Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Three Decembers

By Emerald Riddle

2006

Part VII: Hermione's Furry Spy


"How did I get myself into this, Crookshanks?" Hermione Granger asked her ginger cat.

Crookshanks simply glanced at her and twitched his tail.

She went on. "An Unbreakable Vow. How is dating anyone worth a life or death promise? Why did I even agree to it?"

He cocked his head to the side and watched her with his wide green eyes. Hermione sighed and scratched him behind his ear. Crookshanks purred contentedly.

"What's wrong with Malfoy?" she asked. "Has he had feelings for Harry all these years, like he said? Or is he trying to trap him and get him killed? I need to know before I make that Vow. I need to know something."

Hermione locked eyes with Crookshanks.

"You're a very smart cat, Crookshanks. You've helped me and Harry before."

Crookshanks purred.

"Do you think you could help us now?"

He cocked his head at her as if to ask "Why?"

It was hard, admitting it to herself.

"I do have feelings for Harry…" she told her cat, sighing. "I really wish I didn't. It makes everything so much harder. It makes me feel like I'm betraying Ron somehow… I want to see if there's a future for us, Crookshanks. If Malfoy really does fancy Harry, then I don't want to lose Harry to him. Anyone else but him. He'll just hurt Harry in the end. He'll hurt our friendship."

If cats could smile, Hermione would have sworn Crookshanks was giving her a sly grin at that moment.

"Do me this favor, please." She scratched him under his chin and was rewarded with a soft mew.

"Follow Malfoy. Smell him. Figure out his intentions toward Harry. I'm not entirely sure of how this is going to help me yet, but I'm sure it will."

Crookshanks got to his feet, stretched, and leapt off of Hermione's four poster bed. She watched the bandy-legged cat waddle towards the common room.

"Good kitty. Now I just need a bonder to bring along with me," Hermione said, wondering who on earth would agree to something like that.

Hermione bit her lip suddenly. "This is so unlike me. Am I being foolish, Crookshanks?"

But Crookshanks was already gone.


A/N: I haven't been on online since, get this, since late August. Well, I've still been writing and I have a few more chapters prewritten to give you guys. Remember, reviews feed my muse!