The adrenaline from the confrontation at Florean Fortescue's had left a bitter taste, and the once-appetizing ice cream cones now sat melting and forgotten. With their arms laden with shopping bags, the family of three decided to press on, making their way to Eeylops Owl Emporium—the next stop on their Diagon Alley adventure.
Since the owl was intended for their home, its selection became a lively family debate. Sean, predictably, was drawn to the striking appearance of a snowy owl – they just looked undeniably awesome. Martha, with her quieter elegance, fancied a majestic great grey owl. Yad, however, had his heart firmly set on a powerful Eurasian eagle owl. In the end, they resorted to the age-old, fairest method of decision-making: rock-paper-scissors. Yad's triumphant fist pump declared him the victor, and so, a short while later, they emerged from the emporium with a proud, regal Eurasian eagle owl perched on a stand. They decided to name him Rob.
In Diagon Alley, the purveyors of magical creatures kept their specialities distinct. Eeylops was the undisputed kingdom of owls, but for any other companion—be it cat, rat, toad, or something far more exotic—one had to venture to the Magical Menagerie. Thus, their final destination for the day was the most renowned pet shop in the wizarding world.
The Magical Menagerie was a chaotic symphony of sounds and sights, every bit as crowded and wonderfully overwhelming as Ollivander's had been. Cages of every conceivable size and intricate design were stacked from the floor to the vaulted ceiling, each housing a unique magical creature. Curiously, despite the sheer number of inhabitants, none of the animals appeared cramped or uncomfortable; clearly, the cages were enchanted with clever expansion charms, making them far more spacious on the inside than they appeared.
"Welcome, welcome! Come in, come in! We have any pet your heart could possibly desire!" a cheerful voice called out. The shopkeeper, a plump, rosy-cheeked witch in a simple but well-kept cotton robe, greeted them with a warm, welcoming smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes.
"Hello," Sean replied, taking in the vibrant scene. "I'd like to buy a pet for Hogwarts, but I haven't quite decided what kind yet. Do you have any recommendations?"
The witch sized Sean up with a practiced eye and nodded knowingly. "Ah, a first year at Hogwarts, are we? Bright-eyed and ready for adventure! In that case, I wouldn't recommend anything too troublesome. Pets that are overly large or exceptionally energetic—like Crups, bless their boisterous hearts—aren't always the best choice for students navigating the castle. Cats, rats, or perhaps a quiet reptile are all excellent, manageable options for Hogwarts. What sort of companion are you leaning towards, young man?"
Sean was about to inquire about the cats, perhaps picturing a sleek black familiar, when a flicker of movement in the corner of the shop caught his eye—a flash of pure, luminous white, almost seeming to glow in the dim, atmospheric lighting. Intrigued, he turned, feeling an inexplicable pull towards a small, unadorned cage tucked away from the main aisle, as if deliberately set apart.
So beautiful!
That was Sean's immediate, instinctive thought. Inside the cage lay a snake, its scales a flawless, unblemished white from the tip of its elegant head to the tapering end of its tail. It was approximately a meter in length, its body perfectly proportioned, coiling with a fluid grace that made it seem like a living sculpture, a masterpiece of nature. But what truly ensnared his attention were its eyes—deep, vibrant red, like perfectly polished rubies, and they sparkled with an unnerving, captivating intelligence. Sean had never considered himself a particular fan of reptiles, but he found himself instantly, utterly captivated.
The shopkeeper, noticing the direction of his rapt gaze, followed it and let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, you've spotted Kulkan. My husband, bless his adventurous soul, brought her back from the Americas three years ago, during one of his quests for rare and unusual magical creatures. She's a breathtaking sight, isn't she? But I must warn you, young sir—Kulkan's extraordinary beauty comes with an equally extraordinary temperament. She possesses, without a doubt, the foulest temper of any animal in this entire establishment. She's bitten five people already, my husband included, I might add. I truly wouldn't recommend her for a young wizard about to embark on his schooling journey."
"Sean, dear, perhaps we should look at something else," Martha said gently, her voice laced with concern as she took in the snake's intense stare. "Didn't you mention wanting a cat?"
