(7) Unruly Themis

After Ian, Hermione, and the Grangers finished shopping for all the required school supplies, Professor McGonagall suddenly had to leave due to an urgent matter, bidding them a quick farewell.

Mr. Granger glanced at their list and ruffled the two kids' hair. "Alright, now it's time to get a pet. Before leaving, Professor McGonagall recommended getting an owl for convenient mail delivery."

"But she also mentioned that the school has communal owls, so we could get a different pet," Hermione whispered, clearly hoping for a cat instead.

"Alright, sweetie, let's visit the owl shop first," Mrs. Granger said lovingly. "If there's no owl you like, we can go check out the magical creature shop for a cat. How does that sound?"

"Okay," Hermione agreed, smiling softly, knowing her mother understood her.

Eeylops Owl Emporium was a shop dedicated entirely to owls, offering a wide variety that made it difficult to choose.

As Ian wandered around, he suddenly heard a soft hoot.

Turning toward the sound, he spotted a small, graceful owl in a cage, its big eyes staring at him. The owl had snowy white feathers with black speckles throughout.

Ian instantly recognized this little owl—Hedwig, the one Hagrid would give to Harry.

In the movies and the books, Hedwig had helped Harry countless times by delivering letters, and she ultimately sacrificed herself to protect him. Thinking of her fate, Ian couldn't help but feel a bit saddened.

He approached Hedwig's cage and gently reached out a finger to stroke her feathers. "Good girl," he murmured.

Hedwig seemed to take a liking to Ian as well, nuzzling his hand affectionately.

"Ian, do you like this little one?" Mrs. Granger asked, then turned to the shopkeeper. "Excuse me, how much does this snowy owl cost?"

"This is a snowy owl, intelligent and ideal for carrying messages," the shopkeeper explained enthusiastically.

"It's just ten Galleons."

"Aunt Granger, I feel she isn't meant to be my owl," Ian said, looking at Hedwig with a slight smile. "I think she's waiting for another owner who would suit her better."

"Oh? Is that what you think?" Mrs. Granger looked at Ian, surprised. "But I can see that you really like her."

Ian chuckled. "I think I want something a bit more fierce and commanding; she's a bit too cute."

"Well, our young Ian knows what he wants," Mrs. Granger said, pinching Ian's cheek. "Let's look at some of the other owls, then."

The shopkeeper seemed a little disappointed but continued to show them other owls with enthusiasm.

Ian eventually stopped in front of a majestic-looking golden eagle owl (Eurasian eagle-owl), striking up a quiet conversation with it.

For some reason, Ian felt he could almost read the thoughts in the owl's fierce gaze.

Golden eagle owl: What are you looking at, red-haired kid? Don't tell me you're planning to buy me? Didn't you have your eye on that snowy owl?

Ian: "..." 'You poisonous girl!'

Golden eagle owl: What!? You called her a good girl! So, am I a bad girl? Are you into bad girls?

"Ahem, I'll take this one," Ian finally said, breaking eye contact with the golden eagle owl and turning to the shopkeeper. "How much does this owl cost?"

The shopkeeper looked at the owl Ian had chosen, a slight look of concern on his face."Kid, are you sure you want to choose it? This golden eagle owl is a little unruly and difficult to tame."

"Yes, I'm sure," Ian replied, smiling at the golden owl. "I have a feeling I can handle her."

The golden eagle glanced at Ian with disdain and continued to comb its feathers.

Seeing Ian's determination, the shopkeeper didn't push further. "Okay, since you insist. This golden eagle has a faint thunderbird bloodline and is the most expensive in the store. It costs fifty gold galleons."

Ian took sixty Galleons from his coin pouch and handed it to the shopkeeper. "Please prepare some food and supplies suited for her as well."

The shopkeeper counted the coins, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "Of course, sir! Just give me a moment."

Soon after, the shopkeeper returned with a package filled with supplies for the golden eagle owl.

"These are her food and care items, each labeled. You can check them at home to see how to use them," he said as he handed Ian the cage, cautioning him, "But be careful—she might be a bit fierce."

Ian accepted the cage, meeting the owl's sharp gaze with a gentle smile. "From now on, I'll call you Themis. How's that?"

The golden eagle owl—now Themis—glanced at Ian, offering no response, but Ian sensed she didn't harbor any real hostility toward him.

"It seems our Themis is a dignified and aloof lady~" Ian remarked, gently stroking the golden eagle owl's feathers.

Golden eagle owl: Humph~!

Seeing that Ian had chosen an owl, Hermione's eyes sparkled with an idea. She tugged on Mrs. Granger's hand, pleading, "Mom, since Ian and I can share Themis for sending letters, I don't need an owl. Can we go to the magical creature shop to look at other pets?"

Mrs. Granger, who wasn't particular about what kind of pet Hermione chose, melted at her daughter's request. Forgetting all about the owl, she nodded enthusiastically, "Alright, let's go to the magical creature shop then."

"Are you sure you don't want to get your own owl?" Mr. Granger asked with a bit of concern. "Relying only on Themis might wear her out."

"Don't worry, Mr. Granger," Ian reassured him with a smile. "Themis isn't an ordinary owl; she's a golden eagle owl with exceptional flight and hunting abilities. Besides, I don't think she'll mind delivering a few extra letters."

At that, Themis cast Ian a disdainful glance, as if to say, Red-haired kid, you're just making more work for me!

In response, Ian offered Themis a piece of raw meat the shopkeeper had given him, which earned him a side-eye from the owl.

"Alright, since you're certain, Ian, let's go to the magical creature shop and see what other pets are available," Mr. Granger said, finally agreeing.

So, the group left the owl shop and headed to the magical creature store.

Hermione held Ian's hand, looking around curiously at all the animals.

"Ian, what kind of pet do you think I should get?" Hermione asked, glancing around at the wide array of pets, a bit unsure of what to choose.

"Hmm… maybe a cat?" Ian suggested, glancing around to see if he could spot the cat that was meant to belong to Hermione—Crookshanks. But there was no sign of him. Perhaps he hadn't arrived at the shop yet, or maybe, due to some plot twist, Crookshanks wouldn't appear until third year.

After wandering around the shop for a while, Hermione returned to Ian, looking disappointed. "Ian, do you think I'm being too picky? There are so many pets here, but I don't like any of them."

"Maybe it's just not the right time yet, Hermione," Ian consoled her. "No worries; we'll be coming back to Diagon Alley every year. We can look again each time we come."

By third year, Crookshanks should appear, right?

When that happens, he could buy Crookshanks as a gift for Hermione.

"Alright," Hermione nodded, still a bit down, but she quickly perked up again. "You're right, Ian. We can look next time."

"Hermione, I'd like to get a pet for my brother. Want to help me pick one out?" Ian changed the subject, not wanting the little girl to continue to be disappointed.

"Sure! Let's go look," Hermione replied, her attention now redirected. She took Ian's hand, and they began exploring the shop together.

Ian's gaze drifted toward the snake section.

Harry was a Gryffindor, but he did have Parseltongue. If he had a pet snake...