Title: A Cat's Advice
Words: 418
Characters/Pairings: Ron, Crookshanks, Hermione
Challenge: Pets
Rating: G
A.N.—a tiny OotP spoiler, but if you haven't read it yet, you're a sorry excuse for a HP fan…don't complain to me about spoiling it!
Ron was pacing back and forth in front of the Gryffindor common room fireplace.
It was after midnight, and he couldn't sleep. He was too busy thinking about Her—no one in particular.
Crookshanks sauntered down from the girl's dormitories. His furry head went back and forth…back and forth…watching the redhead.
Ron began muttering under his breath.
"I can't stop thinking about…why did I have to…she's all I…I can't tell her…I--" He yelped and jumped when something hairy brushed up against his leg.
"Oh," Ron said darkly, "It's just you."
Ron could never quite get over his grudge for the part-Kneazle. Even thought Scabbers had turned out to be an Animagus by the name of Peter Pettigrew more than three years ago, Ron was still angry with the cat from trying to eat his beloved pet rat.
It was unreasonable, yes, but Ron was never one to be reasonable.
Crookshanks leaped up onto the closest couch. He stared at Ron patiently.
Ron sighed. "Well, I suppose it would be nice to pour my feelings out to someone, even a bloody cat."
Crookshanks stared.
"I must be nutters." Ron sighed again. "All right."
The cat purred.
"I can't stop thinking about Hermione. I think I'm in love with her, but I'm too scared to tell her."
Crookshanks cocked his head to the side.
"Sometimes, she looks at me in this way that makes me feel like a million Galleons, and I think that she could like me back. But other times…all she does is nag on me for not finishing my Transfiguration homework. Then it seems like she only sees me as a friend.
"I'm so confused about all of this. I should have been put into Hufflepuff, honestly. I obviously don't have that Gryffindor bravery that I hear so much about. I don't have the guts to go right up to her and snog her senseless. Facing a few Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries is a piece of cake compared to asking out the girl of your dreams…"
Ron looked at Crookshanks. "Do you think I should go for it with Hermione, then?"
Crookshanks nodded forcefully.
Ron blinked. "I must be imagining things…the cat didn't just tell me to go for it with Hermione…"
Crookshanks hissed and darted back up the staircase to the girl's dormitory.
A moment later, Hermione walked down, yawning, with Crookshanks at her heels.
"What's going on, Ron?" She asked sleepily.
Crookshanks stared pointedly at Ron.
Ron's eyes widened.
"Bloody cat…"