Harry looked up at the Magical Menagerie sign, his hand on the handle. He took a deep breath and closing his eyes briefly he heard Hermione's voice in his mind, that it had been long enough, that he could use a companion, that it was time.

He pushed the handle down and stepped inside and froze. If he hadn't stood outside and stared up at the sign for several minutes he would have thought he was in the wrong shop. The Magical Menagerie in his mind was small and dark, crowded with cages and animals that filled the shop with ominous rustling and a rather unique and pervasive smell that clung to your clothes for hours.

This shop was still small and yet somehow more open, with four large picture windows, two on either wall. They couldn't be real because there were shops on either side, but they were there large and filling the room with light. All of them were showing an idealic countryside with tall waving grass and long stone fences crumbling with age. Large glass tanks lined both walls with rats and rabbits, spiders and scorpions, and other magical creatures. Harry squinted into the glass enclosures which seemed distorted and slightly wrong. When he looked down through the top of one of the rat cages he realized why, they all had extension charms on them. It made small ten gallon cages into many meter's long enclosures filled with clean bedding, toys, food, and water.

The shop counter had been moved forward, nearly in the center of the room. Behind the dark polished wood counter- Harry blinked in disbelief, nearly tempted to rub his eyes- was Draco Malfoy. Malfoy? Draco? Definitely Draco.

He was... different. Good different. He was wearing perfectly tailored grey trousers and a waistcoat in a paler grey over a cream coloured dress shirt, with long cuffs that fit tight to his forearms with a row of small pearl buttons. The gold chain from a pocket watch crossed his waist and matched the gold-rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose as he leaned over a ledger filled with his neat, elegant handwriting.

To top it all off, Draco had grown his hair out, still so blond it looked white, and tied it back with a pale blue ribbon. The long hair had fallen over his shoulder, reaching down to his collar bone. Unlike his Father's hair, which had been straight and thin, Draco's hair was thick and curled loosely like his Mother's. It, all of it, left Harry utterly transfixed.

"Can I help you find something in particular or are you simply browsing?" Draco asked in the even pleasant tone of shopkeepers everywhere.

Harry had entirely forgotten what he had come for.

The silence finally caused Draco to look up, the corner of one eye twitching as he recognized Harry. "My extension charms are all up to code and completely certified." He said impatiently, reaching under the counter and pulling out a somewhat battered looking file which he irritably smacked down on the counter, "Here are all my permits. Completely up to date."

Harry blinked and shook himself mentally, "Err, no I'm not- I'm not here to do any-" he waved his hand helplessly at the folder, "-I'm just... supposed to get a pet?"

Draco narrowed his eyes, not looking away from Harry as he swept the fold off his counter and slid it away underneath, "Supposed? Potter, either you are here as an auror in order to harass me, for which I have not earned such treatment," he added acidly. "Or you are here to look at my animals."

"The second one," Harry said faintly.

"In that case, Potter. It is my job to inform you that you are not supposed to get a pet," He said darkly, "You are supposed to want a pet. They are living creatures and deserve to be treated with love, respect and live full and enriched lives. If you are not prepared for that, I won't be selling you anything."

"Aren't you supposed to sell things in a shop?" Harry asked curiously.

Draco smiled smugly, "It's my shop and I can sell what I want to whom I want. If you want to kill a goldfish with your ineptitude go to a muggle pet shop."

Harry couldn't help but feel quite impressed. He had heard the rumors but hadn't thought to connect them to the old Magical Menagerie from his youth but here it was, all true. The Malfoy heir, sole proprietor to a familiar and pet shop. Harry turned slowly on his heel to look around the small space with fresh eyes, so bright and clean and well cared for.

"May I ask," Draco said carefully, "why you're supposed to get a pet?"

Harry turned back round to the counter, "I had Hedwig, my owl, in school and Hermione thinks I ought to get a new companion. That it would be good for me."

Draco frowned faintly at the answer but didn't respond. He seemed to sizing Harry up for some invisible measurement Harry couldn't possibly imagine.

"Do you mind if I just look?" Harry asked, "Truthfully, I'm not sure I'm ready for a pet."

