Chapter 127: Lynn, Let's Raise It Together

After eating their fill, Lynn and Irina began strolling leisurely through Diagon Alley.

At one point, Irina stopped in front of a shop. "Eeylops Owl Emporium? Do you want to buy an owl?" 

Lynn read the name of the shop aloud, then looked at Irina questioningly. He had seen this owl shop before when he first came to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies. However, at the time he didn't feel the need to spend money on his own owl, so he had never gone inside.

Irina had felt the same way back then. She thought for a moment, then said, "I didn't think I needed one before, but now that I know I have an affinity for magical creatures, I want to buy my own owl. After all, having an owl that only obeys me could prove useful."

"Let's go in and look around then," Lynn agreed readily. 

They were just out relaxing anyway, so it didn't matter where they wandered.

The two entered Eeylops Owl Emporium. This particular shop was quite large, with an Extension Charm making the inside seem nearly as big as a small aviary from Lynn's previous world.

However, unlike a magical menagerie, Eeylops only sold various breeds of owls. No other magical creatures were available here.

"Can I help you find anything specific? Or would you like me to show you around?" A sales clerk approached them proactively upon seeing the new customers enter.

Large shops like this usually had attendants to guide witches and wizards in finding what they wanted.

Suddenly, Irina stopped in front of a small snowy owl with some grayish tips on its feathers. This owl had the beautiful plumage of a snowy owl, but it was petite like a scops owl. Above its left eye was a small diamond-shaped patch of gray-black feathers.

For some reason, when Irina saw this little owl, she unconsciously associated it with the white Ting pets from a game she had played in her previous life.

"This owl..." Irina began.

The sales clerk followed her gaze, then hurriedly said, "My apologies, Miss. That owl was an accidental crossbreed between a snowy owl and a scops owl due to negligence by our animal handlers. We were just keeping it here temporarily before disposing of it in a few days."

In the wizarding world, blood purity views were still quite prevalent. So whether purchasing pets or in other matters, witches and wizards tended to place importance on supposed "purity of bloodlines."

Thus, when the clerk saw Irina eyeing the crossbreed owl, he assumed she was displeased that such a mixed creature was being offered for sale.

Upon hearing this, Irina blinked in surprise, then explained, "You misunderstand. I was wondering how much it would cost to take this little owl home?"

The clerk's eyes widened slightly at Irina's words. He hadn't expected her to want to purchase the hybrid owl.

"If you'd like it, then 15 Sickles and you can take it," the clerk said.

A purebred owl normally cost at least a dozen Galleons. But this crossbred owl wouldn't sell, and disposing of it would just be a loss. If Irina was willing to take it off their hands, the clerk was happy to give her a cheap price.

As for whether the owner of Eeylops would agree - the clerk wasn't worried. Crossbred owls had no value in their shop, so any sale was just extra profit.

Irina nodded and counted out 15 Sickles from her pocket, handing them to the clerk. As the attendant helped transfer the tiny owlet into a cage, Irina smiled at Lynn.

"Lynn, let's raise it together!" she said brightly.

Lynn blinked. "Huh? Raise it...together?"

Irina gave him a sunny smile. "Yes, you don't have an owl either, right? So we can buy this one together and raise it! That way we can also share using it to send letters."

Seeing Irina's cheerful, pretty face, Lynn was momentarily dazed before nodding. "Okay, sure. With my lighter course load now in third year, I'll have time to help feed it when you're in class."

After Hermione had helped reduce his excessive course burden, Lynn did have quite a bit of free time available. Helping tend to a little owlet was certainly manageable. 

Irina nodded happily, then asked, "So it's settled! But what should we name it?"

Lynn peered at the fuzzy little owlet the clerk handed over in its cage. Reaching in to stroke its head, he replied, "You can pick the name."

Irina pondered for a moment, then decided on the association from earlier. "Let's call it Emergency Food!"

Hearing the name, Lynn gave her a quizzical look. "huh..."

At this point, the attending clerk couldn't help but interject, "Miss, owls are loyal companions to us wizards, not food."

Irina felt awkward. "Ahem, it's just a name! Nothing more!"

The two left Eeylops with their 15 Sickle purchase of the young owlet they dubbed Emergency Food...

The little fuzzy owl was well-behaved, immediately fluttering up to perch obediently on Irina's shoulder after being released.

By the time they finished purchasing their new tiny owlet companion, the sun was already starting to set. 

Lynn and Irina didn't linger further, instead returning to Rowle Manor. They planned to stay two more days at the manor before heading back early to Hogwarts.

Over those two days, Lynn showed Irina around the Rowle estate grounds. The vast acreage of the manor left Irina quite envious - it was likely bigger than her entire university campus from her previous life!

After the pleasant two-day break, Lynn and Irina boarded the train back to Hogwarts. As for little Emergency Food, Lynn had sent the owlet ahead to Hogwarts castle under the pretense of delivering a package.

When Irina learned of this, she had playfully scolded Lynn for it.

(End of chapter)