Harry Potter and the Tale of Two Kitties

By

Ironhidensh

August 1989

Harry Potter had not had many things to call joyful in his 9 years of life. One of the very few he had though, was visiting Mrs. Figg when her cats were in kitten season. Harry loved to watch the little puffs of cuddly fur dance, bounce, and run around the older cats. He desperately wished he could have such freedom in life. Alas, that just wasn't in the cards for him. Thanks to his useless drunk of a father (as his uncle Vernon loved to share with him), Harry lived his life with the Dursleys. A family that seemed to get the most of their joy from denying him. That was why the cats were his only friends. They were the only ones his cousin wouldn't scare away. Harry desperately wanted a friend.

Harry was at Mrs. Figgs today since it was shopping day for his Cousin Dudley Dursley. Every year before school started, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia took their son out shopping for a complete new wardrobe for the new school year. Harry had never had new clothes. He was simply given what Dudley grew out of two years before, and only then after they had been used for cleaning rags. Dudley was so fat, that even clothes that old were still way to large for the small boy. Harry looked forward to this day, as he was always sent to Mrs. Figg's house, as the Dursley's did not trust him home alone.

Harry looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. Petunia would be here to pick him up soon so he could cook dinner for the Dursley's. It was Monday, so he would not be allowed leftovers today. He snuck a couple of extra biscuits into his pockets. He was pretty sure Mrs. Figg saw him do it, he was also pretty sure she didn't care. A knock on the door let him know it was time to leave. With a few last pets and cuddles to the little kitten's, Harry got up and went to his prison.

An hour later, Harry was carrying the platter of chicken to the table. Dudley, seeing a chance for mayhem, stuck his foot out and tripped his much smaller cousin. Harry stumble, and managed to keep his balance, but the platter of chicken crashed to the floor.

"You stupid, worthless little freak! How dare you try and ruin our food! That will be 3 days in your cupboard, boy! And if I hear any crying this time, I'll double that!" Vernon bellowed as he jumped out of his chair and started to drag Harry from the dining room.

"Please, Uncle Vernon, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, sir! Dudley tripped me!" Harry wept out at his Uncle. He knew it would do no good, but it didn't hurt to try.

"You dare accuse my precious little Duddykins?" His Aunt Petunia wailed at him. Dudley giggled in glee. This was almost better than watching TV! He reached to the floor, picked up a piece of chicken, and started to gnaw at it.

As his Uncle dragged him down the hallway toward the cupboard that served as his bedroom prison, Harry closed his eyes and desperately began to wish. Oh please, please let me disappear. Oh how I wish I was a kitten, then I could just run away!

As Harry clenched his eyes tight, he felt a surge of… something from deep inside him. He suddenly felt as if he had been turned to jelly. In the next second, with a quite popping sound, Harry Potter vanished. Suddenly free of his Nephew's weight Vernon stumbled and fell in the hallway, managing to break his wrist as his rather hefty bulk landed on the ground.

In the chaos that followed, along with all the bellowing, shrieking, and crying that the three Dursley's put out, nobody noticed the little black haired kitten run out the front door.

Hermione Granger was not having a good day. It was Friday, and she was headed home from the last day of the first week of the new school year. The early assessment class rankings had been posted, and out of the 218 students in her class, she had only managed to be placed at second. Her parents were going to be be furious. She had spent the entire summer reading and revising all the standard curriculum for her grade level, and had no idea what she had done wrong.

She new that this would mean even more time spent studying, and even less of her already super limited recreational time. She had so desperately hoped to maybe make some friends this year. She had never had one, and was so lonely. A tear slowly made its way down her cheek. With no time to ever go and do what the other children considered fun, it would be another year alone for her.

As she walked up the lane to her home, she looked up and saw a group of kittens playing in one of the yards. They looked so happy and free. She sniffled. She so wished she could have fun like that. Run and play with a group of friends, then settle down and cuddle up and take a nap. It looked like the greatest way to live life. She shifted again, wiped away her tears, and continued on up the lane.

That evening, after a rather plain meal, Sharon Granger asked for her daughters rankings. Her husband Jeffery looked up with and expectant frown. Hermione slowly handed them over. Sharon looked at them for a minute, then with a grimace, handed them over to Jeffery.

"Hermione, do you have anything to say for yourself?" He asked in a quite voice. "Do you have any idea how much money we pay for you to go to that school?"

"I thought you told me you were taking your studies seriously this summer?" Her mother demanded.

"I did!" Hermione protested, starting to cry. "I did nothing else! I don't know what I did wrong on the tests!"

