The placard explained everything: Free to a good home. Has injured two owners in a row.
Right—too vicious for a first-year.
…Unless you were Hagrid.
Theodore, however, suspected the owl wasn't entirely to blame.
He led Hermione to the counter. "Shopkeep, that 'free to adopt' owl in the window—is that sign accurate?"
A middle-aged wizard—clearly the proprietor—popped up from behind the till. "Accurate! Of course it's accurate. I sell magical creatures; I don't mislabel animals." He hesitated, eyeing the two first-years. "But that one doesn't go to schoolchildren. Vicious. Owls look cute; they're raptors. Sorry."
The pane shivered—when the System cross-references mythic lineages with this world, it writes the results in its own terms.
[You and young Deng Chanyu are received by the Beast-Taming Sect's master.]
[Beast-taming is a minor path, yet a fierce beast often overturns the strong with the weak.]
[Acquaintance with the Sect Master → Talent: Beast Affinity (creatures take to you; even dangerous ones won't strike first).]
[Close Friend → Talent: Beast Rearing (your care helps beasts break limits; rare bloodline shifts possible).]
[Life-and-Death → Method: Way of the Beastmaster (true riding and command; mind to mind, motion as one).]
Oh, that would play beautifully in a world where dragons take squads to ground and a basilisk can end a castle.
Aloud, Theodore said, "What if I told you I know why that owl attacks?"
The shopkeeper snorted. "Kid, I've handled magical creatures my whole life. If I don't know, how would—"
"I've had an odd knack since I was small," Theodore said mildly. "Languages. I can understand some animals. Passing the window, I heard him complain his first owner knotted a cord at his neck. It's been choking him. Untie it and he'll stop."
Silence. The man opened his mouth—then looked at the window. The grey owl was bobbing frantically, yes, yes, yes in every line.
While the man gaped, Theodore had already crossed the floor. "Easy," he murmured in owl, "stretch your neck. I'll undo it."
The bird actually craned forward. Theodore parted feathers and found, buried deep, a silk tie cinched tight.
He rolled his eyes. "People who own pets shouldn't be allowed to own knots," he muttered, working it loose.
The owl tested its neck, then looked at him with raw relief and thumped both wings in delight. Before the proprietor could protest, it launched—careful this time—and settled on Theodore's shoulder as if it belonged there.
Hermione's eyes were shining. "That was amazing."
She shot the shopkeeper a look. "You're not going to back out now, are you?"
The man gave a helpless little laugh. "Hard to, when he's picked his human." He rubbed his hands, hunger bright in his eyes—not for coin, but for prospects. A boy who could talk to troublesome stock? "Tell you what. That grey is yours. And the brown one the young miss chose—free, as well."
He lifted a hand quickly. "One condition."
Theodore smiled, already there. "I'm busy once term starts, but from now till September—and during holidays—I can come help you with a few difficult cases."
"Deal!" the man said at once. "Name's Warwick. Don't worry, you won't help for free—this shop has its share of good things."
The pane chimed as they stepped back into the Alley.
[Bond with Beast-Taming Sect Master: Acquaintance.]
[Reward available: Beast Affinity.]
Outside, twilight had gone properly purple. Hermione startled. "I have to go—my parents will be frantic."
She hugged the carrier; the tawny—Minerva—hooted primly. "Theodore, thank you for the owl. See you soon!"
He watched her hurry off, a little dazed and very pleased—especially when the pane quietly noted their progress toward Close Friend. Another reward would queue in time.
He looked down his list and felt a clean, hungry heat rise. This trip had been a haul: from Warwick, Beast Affinity (available), with Beast Rearing to follow if the bond deepened; from Ollivander, Metallurgy & Refining; from Hermione, Martial Proficiency (already claimed). Four prizes in play.
He held it together all the way home.
First thing through his study door, he locked it, drew the curtains, and exhaled.
"System—claim Beast Affinity. Now."
AUTHOR'S NOTE — BONUS & EARLY ACCESS
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