It felt like a dream from a lifetime ago, walking down the smooth cobblestones of Diagon Alley with purpose, but here he was again, on an errand to save someone that he loved. The sad-looking owl perched on his shoulder let out a soft-sounding hoot, sounding closer to a muffled sob than a predator's cry.

"Shhh," he murmured, reaching a finger to stroke its beak and soothe its restless soul. "Shhh, pet."

His collection of winged spies had been busy lately, staking out rooftops and lamp posts all over London to follow his growing list of quarries. He was careful, always careful to make sure that his watchfulness was subtle: not too noticeable, not too close, and never the same owl in the same place for too long. But the long hours and the complicated patrols had been wearing down his pets.

He'd picked the mangiest one of the lot to bring with him today, the matted feathers and the dull, untrimmed keratin of its beak a sure sign of poor health. This one had been growing less useful, as the pentral hidden away inside it ground down its body into dust. Either his errand today would buy it more time, or he'd lose it soon enough.

Neither really mattered. An owl was just an owl.

The door to the Magical Menagerie had come upon him too quickly. Once again, Leander had the strong sensation that he was standing in a dream. Once upon a time, he'd come to this very door in a burst of desperation, searching for something very different. But now --

The door jingled as he entered. She'd surely be at the register -- if there was anything that Leander knew about her, it was that she was conscientious and dutiful -- but he didn't want to appear too eager to speak to her.

Instead, he took a look around the store. All kinds of magical creatures were on display here: from common familiars like toads and cats to much more exotic creatures, all waiting for a new owner to take them home. There was everything to help care for them, too: everything from Nibbler food to kneazle grooming supplies, just what the budding magical creature lover might need to care for his growing menagerie. The owl care supplies were over on the wall, right next to a large collection of cages full of solemn-looking birds.

He smiled to himself as he spotted them.

On his shoulder, the sad-looking owl let out another mournful hoot.

"Shh, love," Leander told it gently, as he started towards the care supplies. "Don't worry. We'll get you help soon."

The young witch was not, in fact, manning the register. Instead, her job for the day was mostly keeping everything well supplied and taking care of the animals’ needs. Generally all that included was making sure their cages stayed clean, they got fed on time, and their water bowls were kept filled.

Normally, Moira didn’t work at the shop and normally she was off on Wednesdays. However, with Christmas coming up in a few months she decided that a few extra shifts to help pay for gifts wouldn’t hurt anything. There were only a handful of people she needed to shop for - some were easier than others - and getting started now meant she wouldn’t be scrambling in December.

Working in the shop wasn’t difficult and really she didn’t mind it so much except for one thing: dealing with the customers. They weren’t so bad, for the most part, but personal interactions weren't anything that interested her. Still, beggars couldn’t be choosers.

Moira stood at one of the displays, pulling products from the back forward when movement in the owl section caught her attention. After a brief glance at the customer she turned back to her work. Then she did a double take when noticing the state of the owl.

Heat ignited in her belly and rose up to her chest. She did her best not to glare at the man - really she did - as her eyes glistened with suppressed outrage. How could anyone let their animals get into that poor of condition? The poor creature was barely holding on and staying upright on the old, thin man.

She clenched her teeth and took several calming breaths. They didn’t help much.

In a somewhat strained voice she managed to ask, “Is there anything I can help you with, Sir?”