Chapter 19 — The Bond Sealed
The soft rustle of feathers filled the Emporium as Ron leaned closer to the great owl he had chosen. Mr. Stark shifted on the perch, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, a low, melodic hum rising from his chest. It wasn't a hoot, nor a screech, but something deeper, resonant—something that made Ron's chest tighten in awe. This was no ordinary owl, and Ron knew it.
Mrs. Eeylops, her robes dusted with stray down feathers, leaned in with a curious expression. "Ah, so it's that one you fancy, young man. A rare catch, indeed. Most overlook him, thinking he's too… intense. But you've got a good eye."
Ron swallowed. "How much?"
Her lips curved, as though she had been waiting for the question. "For a bird of that breeding? Ten galleons. No less."
Ron flinched inwardly but kept his expression neutral. Ten galleons was steep, but for what he was seeing—what the system had confirmed—this was a bargain. Still, he wasn't going to let the chance of shaving the price slip past him.
"I'll think about it," Ron said, scratching his chin. "But you see, I'm not just buying the owl. He'll need proper care. A perch, good feed… and perhaps a delivery pouch. It's quite the commitment." He let the words hang, carefully measured, as if weighing his options.
Mrs. Eeylops narrowed her eyes, then chuckled. "You've got a sharp tongue for one so young. Very well, let's hear what you want."
Ron's gaze drifted to a sturdy self-cleaning perch, carved with faint runes. "That one. He deserves nothing less." He looked back to Mrs. Eeylops, confidence in his voice. "And the proper feed—whatever he prefers."
"Raw hare, sometimes rabbit, with dried phoenix-fed crickets," Mrs. Eeylops replied, her tone hushed with reverence. "His bloodline is… unusual. He won't settle for the bland pellets the others eat. He's a proud creature. Knows what he's worth."
Ron almost smiled. Just like Iron Man, he thought. "Then I'll take a few of those packs as well." His eyes wandered further, catching a sleek leather delivery pouch, enchanted to resize and remain light no matter what was stored inside. "And that pouch."
Mrs. Eeylops tapped her quill against her ledger. "Ten galleons for the bird. Three for the perch. Two for the pouch. One for a week's worth of feed. Sixteen altogether."
Ron crossed his arms, keeping his face calm even as his mind ran numbers. Sixteen galleons is too much. Time to play it smart.
"That's quite a price," Ron said slowly. "Especially since I'm already taking the rarest bird you have. With proper care, his presence alone will bring you reputation enough. Everyone will know I bought him here." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "And you won't want to be remembered as the shop that overcharged a Weasley—pureblood family, long ties with Hogwarts. Business thrives on goodwill."
Mrs. Eeylops froze, then laughed so loudly a few tawny owls flapped in annoyance. "Merlin's beard, you're a little negotiator, aren't you?" She shook her head, amused but not offended. "Fine. I'll drop it to twelve galleons. Final offer. That's me being generous."
Ron smiled, relief mingling with triumph. "Deal."
He counted out the gold carefully, his hands steady as he passed the coins across. Mrs. Eeylops' long fingers swept them into the till, and she scribbled down the purchase in her ledger.
"Come along, lad," she said warmly. "Let's pack it all up for you."
The perch shimmered and folded itself into a compact wand-length rod, sliding easily into the delivery pouch. The feed shrank neatly into packets the size of matchboxes before nestling inside. Ron slipped his newly purchased textbooks from Flourish and Blotts into the pouch as well, marveling at how light it felt on his shoulder despite the weight it should have carried.
Finally, Mrs. Eeylops unlatched the cage. Mr. Stark stepped forward, his talons clicking on the wood. With surprising grace, the majestic owl leapt onto Ron's shoulder, wings outstretched for balance. The young Weasley felt the pressure, firm but careful, as though the bird already understood the bond between them.
"You suit each other," Mrs. Eeylops said with satisfaction. "Take care of him, and he'll take care of you."
Ron reached up, brushing his fingers lightly against Mr. Stark's chest feathers. Warmth thrummed beneath the plumage, almost alive with a faint fiery pulse. A phoenix bloodline… he really is something else.
"Thank you," Ron said, meaning it more than just for the transaction. He adjusted the strap of his pouch, squared his shoulders, and stepped out of the Emporium with his new companion.
The bustling streets of Diagon Alley welcomed him again. Vendors shouted out offers of discounted potion kits and broom polish. A group of witches argued over cauldron thickness near Potage's Cauldrons, while a pair of Hogwarts-bound boys compared their new robes with excitement.
Ron paused at a small stand selling sugared quills and chocolate frogs. Ginny had begged him earlier for a treat. He bought a small packet of fizzing whizbees and a chocolate frog, smiling faintly as he tucked them into the pouch.
The Leaky Cauldron loomed ahead, its crooked sign swaying lazily in the afternoon breeze. Ron pushed the door open to find Molly and Ginny already waiting inside at a corner table. Ginny was swinging her legs impatiently, but when she saw Ron with the giant owl perched on his shoulder, her eyes widened in astonishment.
"Mum! Look at Ron's owl!" she exclaimed, barely able to stay seated.
Molly's gaze softened as she took in her son, standing there taller somehow, shoulders squared, with the majestic bird on his arm. For a fleeting moment, she saw not just her boy but the wizard he was becoming.
Ron grinned, sliding into the seat beside them. Mr. Stark settled with quiet dignity, his golden eyes surveying the room. "Meet Mr. Stark," Ron said proudly.
Ginny clapped her hands together, awestruck. Molly smiled, though her heart tugged between pride and worry. The path Ron had chosen was already setting him apart from the rest of his siblings.
But for now, with the Leaky Cauldron buzzing and the evening sun spilling golden light through the windows, it was enough.
The Weasleys gathered their things, and with Ron's new companion perched proudly, they Flooed home to the Burrow—where a new chapter in Ron's journey waited.