Sitting in the Slytherin Common Room is not fun for those who cherish heat. Millicent Bulstrode's cat Midnight, who wasn't even a black cat, loathed the Common Room, so she usually stayed underneath Millicent's covers in her dormitory. Now that a House-Elf kicked her out, she scoffed as she walked out of the Common Room.
Forget this, Midnight thought, see if those rude House-Elves like it if I used the kitchens for a temporary litter box. She jumped up flights of stairs, trying to find some place warm. She remembered a very comfortable room in the North Tower, if only she could recall how to get there. As she was walking she saw a tabby cat.
Can you help me? she asked the older cat.
With what? the other cat questioned suspiciously.
Midnight then got the impression that this cat wasn't just a cat. It was part human. Where's the North Tower?
She thought she saw the other cat roll her eyes, but then contain herself. Follow me, she said. With a flick of tails, Midnight and the other cat were on their way to warmth.
When Midnight got there, she thanked the other cat.
You're welcome, the other cat said.
"Professor McGonagall," a human voice called.
Midnight looked at the human. How dare she interrupt Midnight's nap? Then she saw the other cat turn into a human.
"What do you want, Sybil?" she asked coldly.
"What have I told you about leading other felines into my classroom? This is no sauna for cats."
"Then you shouldn't keep it so warm. It is winter, and this cat came from the dungeons," the human-cat retorted sharply.
"Care about those feline pests, now, do you? Since when?"
Midnight didn't want to listen to any more. She got up and stalked out of the room, showing the two human women that they were acting like little kittens.
Midnight headed for other warm areas. As she strolled around, she turned a corner, and almost bumped into a cat with red eyes.
Oh! Terribly sorry, Mrs. Norris. I didn't mean to…Midnight started feebly.
Hush, you stupid klutz. You should know better than to be wandering aimlessly. Do you even know where your human is, or are you so selfish that you don't care? the old gray cat spat.
I care about my human. It's just that I was cold…Shut up and get away from me. I've got to make sure students aren't trespassing on off-limits zones. With that, the gray cat ran away, leaving Midnight terrified. She didn't like Mrs. Norris, she was awfully mean.
Are you alright? Midnight heard a voice ask.
She turned to see a ginger-haired cat looking at her.
I'm fine. Mrs. Norris is just in a foul mood, Midnight commented.
That old hag is always in a foul mood. That doesn't excuse her from taking it out on you, he comforted.
Though he was trying to soothe her, Midnight got the impression that this cat was smarter than he let on. His eyes bore into hers as though he were searching her soul. Midnight didn't like it at all. Thanks for that. I've got to go. My owner will be worrying about where I am.
Good bye, then, he said.
Bye. Midnight resigned to her fate in the cold Common Room of Slytherin.