If you’ve brought some kiddos to the match and are looking for something to do before the game begins, head on over to the petting zoo! It’s the perfect place for families to get up close and personal with magical creatures while members of the creatures department look on, making sure friendly and safe encounters are enjoyed by all.

There are several sectioned off areas where some of the smaller creatures are housed. Cruppy Corner is the perfect place to run around and release some energy. The Puffskein playpen is a good place for the younger crowd. The Knarl enclosure offers openings just big enough for fans to feed wild daisies to them from a safe distance. These aren’t the main attractions, though.

The largest area houses the Granians and Aethonans, who are being looked after by the lovely members of the ministry. These winged horses who’ve been selected to be here have been around people for ages and won’t mind being pet, so long as you’re gentle and respectful of them. Feel free to ask questions if you've got any, those working the area will be more than happy to answer them.

OOC: If you do need assistance, please let us know in the title of your post! <3 Otherwise, have fun and treat the creatures as you'd like to be treated!

Victoria was working today. It was one of the biggest events of her career so of course she was working, but that did not change the fact that she wanted to spend some time with her family and thankfully for her she had an amazing husband and mother to watch her children while she worked. Ones that would come to the event to have fun and support her as well. Walking to the petting zoo with them she smiled as the girls got excited about the animals.

"Be careful. Let's pet the crupy first." That could be an easy one to pet without getting bit, yes? At least she hoped so. Smiling over at Cossy she watched as Helena held out her hands. "Do you want down too?" She set the toddler on her feet and watched her head over with her big sisters.


Alana was so excited. Quidditch was so fun! She couldn't wait until she was able to ride a broom and play the game like Bart. She wanted to be just like Bart. He was awesome and the best big brother or like Wade. Wade was even better at quidditch then Bart. Right now though she just wanted to pet the animals. ALL the animals.

Seeing the crups she ran towards them but looked at her mother. Seeing Helena be put down she sighed a little, "I'll take her I guess." She'd be the one anyway she assumed. Taking her little sisters hand she walked slower then she wanted to see the puppies. "Look Helena aren't they cute."

Rolling his neck a couple of times, Mordred calmly sauntered directly to where the Creatures were located. He’s thoroughly exhausted from traveling to and from their place, while barely getting enough sleep from taking care of their twins. Noting that he didn’t have much choice regarding the matter, he simply had to be there.

Oh and look. He is the first from Creatures to be there.

Mordred frowned, and wondered if he was the only volunteer from his Department? Merlin. If that’s the case, he’d have to ask Harmony for a raise.

Seeing that there are already people in here, Mordred decided to leave them alone for now. He was here to oversee the place and creatures anyway.

Leaning against the enclosure of the giant horses, Mordred eyed two very small children as they made their way to the Cruppy Corner. Instinctively, the dragonologist took his wand out and twirled it in his fingers. You never know with those crups…ac

What an amazing day! The weather was near perfect and the crowds were rolling in and the creatures were being looked after! Yes, Harmony Skylark was pleased with how things were going already and the event had only just begun. She had a good feeling about today.

Keeping a watchful eye on the interactions taking place, the red head didn't immediately notice Mordred. Her gaze did eventually fall on the young man, though, and she grinned! "Hello there! Enjoying yourself so far?"

Meredith grinned at everyone in their group and waved to all of her coworkers. “Hey everyone,” she smiled over to the entire group. Meredith grinned at everyone in the group and looked around to find some of the animals in the area. “Oh…hey Mordred!” She grinned over to the Dragonologist and smiled over to him. “Oh…anyone stop by yet?” She asked happily at her cowokers and all of the children in the area.

“Oh…if anyone gets hurt please allow me to bring them over to the Healer’s tent” she smiled over to him. Honestly, it was only because she knew Gallowglass was over at the Healer’s tent and was probably going to subtly watch him for quite a little while. Gosh, he was amazing.

The festivities, while lovely, were quite overwhelming for the blonde and was precisely why Kiera was keeping to herself, enjoying the company of winged horses to people for the time being. Her co-workers and department head each received a polite inclination of the head and shy smile, but she would be staying over here for now. Finding solace in the Aethonan's breath upon her face, Kiera softly stroked the creature's nuzzle with one hand while the other lay gracefully against its neck.

Théo had basically begged his mother to let him come to this. It was a quidditch even and well he liked quidditch. It was going to be a awesome match. Théo believed that. But the game has yet to start and well he had time to go to this petting zoo. Petting Zoo's were not the coolest thing in the world. But he did like animals and those crups looks sooo cute.