He waited until Draco nodded and then turned to the nearest tank along the wall, peering down inside. It was a puffskein tank with seven or eight golden puffskeins all bundled into a poffle pile. Their tank looked quite like a hollowed out tree stump, filled with scraps of cloth and cotton tufts for them to sleep on. One puffskein opened it's large dark eyes to look up at Harry and then went back to sleep with a little purr-like hum.

"Puffskeins are a popular beginners pet," Draco said behind him, "They evolved in a very harsh environment without a lot of resources so they're very hardy. Some people seem to think that this means they don't feel pain or hunger and thus are free to abuse the creatures as they see fit. It's, unfortunately, a very common belief."

Harry looked over at the counter.

Draco continued, "They're highly social animals. I won't sell one by itself. They're much happier in pairs, or a proper poffle." He sighed and added reluctantly, "I also carry pygmy puffs, colour changed upon request."

"Not a fan of pygmy puffs?" Harry said.

Draco wrinkled his nose, "I'm not a fan of any kind of vanity breeding. Pygmy's are weaker and more prone to illness and yet parents are still of a mind to give them to children who treat them like toys rather than animals."

Harry went around to a few other cage, rats of different colors and temperaments, more toads than any sane person could possibly want, and a variety of snakes and spiders. All of them came with a lesson about the creature in question and, inevitably, how badly wizards treated them.

"I have to say," Harry said, walking away from the last tank and back to the counter where Draco was perched on a rather tall stool, his arms elegantly folded on the counter top, "I never really imagined you being interested in magical creatures after all that fuss with Buckbeak, the hippogriff."

Draco raised an eyebrow, "I was thirteen. Also, I can say without a single doubt in my mind that hippogriffs should have been taught to at least fifth years, preferably sixth years. Expecting thirteen-year-olds to be polite without at least a lecture beforehand is madness."

Harry bristled, "Hagrid was just doing his best-!"

"Hagrid believes that any creature he fancied as a child, anyone else would as well." Draco easily cut him off and shook his head slightly, "Don't bristle, Potter. He's becoming quite a good teacher. He would have become one sooner if he had been trained for even a few months instead of having to figure it out as he went. But that daft-" he broke off, briefly biting his bottom lip to stop himself from whatever he was going to say.

Harry watched that brief flash of white tooth on pink lip, feeling a little thrill of desire that nearly distracted him from a very important detail. "You've seen Hagrid? Recently?"

He watching in further fascination as Draco coloured faintly right across the very tops of his cheeks.

"I guest lecture every other monday," he said stiffly, lifting his chin. He took a deep breath and turned abruptly, "That's not why you're here. You hardly seem the type to want a small animal." He gestured sharply with the flick of two fingers for Harry to follow and went to one of the two small doors in the wall behind the counter. He waited until Harry was right behind him before turning the round silver knob on the pale blue door.

Almost immediately a very large long haired black cat slipped out from the crack. It turned it's triangular head up towards Draco and made a single long mreow that sounded something like a question mixed with an accusation.

"I do apologize for not letting you out sooner, Brynhildr," Draco told the cat, "Would you watch the counter for me?"

Brynhildr swished her long tail and trotted over to the counter, leaping on top in one languid movement and laying in the center, facing the door with her ears twitched forward in interest.

"Come along, Potter," Draco prompted impatiently.

Harry spun away from the counter and followed Draco into what would have been the size of a broom closet if not for extension charms making it into a quite large room. There were four windows, two showed the same countryside view of the main shop, but with large and busy bird feeders, the other two windows seemed to be underwater in a pool filled with bright colourful koi. All the windows had viewing platforms that could hold two or three cats. There were climbing platforms and shelves all around the walls, beds and cushions spread all across the floor. It seemed to be a cat paradise.

There were eight cats, three of which looked to be part kneazle by their larger size. All of the cats perked up as the door clicked closed behind them and rushed up to Draco, meowing plaintively and pawing at his trousers. A large grey and white striped shorthair who didn't get immediate results jumped up to a shelf and twitched a paw out at Draco's arm until a single claw managed to hook into his sleeve and Draco stepped closer to save his shirt.

"Must you, Grani?" Draco sighed, unhooking the claw.

Grani meowed triumphantly, taking the opportunity to butt his head against Draco's hand while it was close.

A small black and white cat quickly jumped up to the shelf beside Grani in order to try and get some attention.

