xxxxxxxx𝕿he cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley buzzed with the usual end-of-week chaos, a flurry of robes, chatter, and floating packages filling the air. Evpraksiya moved through the crowd, white mary janes clicking against the worn-down stone as her equally pristine coat marked her apart from the crowd. Her steps were measured as she absorbed the sights, though rarely did sacremento barely linger on the usual novel items. Beside her, Ludovic Vinogradov stood in stark contrast— tall and imposing, sharp features softened only by a rare, fleeting smile to those who knew him. To those who didn't, it seemed a menacing grimace belonging more to backroom deals and behind gunpowder trails.
The duo made a beeline for the magical menagerie, gracefully maneuvering through the crowd and doubtlessly causing multiple injuries from 'light' nudges of Ludovic's cane.
❝Now, you remember the plan, mm? Pick what you would like, but make it quick— the sky and my patience are your only limits.❞ Ludovic intoned, tapping his cane gently on the ground in emphasis, a pensive glint on his usually stoic face as he looked into the endless rows of well-kept cages.
❝Of course, Uncle.❞ Evpraksiya said agreeably, ❝But if we’re to be swift perhaps I should pick up a few supplies as well? I wouldn't want to trouble the staff with this when we are already here.❞ She said, turning wide pleading eyes onto the older man.
That request obviously. Had nothing to do with how her eye was caught by frilly dog clothes that practically were begging her to take at them... She liked the family canary they had before but perhaps this time she'd get a puppy— if only to be able to dress it up in those cute clothes.
Ludovic nodded, putting his weight on his silver cane as he pat Evpraksiya's head awkwardly. ❝...As you wish. It... I supposed those things need... care. So long as you buy only what's necessary.❞ He grimaced internally thinking about Ekatrina's reaction to him dropping off her daughter late, the damn harpy would tear his ear off— never mind that he was taking better care of her daughter than her. ❝Bother the staff about the menial items later.❞
❝Of course uncle— If it's all the same to you, I'd like to go look at the supplies first.❞
❝...❞ Ludovic opened his mouth to say something but paused, eyebrow furrowing slightly. ❝...I suppose. Go ahead, surprise me with your pick, if you find one suitable. An old man like I needs excitement.❞
Evpraksiya giggled quietly, silver bells chiming in the wind. ❝I'll believe you're an old man when you stop beating Tatiana in your spars,❞ She said wryly, ❝last time she even went to Nadezhda to lick her wounds. I daresay she'll even best you, next.❞
❝Don't hold your breath, little one, the only time I'll lose is when I'm six feet under.❞ He said plainly, letting his gaze rest on a stain on the window as he waved her off impatiently.
❝I'll come back with something interesting, don't turn to dust when I'm gone, Uncle.❞ Evpraksiya teased as she spun away on her heel, intent on taking a closer look at those dog clothes...
Ludovic let out a harsh breath as she left towards the crup's direction, exchanging a glance with Ernest Witticker at the counter, who winked at him and gave a thumbs up. Anita, ushering out the runt of the first half-crup litter into the aisle with particularly frilly dog clothes Ludovic had asked they display to lure his niece towards that particular isle, knowing her tastes in 'cute' things.
Only the Best.
Under no circumstances did he like the company Evpraksiya kept. Mudbloods were enough of a headache on their own— no respect for their place on the hierarchy nor for their betters, but from the sounds of her letters, brainless mudbloods, ignorant of manners? His niece may have found it charming but he found her penchant for taking in strays exasperating and exhausting. However, with the first litter of half-crups friendly to... muggles (useless in his opinion. It was simply the natural culling of vermin if the obedient dogs maimed one of them) accepted into Hogwarts, he decided to conspire with the indulgent store owners into directing his niece into buying of the more acceptable replacements for her... not peers no, mudbloods were barely above vermin— contemporaries maybe.
His niece valued loyalty and perhaps if she took home a dog then that would be enough for her to cease picking up mutts.
...Merlin willing.
—
Evprakisya meanwhile, glided through the wooden aisles of the Magical Menagerie, vivid sacremento eyes locked intently on the frilly dog clothes. She didn't remember this particular emporium having any stores that sold such adorable dog apparel— or any dog apparel at all actually. Perhaps they'd been enlightened to the cuteness of such garments?
The girl tilted her head in idle consideration as she reached out to inspect the lace on the clothes. It was intricate, not something easily produced to her knowledge so why then was it in a store that usually sold common treats—
❝WOOF!❞
Porcelain fingers stopped inches away from lace as Evpraksiya turned her head down to the source of the noise to see a precious puppy sitting charmingly a mere inch away from her pristine mary janes. His tail wagged with excitement, moving his entire body and jingling the blue male charm on his collar. The tail was practically wearing a hole into the wooden floor with his enthusiasm. Fawn brown spots dotted over his messy cream-colored fur and at the base of his tail, all leading up to two comically large brown eyes looking at Evpraksiya with boundless joy.
Evprakisya blinked.
He yipped.
Hm.
The Slytherin crouched down, white coat folding neatly behind her as she got a better look at the curious creature. Animals she found, didn't often like her. The averaged reaction between them was to walk away whenever she got too close, occasionally some would bark and screech but those quieted when she stared at them for a iota too long. It was the same with Nadezhda she found, but they were always attracted to her sister Tatiana no matter if she told them to, ❝PISS OFF!❞ or to come closer.
But this one- oh this one who came closer to her on his own violation? That was so precious! And he was so tiny! She'd confidently say it was a toy puppy charmed to move around and greet visitors as some form of gimmick if she couldn't see his little body breathing.
Evpraksiya took the glove off her left hand, tucking the white silk in her pocket as she offered it to the baby crup who eagerly bumbled towards it, nearly tripping over his own fluffy fawn paws (they were like socks! A puppy wearing socks, what comedy!) in his overexcited haste.
A genuine smile traced a faint path across baby pink lips as Evpraksiya scritched the back of his head (that was usually where canines liked to be scritched right?) and blinked in idle surprise as the tiny puppy sank his teeth into her index finger.
❝That. Is not very nice of you.❞ She reprimanded the creature, idly trying to tug away her index finger.
The puppy, however, didn't seem to care about what was polite or not as he dragged his prize towards the counter proudly, straining to move with a burden that must have been several dozen times his body weight.
Evpraksiya watched him try for a few scant moments before sighing and giving up on the tug-of-war battle. She had no intention of harming this- precious! Precious crup and lifted him up with her other hand in one smooth motion. Cradling him in her arms as one would a human infant, she tilted her head at the puppy, watching it yip and bark towards the counter- although he didn't make any effort to get out of his current predicament. In fact, deciding to snuggle back into the crook of Evpraksiya's elbow.
Oh.
Oh yes she was keeping this one.
❝I will name you Strazhnik Chort Vinogradov and if you urinate on my shoes I will make you into a pair of them.❞ She said, you know, like a liar. The girl gently booped the puppy on his nose, and for the first time in several years, struggled to stifle a disgraceful snort when he sneezed, instantly trying to bite her finger again.
