I was wondering about wizarding pets. The children are allowed to bring an owl, a cat or a toad to school, although Ron has his "rat" from the first day. What is the purpose of these familiars, other than the owls? Are they just for company? For any animal-related spells, like in transfigurations? Can they be used to strengthen the wizard's power or spells (like familiars in some fantasy can be)?

Also, do you think that the kids have other pets either at Hogwarts or at home? In many fanfics some students take another kind of pet later on, for example Harry a snake. Do you think that it would be allowed? Would exceptions be made for students who can actually converse with the animals, like Parselmouths or other similar cases? (These would naturally not be common, as the speakers are not common)

What about teachers? Do they have familiars and what kind? There's Fawkes, of course, and Hagrid has his pets, but the others. Are there restrictions on what kind of familiars/pets can be kept in the castle? (no student-eaters?)


Delfeus / Slytherin