MIRROR OF ERISED

46. New Pets - 2

PREVIOUSLY IN - MIRROR OF ERISED

Harry gets a new pet snake.

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Soon enough, the group had their lunch in Fortescue's before heading back home after they promised to find compartments next to each on September 1st. Harry took his pet snake to his room upon their arrival. Harry was a tad bit skeptical about introducing Hedwig and the new snake as the latter was a natural prey to the former. Hedwig was thankfully not on her perch when they entered the room. He removed his pet snake from his cage and sat on the bed with it on his lap.

Bold Letters = Harry speaking in Parseltongue.

Italics = The Pet Snake speaking.

"Hello! I'm Harry Potter. Do you have a name?" asked Harry. "Hello, Master Harry. I don't have a name. No one has given me one." Said the snake. "Oh, okay then. What about Apollo?" The snake made an action of shaking its head to tell no. Harry thought for a few moments. "Bowie?" No. "Ghost?" No. "Harley?" The Bull snake thought for a moment nodded affirmative. Harry smiled and stroked its head. "And please don't call me Master. Just Harry is fine." Said Harry. "Sure, Harry." Said Harley.

Just then, Charlus and Dorea entered the room. "Hey, Harry. James told us that you got a new pet snake." Said the Potter Patriarch as he sat down on the bed in front of Harry. "Yes, Papa. Meet Harley. I just named him." He said with a smile and held him up. Charlus went on to pet the chordate. Dorea was initially scared. But when he saw her grandson and husband pet him, she too went on to pet him.

Harley took a liking for the old couple and slid down from Harry's hands to Charlus' lap, and then on to his arms, where he slid upto his shoulders and rested his head on the joint. "I think he likes you, papa." said Harry as he grinned. Charlus nodded and got up without jostling Harley much. They went to the common room. Marlene had come over to certain someone residing in the house. She didn't know about Harry's pet snake, Harley. She shrieked when she saw him on Charlus' arm. "Uncle Charlie, there's a snake on your arm."

"I know. It's Harry's pet snake." Said Charlus. "Yep. His name's Harley." Added Harry. "That's a nice name, Harry. Did he accept the name?" asked Lily. Harry nodded and took the snake from his grandfather. He went over to sit next to Remus. Harley moved on to coil himself on to Harry's lap and fell asleep. The family spent the rest of the afternoon joking about.

Before they went to the dining room for dinner, when Harry came back to the common room after keeping Harley in his cage, Sirius asked Harry to wait for a few moments and ran to his room. Remus, James and Lily were perplexed at why their best friend asked Harry to wait.