"What are you grinning about, Potter?" Draco muttered looking mildly exasperated at the whole situation.

Harry hadn't even been aware of his own grin of delight. "Nothing really, I suppose," he said quickly

"Go on," Draco tried to wave the cats over toward Harry. He stepped over the winding cats around his legs and out of reach of the cats on the shelf, "He's the one here take a look at you."

Harry dropped down onto his heels and held out his hand towards the cats, making the vague silly kissy noises everyone inexplicably makes to call cats.

Draco said nothing, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms loosely.

Grani dropped off the shelf with a heavy thump and made his way over pressing his head into Harry's hand. Two other cats managed to tear themselves away from Draco and wandered over, sniffing at him with interest. The tiniest, fluffiest siamese cat Harry had ever seen peeked round Draco's leg and then barreled into Harry, meowing at an impossible volume with wide blue eyes, demanding attention.

"Jonakr please contain yourself," Draco chastised.

Grani wasn't happy with the competition and pressed into Harry more firmly, overbalancing him and causing him to sit abruptly on the ground with a startled laugh. A few other cats came over and Harry ended up with two cats in his lap as Grani and Jonakr vied for chin scratches.

"So, no history lesson?" Harry asked, to break the silence.

Draco sighed, "Cats are cats, Potter. They're one of the few animals that witch and wizard kind have generally treated better than muggles with their silly superstitions." He shifted and absently reached out to pet a fluffy orange cat on a shelf that was stretching out so far attention it was in danger of tumbling off. He looked at the orange cat with a contemplative air, the tips of two fingers gently scratching the cat's chin, "All my cats and kneazle mixes are rescues. They're all more intelligent than your average cat, longer lived and inclined to prefer magic users. A few, like Jonakr can enhance spells like a proper familiar but they'd need to be trained to have any constancy. There are three kneazle mixes, Sigi and Rerir are half, Grani is a quarter, I think."

"What about the cat out front?" Harry asked.

"Brynhildr is half. She is also not for sale," Draco said, glancing from the orange cat down at Harry and pinning him in place with slate grey eyes.

"Oh," Harry said faintly and more than a little dumbstruck.

"Fallen in love, yet?" Draco asked.

Harry jumped. "I- What?" he croaked, his throat painfully dry.

"With a cat, Potter," Draco swept the cats crowded around Harry with his eyes, "That is the purpose of your being here."

Harry felt a flush of heat crawl up his neck and shook his head mutely, not willing to trust his voice.

"Then we shall visit the aviary," Draco said, holding his hand out to help Harry up.

Harry saw a flicker of hesitation cross Draco's face that made it all the way down his arm with a sudden tremble in the tips of his fingers. As Harry took his hand, the hesitation turned to relief though Draco was quick to mask it. Harry held onto Draco's hand a little longer than probably ought to have and felt himself flush with embarrassment again as Draco pulled free.

Draco led them out of the room, stopping any cats from following after with a simple, "Stay here, if you would be so kind."

Brynhildr turned to look at them briefly before going back to watching the door. Draco went to the orange door beside the blue with a long bronze handle. As soon as the door was opened the sound of hooting filtered through, a wave of bittersweet nostalgia sweeping over Harry as he remembered his visits to the owlery back at Hogwarts. A large crawk startled Harry out his revere with a flinch.

Draco smirked faintly, "I have a few ravens and a crow. They're not as popular as owls but some of the older generations prefer them. And for some reason, teenagers with eyeliner and a penchant for black," He stepped primly inside and gestured for Harry to follow, "Watch your step."

At first glance Harry would have sworn he stepped into a forest but then his eyes made sense of what he was seeing, tree trunks filled with hollows and long branches scattered against the walls painted a deep green. A small fountain in the corner of the room tumbled down an artificial rock fall and into a shallow pool. The floor looked like the same wood board but felt soft and spongy like a bed of moss underfoot. In addition to the branches for perching on, a number of perches were scattered around the room at human height.

Everywhere there were owls of all shapes and sizes, their large yellow and orange eyes dilating in the light as they woke to get a look at their visitors. A large eagle owl flew down to a perch beside Draco. A smaller barn owl landed on his shoulder, their wings briefly held out for balance and then tucked away so that the owl could groom Draco's hair with their beak. It wasn't long before a few other owls flew down to surround Draco.