"Well, you are obviously not spending enough time on your school work. Still spending too much time reading your silly fiction novels. No more!" Her father punctuated this by banging a fist on the table.

"Please, daddy, no! My free reading time is all I have! I wanted to maybe have some fun with the other children this year!" Hermione wailed.

"Fun!" Her mother huffed. "You can have fun after you have grown up, and are paying for yourself. Your poor work is a reflection on us! We will not have it!"

Hermione closed her eyes tight, and balled up her fists. She suddenly thought of the kittens she had seen earlier. Oh, how she wished she was a cat. Then the world would be nothing but happy! As she made her desperate, pleading wish, she felt a surge of… something from deep within. As her parents looked on in sudden shock, she seemed to almost melt for a fraction of a second, then with a quiet pop, Hermione Granger vanished in front of her startled parents. A few seconds later, her mother started to scream, and her father leapt out of his chair so fast, he crashed his knees into the underside and sent drinks and plates flying.

In the commotion, they never saw the small, rather fluffy, brown haired kitten go running out of the room, jump on a sofa, and out an open window.

September 1989

Harry Potter has just had the best month of his life. He didn't know how, but somebody, or maybe something, had answered his prayers. He had turned into a kitten! Quite a cute one, if he did say so himself. His fur was a deep black, with a white streak on the top of his head in a jagged line. His tail was white as well, with white furred paws. He still had his bright emerald eyes.

Running around as a kitten was grand. People just gave him food. Other cats would look out for him, and the whole world was an endless playground. He had never felt so free, and truly believed that every dream had come true. He joyfully bounded down the street he was on, chasing a piece of rubbish blowing in the breeze. As good as life was right now, the only thing he missed was a friend.

Hermione Granger never realized how much of a burden her Parents had put on her shoulders until it was gone. A miracle had happened, and her second most deepest wish had been granted. She was a kitten. A brown furred, very fluffy, almost bushy, kitten. The only regret she has in life now was her lack of friends. Other cats, while nice, and seemingly happy to look out for her, were a little standoffish. As if they could tell she was a normal cat.

She had found a warm patch of ground under a bush and was currently waking up from a very pleasant nap in the sunshine. Her brown eyes sparkled with mischief as she spied a piece of rubbish blowing down the street. She charged out after it. She never saw the little black furred kitten until it was too late.

Just as Harry was about to make a glorious leap and make his kill on the blowing rubbish, he was knocked aside by something small, brown, and soft colliding into his side. He, being a kitten, spun in mid_air, and landed on his feet. So did the brown kitten that had just ran into him. Watch where you are going, why don't you! Harry growl-squeaked at the other kitten.

Me? Watch were you are going, you big oaf!. Hermione meowed right back at him.

Wait, you can understand me?. Harry purred in excitement.

Yes, yes I can! Oh, you are the first cat I've met that I can talk to Hermione started to jump up and down in her joy.

Do you want to play with me?. Even as a kitten, you could tell how shy Harry was. Hermione walked up and rubbed her face on his, purring in contentment.

Yes, I do!. The two kittens ran off together, looking for trouble.

The trouble they found, and much fun was had by both Harry and Hermione. They played and ran together until it started to get dark out. As the activities of the day started to catch up with the two playful kittens, they started to look for a secluded shelter to rest. Harry looked at Hermione with an innocent longing in his emerald eyes. Do you have to leave now?

No Hermione purred back at him, I have nowhere to be or go.. She seemed to be equally happy and sad about that.

You could stay here with me?. There was a bit of a plea in his purr.

I think I would like that.. Hermione nuzzled Harry's face with her own, an action he was only to happy to pay her in kind. Hermione sat back on her haunches and looked at Harry. Her brown eyes seemed very vulnerable. For a cat. Do you think, well, do you think that you would like to be by friend?

I've… I've never had a friend before…. Harry trailed off. Something had burst open inside of him. He wasn't sure what it was. Growing up in the Dursley prison, he didn't have much experience with happy emotions. He didn't recognize the hope that had come alive in him. I would really like that.

Hermione gave an enthusiastic cat yelp and leapt at Harry. Cats are not built right to give hugs, but bless her soul, Hermione gave it a hell of an effort. She didn't think she had ever felt this happy. The two kittens curled up and cuddled close together. This feels amazing! She purred at Harry.

Yes, it does. I've never felt so safe.. He rubbed the side of his furry little face against Hermione's. I never want to go home again. I just want to stay with my friend forever.. Then he closed his eyes and started to fall asleep.

You can. We can. You will never have to be alone again.. Hermione yawned out. Unless you miss your home.. She sounded a little worried.

You are my home now.. Harry fell asleep with that declaration.

