CHAPTER 8

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CHAPTER 8

Elmi and his mother stepped into the Magical Menagerie, a whimsical and enchanting pet store. The moment they entered, they were greeted by a delightful array of magical creatures and animals. The shop's interior was a cozy, dimly lit space with wooden shelves that seemed to stretch up to the high ceiling. The shelves were filled with a variety of cages, habitats, and magical paraphernalia. The atmosphere was filled with the soft chirping, cooing, and fluttering of feathers, creating a harmonious symphony of magical sounds.

In one corner, there were magnificent owls of all shapes and sizes, perched gracefully in their cages. Snowy owls, tawny owls, and even an iridescent harpy eagle owl were on display. Their feathers gleamed, and they hooted softly, casting wise and inquisitive glances at the visitors.

Across the room, colorful and mischievous kneazles played in large enclosures, their distinctive spots and lively tails catching the eye. Some were engaged in playful antics, chasing enchanted toy mice, while others lounged in the sun, purring contentedly.

Throughout the store, cages held a variety of magical creatures such as bowtruckles, nifflers, and even a few crups. Each exhibit was adorned with magical foliage, enchanting signs, and softly glowing crystals, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.

As Elmi and his mother walked further into the store, they couldn't help but be captivated by the magical menagerie's enchanting residents, each one a unique and wonderful creature. 

Elmi strolled through the magical creatures; his eyes darted from one fascinating being to another. He contemplated the idea of having a personal owl, but his family already had two owls named Earl and Lady. While walking, something else quickly captured his attention – a kneazle that seemed to demand recognition of its magical nature. It was a captivating creature with sleek black fur adorned by striking white stripes. Its ears were adorned with tufts of hair, and a long, tufted tail flowed behind it like that of a lion, giving it a unique and awe-inspiring appearance.

Elmi extended his hand cautiously toward the striking black and white kneazle. At first, the creature hissed defensively, its eyes fixed on him. Unperturbed, Elmi maintained his steady approach, refusing to pull his hand back. To his relief, the hissing gradually ceased, and the kneazle inched closer to him, ultimately rubbing affectionately against his arm.

Their connection was established, and it seemed that Elmi had found his magical companion. He couldn't help but smile.

Elmi attempted to lift the kneazle, but it proved to be quite a challenge. The creature was surprisingly large for a seven-year-old like Elmi to lift. In size, it resembled a Muggle cat breed known as the Maine Coon. The knee's considerable weight and bulk made it a daunting task for the young wizard.

The kneazle seemed to express its disapproval by playfully batting at Elmi's hand, though without using its claws. It was as if the cat was saying, "Remove your hands from me, you peasant!" Elmi decided to respect the kneazle's wishes and ceased his attempts to lift it. The kneazle hopped down from its position and strolled confidently toward the counter, drawing attention with its unique actions.

As they left the Magical Menagerie, Elmi and his mother opted to use a carriage service instead of the Floo Network. This particular carriage was a luxurious mode of transportation drawn by four magnificent winged horses. However, these winged horses, known as Aethonans, didn't quite match the elegance of the White Abraxans used in Beauxbatons' carriage. The Aethonans had spotted or chestnut-colored coats, giving them a different air to them than the regal Abraxans.

On that day, Elmi's mother had managed to fulfill nearly every item on his magical shopping list. They returned to their estate with a large enchanted trunk, its contents filled to the brim with spellbooks, potion ingredients, and various magical items. The day had been a whirlwind of enchantment, and Elmi's heart brimmed with excitement.

...

In that year, Elmi's mother considered the idea of sending him to a muggle primary school, but Elminster adamantly refused.

"Mother, I already know how to read, and I've learned quite a lot about muggles. Why should I have to attend a muggle school? I'm eager to learn more about magic; I don't care about muggle schools; it won't provide me with any benefits."

His mother's anger flared, a rare occurrence in their relationship. She admonished him sternly and only used his full name in those times.

"Fredrick Elminster Fawley! You must not belittle muggles in this house!"

She roared like a lioness, and Elmi quickly realized how his words had come across. His reluctance to attend a muggle school stemmed from the fact that he had already completed one in his previous life as a muggle. It wasn't about looking down on muggles; he simply felt it would be a giant waste of time now how he was going to tell this to his mother without sounding like a blood purist.

Elmi's persistence in refusing the muggle school option eventually led to a heated argument with his mother. He could see that there was no logical way for him to reject it without revealing the truth about his reincarnation. He couldn't risk exposing his knowledge of muggles as it was currently the year 1987 in this world, and his knowledge of muggles came from 40 years into the future. Yes, it was not from this world, but there must be some similarities.

"Elmi, I know you're exceptionally bright for a 7-year-old and that you're already knowledgeable about many things because of reading all those bookds, but going to a muggle primary school isn't just about what you know. It's about fitting in, understanding how muggles live, and learning to relate to them. You have to remember that you're part of both worlds, and this is an essential part of your upbringing."

"Did you have to go to a muggle primary school?"

"No, I did not. My family was not blood purists, but they still looked down upon muggle culture even if they didn't see them as lower beings. They had a pride stemming from magical upbringing and couldn't bring themselves to send their children to muggle schools, and I was home-schooled."

"Then I want to be home-schooled, too. If I go to a muggle school, it means every day for many hours, I can't do magic. I don't want that."

"Yes, I didn't go to a muggle school, but your father and uncle did. Everyone from House Fawley did; this is your familial tradition. If you did this, your father would have been really proud of you."

At that moment, Elmi knew he could say no more; his mother had played dirty and brought his father.

"After you reach 11 years old, you are going to start at Hogwarts anyway, but you should at least finish a muggle primary school."

With his decision to attend a muggle school, Elmi was determined to make the best of it. His newfound goal was to attend the same primary school that Harry Potter had. He believed that by doing so, he might have a chance to meet Harry. Previously, he was planning to meet with the trio when all of them went off to Hogwarts, but it wouldn't hurt to be friends with him before Hogwarts.