IC Date : 8th of August, 2025
Time of Day : 2:30 pm
Ernest's Speech
Anita's Speech
Stephen's Speech

Stephen and his parents meandered their way through the crowded streets of Diagon Alley, having secured most of Stephen's school supplies, only one item remained on his list, his familiar. Stephen had given this decision some serious thought and had the perfect pet in mind. His mother led the way to a quaint shop labeled the Magical Menagerie. As they entered the dimly lit shop, an older gentleman smiled at them as they wandered in.

"Welcome to the Magical Menagerie! A new student headed to Hogwarts, I presume?" He waved them all in excitedly. Stephen could tell that this man loved nothing more than to help pair new students with the perfect pet to take on their new magical adventure. Smiling Stephen moved up to the man and with an excited air, he asked "Excuse me, sir, do you by chance have any Sphynx Cats?" The man's smile fades a tick at the boy's question. "I'm sorry, my boy, we don't carry them here." The man looks pensive for a moment, then turns back to the lad "Why are you looking for that breed specifically?"

Stephen responds, "Well, sir, I have always loved cats, but I am allergic to their fur... I have met a few Sphynx cats, and I don't seem to react to them, so I was hoping to have a cat of my own." The man's expression brightens again "Well, if that is the only reason, I do happen to know of a charm that, when performed carefully, can render a creature harmlessly hairless." Stephen's eyes alight with a sense of wonder and excitement. "Really, Sir!? Is that a service you offer here?" the man smiles then calls over his shoulder to the back room "Anita dearest, I may need your assistance, we have a bit of a peculiar request" the elderly man turns back to Stephen and says in a conspiritorial tone "My wife has a significantly steadier hand than I, and her charm work is just a wonder to behold."

The man's wife walks in, catching the tail end of the whisper "Ernest, are you telling tales again? Don't mind a thing, he says, young one, he likes stirring up mischief from time to time." The man puts on a mock look of surprise before addressing his wife, "Darling, I was just telling this young man about your exceptional skill with charms as he has a special request." Anita blushes at the compliment paid to her by her husband. "A special request, you say? Something to do with your pet, dear?" She asked, turning to Stephen.

"Yes ma'am, you see, I am allergic to cat hair, but have always loved the creatures so when I came in today, I was hoping you carried Sphynx cats, sadly your husband informed me that it is not a breed you carry, however he was telling me of a charm, that you know, could help in this matter, something that won't hurt the animal, but render it hairless." The woman smiles warmly "Ah, I see the problem here, yes dear I do know a spell like that, however cats generally are animals of comfort, they like to feel warm and safe, if I make it hairless it is prone to getting cold" Stephen seems to ponder that problem for a moment before replying "I know! I could knit it little sweaters, my mum taught me how to knit, I am not particularly fast, but in the mean time she could probably shrink one of my sweaters to fit it" Stephen turns to face his mother with imploring eyes, she rolls her eyes slightly in an indulgent way and gives a slight nod, a small smile turning the corner of her mouth.

"Alright, dear, if that is the case, I will consent to casting the charm; however, you now have to choose what breed of cat you wish to take with you. If you follow me, I can take you to the cat section." Stephen eagerly follows along, and just as they turn the corner, they come across a wall with little wicker baskets, each one has a cat lounging inside. "Here we are, dear, these are the cats we have on hand at the moment, see which one suits your fancy. Something to note, dear, a cat's skin is the same color and pattern as its fur, so when I perform my charm, the cat will not look much different, but it shouldn't aggravate your allergies."

Stephen eagerly perused the different cats the shop had on display, before noting a young female Silver Mackerel Tabby kitten. "Ah, a wonderful choice, this young one is part of the recent litter we got in, she is about 10 weeks old, oh, how sweet she would look in a little sweater." Anita muses to herself "Is this the one you would like to go with?" Stephen eyes the small kitten critically before nodding approvingly "Yes, I think she is perfect!" Anita claps her hands in excitement, she gingerly grabs the kitten from it's perch and moves it over to the counter where her husband has a small carrying basket ready, she sets the kitten down and draws her wand, with a practiced hand she makes a complicated gesture and speaks the incantation "Implumis" as she does, the cat gives a slight shake. Its fur falls to the counter, the kitten looks down and sniffs at the fur, seeming entirely unconcerned. "There we go, dear! Now you have just one more important decision to make, what are you going to name her?"

Stephen ponders for a moment, before answering "She has a lovely blue grey yes, perhaps I will call her Lobelia after my favorite flower" Anita nods encouragingly "A fine name, well now that we have that settled, I suppose all that is left is payment, this lovely kitten will be 10 Galleons" Stephen reaches into his coin purse and pulls out the last of his galleons and hands them over to the helpful witch, who coaxes the newly hairless kitten into the wicker basket before presenting Stephen with his new companion, the elderly couple wishes Stephen and his family well, and hopes that Stephen will stop in next summer and tell them all about his first year at Hogwarts. The family makes their way back onto the busy streets of Diagon Alley, a new member curled up comfortably in the wicker basket now held securely in Stephen's hands.

WC : 1077/400