Several hundred miles away, in a castle in Scotland, a very delicate looking silver instrument stopped working and fell apart. The next morning, when it was found, all hell broke loose in Magical Britain.

August 1990

The fun filled days had tuned into fun filled weeks, then months, and before the two little kittens had realized it, and entire year had passed. Not that they would have noticed. Since that fateful day they had met, they hadn't not been apart, almost quite literally. The two kittens didn't seem to be able to go more than a few minutes at a time without touching in some way. They took every chance they could to cuddle up together. Even when they were hunting, they were pressed close to each other's side. At this moment, they were currently playing with a group of young girls, who were giggling like mad, and tossing them small treats. Life was good.

At the home of Jeffery and Sharon Granger, a very severe looking woman was striding up the walk to the front door. She did not look like a lady to mess with, from her serious face, to her 100 year out of date dress and cloak, she radiated authority. She also looked very tired.

Minerva McGonagall had had a very long week. She was behind on delivering Hogwarts letters to the new muggle-born students. She normally started this process much earlier in the summer, but as soon as the school year had ended, she jumped back into the search for young Mr. Potter. The poor boy had disappeared from his muggle relatives last year, and not a trace of him could be found. What was found, was the wretched life little Harry had been forced to live. Oh, how she had screamed and screamed at Albus when he came running to her for help. She had warned him, the blasted old fool, she had…. No, it did no good to dwell on what was done. She had a job to do.

The Granger girl would not actually be a student this year, but McGonagall was in the area, and decided to get a jump on next months deliveries. She knocked on the door and waited to bring the exciting news. She had done her research, and the Granger family seemed to be very respectable and upstanding. The parents owned their own Dentistry practice. (Whatever that was), and were considered two of the best practitioners in all of Great Britain. Old school reports of Hermione showed a young women driven to succeed, even at such a young age. Minerva looked forward to meeting her.

The man who opened the door was a far cry from what she expected. He was wearing rumpled clothing that looked like he had slept in them, and had about a weeks worth of scrubby whiskers on his face. "Yes, what do you want?"

"Excuse my interruption of your day, sir, my name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. I am the deputy headmaster at a rather exclusive boarding school, and I was wondering if I might come in and talk to you about an opportunity for your daughter? "

"Is this some kind of sick joke? Do you think this is funny? Who the hell do you think you are?" The man had gone from annoyed disinterest to raging mad quicker than most people blinked. "How fucking dare you mention my daughter to me!" He looked quite deranged.

"Sir, I assure you I don't know what you are talking about?" McGonagall took a step back. She reached a hand into the pocket on her cloak and took a firm grip on her wand. "If we could just…"

"We didn't kill our daughter! We may have pushed her too hard, but we would never have hurt her! Now you come here and start…"

"Jeffery, who is it? What is wrong, who is this?" A woman had stepped up behind Mr. Granger. She looked profoundly sad.

"This old bat wants to talk about opportunities for Hermione!" Jeff spat out at his wife. "I informed her we don't find that funny!" Sharon paled at thought of her long lost daughter.

She looked at the Professor, "I think that you had better explain yourself." She said in a rather cold voice.

Minerva took a moment to collect herself. She looked Sharon in the eye and said "I'm sorry, I truly am, but I'm afraid that I don't understand what you are talking about. Is there a problem with Hermione? Our records gave this as her last known place of residence, although, it currently just lists that as England."

Jeff had calmed himself somewhat by this point, and he took a deep breath, "Hermione disappeared a year ago." He swallowed at the lump in his throat, "We were yelling at her about her school marks, not giving her a chance to explain and she… she just… and then we…". That was as far as he got as his sobs started to overtake him.

Sharon put a hand on his shoulder. "Hermione was very upset with us. We were coming down on her quite harshly. Totally unfair to her as well. We were way too strict and demanding with her." She said. "We made unrealistic expectations of her, and she wasn't meeting them, so we yelled." It was her turn to start sobbing now.

Jeff wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt, "We told her she was going to have to give up more of her free time to study. We just wanted her to succeed. We didn't want her to have to struggle like we did! We just wanted a better life for her, but we… we… we just… she was so…". Jeff started crying again.

Minerva was speechless. These two parents were having a complete breakdown in front of her. Subtly, she pulled her wand out and quickly cast a pair of calming charms. Jeff and Sharon calmed and spoke a little clearer.

"We pushed her far too much, and far too hard. We see that now. Hermione always had strange things happen around her. Almost like she was willing things to happen, and the world around her would just respond." Sharon spoke in a voice that almost seemed dead.

Jeff spoke up, sounding just as dead inside. "I know it sounds crazy, but we think she just willed herself away. One minute she was there, screaming at us to give her a break. The next, she was gone. Just… gone."

