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Alexandra had not the time to say one more word. Her reflexes of duelling, honed by Flitwick's training, were barely enough to catch in time as a lightning of orange fur jumped in her arms.
"NO! CROOKSHANKS!" Shouted the witch.
Catching her breath, Alexandra noticed she had now a huge ginger cat looking straight at her, purring loudly in her arms. Posing it on the counter, she studied it, remarking the big orange eyes, the fluffy ginger fur, the face which looked a bit grumpy and the very large tail. But it was the orange colour, the size and the loud purr that were indeed the most remarkable.
"I'm very sorry, Miss." Said the witch. "This cat has posed problems since he arrived here years ago, and no one has wanted to take him."
"How much for him?" Asked Alexandra.
The witch harboured a surprised expression on her face. "You intend to take him?"
"Well, I asked for a cat and he was enough intelligent to jump to the call." She said in a humorous tone. "Besides, he seems affectionate and appreciates my caresses."
The ginger cat raised his ears hearing her speaking, and purred loudly in approval.
"It's your choice." Said the vendor in a relieved voice. "But you said it yourself, he's extremely intelligent, especially when it is time to make trouble. Half-Kneazle breed, very rare. He was only a kitten when he arrived here, the menagerie he belonged to was sold at the end of the last war."
"Figures."Alexandra said, giving a last look at the cat. "I was also looking for another animal. My other friend can be very absent-minded and clumsy, so an animal which is very resistant and faithful would be best."
"I believe I have what you search." The witch nodded, and walked to a rather large cage where there was a ... tortoise?
"Here it is." Told her the woman, posing the animal on the counter next to the cat, which neared to sniff at it. Only to make a rapid retreat, as a flicker of flames went out of the rear of the tortoise. Okay, definitely not a normal tortoise. There were also two beautiful ruby gems on the shell of the not-tortoise.
"This is a hybrid between a Muggle tortoise and a Fire Crab, "explained the witch when she saw Alexandra's interrogative expression."Fire Crab are XXX creatures, so you wouldn't be able to own one, Miss, but crossing it with a tortoise reduces the power of its flames and the number of jewels on its shell. The animal is still highly resistant, however, and will follow his owner at his own rhythm. It has a fondness for lettuce but do not tolerate being plunged into water very well." Giving a sardonic look at Crookshanks, the woman added "and it will not let itself intimated by this good-for-nothing piece of ginger fur."
An offended meow arrived to both witches ears. Crookshanks did not like his new nickname.
"Fine, I will take both of them." Loud purr of approval. "How much for the two?"
"Two Galleons for Crookshanks. Seventeen for the half-Fire Crab."
Alexandra paid without hesitation, adding a few Sickles in owl treats for Atalanta by the same occasion to reach a price of twenty Galleons. She had no doubt Hermione and Nigel were going to love their presents!
The witch put Crookshanks and the other animal back in their cages before giving them to Alexandra, who winced a bit under the sheer weight. Fortunately, Fortescue was not far from this shop and she would not have to carry them all day.
"Excuse me," Alexandra said before opening the door and leaving the Menagerie, a thought coming to her mind. "By pure curiosity, what was the name of the shop who owned Crookshanks before you?"
"Potter Pets and Companions." Replied the witch, in a bitter tone. "Turned really bad, that business. Didn't shed a tear when they got sold."
"Of course not," said Alexandra once in the street. "The wizarding world never cries, even for its heroes."
Glancing back at Crookshanks in his cage, she knew it was anything but a coincidence. The ginger cat had recognised her. Had her parents brought her once in Diagon Alley before their family was destroyed? Possible, very likely even. Grimjaw had used her blood to know her identity at Gringotts last year so perhaps her mother or her father had brought her in the menagerie owned by the family the same day. Alas, with all witnesses unreachable or unable to speak, it was doubtful she would know the details of the story.
Carrying the two cages, she hurried in direction of Fortescue. She had taken a lot of time to go to the Menagerie with the crowd, and now she was slightly late.
"Alexandra! Alexandra!"
Here they were, both Hermione and Nigel, sitting outside the Ice Cream Parlour. Hermione had brought her parents with her, and Nigel was in the company a very old man, who sent her from the start a direct and intimidating stare. Funnily enough, she had believed once ago Nigel had overestimated the behaviour of his grandfather. Now after a few seconds of acquaintance she knew the stories about him were the truth.
"You're a bit late you know." Stated Hermione, standing up to hug her in an endless embrace. "What were you doing? Tom at the Leaky Cauldron told us you passed quite earlier than us!"
"Let her breath Hermione!" Said Nigel. "Our school Dark Lady's was certainly recruiting minions for the new year."
Hermione loosened her embrace, and Alexandra could send a glare at her Gryffindor friend.
"Very funny, Nigel. I am already called this constantly by half of the school, I don't need you too to join the crowd."
"But if you must know, "She affirmed putting the cage of the half-Fire Crab on the table."I was buying your birthday presents. A bit in advance, I'm afraid, but still. Happy Birthday Nigel."