A Song That Broke the Internet

Released on June 20, 2025, “Boom Boom Tel Aviv” instantly ignited a global reaction. Reports estimate the track racked up nearly 600 million views within 24 hours on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube—despite being repeatedly removed due to policy violations. Its virality was so intense that even after takedowns, the song kept resurfacing across the web.

A Political Pop: Using Music as Weaponized Messaging

Rather than a feel-good dance hit, “Boom Boom Tel Aviv” is a deliberately provocative political statement. Its lyrics depict a powerful act of retaliation—offering Tel Aviv a taste of the terror that Palestinians have endured under Israeli military operations:

“This is what you get for all your evil deeds
You were mocking dead kids, but now you’re getting hit
Iranian missiles have your entire skyline lit
Now you feel terror like the Palestinians”

Visually, it pairs stark footage of missile strikes on Tel Aviv with that aggressive refrain, amplifying the song’s symbolic power.

Crafted by a Controversial Creator

The song’s author, Lucas Gage, is a former U.S. Marine turned political artist. In interviews, Gage frames the project as an act of truth-telling against what he perceives as Israeli oppression:

“For a few months now, I’ve been making music to spread the truth about Israel and Jewish supremacy. After Iran’s retaliatory strikes, the idea… just came to me—leading to the creation of ‘Boom, Boom, Tel Aviv.’”

He underscored the power of music to move emotions—a universal language that transcends borders and beliefs:

“If you want to capture the heart and soul… you need music… The enemy has used the music industry… it is only logical for artists to turn music into an antidote.”

A Digital Banner—and Real-World Usage

For many sympathizers, this track became more than music—it became a digital protest anthem. Users strategically paired it with videos of Iranian strikes, turning it into a shared expression of outrage. In some cases, the song was even displayed prominently on a banner at the funeral of an Iranian commander—cementing its symbolic role in resistance narratives.

Divided Reactions: Support, Satire, Criticism

Across regions like Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and Lebanon, the song received acclaim as a poetic form of retaliation and justice. It resonated with those who believed Israeli aggression had gone unchecked for too long and saw Boom Boom Tel Aviv as retribution delivered creatively.

Why It Struck Such a Chord

The track deploys direct, incendiary lyrics paired with punchy beats—ideal for short-form creation. The repetitive “boom‑boom” hook is instantly memorable, making it irresistible for creators looking to sync visuals or tell a story in 15 seconds.

Unfiltered Messaging

Unlike polished protest songs, this track offers a blunt, almost primal message. The absence of nuance—its unapologetic tone—only amplified its resonance among listeners who felt traditional discourse had failed to hold power accountable.

Sociopolitical Ripples

Digital Solidarity and Protest: The song became a tool for digital activism, bonded across borders under a viral hashtag. It allowed users to express solidarity in a format that blends politics and pop culture.

Censorship vs. Visibility: Attempts to remove the song from platforms only increased its visibility. As Gage put it, censorship only highlighted its unifying power.

Cultural Flashpoint: Boom Boom Tel Aviv has become a cultural divider—embraced by some as anti-imperial expression, and decried by others as extremist incitement. As social discourse evolves, its role remains a litmus test for where cultural satire ends and hate speech begins.

The Verdict

Boom Boom Tel Aviv is more than a viral hit—it’s a sociopolitical phenomenon that leveraged the emotional power of music and the immediacy of digital media to become a flashpoint in global conversation. It demonstrates how a short, aggressive track can resonate universally and polarize in equal measure.

By stirring both solidarity and controversy, the song highlights the complicated interplay between storytelling, activism, and identity in our global media landscape. Whether viewed as resistance or propaganda, its ability to spark debate marks it as one of 2025’s most consequential musical statements.

Prevalence and Overview

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 9.8% of American children aged 13–17 (CDC, 2022f). Globally, about 5% of children and adolescents under 19 are diagnosed with ADHD (Wüstner et al., 2019). While occasional inattention or impulsive behavior is normal for children, ADHD involves more severe and persistent symptoms that disrupt school performance, home life, and peer relationships (CDC, 2021c). Common symptoms include:

• Daydreaming
• Forgetting or losing items
• Fidgeting or squirming
• Talking excessively
• Making careless mistakes or taking unnecessary risks
• Struggling to resist temptation
• Difficulty getting along with others

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Diagnosis

ADHD diagnosis requires a multi-step evaluation by a pediatrician or mental health professional. There is no single diagnostic test. Because other conditions—such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or learning disabilities—may mimic ADHD, assessment typically includes:

• Medical examination
• Hearing and vision screening
• Symptom checklists completed by parents, teachers, and the child

ADHD often persists into adulthood, with about one-third of affected children continuing to meet diagnostic criteria later in life. Adult treatment options include medication, psychotherapy, or both (CDC, 2021c).