Théo ran over to them and picked one to pet.

"I will call you Artoo Dogtoo"

Not a dog but whatever. Now this was pretty cool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

Théo had basically begged his mother to let him come to this. It was a quidditch even and well he liked quidditch. It was going to be a awesome match. Théo believed that. But the game has yet to start and well he had time to go to this petting zoo. Petting Zoo's were not the coolest thing in the world. But he did like animals and those crups looks sooo cute.

Théo ran over to them and picked one to pet.

"I will call you Artoo Dogtoo"

Not a dog but whatever. Now this was pretty cool.

There had been no begging required for Derfael to be in attendance today. He had even been here before everyone else because daddy was an important person here and had to be here early to do special things with his wand. The spellwork, while nifty, had not been what really lured the blonde into wide eyed wonder, however. And while not the bestest of creatures...they would do.

Besides, he had Scamander in his pocket.

"That's-s-s-s a funny name," he said to the boy with the crup. "Careful he does-s-s-sn't pee on you. Happened to me earlier." He pointed to his shoe.

There was going to be Quidditch AND creatures, and so Hazel Martin-Pryce was in absolute heaven. Red hair pulled back in a big, thick braid that daddy had had to do three times before either of them was satisfied, Hazel had wandered toward the cruppy area while Daddy did whatever it was daddies do when they're creature people and other creature people are around.

It was then that she heard a familar voice. Swinging around, her eyes scanned the crowd to locate the source, her little lips spreading into a giant grin and her feet moving before she could even fully register.

"DERFAEL!!" Hazel sprinted full-speed ahead and launched herself at her friend, arms wide open for a hug that might just knock the boy off his feet. She was happy to see him, ok? It was unexpected and just the best best best surprise ever.

She hadn't seen Kiera yet.

It was a funny name. But this crup did look funny. WAIT these crups peed on people??? Théo immediately let go of the crup before it could even get a chance to."They peed on you?" But before he could ask another question. Some girl was yelling and did she just launch herself at well guess his name is Derfael?

Never heard that name before.

Théo eyes widened as he watch this.

"Umm you two okay?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

There was going to be Quidditch AND creatures, and so Hazel Martin-Pryce was in absolute heaven. Red hair pulled back in a big, thick braid that daddy had had to do three times before either of them was satisfied, Hazel had wandered toward the cruppy area while Daddy did whatever it was daddies do when they're creature people and other creature people are around.

It was then that she heard a familar voice. Swinging around, her eyes scanned the crowd to locate the source, her little lips spreading into a giant grin and her feet moving before she could even fully register.

"DERFAEL!!" Hazel sprinted full-speed ahead and launched herself at her friend, arms wide open for a hug that might just knock the boy off his feet. She was happy to see him, ok? It was unexpected and just the best best best surprise ever.

She hadn't seen Kiera yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

It was a funny name. But this crup did look funny. WAIT these crups peed on people??? Théo immediately let go of the crup before it could even get a chance to."They peed on you?" But before he could ask another question. Some girl was yelling and did she just launch herself at well guess his name is Derfael?

Never heard that name before.

Théo eyes widened as he watch this.

"Umm you two okay?"

Derf nodded to dude. Crups did that when they were really excited. Derfs did it too. But everyone was safe from THAT today because there were no amphibians nor reptiles around and those were what really got him excited.

Mammals were overrated. Mmmmhmmm.

But before he could say anything else his name was being shouted and, given his poor reflexes, he hadn't even had time to turn his head to see WHO it had been let alone offer any sort of reciprocated hug. Which was quite unfortunate as his face instead found itself smashed into the dirt with a red head mass of a best friend flopped on to his back.

oooph

Thankfully his hand had already been IN his pocket so Scamander was safe.

This was the sort of thing Daddy and Papa had been trying to explain, wasn't it... As Hazel found both her and Derfael tumbling over and hitting the ground, she very briefly thought she remembered something about gentleness or waiting for responses or something...

But too late now. Hazel scrambled to her feet almost immediately after having full-body tackled Derf, one of her knee high unicorn socks having slouched down to around her ankle and the fronts of her jean shorts were all dusty. "I'm sorry!" she immediately held her hand out to help him up. It was then that she registered the presence - and concern - of the other boy. Looking at him briefly, she nodded. She was fine. Dirt smudged and a little disheveled, but fine.

But was Derf ok???????

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

This was the sort of thing Daddy and Papa had been trying to explain, wasn't it... As Hazel found both her and Derfael tumbling over and hitting the ground, she very briefly thought she remembered something about gentleness or waiting for responses or something...