Sean hesitated. The snake was undeniably stunning, a creature of almost mythical beauty. But if it was truly that aggressive, there was no conceivable way he could bring it to Hogwarts. The potential for chaos, for injury to himself or others, was too high. He shook his head, a pang of disappointment settling in, and was about to turn and follow the witch towards the feline section.
But Yad, ever observant, smiled and placed a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "Sean," he said, his voice warm with understanding, "if you truly like her, at least go and take a closer look. Perhaps you're the exception, the special case. If, after seeing her up close, you still feel it's not right, then that's perfectly fine. But don't give up without even trying. You might regret it later otherwise."
His father's encouraging words made Sean pause. A small grin touched his lips, and with a newfound resolve, he hurried over to Kulkan's cage.
Crouching down, Sean studied the white serpent. Judging by its slender form, Kulkan could likely have slipped through the bars of an ordinary cage with ease, yet she remained within, coiled with an air of regal disdain. Clearly, the cage was more than mere metal; it was enchanted, just as Sean had suspected of the others in the shop.
The moment Kulkan registered Sean's presence, her coils tightened perceptibly. She raised her elegant head, fixing him with those mesmerizing, ruby-red eyes. Her forked tongue flicked out rapidly, tasting the air, and her entire posture radiated a tense readiness, as if she were poised to strike at any given moment.
Martha let out a small, involuntary gasp, and Yad's expression tightened with a flicker of parental concern. He was on the verge of telling Sean to abandon the idea—encouragement was one thing, but knowingly risking injury was another entirely. Even Sean felt a sharp pang of doubt. He was deeply drawn to the snake's otherworldly beauty, but if she was this overtly hostile, was the risk truly worth it?
Just as Sean was about to push himself up, to concede defeat and walk away, a familiar, glowing prompt materialized directly before his eyes:
[Kulkan has issued a challenge to you. Do you want to start a duel?]
Sean stared at the translucent message, then his gaze flicked in surprise to the white snake, which continued to regard him with unblinking intensity.
The panel's reaction carried two significant implications. First, it confirmed that duels, as defined by his system, weren't limited to human opponents—intelligent magical creatures could apparently trigger the panel's functions as well. Second, it suggested that Kulkan was far more than just a visually stunning reptile; she possessed a genuine, perhaps even formidable, intelligence, and potentially, magical abilities of her own.
What would I gain if I win this… duel? Sean wondered, a thrill of excitement, sharp and unexpected, bubbling up within him.
His decision, previously wavering, now solidified. He turned to the shopkeeper, a polite, confident smile gracing his lips. "Excuse me, ma'am, is this snake non-venomous?"
The witch's expression shifted, her earlier warmth replaced by a wary caution. "Are you… thinking of handling her, young man? She is non-venomous, yes. But that certainly doesn't mean it won't hurt quite a bit if she decides to bite you. And she often decides to bite."
Sean shrugged, feigning a nonchalance he didn't entirely feel. "As long as she's not poisonous, I'm willing to take responsibility for whatever happens. She's relatively small—if she does bite me, I imagine it'll just hurt a bit."
"Sean, please don't be reckless," Martha implored, worry deeply etched on her face, her hand instinctively reaching for his arm.
Yad, however, crouched down beside his son, his gaze serious as he looked Sean directly in the eye. "Are you absolutely sure about this, Sean?"
Sean met his father's gaze and nodded, his resolve firm. "Absolutely. Besides," he added with a touch of bravado, "I might not even get bitten. Let me try."
A grin spread across Yad's face, chasing away the last vestiges of his concern. "Alright then. But if you get bitten, you're not allowed to cry, understood?"
Sean laughed, the sound light and clear. "Don't worry, Dad; I won't!"
The witch looked uncertainly at Yad, who offered her a reassuring nod. Though she still seemed decidedly uneasy about the prospect, she took out her own wand and, with a practiced flick, tapped the latch of Kulkan's cage. The door swung open with a soft, almost inaudible click. Instantly, Kulkan let out a low, menacing hiss, the sound vibrating with barely contained aggression.
The challenge had officially begun.
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