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Types of ADHD

ADHD is classified into three presentations (CDC, 2021c):

1. Inattentive: Difficulty organizing tasks, following instructions, or paying attention to details; easily distracted; forgetful in daily routines. Symptoms may be mistaken for laziness.
2. Hyperactive-Impulsive: Excessive fidgeting, talking, restlessness, or constant movement; impulsive behaviors such as interrupting, grabbing objects, or speaking out of turn; difficulty waiting or listening.
3. Combined: Equal presence of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Presentations can shift over time.

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ADHD Across the Lifespan

ADHD is not limited to children. Older adults, often undiagnosed, may seek medical advice when they notice increased forgetfulness or difficulty completing tasks. Diagnosis is sometimes prompted by family history, as ADHD is one of the most heritable medical disorders (Collier, 2020).

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Nursing Support for Families

Nurses play a key role in supporting families by:

• Educating parents about strategies such as consistent routines, organized environments, minimal distractions, clear instructions, and positive reinforcement.
• Encouraging exploration of extracurricular activities to build self-esteem.
• Promoting healthy habits, including balanced nutrition, physical activity, and adequate sleep.
• Referring families to community resources while considering cultural, financial, and social contexts.

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Clinical and Safety Considerations (QSEN)

When caring for a client with ADHD, nurses should:

• Recognize that inattention may hinder participation in care.
• Support involvement in healthy, social activities.
• Allow decision-making time to respect individual abilities.
• Screen for co-occurring disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, learning disabilities).
• Emphasize injury prevention due to impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors.

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Medication Management

Stimulants—such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)—are first-line treatments due to their rapid onset and proven safety record. These medications act on dopamine and norepinephrine systems and are available in short-, intermediate-, and long-acting forms.

Key considerations:

• Pre-treatment evaluation: height, weight, vitals, cardiovascular history, substance use assessment.
• Common side effects: insomnia, appetite loss, stomach pain, headache.
• Less common: tics, emotional blunting.
• Abuse potential: classified as Schedule II controlled substances; monitor for diversion or misuse.

Alternatives:

• SNRIs (e.g., atomoxetine/Strattera): helpful for comorbid depression or anxiety; no abuse potential; black box warning for suicidal ideation in youth.
• Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (e.g., clonidine): used alone or with stimulants to reduce hyperactivity or aid sleep.

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Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral interventions aim to reduce disruptive behaviors and increase positive behaviors. For children under six, parent training is the preferred first-line therapy. For those over six, a combination of medication, parent training, and school-based support is recommended (CDC, 2023e).

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Community Resources

Families can access resources such as:

• National Resource Center on ADHD (CHADD, 2023): helpline, educational materials, advocacy.
• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ADHD Resource Center: treatment information, video guides, clinical resources.
• SAMHSA provider locator for local treatment options.

The train hissed and groaned as it slowed to a stop, steam billowing around the windows. With a final jolt, the Hogwarts Express came to rest beneath the deepening dusk sky. All around them, the chatter of excited students rose like birdsong, echoing off the nearby cliffs.

Duchess stood up, smoothing the sleeves of her black robe. Melody bounced in her seat beside her, already reaching for her trunk.

“We’re here! Do you think the castle’s really as big as they say?” Melody asked, her eyes wide.

“Probably bigger,” Duchess said quietly, grabbing her satchel from under her seat.

Melody stopped tugging on her trunk and turned to Duchess. “Wait—where’s all your stuff?”

Duchess froze for a moment, her hand still clutching the worn leather strap of her bag. She remembered Hermione’s voice, firm and clear: “Never tell anyone about the satchel, not even your friends. It’s protected.”

Duchess pasted on a polite smile. “Oh, my mum sent my things ahead of time. She thought it would be easier.”

Melody blinked, then shrugged. “Wish my mum thought of that.”

Outside, students were hauling their trunks off the train, stacking them on the stone platform, and running off into the fog, their laughter trailing behind them.

A booming voice rang out over the crowd: “Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here!”

The sea of students parted slightly, and a woman nearly seven feet tall stood at the edge of the platform, waving one enormous arm. Her thick brown braid was slung over one shoulder, and her cloak flapped dramatically in the breeze.

