Alone at last Harry, having finally changed into a fresh, crap-free pair of pants, went quickly through the common room and out the portrait hole. Again, he did not realize that Hedwig's cage was unlocked. As soon as everyone had left, Hedwig realized that her cage was opened. Hey, she thought. My cage is opened. I am free. She flew out and landed on the common room floor, briefly cuffing Crookshanks with her wing in the process. After she had landed, Crookshanks got up, and slowly moved towards Hedwig. He lightly brushed up against her, and then turned around to face her, and purred. Hedwig was shocked. She had secretly loved him, but didn't believe that he had found out. Oh my G-d! she thought. I have always secretly loved him, but I don't believe he found out! I have been thinking about him so much these past few months. The way he just lies there on his pillow, all day long, perfectly content. The way he slowly, sensually, gets up and... stretches, first his long, slender front legs, then his back legs. Oh, the way he stretches his back legs so that every individual strand of hair seems to glisten, just calling me, enticing... The way he seems to arch his entire body as he stretches. The way he even walks over to his bowl... Crookshanks walked over to his bowl, ate a little, and went to sleep. If I could just... ...just touch him. Maybe just a little... He won't notice, he won't wake up. Hedwig slowly, carefully, tiptoed over to Crookshanks, ever so delicately caressing Crookshanks soft, delicate, coat. Her wing started up behind his ears and ran slowly, delicately back, back to his ever so supple hind legs. Yes... If I only... only had something to tie him with, he couldn't say no. I wouldn't let him. Footsteps are heard distantly, rapidly approaching, Hedwig quickly bolts back to her cage. Dean Thomas opens the door, "Found this rope in the hallway, must be one of the guys'." The rope falls to the floor. Dean Thomas exits. Nice.