her, and that she would fail. Her wide brown eyes connected with the silver'd rabbit's.

"His name is 'Mischief.' Most people think he's trouble, but—"

"—he's not," she finished the old woman's sentence.

"Not for a girl like you, I wouldn't think," the shopkeeper replied.

Maisie turned her head and for a second the two women (or woman and woman-to-be) held eye contact in understanding. Her vision focused back on the rabbit, this wonderful storm-colored creature, and back to her parents on the other end of the shop. "I'll be right back," she politely told the woman. Her mind was made up. She'd found a kindred spirit and there was no going back.

Word count: 609

What animal do you wish to purchase? Mist Hopper rabbit, please.
What do you want to name it? Mischief
Is this a boy or a girl? Boy
What is your pet's date of birth? April 1st, 2023