“Oi, you lot! First years this way! I’m Olyvette—Olyvette Maxim Hagrid!”

Duchess and Melody joined the trickle of younger students moving toward her. Olyvette beamed down at them.

“My dad was Rubeus Hagrid,” she announced proudly. “He’s the one who saved Harry Potter when You-Know-Who first tried to kill him as a baby. Dad helped Harry through every year at Hogwarts—well, six and a half years, anyway.”

The kids around Duchess exchanged glances.

“Wait,” Melody whispered, “why only six and a half?”

“Harry left in the middle of seventh year,” Olyvette explained, clearly overhearing. “Ran off to help defeat You-Know-Who. But after he finished him off, Hogwarts gave him an honorary degree anyway. He earned it. Him and my dad are still mates. As for my mum—she was headmistress of Beauxbatons in France. Both retired now. They’re off traveling the world, looking for magical beasts.”

The students oohed and murmured in awe.

“Now then, follow me! Boats this way!” Olyvette said.

They trudged down a narrow path, the mist thickening the farther they went. As they rounded a bend, the lake came into view—vast, black, and eerily still. Small wooden boats bobbed at the shore, lanterns flickering on their prows.

Duchess shivered. The cold cut straight through her robe.

“You cold?” Melody asked, noticing.

“A little,” Duchess admitted. “I’m used to… well, it doesn’t really get cold where I’m from.”

Melody grinned. “You mean the Southern California place again?”

Duchess nodded.

They climbed into a boat with two other first-years. Duchess wrapped her arms tightly around her satchel, trying not to let her teeth chatter. The water beneath them was pitch black, like spilled ink, and Duchess could see nothing beneath the surface—no fish, no reflections, no light.

The boat rocked slightly as it moved, paddling itself as if steered by an invisible hand. Around them, dozens of boats drifted silently across the glassy lake. Above, the castle loomed—lit up in golden warmth against the navy sky, its towers and spires reflecting in the water below.

“It’s beautiful,” Melody whispered.

Duchess said nothing. She was too busy watching the water, hoping she wouldn’t see anything… or worse, that something might see her.

When they reached the dock, Duchess hesitated.

“C’mon,” Melody said, hopping out.

But Duchess’s legs felt locked. One misstep and she’d be in the freezing water.

“Need help?” Olyvette called from the front.

Duchess shook her head and stepped off the boat, careful to avoid the tiny gap between wood and stone. Her boots landed safely, and she let out a slow breath.

“Form two lines now! Let’s keep it tidy!” Olyvette called.

The students fell in line, and Duchess found herself walking behind Melody, the path winding slowly upward toward the immense front doors of Hogwarts.

The castle was close now, glowing in the mist like a beacon. Duchess tied her satchel underneath her robes, the only warm thing she had, and followed the others into the unknown.

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Melody bounced in her seat, unwrapping a Pumpkin Pastie. “You have to try one—like a warm hug in pastry form!” Duchess smiled politely. Melody pushed a box of Bertie Bott’s toward her. “Every Flavor Beans—every flavor. I once got sardine and soap. Roulette for your tongue!” She pulled out a Chocolate Frog next. “They jump! Eat it fast. And it comes with a famous witch or wizard card.” A frog leapt past Duchess’s elbow. “Oops!” Melody giggled. “Last—Cauldron Cakes. Gooey, chocolatey, and technically not cursed anymore.” Duchess raised an eyebrow. “Anymore?” Melody winked. “Don’t worry. I only brought safe snacks.”

A trolley clattered to a stop outside their compartment. A plump witch with curly gray hair peeked in.

“Anything off the trolley, dears?”

Melody’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please! Oh, Duchess, you have to try—”

But Duchess was already standing. “We’ll take two of everything,” she said, reaching for her satchel.

The witch blinked. “Two of everything?”

Duchess smiled. “To thank Melody for all her treats.”

Moments later, their compartment was overflowing with Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.

They sat cross-legged on the train seats, surrounded by wrappers and laughter.

“I think we might explode,” Melody groaned.

“Worth it,” Duchess grinned.

Chapter 10: Across the Black Lake

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The next week, Kim and Ben woke Duchess up early in their hotel room at 7AM. It was time to go to the train station.

The morning fog curled around King’s Cross Station, dampening the cobblestones and softening the world to a hush. Duchess stood between her parents, her small hand tucked firmly into her mother’s elbow. Her glittering silver hair caught the soft light as she turned to stare at the towering woman who had just approached them—Hermione Granger, Minister of Magic herself.

