Lily pushed open the door to the Magical Menagerie, the air hitting her immediately. A warm mix of feathers, faint musk and the soft sounds of many different creatures. Her heart flipped in excitement, she'd been dreaming of this moment since the beginning of the year. Now with the summer break stretching near and a free pet offered for her hard work, it felt like a dream come true.
She had missed her cat that lived with her family. Being at Hogwarts was one of the best experiences ever, but she'd always been used to a cat being around and keeping her calm company. For those reasons, Lily had jumped at the first chance of getting an animal of her own. Today was the day, she'd arrived early this morning to get the most time getting to know her new pet.
The shop was a glorious chaos, cages lined the walls in every direction. In the center, tanks bubbled with colorful toads and a kneazle that eyed her curiously from their perch. Lily moved carefully, mindful of all the different cages and animals.
"Can I help ye find a friend, lass?" Lily looked up from a cat she'd been looking at to see who was the owner of the cheerful voice. Ernest Witticker emerged from the back, his wife following behind. She offered a sugar cookie from a plate she was carrying, "Fresh from the oven, dearie."
Lily accepted the cookie gratefully, taking a quick bite before speaking. "I'm looking for a cat, something calm but curious, to tag along with me at Hogwarts." She followed along as Ernest led the way to a different section of the shop.
They passed a few owls and rats scampering along in their cages happily. They arrived where most, if not all, felines seemed to be kept. As Lily looked around, she found an orange looking kitty alone in a cage at the center of the room. Its rich auburn stripes catching Lily's eyes immediately. The young feline wasn't performing like the others, no stretching, no meows for attention. Just poised eyes fixed on her with a tail draped neatly over his paws as it lay on the ground.
Lily knelt to its level, her heart knowing this is the one. As she caught its bright amber eyes with her own, she felt the same warmth from back home. She'd missed her family and this little guy seemed to offer her exactly what she was looking for. "Hello, little one" she whispered. It blinked once slowly, then looked away. A little shy, are you? That's fine we'll have so much fun soon enough.
"He's selective," Anita, the wife, said appearing beside them with a kind smile. "Came into the world just 2 months ago, hasn't even batted an eye for anyone before you." As she spoke, Lily kept her eyes on the little guy, their eyes connecting once again. "Red Mackerel Tabby, name him yourself if he takes to ye."
Lily thought for a moment. "Saffron," Lily said, the spice's warm glow matching his fur perfectly. The feline's eyes seemed to glow at the name.
The two lovely owners nodded. They headed back to the front to prep the carrier. Lily was beyond happy, she'd always loved cats and missed the one from back home. As she looked back at Saffron, stepping into the carrier without protest she thought about all the fun they would have together. My first cat, fully owned by me!
