A gray tabby cat padded down the stairs of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every year on the eve before the sorting, Minerva McGonagall met with the staff and student familiars, sent ahead to avoid any distruptions, in the Entrance Hall in her animagus form.
Every year, as sure as the sunrise each day, Crookshanks slipped the carriers and set off terrorizing the house elves in the kitchens, trying to sleal a snack. This start of term ritual was about to come to an end, Minerva would see to it. If cats can smirk, she certainly was.
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Crookshanks was waiting for the familiar scrape of the carrier touching the stone floor in the hall. He knew the magical barrier recognized his half-Kneazle status and he slipped right through. Following his well traveled short cut into a hole in the wall behind the Statue of Merlin; Crookshanks could already smell the cakes and breads being prepared for the Welcoming Feast.
Suddenly, he couldn't pick up his paws. It was as if he was on fly paper. He was stuck, the harder he struggled the more helpless he felt. This has never happened before! While meowing with anger, the ginger finally noticed two glowing gray eyes staring coldly at him.
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Watching Crookshanks' smug look turn to horror had to be Minerva's favorite moment in quite a long time. She had simply wanted to hold him up and teach a lesson, but as she observed him, new thoughts came to light. The mangy orange hair was smoother and more Auburn in color, yellow eyes seemed warmer and alert, graying around the nose and mouth added a silver glow. This once rambunctious kitten was now a refined grown cat, wise after the Battle of Hogwarts.
Slowly, she made her way over to him. Crookshanks stilled, unsure of what was to happen next. Minvera paused, with a twitch of her nose, he was free. As if he didn't realize he could walk again, the ginger feline stayed still as a statue.
XxXxX
The gray tabby approached and nuzzeled his thick mane behind his ears. As if just now becoming aware of her, Crookshanks tilted his head into her feeling more than just free from the floor, free from a lonely year romping through the halls alone. To be given affection by Hermione was one thing, to have a partner was something new. Passion. Happy. Content.