This Is Where
21. Bunnies
"CATCH THAT CAT!" someone shouted downstairs.
Lavender looked up from where she was stretched out on her bed with her Divination homework around her. "What do you think Crookshanks did this time?"
Parvati shrugged. "I have no idea. I quite like him. It's a shame he keeps trying to eat Ron's rat, though."
Hermione appeared in the doorway of their dormitories looking breathless and on the verge of tears. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Crookshanks, who was looking largely displeased. Hermione went over to her bed and set the massive cat down.
"Stay, Crookshanks, please," she begged, giving him a pat on the head. Then she gave Parvati and Lavender a tight smile before returning down to the common room.
Crookshanks stared at the closed door contemplatively for a moment and then curled up on Hermione's bed.
Lavender got up and knelt by the bed, scratching between his ears. He started purring loudly and Lavender smiled.
"I wish Hogwarts allowed rabbits," she said longingly. "Then I could've brought Binky."
Parvati gave her an amused look. "Oh, that would've been grand," she said sarcastically. "If Crookshanks is so determined to eat Scabbers how do you think he would feel about a nice, defenseless bunny?"
"He wouldn't eat Binky," Lavender said defensively. She turned back to the cat and cooed at him, "No, you don't wanna eat bunnies, do you?"
Crookshanks gave a nice loud purr and began kneading the blankets.