Walking around Diagon Alley by myself was not fun especially when I could clearly see all the proud mamma's & pappa's assisting their children with various things, children meeting up with friends & chatting about life. Never in my life did I think that I would EVER be jealous of people having friends. Perhaps I shouldn't have let my Hogwarts escort walk off but honestly I'm not used to people; besides he had things to do for the school & I would just get in the way.

As I walked the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley stewing to myself the smell of sugar cookies seemed to take over my sense's making me look up & look around for the source. My eye's landed upon an adorable elderly woman with curly white hair that seemed to bounce as she moved; I took notice that the woman was feeding something in cages...are those owls? The woman turned around as it seemed she felt Shauna starring at her with a polite smile the woman spoke to me "You know it's not polite to stare?"

I blinked softly in utter embarrassment Was I really starring? I thought as I walked a bit closer to the woman and the....yep those are indeed owls "I'm sorry I didn't mean to stare...are these meant to be pets?" I asked feeling rather stupid noticing the flash of something that looked to be like pity in the elderly woman's eye's However as quickly as the look came it disappeared just as quickly; the woman nodded softly "Yes owl's are a Wizard's bread & butter not only for companionship but also as a way to communicate back & forth with family & friends." Upon hearing this the excitement I had for a moment disappeared "Oh....I see."

Anita could clearly see the disappointment in the girl's eyes though she did well to hide it on her face I have also noticed this girl had yet to realize she was standing in front of a pet store. Does she think I own all these owls? I wondered as I flashed her a smile "Why don't you come in for tea & cookies?" The girl seemed to be reluctant at first then nodded as she followed me inside the store she seemed to become stunned into silence making me smile brighter "My name is Anita Witticker; this is Magical Menagerie the Wizard Pet Store. I am the shop keeper along with my husband Ernst; there are a fair few pets available to wizards other than just owls. That's normally just the go to one; if you like you can look around while you have your tea & cookies." The girl nodded softly before seeming to find her voice "I'm Shauna Starr & that would be lovely." With that said Anita waved her wand making a tray appear with tea & sugar cookies that would follow Shauna around I smiled at her once more "If you need anything at all please let me know....oh & if you see a tall man that looks like a lunber jack don't be alarmed that's my husband." I smirked noticing Shauna stifle a laugh as I went to the back to do some work.

With a soft smile & a tray magically following me around I proceeded to look at all the different animals. Owls, toads, rats, cats & even.....what are those colored cotton balls? Okay this is just getting weird! I stayed away from the owls as I have no family so no reason to have an animal used for communication. I stayed away from the colored cotton balls; honestly I could make those myself. I stayed away from the rats; only one word comes to mind....EEW! I stayed away from the toads; too slimy & way too boring for my liking.

This just left the cats I have always loved cats & dogs but could never have one being at the orphanage but that didn't stop me from nursing the sick one's back to health that made their way to the orphanage's door step. As I looked at the cats in all their cages one seemed to stand out to her the most....wait was that cat....chasing it's tail? I watched it with fascination then noticed the tag

Reducio

Name: Leo
Age: 2
Breed: Bengal
Sex: Male

After a moment of watching I had made up my mind that this was the pet for me; before I could even utter a word Anita seemed to appear out of thin out nearly scaring the life out of me.

As I was coming from the back I could see the connection between Leo & Shuana; I have been doing this job long enough to know they are meant for each other so I instantly made my over to her only to scare her "Merlin's Beard; I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you! Are you alright?" I asked as she had jumped backwards nearly knocking into a cage she nodded softly composing herself quickly "I would to buy that cat...however I am terrible with my knowledge on this wizard money so I am truly unsure if I have enough. Also I see he has a name; can I rename him? I couldn't help but smile at the girl I could almost feel that she needed this cat very badly "Yes you will be able to rename him & don't worry I will help you count out what you need to purchase. If you haven't grown up in the wizarding world this stuff is very confusing." I lead Shauna to the counter to see what money she has to purchase Leo.

What animal do you wish to purchase? Bengal
What do you want to name it? Tristan
Is this a boy or a girl? Male
What is your pet's date of birth? December 8, 2017

Word count: 980