"I guess this is... um, that department's bird," Anthony said. "That organization abbreviated M.O.M."
His students had already agreed on a series of pronouns and code words on the way. Anthony needed to follow their speaking style.
He looked at the owl. Considered who to report this to.
"You sure, Professor?" Fred also pressed against the glass looking at the bird. "Doesn't that mean it has no owner now?"
Anthony asked puzzled, "Why?"
"Leg band," George said. "Unlike private owls or that H-starting school's owls, M.O.M. owls all wear leg bands." He looked up. Eyes shining. "Professor, can we adopt it?"
When Anthony brought students to the pet rescue center, he hadn't planned on encountering a Ministry owl and Skeleton Cat enemy here. Nor had he expected the Weasley brothers to be first requesting adoption.
"I'll look into it," Anthony said. "Let me think... right, even if adoption's possible, you need to confirm no other classmates want it. If there are, work it out among yourselves first. Then come find me, okay?"
The Weasley brothers confidently went to find classmates. Anthony watched them randomly grab a student. Pointed at the owl staring hopefully at them. Said something. That student nodded blankly. The twins exchanged smiling glances. Ran into the crowd. Threw arms around several classmates' shoulders. Pointed at the owl...
Anthony looked at Ms. Howard. He needed to find a reason explaining why they could and should adopt a "wild animal."
"What kind of cat do you like?" Ms. Howard patted Megan's back. Asked gently.
Yes, the Skeleton Cat was truly a very jealous cat.
Anthony led her outside. Asked, "What's wrong?" He glanced around. Most people were having fun.
"I don't know," Megan said. "At first I just wanted a cat that would like me, but..." She thought. "I want a cat like Professor Anthony's cat."
"Oh no, you don't want that," Anthony immediately said. With his cat's temper and aggression, probably only a necromancer could remain unaffected.
But he vaguely knew what kind of cat Megan wanted. He asked Ms. Howard, "Can we see animals outside the interaction area?"
Ms. Howard looked at him in surprise. Hesitated. Nodded. She called over a volunteer. Had him lead the two toward the back.
With eyes shining when seeing animals and affectionate attitudes—and strange affinity for that raptor—Anthony's excellent students successfully convinced Ms. Howard to extend the originally planned half-hour interaction time to a full hour.
Animals in the interaction area were generally healthy and beautiful. The most likely to be adopted. In a large area behind the rescue center, faint dog barks, whimpers, and strange sounds came. Anthony knew that was where animals less easy to find owners lived.
They were either bad-tempered or disabled. Bore too many traces of suffering. Didn't need special sight to see—if adopting them, adopters needed far more energy and patience than usual. The outcome might not even yield enough sense of accomplishment.
But for wizards, with potion help, disability wasn't some incurable condition. Perhaps Megan could find a bad-tempered but wholeheartedly dependent and affectionate cat there.
The cat side wasn't any better. Megan made a mistake—she crouched down.
These meowing furballs immediately clung sweetly to her pant legs trying to climb onto her lap. Or hooked her shirt hem. Tried climbing onto her. She maintained her position at a loss. Until a spirited white cat jumped lightly onto her leg. Rubbed her chin.
Lower-status cats backed away. Rolled on the ground. Tried attracting Megan's and other students' attention. Adventurous cats tried rubbing her back. The white cat mercilessly extended claws to scratch them. Nearly scratched Megan. Turned around. Started sweetly acting cute toward Megan.
A kitten meowed trying to climb over. Immediately got chased away by a nearby big cat.
Megan reached out to touch its head. It immediately desperately rubbed her hand with its eye corners. Hissed fiercely at a kitten trying to climb onto her shoe.
Surprisingly, Megan almost cried.
Megan said miserably, "I... I can only keep one cat. I can't take all of them."
She looked tearfully at Anthony standing outside for help. "Professor! Professor Anthony!"
"Come out," Anthony said. Walked in. Grabbed her elbow. Helped her stand. As he entered, all cats scattered. Even the beautiful white cat on Megan jumped down with a roll. Went to rub against other students.
When Anthony looked down at Megan, Ms. Howard standing by the door nodded understandingly. Said gently, "It's not your fault, child. If you end up adopting one, I believe that cat's life will become happier. But don't feel guilty about not adopting. Don't feel guilty about not choosing other cats either."
She said, "They don't live hard because of you. You don't need to and shouldn't be responsible for their futures. Your classmates did great. Very mature." But she wore a tolerant smile. Pulled a soda from the cabinet. Twisted it open. Handed it to Megan. "Here, drink something. I'm happy for your future cat. I believe you'll be a good owner. Novice, but a good owner."
Megan froze for seconds. Rushed over. Hugged the Muggle woman tightly. Anthony quickly caught the soda from Ms. Howard's hand. Avoided the risk of all three needing to mop floors.
The student who'd impulsively wanted a dog earlier had just tidied himself entering the kennel. Got surrounded by swarming dogs.
He tentatively extended his hand to the nearest dog. All dogs surrounded him. They wagged tails enthusiastically. Desperately climbed on him. Nuzzled his chest with noses. Nuzzled his arms. Even before opening dog food, this student's hands were already licked wet.
"God!" He laughed. Petted this one. Petted that one. Finally both hands weren't enough. He pushed enthusiastic dog heads. Touched the wand tucked in his jeans. Shouted at friends watching outside, "Get in here, bastards! Help!"
His friend stepped into the area. Received the same enthusiastic welcome. These dogs seemed tireless. Squeezed together crowding people. Couldn't help barking when excited. Until the Weasley twins rolled up sleeves. Charged in. With equally crazy energy rolled into the pile of dogs wagging tails like wind. The scene barely reached balance.
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