Here's Emery!

"Hello Emery, I never asked, are you a boy snake or a girl snake?"

"I am male."

"Alright. Do you think you could catch an owl without killing it?"

"Perhapss."

"Hm, I don't know if we should risk it, the other humans with magic might get mad if you kill their owl."

"I do not have armsss."

"Yeah, it would probably be hard for you to trap an owl wouldn't it. The whole idea is silly."

"I could not inject venom."

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think they'd do well even if you just bit them. Also, birds can be mean. I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"I can kill all birdsss," he says, sounding affronted.

She laughs, "I don't doubt that, I'm doubting your ability to protect yourself from a bird without killing it."

He makes a noise that's almost like a huff. If it was made by a snake.

She steps over and pets him. "It's alright, you're a very good snake. I just don't think this idea plays to your strengths."

Nod.

Well, given the givens she's just going to have to try to leave breakfast early tomorrow morning.

That evening, after returning home from work, Uncle Vernon knocks on Sarah's cupboard.

"Yes Uncle Vernon?"

"...so, Sarah, about this cupboard. Your aunt and I have been thinking... you're really getting a bit big for it... we think it might be nice if you moved into Dudley's second bedroom."

"That's very generous of you Uncle Vernon."

"—yes. You can move your things."

Sarah ducks back into the cupboard and carefully collects her things, ensuring that the letter and her response are not visible from the outside of the collection. Then she starts to carry everything upstairs.

From upstairs comes the sound of Dudley bawling at his mother, "I don't want her in there... I need that room... make her get out..."

Sarah will take the stairs carefully with an eye to making sure Dudley doesn't come rushing past and try to push her down.

He's too busy throwing a tantrum.