But too late now. Hazel scrambled to her feet almost immediately after having full-body tackled Derf, one of her knee high unicorn socks having slouched down to around her ankle and the fronts of her jean shorts were all dusty. "I'm sorry!" she immediately held her hand out to help him up. It was then that she registered the presence - and concern - of the other boy. Looking at him briefly, she nodded. She was fine. Dirt smudged and a little disheveled, but fine.

But was Derf ok???????

Feeling the weight lifted off his shoulders, literally, Derf took a moment to think on his current situation and ---- OH LOOK! Armadillidium vulgare! He would have plucked the bug from the ground...but his hands were otherwise occupied. One was keeping Scamander safe while the other was half supporting his torso so his nose wouldn't be TOO smashed into the ground and result in more scrapes that would make mama fuss at him.

Dirt could always be cleaned off.

Using his one hand to push off the ground, Derf got to his knees and grinned up at Hazel. "S'ok," he grinned at her while ever so slowly, and a bit nervously, removed his hand from his pocket to reveal his companion. "We wike your hugs-s-s."

Ok.. Ok... he looked like he was ok, and Hazel let go of the breath she was holding. She smiled, too, as he grinned and got up. But his words about liking her hugs went in one ear and out the other as her eyes just grew and grew in size as she watched him pull Scamander out of his pocket.

"Scamander!" Hazel took a few steps forward immediately reaching out toward the newt. Had she hurt him? Her big, concerned eyes darted from Derf's face to his hand and back again. And she was very clearly ignoring the other boy. "Is he ok? Do I need to go get my dad?" Because daddy could fix anything wrong with any creature, Hazel was certain.

She would never ever ever forgive herself if she had hurt the newt.

Having been able to plan his rounds around the area on the eleventh hour, Mordred was relieved to see his colleagues arrive. It looks like he wouldn’t be alone supervising the creatures…and those hands petting said creatures. Seeing Harmony not far from him, the dragonologist took the opportunity to tilt his head backward, with his eyes closed and simply basked on the bloody little sunshine they are getting for summer. Calm before the storm, yes?

Leaning back again on the enclosure, Mordred looked over to where his boss was and gave the woman a grin. “Harmony. Can’t help but enjoy myself. Sun is out, finally.” Bloody, wet England weather. “Will you be watching the match later?” he asked.

Looking past Harmony, Mordred gave Kiera Flamsteed a nonchalant ‘sup nod. He didn’t want to give the shy woman a heart attack by talking to her. Nope. Not today. And finally, his attention was caught by the other newest addition to the DMC Family. “Meredith. Hello.” He said inclining his head to her. “The puppy crups has stolen the limelight I’m afraid. Good for the winged horses though.” He said, reaching his right hand to the nearest horse, and gave it a good stroking on the head.

And…what is up with her wanting to bring the injured to the Healer’s tent? She made it sound like…she wanted someone to actually get hurt. Mordred stared, and just gave his colleage a nonchalant, “Mm.” She’s…weird.

More kids came…and the dragonologist internally groaned. He forgot about that bit. Kids…babies…they will be in their station. He should’ve expected the worst, and that is to become a volunteer babysitter. He wished he could bring his twins though, but he thinks they are too young for this petting zoo. Maybe…he’d see Oakey and his kids? It’ll be great to see Xaria and Mark after two long years.

Sudden movement…and one child smashed on the ground, Mordred pushed his back from the enclosure and leaned towards Meredith. “Hopefully it isn’t anything serious, but we just might be looking at our first casualty.” So far…no crying ensued.

“Is everything alright here?” the dragonologist asked, eyeing the tackler, the tackled…and the kid who seem to be…enjoying the company of a puppy crup. And…hey kid, cool pet. “Great Crested Newt. That’s pretty rare.” In the world of Magizoology, of course, he’d seen those things before. Just was never interested when he was in University. “Nice.” See, he can be friendly too.

Moving on, he moved around the crups’ enclosure and started to vanish crup poo. Didn’t want another kid being pushed to the ground with a pile of dung to catch their face, right?

Meredith groaned as she heard what Mordred was commenting about. "That doesn't sound too good now does it?” Meredith sighed and began to move toward Hazel and Derf. “I’m going to go and see if they need to head to the healers tent” Meredith walked over toward Hazel, Theo, and Derf.

Meredith plastered a kind and calm smile on her face as she made her way over to them. “Hey are you guys okay? Is anyone hurt at all?” She asked as she knelt down near the little kids. “Do any of you guys need to go to the healer’s tent?” She asked carefully, “I’ve got a really nice friend over there if you need help?” She asked smiling softly over to them.

