Sophie's Fine Choice
| ────── | 25 August 2025 #322A4C────────────────────────────────────────── Outfit_________________________________________________________ The late summer sun shone merrily over the streets of Diagon Alley, though Sophie felt anything but merry herself. She had already visited the Alley a few days earlier, completing all the shopping required for her first year at Hogwarts. The trip had been busy and stressful, but necessary, and she had been glad to check it off her list. Alas, the Friday past her guardian Connie had received a letter from her uncle (and Sophie’s grandfather) Harald, requesting to spend a day in Diagon Alley with his granddaughter. Sophie had complained, then refused, then sulked, but Connie had remained firm. Harald Ulvestrom was not a man to be denied, as Connie rightly reminded her. So, much to her chagrin, Sophie now made her way down the cobbled streets beside her grandfather. He was a firm, no-nonsense man, his features still sharp and his hair as thick as in his youth. He rarely spoke, but when he did it was often to hint at her mother or her true family. Sophie longed to press him for more, yet she knew it would be useless. Harald shared only what he deemed appropriate, and the details of her birth family were secrets he intended to keep. After an hour of listening to his cryptic remarks, he stopped abruptly. “Have you a pet, Sophia?” “No,” she replied. Once wealthy enough to live a hundred lifetimes in comfort, Bryn and Connie could no longer afford such luxuries. It had been a bitter disappointment to Sophie, who loved animals dearly, but she never voiced her feelings. She knew her guardians already felt ashamed. Harald grunted. “You should,” he said dispassionately. “Any respectful young witch should. Here—go and get yourself one.” He gestured toward the shop beside them: Magical Menagerie. Sophie had noticed it during her first trip to Diagon Alley and passed by it longingly. Her heart leapt. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. Her grandfather frowned as he handed over a silk pouch of coin, but she didn’t mind. She was too happy to care, and besides, Harald frowned at most things. Inside, the shop was alive with noise. Rows of cages lined the walls, filled with creatures that barked, shrieked, croaked, and warbled in a chaotic symphony. Sophie thought it wonderful. She made her way through the aisles, carefully observing every animal. Rats? Useless. Owls? Perhaps—but Bryn had told her there would be plenty at Hogwarts. She lingered by a tank where a group of toads lounged by an artificial pond, croaking a steady chorus. She smiled. Maybe a toad. Deeper in the shop, she came upon a cage containing a blue-grey cat. Its large, luminous eyes seemed to look straight into her soul. She approached and held a finger to the bars, expecting the cat to sniff it. Strangely, it did not. Sophie was transfixed. She stood by the cage for some time. The cat’s gaze did not waver, but its ears rotated left and right and every now and then its small, velvety nose twitched. “Oh, dear me,” came a voice. Sophie turned to see a short, elderly woman shuffling toward her. “Best choose another cat, love. We’ve plenty of other Chartreux to choose from.” “Why not this one?” Sophie asked. “Oh, love, this one’s blind.” “But he’s looking right at me.” “Cats have sharp ears, child, and a nose too. Now, how about I show you—” “I want this one,” Sophie interrupted firmly. And she meant it. Minutes later, she emerged from the shop with a cage in hand, her new companion meowing plaintively. “Cats are handsome companions,” Harald said approvingly. “You have made a fine choice. What shall be his name?” “I’ll call him... Ib.” Harald frowned, befuddled, but chose not to argue. Sophie only smiled. She felt light as a feather. He was right; she had made a fine choice indeed. _________________________________________________________ Word count: 642 |
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