“Good morning,” Hermione said with a warm smile that felt both familiar and dazzling. “You must be Duchess.”

Duchess nodded, her other hand tightening around the handle of her golden cat carrier. Hermione gently took it from her.

“Let me,” she said. “I adore cats.”

The orange tabby inside blinked slowly through the grates as if it, too, recognized the gravity of the moment.

Kim, Duchess’s mother, squeezed her daughter’s arm as they walked, her own voice low and uncertain. “I don’t know where we’re going, either,” she admitted softly. “But just stay close.”

Hermione led them briskly through the station toward Platforms 9 and 10. “We’re headed to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters,” she explained. “To get there, you just walk straight through that wall.”

Ben laughed nervously. “I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t overthink it,” Hermione said. “Just a bit of speed and don’t hesitate.”

Duchess looked up at the solid brick archway and took a breath. With her mother’s fingers wrapped around her elbow and her heart pounding in her chest, they rushed forward—then vanished cleanly through the barrier.

The other side was something out of a dream. The air smelled faintly of smoke and sugar. A gleaming red steam engine—the Hogwarts Express—sat puffing on the tracks. Wizard families bustled around them, cloaks fluttering, trunks levitating, owls hooting impatiently in cages overhead. Children were everywhere, some already in their school robes, others still in jeans and sneakers, holding wands like they were toy swords.

Duchess turned to her parents, her voice caught somewhere between awe and goodbye. She threw her arms around them, first her father, then her mother, holding tight as the seconds dwindled.

Kim turned to Hermione, anxious. “Can she bring her phone? How will we talk to her?”

Hermione hesitated. “I’m afraid Muggle technology doesn’t work well at Hogwarts—the magic interferes with it. But don’t worry. I’ll set up a way for her to check in with you regularly. I promise.”

That was all the reassurance they would get. With a final kiss to her daughter’s silver hair, Kim stepped back, slipping her hand into Ben’s. The two of them would be on a plane back to the States within the hour, the rest of their day swallowed in quiet disbelief.

Hermione guided Duchess toward the train. “Go ahead and sit anywhere. The trolley will come by shortly—you can buy a treat if you like,” and Hermione turned around and left the trolley so quickly, Duchess didn’t even notice. It was like she just disappeared into thin air.

Duchess stepped onto the train with trembling legs, her cat carrier bumping gently against her knee. Most compartments were already half-full, but she finally spotted one with a single girl seated by the window. The girl wore plain black robes, just like hers. No house emblem yet.

“Hi,” Duchess said, sliding the door open. “Can I sit here?”

The girl looked up and grinned. “Of course.”

She had short purple hair—vivid purple—and eyes like storm clouds.

“I’m Melody,” she said. “First year too?” she asked, seeing Duchess’s robe didn’t have a house emblem either.

“Yeah,” Duchess replied, settling across from her. “I’m Duchess.”

Melody twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers. “I’m a Metamorphmagus,” she added casually. “I can change how I look—my hair, my face—but only one thing at a time. I wanted purple today.” Duchess hadn’t asked, but Melody could tell she was curious by how awestruck she looked.

Duchess blinked. “You can do that without a wand?”

“Mm-hmm. Just born with it. You have brilliant hair!” Duchess blushed. “Is it like that all the time?”

“Yes. I was just born like this. People always wondered why I looked so different. I’m half Asian, and my mom has jet-black hair, while my dad has blonde hair. Who knows what happened to me… It’s kind of funny, though. Sometimes it’s more blue than silver, and sometimes it’s more silver than blue. I can’t control it, though.”

“I love it!” Duchess smiled at Melody, whose hair had turned back to her natural brown.

The train rumbled beneath them, soft and steady like a heartbeat. Duchess leaned her head against the window for a moment, watching the blurred streaks of green hills fly past. Across from her, Melody shifted in her seat, her legs crisscrossed, her vivid purple hair catching the chandelier’s glow.

“I love your accent,” Melody said suddenly, her voice full of curiosity. “Where are you from?”

Duchess smiled. “California.”

Melody’s eyes lit up. “No way! I know all about California! That’s where they make all the movies and television shows, right? My parents are both wizards, but they let me watch Muggle telly growing up. I’m obsessed. I don’t get how they make such amazing shows without magic.”

Duchess laughed softly. “They use technology—cameras, special effects, editing. People call it ‘TV magic,’ but it’s not real magic. Just a lot of time, effort, and… patience, I guess.”