He didn't let many people touch Scamander, but Hazel was special and therefore had his permission. Scamander's too. "He's-s-s-s re....re...re-s-s-s-silent," he nodded, pausing for a moment as the word did not roll off his tongue in the manner that it ought to. "I mean res-s-s-s-silient."

Much better.

"Your daddy is fere too?" he chirped, perking up a bit despite the throbbing sensation in his nose that was causing his eyes to water a little.

........................where had all these old people come from?

The one old person wasn't so bad though. He liked Scamander!

"Trituru-s-s-s cri-s-s-statu-s-s-s," Derf nodded proudly, presenting his newt towards the man. "His-s-s name is Scamander." BEAM!

And then there was ANOTHER old person coming over being all fussy about dirt and falling. "My daddy 's-s-s the important head cabbage pers-s-s-son for Accident-s-s-s and Catas-s-s-strophoes-s-s-s." Which clearly explained why he was perfectly fine. But old people sometimes needed things explained to them so he ought to offer up additional information. Cause the lady's face was all weird with fret. He wasn't even bleeding this time. "Means-s-s I have profection from s-s-serious-s ouchies-s-s-s." He wrinkled his nose at the lady. "No fank you...I haff an apple."

To keep the healer away. Yup.

Zoe was so happy that it was just her and her dad today. No Chase. She was glad he wasn't here she had her dad all to herself. She promised to be a good girl today and let her dad watch the quidditch match. But it was hard they were here and the match wasn't on going yet. She was already impatient on waiting. Zoe had seen animals and asked her dad if they could good there.

Puppies! Making a bee line for them and dragging her dad along behind her. She knew that he was here for the quidditch which was all good but their was animals that needed to be petted by only her. Boo their were already so many kids there. This was not fair. She let go of her fathers hand and squeezed her tiny self between the group of kids that was around the puppies. "Let me see the puppies!"

Clearly Cam was here for the quidditch, and bought his youngest daughter with him. Which he didn't mind. This was actually the first the time they had done anything to do with quidditch together just them and it was the first time being out in the wizarding public after becoming Owner of the tornadoes.

He decided to walk around with her to see what all they had going on around here. Laughing at Zoe because she was dragging him around, like a child on a mission. Trying to figure out where she was going. Seeing the petting zoo just up ahead, that's where they were going. He felt the little hand in his slip out and Zoe was gone right into the group by the cruppies. "Zoe, stay where I can see you."

They both were dirty and well Theo was just watching them like they were a tv show. That was a hug. Well in terms of hugs that was an awesome one. Then he brought out his pet. Cool "Woah you have a pet newt that is cool" And now he was being ignored. Which he was fine with for now.

Since they seemed like friends.

Now what was with all the older people coming over to them. They had not done anything if you take away the flying hug. And what is a head cabbage person.

"Um im good i only think Derf was hurt unless she was hurt"

Theo said pointing at Derf's friend.

"Yeah, my dad is here," she replied, not yet having looking up from her consideration of Scamander and her relief that he was alright. But when she did raise her head to look around, she realized what a commotion she'd caused and was absolutely certain that daddy would find her, instead.

"My name's Hazel," she said to the boy she didn't know and to the adults. "And I'm find and Derf is fine and Scamander is fine, so I think everything is a-ok." She nodded decisively.

Except... was that... WAS THAT... "KIERAAAAAA!" Hazel jumped up and down and waved and waved and grinned from her spot near the cruppies hoping the woman would see her. "Derf!" she grabbed his arm and shook a little. "Remember how I told you about the lady with the unicorns for my birthday and the carrots and the hair and that's her! She's here!" Waaaaaave! Grin! BOUNCE!

SPOILER!!: FRIENDS!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

They both were dirty and well Theo was just watching them like they were a tv show. That was a hug. Well in terms of hugs that was an awesome one. Then he brought out his pet. Cool "Woah you have a pet newt that is cool" And now he was being ignored. Which he was fine with for now.

Since they seemed like friends.

Now what was with all the older people coming over to them. They had not done anything if you take away the flying hug. And what is a head cabbage person.

"Um im good i only think Derf was hurt unless she was hurt"

Theo said pointing at Derf's friend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

"Yeah, my dad is here," she replied, not yet having looking up from her consideration of Scamander and her relief that he was alright. But when she did raise her head to look around, she realized what a commotion she'd caused and was absolutely certain that daddy would find her, instead.

"My name's Hazel," she said to the boy she didn't know and to the adults. "And I'm find and Derf is fine and Scamander is fine, so I think everything is a-ok." She nodded decisively.

