After being at boarding school, home never felt like where he truly belonged anymore.

There was a pulsating energy at Hogwarts, especially being within Slytherin, that made the thrum of life's heart beat palpable. The Winter holiday had always been such a to-do with various end of year parties where they dressed up the Drake sons to parade them around like trophies to be displayed. Well, at least, their dad felt the same way as them as he fueled himself with all sorts of butterbeer and firewhiskey to keep himself from keeling over from the boredom and incessent questions about what he had been up to since they last met. If one thing was certain, Perseus Drake was a very captivating storyteller and had most eating out of the palm of his hands.

On the other hand, Bea was a true Slytherin ice witch who kept to the pleasantries and the compliments on all her sons and willfully ignoring the parts of them that drove her mad. For this year, Uly was an impressive first string beater on the Slytherin team who took a beautiful pureblood girl to Hogwart's fall ball. They didn't need to know that he had no clue with Alyssea's actual blood status.

The family finished the party and as they arrived home through Floo Powder, Perseus seemed incredibly giddy as he seemed to disappear at the end of the party and that he would meet them back at home. With a discerning look from his mother, Uly hadn't paid it no mind except for the fact that this was usually the day where they were given a single present. His Dad had already given him a Moontrimmer for appeasing their mother's rage, would he finally get the Silver Arrow he was eyeing out?

As they made their way to the living room which had been decorated to celebrate Winter, Perseus had wrapped boxes for his two other brothers and a simple white box in the middle of the floor for Uly as he gestured them all to their boxes. " Mom and I wanted to say how proud we are of all of you, we wanted to get you all something that we think you'd really like! "

Not one for many more compliments, Uly's mother nodded as she moved over to her husband and Uly rushed over to the box with no clue what could be in his box.

A little noise appeared from the box and it quickly alerted the second year as he opened it and the most adorable little Crup sprinkled in ivory and browns and beautiful chocolate eyes looked up to Uly as the beast yelped and jumped into Uly's arms.

" Woah! Is this a crup? Looks a little different! " The eldest Drake son already so excited at the little beast, he didn't seen any at Hogwarts yet. Would his new friend be allowed?

" It's a half-crup, actually. " Bea chimed in with her usual know-it-all demeanor.

" Newly discovered by Clementine Wexford, we heard the first litter of these animals who are less aggressive to muggles were available at the Magical Menagerie and I knew this would be the perfect friend for you, Uly. " Percy beamed, so overwhelmed with how excited Uly seemed to be. The young pup eager and running around the teenager as Uly looked like a kid in a candy store.

" We'll get it registered with school or whatever else you need but you should be set to take him, but he's a lot of responsibility now. As a Drake, we have a standard to uphold, don't forget, kiddo. " Uly's father's words shifted to a more serious tone as Uly took a moment to look at his parents and nodded in understanding before he rushed over to hug them both. He couldn't even imagine this was going to be his night! " We have notes too from the Menagerie of how to care for them. We'll use this time to learn, yeah? We're trusting you but you've been doing so good, Uly. Keep up the good work in school. " Compared to last year's shit show, he wasn't failing anything yet nor did he get sent to the Hospital Wing.

" Come on, Montrose! " Already picking a name for his new friend, Uly would have to name the beast after his favorite Quidditch team.

What animal do you wish to purchase? Wexford Half-Crup
What do you want to name it? Montrose
Is this a boy or a girl? Boy
What is your pet's date of birth? October 20, 2024