Melody leaned forward, clearly fascinated. “That’s wild. You’d think they were using spells. The dragons, the explosions—have you seen that show with the thrones and the icy zombies? I swear those dragons looked real.”

“Yeah, the effects are amazing,” Duchess agreed. “But I’m not from L.A., where all the studios are. I live about two hours south of there, near the beach.”

Melody tilted her head. “What’s it like?”

“Quiet,” Duchess said, her voice softer now. “More natural. There’s salt in the air all the time, and the wind comes off the ocean like it’s bringing you secrets. Everything slows down at night. I think… I think I’ll miss it.”

Melody studied her for a moment, her purple ponytail swaying gently as the train rocked.

“You’ve got a bit of ocean in you,” she said. “That calm sparkle, y’know? You’ll be okay. Hogwarts has its own kind of magic.”

Duchess smiled again, this time a little deeper, a little steadier.

“I hope so,” she said.

The train gave a low whistle and began to rumble forward. Duchess leaned back, a swirl of emotion tugging at her chest—excitement, fear, wonder, everything layered on top of everything.

Melody tilted her head. “It’s a long trip—about nine hours. You should nap. It’s going to be a big evening.”

Duchess nodded. How can she nap sitting up? Plus, the train was bustling with such interesting personalities, she couldn’t help but stay wide awake and soak everything in. Melody couldn’t nap either. She talked and talked like she hadn’t had anyone to talk to in months.

“When we get there,” Melody continued, “we’ll get sorted into houses, eat a huge dinner, and then they’ll show us where we sleep. Tomorrow, after breakfast, one of the prefects from your house will give you a tour and all that.”

“I’m glad I’ve met you. I don’t know anyone there. No one’s told me anything about the school.”

“Well, I don’t know everything. I only know what my sister has told me. She’s 2 years older and she’s already at Hogwarts. She answered a lot of questions for me at home, but she said she’s only answering them now so I don’t talk to her at school. I’m supposed to pretend I don’t know her. So, I guess I don’t know anyone there, either.”

“You know me!” Duchess said brightly.

As the landscape blurred outside the window and the steady rhythm of the train lulled her, Duchess rested her cheek against the seat back and exhaled. As she finally shut her eyes, she saw Melody’s hair start to sparkle just like her own.

They were on their way to Hogwarts.

Chapter 9: A Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans

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“Next, you need to get your school robes. You will need formal school robes and everyday robes. Everyday robes are black with the school logo and your house logo on it. You won’t know what house you are a part of until you go through the sorting ceremony. That is… you will find out what house you are a part of and you will live and take classes with your group. Now, you’re not required to have your house logo on your robe. Some people are proud of their house, some people think it’s too cliquey, but all the houses get along very well, now. It was more competitive when I was in school.”

“I need a whole new wardrobe?” Duchess asked.

“You can wear whatever you want when you’re not in class, as long as it is school-appropriate,” Hermione replied with a warning. Duchess didn’t think she had anything that wasn’t school appropriate. Why would she?

“Where do we go for that?” Duchess asked, eager to visit the next shop.

“Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions.” Hermione and Duchess continued down the path together.

Duchess stepped through the arched doorway of Madame Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, the little bell above the door chiming like a charmed teacup. Bolts of shimmering fabric floated midair, sorting themselves by color, while a mannequin twirled in the corner wearing a velvet green cape that glowed faintly at the hem. Duchess blinked at the soft golden light filtering through the enchanted windows and took a cautious step forward, her worn trainers squeaking slightly on the polished wooden floor. A plump witch with spectacles perched on the end of her nose appeared from behind a curtain, a measuring tape already wriggling in her hand like a charmed snake.

“First year, are you?” Madame Malkin asked, her eyes already scanning Duchess’s frame.

“Yes, ma’am,” Duchess said, smoothing the front of her Muggle hoodie. “I need… everything.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place. Step up, darling.” Madame Malkin gestured to a footstool with a tap of her wand. “You’ll want at least three sets—black for daily wear, plus one for formal functions. Hold still, now.” As the measuring tape wrapped itself around Duchess’s waist and shoulders, she caught sight of herself in the tall mirror. For a moment, she saw not just herself, but the student she was about to become—robes billowing, wand in hand, spellbooks under one arm. She couldn’t help but grin.

“Put your animals over on that counter there, or give them to your parents to hold,” she requested.

“No,” Duchess said. “They’re mine.”

“How am I going to measure you?”