Except... was that... WAS THAT... "KIERAAAAAA!" Hazel jumped up and down and waved and waved and grinned from her spot near the cruppies hoping the woman would see her. "Derf!" she grabbed his arm and shook a little. "Remember how I told you about the lady with the unicorns for my birthday and the carrots and the hair and that's her! She's here!" Waaaaaave! Grin! BOUNCE!

Derf BEAMED down at Scamander. Everyone loved him. He was the BEST.

"Larges-s-s-st s-s-species-s of newt in Europe," he boasted. There was loads to boast about when it came to Scamander. Newts in general really. And amphibians. Reptiles too.

Why didn't they have any of THOSE here today? Although he supposed it was alright because Hazel looked happy and her smile was one of his favorite things. Next to Scamander's built in defense mechanism of milky acrid-smelling secretion! Because that was COOL. Why was human secretion so lame? Just to regulate body temperature? Dog's licked that stuff right off. Boring.

"I'm Derf," he repeated, pointing to his chest and looking at the boy with the crup that still had not peed on him yet. Lucky.

And then Hazel was yelling about something else again and he quickly followed her gaze to a lady person in the distance and waved as well. Unicorns were alright, he supposed. But they didn't secrete anything.

Secrete was a FUN word.

Secreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeete.


Eyes widening like a unicorn faun stepped out into the sunlight for the first time, Kiera looked over towards the source of giddy name calling. It did not take her long to recognize the girl and she returned her wave with a dainty one of her own. The sort of wave one would expect from royalty during an extend parade.

Perhaps when the crowds were less overwhelming she would go and give her a proper greeting and a hug. Kiera had grown quite fond of the little dear during their day at the sanctuary, after all.

Meredith grinned at the kids, “Okay, well if you need anything the healers tent is just out of the way over there? You can always just ask any of us for aid and we’ll be right there for you” Meredith smiled at the little kids and was off again before they could respond checking on the different animals and making sure the knarls weren’t being fed by anyone. No one needed them destroying anything later now did they?

Oh so they're going for scientific names now? Mordred simply nodded at the kid...and eyed the newt...which was brilliantly named Scamander. "Greetings, Scamandar the Great Newt." he said crouching low and eyed the creature on his hand. He was amused. Not because of the newt, but because this kid can tolerate its foul secretion. If he were still eight years old, and oblivious to his love for creatures, there is no way he'd go near that thing. "Remember to keep his skin hydrated...young sir." Juuuust a friendly advice from the Creatures guy. And...head cabbage? The dragonologist looked from the kid to Meredith. Kid must be muggle born, yes? And did he just called Aron...that?

Huh. Aron's son. Interesting.

Dark brown eyes then shifted from Aron's son...to the boy holding a puppy crup. "Are you sure? Your shirt's wet." he said gesturing his head toward's the boy's front. Ah yes. Fresh puppy pee. Wonderful. Grinning in amusement, he turned his attention next to the only girl in the group. "Hello Hazel. I'm Mordred...and that's Meredith. We work for the Creatures Department." Merlin. Handling kids is difficult. How do you actually converse with these little monsters without sounding stupid?

Mordred stood up from his spot as he saw a new kid joining the enclosure. He took a few steps back from the three kids, careful not to squish any of the puppies with his feet. Crossing his arms across his chest, he eyed the little girl...and was about to warn her of the wet crup poop...but too late. Did she...stepped on the jackpot, or???

Hazel and Derf. He knew their names now. That was good. "I'm Theo" He told both of them. He was nodding to everything Hazel was saying. They were all fine it looked like nothing was wrong and well that old dude like Derf's newt a lot. No idea who Hazel was yelling or whatever to. He was more confused on what the older dude said next.

"WHAT????"

He looked down at the wet spot on his shirt.

NOOOO"

The crup he had picked up again for a little bit had peed on him. His mom was going to kill him for ruining his clothes again. He could not be mad at Artoo Dogtoo. What Derf said was true they did pee on people.

Seriously not cool!

Meredith smiled at Theo and was looking around when she heard Morded’s commnet about the wet shirt….ah that had happened to her a few times that day not to mention the whole stepping in it bit was common too. Meredith looked at the little puppy and then back at Theo.

“Don’t worry about it Theo, he’s probably so excited about being held by someone as cool as you” yep. She looked at one of the other crups near her and pet its tiny little head. “I might have club soda you can use to remove the stain and sent of the pee?” She offered looking over to Theo. “it could very well save your shirt from being ruined?” She offered with a small smile.