After the tense confrontation at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Sean, Adrian, and Margaret had lost their taste for sundaes.
The air felt heavy with the memory of Barnabas and Miles's insults, and the half-melted treats no longer held their charm.
Gathering their bags of Hogwarts supplies, the family left the parlor and headed down Diagon Alley's bustling cobblestone street.
Their first stop was Eeylops Owl Emporium, where they needed to pick out an owl for home. Since it would serve the whole family, they each had a preference.
Sean pictured a snowy owl, its sleek white feathers catching the light like something out of a fairy tale. Margaret favored a great grey owl, drawn to its wise, gentle eyes.
Adrian, though, had his heart set on an eagle owl, impressed by its fierce, commanding presence.
To settle the debate, they played rock-paper-scissors, laughing as Adrian's triumphant grin won out. They chose a majestic eagle owl with piercing amber eyes, naming him Rob.
As the shopkeeper tied a small tag to Rob's cage, Sean felt a flicker of excitement—Rob would carry their letters to Hogwarts and beyond, linking their family across the magical world.
In Diagon Alley, owls were sold separately from other pets. Eeylops specialized in every kind of owl, from tiny scops to towering barn owls, while other animals were found at the Magical Menagerie, the wizarding world's most famous pet shop.
With Rob's cage in tow, the family made their way to their final stop, eager to find Sean a pet of his own.
The Magical Menagerie was as chaotic as Sean remembered from stories. Like Garrick Ollivander's wand shop, it was a cramped maze of magic and motion.
Cages of all shapes and sizes were stacked floor to ceiling, each holding a creature that chirped, hissed, or glowed. Toads croaked in shimmering tanks, cats prowled in enchanted pens, and rats scurried in tiny, spinning wheels. The cages, clearly charmed to be spacious inside, kept the animals calm and content despite the tight quarters.
The air buzzed with strange sounds and the faint scent of straw and magic.
"Welcome to the Magical Menagerie," a middle-aged witch called, her voice warm and welcoming. She wore a simple cotton robe, her slightly round figure moving with ease through the crowded shop.
Spotting Sean's family, she approached with a bright smile. "Here to find the perfect pet, I presume?"
Sean nodded, clutching his Hogwarts list. "Hello, I need a pet, but I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions?"
The shopkeeper studied him, her eyes twinkling with understanding.
"A Hogwarts first-year, right? You'll want something manageable, nothing too big or high-energy like a Crup. Cats, rats, or reptiles are great for school—they're easy to care for in the dorms. Any type you're leaning toward?"
Sean started to head toward the cats, their soft purrs tempting him.
But a flash of white caught his eye in the corner of the shop. He turned, and his breath caught. Inside a small cage sat a snake, its scales a flawless, shimmering white, like polished marble. It was about a meter long, its body sleek and gracefully coiled, like a living sculpture. Its ruby-red eyes gleamed with a sharp, almost knowing intensity, making Sean's heart skip.
Even though he'd never cared much for snakes, this one was stunning, like a jewel brought to life.
"It's gorgeous," Sean murmured, unable to look away.
The shopkeeper followed his gaze and chuckled, though her smile held a hint of caution. "That's Kulkan," she said, stepping beside him.
"My husband found it three years ago in a distant magical reserve, searching for rare creatures. It's a beauty, no question, but it's got a temper to match. Kulkan's bitten five people who tried to tame it—including my husband. I wouldn't recommend it for a young wizard heading to Hogwarts. It's not an easy pet to handle."
Sean's excitement dimmed. He glanced at Margaret, who looked worried.
"Sean, let's pick something else," she said gently. "Didn't you want a cat?"
She was right. As much as Kulkan's beauty drew him in, a bad-tempered snake wasn't practical for school. If it was that aggressive, it could cause trouble in the dorms—or worse, bite him.
With a reluctant nod, Sean turned to follow the shopkeeper toward the cats.
But Adrian's voice stopped him. "Sean," he said, a warm smile in his tone, "if you like it, go check it out. You might be the one it's waiting for. If it's not right, no harm done. But don't give up just because it's tough. Take a closer look—you won't regret trying."
Sean paused, surprised by his dad's encouragement.
Adrian's eyes sparkled with the same quiet confidence that had fueled his punch against Barnabas. Grinning, Sean nodded and hurried to the cage, crouching to get a better look at Kulkan.
The white snake coiled tighter as he approached, its ruby eyes locked on him.
It raised its head, tongue flicking rapidly, hissing in a way that felt like a warning. The cage's bars were wide enough for Kulkan to slip through, yet it stayed put, as if held by invisible magic. Sean's guess was right—the cages must be enchanted, probably with Extension Charms to keep the animals comfortable.
Margaret gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Adrian's face tightened, regret flickering as he saw Kulkan's defensive stance.
"Sean, maybe—" he started, ready to pull him back. Encouraging his son was one thing, but a potential bite was another.
Sean felt a twinge of doubt. Kulkan was beautiful, but if it was this hostile, maybe it wasn't worth the risk.
He liked the snake, but getting hurt for a pet seemed pointless. Just as he stood to walk away, a familiar notification flashed across his mental panel.
[Kulkan challenges you. Do you want to start a duel?]
Sean froze, staring at the prompt, then at Kulkan's piercing eyes.
The panel's reaction meant two things. First, duels weren't just for humans—magical creatures with enough intelligence could trigger the system, too. Second, Kulkan wasn't some ordinary snake. It had a spark of cunning, maybe even magic, that set it apart.
What could he gain from winning a duel with a snake?
The question lit a spark of curiosity in Sean's mind, and he made his choice.
He turned to the shopkeeper, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
"Is Kulkan venomous?"
The shopkeeper's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and concern.
"You're thinking of handling it? It's not venomous, but a bite can still hurt—badly. It's not harmless just because it lacks poison."
"Don't worry," Sean said, his voice steady. "If it's not venomous, I'll take responsibility for any trouble. It's small, so a bite won't be a big deal—just a little pain."
"Sean, don't be impulsive," Margaret said, stepping closer, her eyes darting nervously to Kulkan's coiled form.
Adrian crouched beside Sean, his gaze serious but supportive. "You sure about this, son?"
Sean nodded, his grin widening. "I'm sure. Besides, it might not bite me. Let me try."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "If it bites, no whining."
"Promise," Sean shot back, laughing.
The shopkeeper glanced at Adrian, who gave her a reassuring nod.
Though her hands trembled slightly, she drew her wand and tapped the cage. With a soft click, the door swung open.
Kulkan hissed louder, its body tensing as if ready to strike, its ruby eyes glinting with defiance.