“I’ve never had a pet before. Please?” Madame Malkin let out a big exhale,

“Okay…” As Madame Malkin took her measurements, she looked up and smiled at her parents, who were tearfully watching her get ready to leave them for the year. “Now, since you’re a first-year, we don’t know what house you will be in. I’m just going to use the Hufflepuff emblems temporarily so I can make sure everything is in the right place when I take your measurements. It’s the only house emblem I can use. The kids who think they’ll be in Slytherin don’t want to wear anything with Gryffindor on it. And vice versa. The ravenclaws and hufflepuffs don’t mind any emblem, so it was just easier to pick one of those houses. I just can’t measure properly without the emblem on it. It might be too high or too low. Don’t worry, though, after you get sorted into your house, the emblem will transform automatically to reflect that.”

“How many will she need?” Kimberly asked Madam Malkin.

“It will be her daily wear, so we don’t want just one robe, do we? Arms out.” Madam Malkin instructed, and the tape measure flew, as if measuring the Duchess on its own. Madam Malkin walked over to her parents with a notepad.

“She will only need to purchase one set per year. Children grow fast, you know. So, I design the robes to fit her perfectly, but will alter them up to 2 inches. It automatically adjusts throughout the year, and whenever she needs new robes, she can come or, at the beginning of the next term, get new ones made that will automatically adjust another 2 inches as she needs. She can wear the robes of older siblings or families. Unfortunately, we don’t sell used robes because you’ll never know if the child who wore it before has jinxed it or something. It is also illegal to buy it straight from another family.” 

Madam Malkin was conjuring large boxes to pack the robes in when Kim approached her to ask, “Will she need anything else? Like pajamas? Clothes for when she’s not in class…” Kim lowered her voice. “Underwear?” Madam Malkin looked back at Kim, asking such ridiculous questions, but figured they were muggles.

“At Hogwarts, unless the students are out and about, they usually just wear Muggle clothes. Even the pure-bred wizard children prefer Muggle clothing. I don’t know why; it all seems so tight and restrictive. I know when they go to the village, Hogsmeade, they are all in Muggle clothing. The older wizard and witches don’t like it, but they can’t do anything about it, really. So, she can buy whatever underwear she wants from whomever she wishes.” Kim gave a nod, saying, “Thank you.”

Madam Malkin handed the stack of packages to Duchess’s father. They all bid farewell and left the shop, finally heading for home.

Chapter 8: Platform 9 ¾ and The Hogwarts Express

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“Let’s get you an animal, too!” They exited the shop and turned left down the road. “Personally, I’m a cat person. But, you can also have an owl, a toad, or a rat at Hogwarts. Owls can send messages and deliver mail for you, so they are useful. Rats are also very smart if you would like a smaller animal. They can send messages, but only to places they can actually run to and from. They’re also prey for a lot of animals, so I’d be careful owning a rat. I’m partial to cats myself. To be honest, they don’t really do anything useful except catch rats, but I do love their company.”

Duchess hadn’t thought about having a pet. Her parents never let her have a pet at home. They always said they would be the ones who ended up feeding it and cleaning up after it. “I can have my own pet? It’s just for me? Like mine?”

“If you want. I, personally, think it’s a good idea. If you have an owl, we have an owlery for them to stay in if you don’t want it in your room. They can also get their food there. They really are hunters, so if you get an owl, I would let him out at night to explore and hunt nightly.

“A toad is useful depending on which kind you get. Some have glads that secrete potion ingredients, so you won’t have to buy them at the shop continually. The one thing we don’t allow is for you to sell the ingredients. You may share them, give them away, but you can’t sell them.” 

Without thinking of the costs, she immediately piped up,

“Can I get all of them?” While Duchess has been quiet and polite this whole time, she really isn’t so shy around Hermione anymore. She grew up wanting very little and her parents had the financial resources to help her live a well-rounded life. Hermione looked down at Duchess surprised at the request.

“You can have two. Please note that you have limited space. You have a trunk by the bed in your dorm, and one wardrobe. Those aren’t exactly places to keep animals.” Duchess hadn’t thought about her dorm or sleeping arrangements. Would it be a tiny closet like the college dorm she once visited when her cousin started college? She was a little disappointed but still happily replied,

“Okay! I want an owl and a cat! The owl can send letters for me, the cat can keep me company and catch rats, too! Maybe I should get two cats so they’re not lonely when I’m in class…” Duchess started ranting as she became more excited,

In the end, Hermione would purchase the owl as a gift for Duchess, and her parents purchased her a cat.

Chapter 7: Look the Part

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