Minerva closed her eyes, and reached out with her magic. She could feel faint traces of young magic in the house, but it was much faded. It had a familiar feel to it, but was left so long ago that she couldn't quite place it. " I am so very sorry for your loss," she told the Grangers, "I had no idea. It was not my intention to bring you more pain. You see, I am a witch, and I teach at a school for magical children. Your daughter was a magical child, and had been written down in the student lists from the day of her birth." She closed her eyes ,and took a deep breath. "I am afraid, however, there is little I can do to help. I don't believe your daughter is dead, but she would appear to have run away. Children who have not received training, or reached the age of 11 are very much prone to bursts of accidental magic, especially in times of deep emotional…"

"Enough!" Sharon interrupted. "Magic? Really? That is the best you can come up with? Even if it was true, we did not raise an evil daughter." Minerva was shocked into silence.

"If that were true, we would be well rid of her," Jeff had gained a little of the life back into his voice. "I think it is time you leave." It was not a suggestion.

"Very well. I hope you find your daughter." Minerva got up and left. She was shocked at the change in the Grangers. It appeared that these two had some problems as parents. If Hermione was ever found, they would have to take a hard look at her living conditions before returning her to this house. Children who ran away usually had good motivations for it. It would not be the first time a magical Muggleborn child went missing, and sadly, it would not be the last. Minerva sighed and began the walk down the street, looking for a quiet apperation point. She had to get back to Hogwarts and deliver the bad news to the broken man that was all that remained of Albus Dumbledore.

As August drew to a close, the magical population of Great Brittan continued to speculate about the missing Boy-Who-Lived. He had been gone for a year now, and many wondered where he was, or if he was even still alive. When he was first reported missing, the DMLE had interrogated the Dursley's to see if they had a hand in the vanishing act. They did not, but the horrific years of emotional and mild physical abuse they had inflicted upon the boy was discovered, and there had been Hell to pay. Most of it payed by one Albus Dumbledore. It was found that the man had gone against the wishes of James and Lily Potter in placing the child with Lily's magic hating sister. Then he had the will sealed to avoid any questions on his actions, as well as claiming guardian ship on Harry. He reasoned the Wizengamot would have made a huge hassle of things, and baby Harry needed to be with his family. While he knew that Petunia Dursley hated magic as a child, he thought she would have grown out of it. He simply could not fathom a family treating one of their own so badly. The knowledge that he was partially responsible for Harry's disappearance crushed his will and spirit. His magic began to fade, every so slowly, and with it, so did his health. Albus left his positions in the Wizengamot and the IWC, and handed a lot of his Hogwarts duties off to Minerva McGonagall. He devoted nearly all his time to looking for Harry Potter. It was not a fruitful search.

The wards on No. 4 Privet Drive collapsing had erased any lingering magical signatures that were in the residence. That made figuring out what young Harry had done to disappear nearly impossible. Albus had thought he was keeping the boy safe. He had thought he was keeping him from growing up a pampered celebrity. He had thought the Dursley's would love him. He had never, ever in his life been so completely wrong. He just hoped that the whole Wizarding world would not have to pay the price for his sins.

September 1991

Another year had passed in the lives of the two kittens once know has Harry and Hermione. Another year of fun and cuddle filled days. The two had journeyed many miles from the street in London they first met on. They now found themselves in the country side, sleeping in the shed of a rather ramshackle looking home. The shed was filled with all sorts of broken appliances and other assorted household items. And plugs. Boxes and boxes of electrical plugs. It was odd, but the shed was dry and warm, and almost had a peaceful feeling within it. A perfect place to cuddle up into a little ball of black and brown fur.

The door to the shed opened and a little girl walked in, carrying a box. She placed it on the bench and then as she was turning to leave, she spotted the kittens. She let out a little squeal and ran over to them.

"Oh! Hello there! Aren't you two just the cutest little things ever? I'm going to keep you!" With that she scooped them up and ran out of the shed. Harry looked up and saw a pair of bright brown eyes and a head full of wild, fiery red hair. He rubbed his face on Hermione's and licked her nose to get her attention. She returned the gesture, and the two got distracted and caught up in that. The girl was running to another girl playing outside. This one with long dirty blond hair, and an aura of peace and tranquility about her. Hermione and Harry stopped rubbing their faces and looked at the the new girl coming over to them.

"Hey Luna!" Red hair shouted, "look what I found in daddies shed! Wanna keep them?"

Luna walked over and looked at the bundle in Red's arms. "Oh my, Ginny! You found a mated pair! How fabulous! And yes, lets keep them!"