Fantastic Beasts Magical Menagerie.
It wasn't a literal zoo, but a pet shop filled with all kinds of magical creatures.
Pet shops were nothing new to Hermione; after all, there was no shortage of them on the streets of London. But this one was different—it catered exclusively to wizards. Though it sold animals, these were the Magical Creatures of the wizarding world.
According to the classification system for Magical Creatures, only those rated one star in danger level—meaning harmless to wizards—could be kept as pets. That was why this shop, located on Diagon Alley, could sell them openly.
With her heart pounding in excitement, Hermione stepped into the largest pet shop on Diagon Alley...
The moment she entered, she saw a toad with enormous eyes perched on a shelf, munching on its meal. Honestly, it wasn't the most appealing sight—probably only Neville Longbottom would fancy such a creature.
Aside from the oversized purple toad, the cages nearby held black rats, poisonous slugs, and several plump white rabbits.
At first glance, none of these animals seemed particularly special—they looked like the ordinary pets one might find in the Muggle world. But each one had something magical about it.
There was a rabbit that could transform into a silk top hat and back again, and a mouse that played leapfrog with its own tail. The sight made Hermione's eyes widen in wonder. And then there were creatures she couldn't even name, ones she'd never seen before.
She was captivated, but the sheer number of choices left her uncertain. With no experience caring for Magical Creatures, Hermione found herself hesitating.
'Maybe I should ask Hagrid for advice.'
Just as she began wondering why Harry and the others hadn't arrived yet, her gaze drifted toward the doorway—and froze.
"Why... is he here..."
...
Ollivander's Wand Shop wasn't far from the Magical Menagerie.
Draco, accompanied by Astoria, arrived there not long after. Having already braced himself after running into Harry Potter, Draco still couldn't help but be caught off guard when he spotted a familiar figure—though, in hindsight, it was hardly surprising.
It was Hermione Granger, someone he hadn't seen in quite some time.
Yet her odd reaction made Draco narrow his eyes.
"You seem a bit strange?"
"..."
"Who! Who's strange? I'm just... surprised that someone of noble birth would show up in a place like this, that's all."
"Noble? A place like this?"
Hermione's evasive gaze made Draco fold his arms suspiciously.
He hadn't forgotten the moment she'd seen him—her startled expression and that instinctive motion to hide. To anyone else, it might've looked like she'd just seen a ghost.
And that tone of hers... what was that supposed to mean? Was she insulting him?
In truth, if not for Lucius Malfoy's sharp, piercing gaze that day, Hermione wouldn't have started avoiding Draco in the first place. Nor would she have blurted out those words so impulsively now, venting her long-held frustration the moment they crossed paths.
The instant the words left her lips, Hermione regretted it. She clenched her hands tightly, realizing she might've just exposed what she'd been trying to hide.
Draco, unaware of what had happened or why Hermione's emotions seemed so volatile, glanced around before turning his puzzled gaze back to her. She looked both guilty and flustered.
Sure, the shop was a bit noisy and crowded—but it wasn't that bad, was it?
Just as Hermione was rolling her eyes, looking for an excuse to slip away, her gaze met a pair of curious eyes. It was then that she noticed another figure standing behind Draco.
Not Pansy. Then who...?
Hermione hadn't even realized it herself. Moments ago, she'd been eager to find a reason to leave, but now, that impulse faded. Instead, she felt an odd mix of irritation and stubborn determination.
Ahem... After all, she still hadn't chosen her pet yet.
...
Draco, seemingly unaware of the two girls locked in a silent stare, turned his attention to the Magical Creatures around them. Yet it was clear that nothing in the shop truly caught his interest—except for the ginger-colored cat lounging on the top shelf.
The sharp intelligence in the cat's eyes made Draco glance at it a few more times. It didn't look like it was waiting to be bought. Rather, it looked like it was choosing its owner.
At that moment, the long-delayed Harry Potter and Ron Weasley finally appeared, completing the group.
"Harry, do you think I can find what Scabbers needs here? He's looking a bit... awful."
"No problem. A shop this big has to have something that'll help—huh? Not again—"
"Ouch!"
"Ron?"
"Stop! Crookshanks!"
"Scabbers!!"
"Meow!!"
"Squeak!!"
The sudden chaos not only cut off Harry's startled exclamation upon seeing Draco, but also broke the tense gaze between Hermione and Astoria.
A cat had leapt down from above, its target clearly the mouse in Ron's hands. Draco recognized that rat immediately—the one missing a toe.
He had never seen such an ugly rat before, and someone actually kept it as a pet.
Still, it was obvious Ron Weasley's rat had some uncanny instincts. The instant it spotted the cat, its expression was pure terror—like a human seeing a ghost—and even the way it fled seemed almost human.
The commotion finally settled when Draco caught the cat, Crookshanks, in his arms. Meanwhile, Harry and Ron, who had only just entered, rushed out of the shop after the fleeing Scabbers.
It looked like Ron Weasley wouldn't be setting foot in this pet shop again—at least, not while that cat was still around.
Little did they know, as Hermione gazed at the ginger cat now resting quietly in Draco's arms, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Clearly, she had already found the pet she wanted.
Only, it seemed she wasn't the only one.
Astoria, standing nearby, was also looking at the cat with the same fond, hopeful expression...
...
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