ch 36 Not one, but two

In front of the Magical Menagerie-

"Witcherly!? You're the one that has that magic owl!"

I sigh, 'F*ck!'. I just nodded in agreement.

I forgot that Amos works in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. So when the French ministry acknowledged Naji as the Flamels' creation and they 'gifted' him to me, a record of it is kept in Amos' department.

Amos was going to open his mouth but I cut him off with, "Sir, I belived that there's a gag order in your department about my owl's origin." It's fine with anyone knowing that I have a backer in the French ministry, but it's a different story if someone finds out it's the Flamels.

"Ah! I forgot... *cough* Apologies, my boy." He just realized that we're at a crowded street.

Before I blow my top off again, I just said, "Then good day, Sir." I turned to Arthur, "Uncle Arthur, I'm going in first." I just entered the Menagerie's door.

When I'm inside, all the annoying thoughts went away. The inside looks both like a typical pet shop and a small zoo.

By the entrance, I find several aisles of kennels for dog and cats. I checked and there are purebred Crup and Kneazles, and thier hybrids with normal dogs and cats. I even saw Crookshanks.

Above the ceiling, there are bird cages that has owls, ravens, bats and other aerial magical creatures.

There was also a stand of several terrariums and aquariums of different sizes. I saw the toads, frogs, and salamanders and snakes.

The saleswoman is behind a counter. She's wearing black witch robe and hat and thick framed glasses. Behind the counter, I'm surprised to see a large open terrarium with a bonsai tree with actuall fairies in it.

I approched the old witch in the counter by the entrace. I asked, "Ma'am, do you have a Dragon toad tadpole?" I remember seeing this bloodline back in Wildwood.

The old witch stared at me and said, "Sorry lad, you need a license to raise Dragon Toad, as well as any XX creatures in the store."

'What?! It needs a license?' I'm feeling disappointed. Then I heard someone approached me from my back.

*cough* "Selma, the kid actually has a International licence for XXX creatures. I can vouch for him." I turned around to see Amos, Arthur, Ron, Ginny and Edwa--.. I mean Cedric walking towards me. It was Amos who said that I have a license.

The old witch was surprised hearing I'm licensed to handle XXX creatures and internationally acknowledged at that. I thought about it and Naji does fall under XXX.

The old witch, Selma, then said, "Oh then, the tadpoles are at the bottom at the last aisle for the amphibians." She points me to where the tadpoles are.

I was gonna head there but I look at Amos and said , "Thanks Mister..."

He said, "Name's Amos Diggory, lad. This is my son, Cedric. As you guessed, I worked at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I apologize for my earlier slip up. To make it up to you, I'll personally update your record on Monday with your new pet and have Arthur pass your unclaimed license in the office."

Though I can guess why he's being polite to me, I can't deny that his assistance is timely. I nodded, smiled and replied, "Thanks Mr. Diggory for the help." I proceeded to find the Dragon Toad tadpoles.

I approached the aisle for the amphibians and saw an adult version of the Dragon Toad at one of the top stand. . It was half a size of a soccer ball. The belly, head, and back were covered with dragon-like scales and spikes.

I bend my kneed and saw the jars the old witch was talking about. Each jar house a pinky size tadpole. There were many colors. Honestly, the whole arrangement reminds me of how betta fish where displayed in pet stores.

I found several tadpoles that are all red in color and labeled, Dragon toads. I settled with the smallest male as it was the youngest in the group according to Siri.

I came back to the old witch and said, "Ma'am how much is this little guy?"

"That would be 5 galleons? Do you have a place to house it?" Replied the old witch.

I just answered while handling her 5 Galleon, "we have an unused aquarium at home. I'll come back once this guy grows a bit more. Any advice on how to take care of it.?"

She aswered while giving me my change, " Place the aquarium by warm places. Feed it leatuce, broccoli, or baby spinach. Clean the water two times a day. Here's your change. Is there anything else?"

When she asked, I looked at the fairies behind her. She realized where I was looking at, she chuckle and asked, "You're also interested in fairies, kid?"

I nodded and asked, "Is it even legal to buy faries?"

It was Amos who answered, "Actually it is legal as long as the faries agrees to it. You just have to have a license for XX creatures and above, which you do. I suggest you buy a fairy cocoon so you don't have to go through the trouble of coaxing them.

I nodded at his suggestion and turned to Selma. She motioned me to go behind the counter.

I turned to Ron, Ginny and Cedric who were just watching me. I pointed at them and asked Selma, "Would it be ok for them to come to check as well?"

Selma smiled and nodded. The three cheered up and we made our way to the bonsai terrarium. When the fairies saw us, they approach me, Ginny and Cedric. They snubbed Ron for some reason.

Selma said, "Gently lift the leaves of the plants around the tree. You'll find the cocoons there just tell me which one you like and I'll be the one to pick it up."

I'm not really sure what to look for so I asked Ginny, "Ginny, give me a number. Any number."

Ginny was surprised by the sudden question but answered, "Seven." I asked why the number and she said because she's the 7th child in the family. I nodded with her reasoning.

I lifted the leaves gently one by one and counted the cocoons. When I stopped at the seventh one and told Selma my choice.

The old witch came forward and checked if the cocoon is healthy. While gently holding the cocoon she waved her wand and softly said,"Diffindo". The cocoon detached from the leaf.