Draco turned his head to the barn owl, "Not right now, Enide."

Enide hooted mournfully but ceased her grooming.

Harry was grinning again and quickly turned away before Draco could glare at him.

There were two ravens, perched in the corner and calling to one another like a pair of old biddies sharing juicy gossip. A single crow was hanging out by water pool, Their black feathers splattered with white as if they had been flicked with a paint brush.

"Is that done with magic?" Harry pointed at the black and white crow.

Draco followed his gaze, "No. Blanchefleur has vitiligo, it's a genetic condition that causes a loss of melanin, most animals can have it, humans as well. It's a superficial condition."

"It's lovely," Harry said.

Draco raised an eyebrow, "A crow, Potter?"

Harry watched as the crow jumped into the shallow end of the pool, splashing water up in a fine spray and spreading their feathers out. "Not for me, I think," he said absently. Though he couldn't quite shake the idea that the beautiful bird would be absolutely perfect for someone else.

"Probably for the best," Draco said, "Several people have taken an interest in Blanchefleur but they've never shown interest in anyone." For there he began telling Harry about the different owls and which breeds were best suited for what kind of delivery.

There was a loud, tiny hoot and Draco expression changed to one of resigned annoyance. Above them a tiny scops owl, the same kind as Ron's Pigwidgeon, bounced out of a small tree hollow and flew down, landing on top of Draco's head with the happiest hoot Harry had ever heard.

Harry stared

"Laugh and get it over with," Draco said flatly.

It was so ridiculously adorable Harry wasn't sure he still retained the ability of speech.

Draco reached a hand up, with one finger extended which the little owl jumped onto allowing Draco to bring it down to eye level so he could give it a very stern expression, "What have I told you about landing on heads, Merlin?"

Merlin puffed his feathers and hooted softly, looking sulky.

"Indeed," Draco raised an eyebrow.

"You named him Merlin?" Harry said faintly.

The tiny owl turn at the sound of his name and lifted his beak at almost the exact same time that Draco lifted his chin with an imperious, "Yes. So?"

Harry laughed before he could even think to stop himself, biting his lip to try and stop it and being completely unable as both bird and man glared at him with identical expressions.

"Must you," Draco sighed loudly and deliberately. He took his pocket watch out and opened it, frowning at the time it showed.

"What time is it?" Harry asked breathlessly, looking at a pair brown owls in order to keep a straight face.

"I'm normally closed by now," Draco said pointedly, closing the pocket watch with a definite click.

"You should have kicked me out if it was getting that late," Harry said, hurrying back to the door but hesitating to open it himself.

"You have no self-awareness," Draco said, shooing Enide off his shoulder and back up to the trees. He set Merlin on a small perch and fussing with his shirt and hair as he went to the door, almost closing it on Harry with a flick of magic when he didn't move fast enough.

Brynhildr stood and stretched with a yawn as Draco went to the counter, pulling out two small pamphlets and pushing them into Harry's hands, "Lists of Kneazle and Crup breeders I trust to treat their animals well."

"One of these names is Celestina Warbeck," Harry said as he skimmed the lists.

Draco ran his hand over Brynhildr's back, scratching along her spine so that she began to purr faintly, "She's a good Crup breeder. More than can be said for her music."

"True," Harry laughed, turning the pamphlets over and then stuffing them into his back pocket. "So..." He took a few steps towards the door and hesitated. He plucked at his shirt and asked impulsively, "I feel bad about keeping you late so maybe I could I take you to dinner?"

"No need," Draco said distractedly, his eyes scanning at the shelves under his counter for something, "I have a lot to tend to," He glanced up briefly and pasted a friendly customer service smile on his face, "I open at ten if you should change your mind."

"Oh, right," Harry started to sigh and stifled it, pushing his hand through his hair, "Well, thanks," he said lamely, stepping outside to the soft mocking tone of the bell over the door chiming his retreat.

 It was getting dark already. Harry took a deep breath to temper his disappointment. It had been rather spur of the moment and he could hardly expect- Harry sighed and scratched the back of his neck- and It had been years since they had spoken. Best to forget and move on before he was late for dinner with Ron and Hermione.