You close your eyes and take a moment to breathe in the deep pungent air. When you open them again, you notice most of the creatures in the shop are staring at you in curiosity from behind cages of bright silver.
You notice one cage rattling much more intensely than the others. As you approach, the tall witch warns, “Don’t get too close to that one – she bites anything that comes near. I call her Ictus.”
You recognize this creature at once as a doxy. The doxy, or biting fairy, is a small, winged creature found throughout northern Europe and America. They are very similar in appearance to fairies, but for the extra set of arms and legs. But, usually, doxys are black. This one is a crimson red.
“Hello, Ictus” You say calmly opening the door to the cage.” The doxy immediately escapes and flies up your sleeve. “Doxys hate to be out in the open like this. They prefer dark, unseen places.” The witch’s panic at seeing you open the cage is equalled by the shock on her face at seeing you calmly continue talking with a doxy up your shirt!
“Please,” the witch begs, “take Ictus with ya. Hogwarts won’t allow ‘er as a pet, but she’s been here for so long, I would just like ‘er gone. She makes an awful ruckus.” (Make a note on your Magical Me chart that you now carry with you Ictus, the Crimson Doxy).
“Don’t know what good she’ll do ya. But take care of her anyways.”
Turn to page 314.