Adi, clinging to his mother's hand, dragged her over to where the owls, rats and toads were. "Mom, I want something from here!'' he told her excitedly. He didn't know what he wanted as yet but he was sure it was one of the three animals from here.

"Well, get an owl then,'' Indira Rehman said patiently, her Indian accent still pronounced. "Rats and toads are too...disgusting.'' She never could stand them and owls or kneazles were always her choices.

But Adi shook his head. "Mom, owls are waaay too common. Almost everyone's got one.'' He watched the toads hopping and croaking. "A toad!'' I want a toad!'' Yep. A toad would do just nicely.

Indira looked at her son, horror and disbelief written all over her face. Of all the animals here, he wanted a toad? Disgusting, slimy things. "Are you sure?'' she asked in an attempt to get him to change his mind. "Owls can help you deliver your letters. Cats, kneazles and Crups will make good companions. A toad won't do much.''

"Mom, I can always use one of Hogwarts's owl to deliver mail. Please let me have the toad! Please, please, please! I won't let it bother you, I promise!'' He grinned innocently. "Please, mom.''

Indira considered. Adi was never one to have bothered her to buy this and that for him and he really seemed to want a toad. She sighed. "All right, Adi. As long as you keep it away from me.''

"Thank you!'' Adi gave him mom a fleeting hug not really caring if anyone saw. He turned his attention excitedly back to the toads. Which would he get?