Pets have always been a source of companionship for both Muggles and magical people alike, and it is not uncommon for students of Hogwarts Online to be the proud owners of an owl, cat or toad. But when they happen to be the proud owner of a unicorn, squirrel or even a tomato, you can assume they are in Gryffindor.

No house has a greater diversity of animals then Gryffindor, where it is not uncommon to see students with two, four or 223 pets living in their dorm room. And they are not all owls, cats or toads either. In fact, most of the pets living in Gryffindor are as strange and unusual as specimens in a zoo, which is as much as you can expect from some of the most insane students on HOL.

Despite the high assortment of critters, you can still expect to see the owls, cats and amphibians. For example Maggie McGravin, a Gryffindor second year, is just one of the many owners of cat in Gryffindor, and there is Mary Snowfeather, who is one of the proud owner of an owl, which is attributed as the most popular pet amongst students.

However, just because those pets are quite often species commonly owned by students does not mean they are in anyway normal. Mirabella Nevlome is another student who is the owner of a cat, which she named Fred, short for Frederick von Lichenstein, who thinks he is a dog, and loves playing fetch. Then there’s Missa Matz with a lime-green owl that carries C-4's everywhere with it, named Purple Monkey Bubbles. You certainly don’t see those every day.

Then there’s the not so common critters that run, or fly, around the tower. Miah Johnson is often found with her raven Mauro, which she purchased from Prof. Phoenix’s Pet Shop in Hogsmeade, and it is quite rare to see prefect Moiraine Lee without Mercury, her peregrine falcon. The reasons why they chose these species of birds over owls is not quite clear, but both seem to agree that these high flying birds are just as responsible, if not more responsible, then owls when it comes to companionship, or carrying their mail. A monkey named Zosma, who is owned by second year Eleanor “Ella” Chambers and the purple kneazle named Fishstick owned by Quidditch Captain Seven Ashitaka seems to sum up just how far Gryffindors would go to find their perfect companion.

Yet all this is merely the tip of the iceburg when it comes to the Gryffindor menagerie. A step within the dormitories would further prove to everyone just what kind of creatures Gryffindors call pets. It is harder to tell there whose numbers are greater, the pets or the students. Ella’s collection of 223 frogs lead by their exalted leader Kirby, living in her closet along with a number of genetically altered slug, who’s origins is the responsibility of Maggie’s, and cared for by Mary, certainly seems to hold the record of largest number of pets in one dorm, and this is not counting the five or so other species living in the dorm room, which includes a Flying Fanged Tomato named Klaus. Then there’s the home of second years Cynthia Stout and Fern Davant, who are the keepers of the famed Boris the sock, who in his first week, destroyed their dorm room. Add in Arianna Diamth’s pogrebin which is often found lurking about the hallways, a couple of Squeeps, a cross between a squirrel and a sheep which had allegedly been bred by the notorious Fern only last year (the legality of the cross breeding will not be discussed here), Kiara Bell’s blue-spotted, chicken finger eating, purple elephant named Enrico and perhaps a couple of Hippogriffs, you’d can see why students find it difficult to travel in the hallway without tripping over something.

The title of most famous pet of Gryffindor is not a lion, although Mia Phoenixfeather has currently taken on the responsibility of raising one. In truth, the most popular creature in Gryffindor is none other then squirrels! The furry tailed critters, who originated from third year Merlinda Gandore way back when, is perhaps the most populous and greatly loved of all of HOL, although Sytherins may refute that fact, saying Gryffindor squirrels are only good as “Basil snacks,” Basil being their pet Basilisk and house mascot. With these squirrels being lead and organized by Merlinda, they are most certainly the most dominant species in Gryffindor, although whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is yet to be determined. Yet it can be agreed that when it comes to a Gryffindor squirrel, you must always show respect, because they scratch deeply and their teeth are sharp! Gryffindor’s assortment of pets has never failed to amuse the students, who greatly enjoy the uniqueness and excitement that comes with that many critters. One could say they help ‘lighten the mood.’ But all in all, there is one thing that you should certainly consider if you ever plan to visit Gryffindor; bringing a huge amount of food, because with this many creatures to feed, snacks can be a little difficult to come by.

And check all pockets before leaving. The last thing you’d want is to find one of Mary’s slugs in there.

Unless, of course, you are someone who’d find enjoyment in using the slug’s special slime to torment prefects with. *wink*

Author’s Note: I’d like to thank the many individuals that had responded to my post in the Gryffindor Common Room on regards to this subject. For a personal experience of just how diverse the Gryffindor Menagerie is http://www.gryff.net/gryffdorms/index.php. Feel free to visit and register there.