She then went to the counter where there is a small glass terrarium with a small plant waiting. She attached the cocoon to the small plant. Closed the lid that has holes on it.

She then said to us, "Ok, return to the front of the counter kids." And she said to me, "And kid, that will be 18 Galleons."

I nodded and handed the additional 18 Galleons. Selma gave me a free basket to place the terrarium and the jar with the tadpole. She packed the empty space with old newspapers so they won't shake much.

I said to Amos, "Thanks for the assistance Mr. Diggory. I'll be sure to return the favor."

"No need. No need...haha. I just hope you forgive me about earlier." said Amos. I'm pretty sure that he's only doing this because he knew my backed by the Flamels.

I just nodded, smile but said, "Even if you refuse, we Witcherlys always pay our debts."

He just smile after hearing that. He and Cedric said farewell while the rest of us still looked around the Menagerie.

Selma didn't mind. She kept staring at me with curiosity. Probably trying to figure out how a kid got an international licence to handle XXX. International licence needs approval from three ministries of different countries.

When we're done looking around, Molly showed up with the twins. I said goodbye to Selma.

We went through the rest of the list for the twins. All second hand. We met up with Charloe and Percy at some point.

We still haven't seen Bill, so I offer to treate them to some ice creams in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour while we wait. Molly and Arthur was going to refuse but I insisted.

We're having a fun time eating ice cream when Molly and Arthur pull me aside in a room at the back of the shop. Arthur cast a Muffliato Charm in the room.

I'm curious what it was all about.

Molly said, "Marshall dear, Is the golden bracelet you gave me a family heirloom? Pandora said it's enchanted with powerful protective spell but she can't figure out how it was placed there."

Arthur quickly added, "We're not trying to figure out how the enchantment was done or your family background. We're just concern that the bracelet it too precious for us to keep."

'Oh, well this is convenient...' I'm planning my words in my mind. They became anxious when I remained quiet.

I started with, "Be at ease aunt Molly, uncle Arthur.. I made them myself. They didn't cost me a knut." When they heard that they relaxed.

Then i continued, "But I will advise you to not let other people see it. Specially the goblins."

"WHAT!?""WHY?!" exclaimed the two.

I explained that, "It might not cost me a knut to make them but others would pay large sum to have them. Really large sums on money."

They became pale and Molly was going to take it off but I stopped her. I sternly said, "It's for protection Aunt Molly. It's for saving a life."

When they heard my words they looked puzzled. Arthur asked, "Are you saying her life is in danger? How are you sure?"

I just said, "I don't want to lie to you two with some made-up excuse. Just believe me that it's for your own safety for the night is dark and full of terrors."

When they heard my last words, they were reminded of who-shall-not-be-named.

I added, "If not for you, maybe give it to Bill who will be a Curse-Breaker. This will ensure his safety. Just mask it so it's not obvious to the goblins."

Thinking the dangers the thier son's job entails, they finally calmed down and accepted the bracelet. We didn't speak another word about the bracelet.

Anyway, I'm planning to give them some anyway just a little later when I'm stronger and can produce them in bulk.

When we returned to where the kids where, Bill was with them. We found out that he got the job but the post was in Egypt. The couple was still happy. I saw Molly feeling the bracelet under her sleeve.

It was getting late so we decided to Floo back to the Burrow. I said my goodbyes wo the Weasleys and promise to visit sometimes.

Arthur and I apparated into my backyard. He thank me again for the bracelet and returned back.

When I entered my house through the backdoor, It was still 5:43pm so I directly went the training room to find it empty.

I sat on the couch and took the terrarium and the jar out of the basket. I look at the tadpole and the cocoon and said, "Ok, I've been waiting for this all day. Time to bond wi--"

Immediately, smokes filled the room. Grace and Gavel run up to me and kept nudging thier heads in protest, "Neighhh!" "BA!!!"

Reza, Naji and Avatar Long flew out next. Reza stabbed my waist withe her beak. "KUK!"

"Gruuuuu?"Long land on my right shoulder and asked why the other three are mad.

Naji was flying around us. It was a very chaotic scene.

"Guys..guys..calm down. This is not like when we rescue Naji." I tried to calm my beast.

"Hoo?" The owl stopped flying and landed on my other shoulder asking why his name was mentioned.

When all attentions are on me, I explained, " First, Naji is just an ordinary owl back then. These two new addition.." I pointed at the cocoon in the terrarium and tadpole." ...are both magical creatures. I'm not sure what would be the end product if we all imbue our magic on them."

"Neighh!!"Baaa!"Uakk!!" .... "Gru?...Gru!" The first three strongly protest. Long was not sure what's going on but decided to side with the three.

'Mutiny!' I sigh and compromise with, "How about Grace and Reza join me on imbuing magic on the cocoon and Gavel and Long help me with the tadpole? That way, there will not be too much of a change happen to them ..hopefully."

They kept quiet and look at each other. A moment later the all nodded.

So I delicately cut the leaf the cocoon was attached on and place it on my left side of the coffee table. I scoop the tadpole out of the jar and place it on my right.

"I'll start first. Then you guys follow" I raised my hands above the coffee table. My left hand over the cocoon and my right to the tadpole. I let my magic flow on a thin line onto the two.

I check with Siri and both are in stable condition. I said to my contracted beast, "Now."

~end chapter~