A/N: Thank you to all of my readers and reviewers who encourage me to post more chapters on the site.

Some have been asking where all of these random chapters fit together. I have a vague understanding of what is to happen in this fanfic but I need time to put it into writing, so bear with me.

I also want to say that Nymphadora Tonks will play an important role in the storyline.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this! You can't own anything you write unless you buy it or Copyright it! I mean, what are you going to do if someone steals your idea of Arabella Figg having a witch sister? Sue them over matters that didn't involve papers? This ends my rant on copyrighted stories and storylines

On with the story:

Chapter 4: Crookshanks the Amazing Talking Cat

Harry and his relatives, the Dursley family, were sitting at the table eating breakfast when a pawing, scratching sound came from outside the door. This startled the family, particularly Harry's Aunt Petunia, who promptly started hyper-ventilating.

Petunia, for the twenty-third time in 48 hour, gasped and looked around suspiciously.

Petunia's habits seemed to rub off the rest of the family, for Dudley, even though he did not react like his paranoid mother, continued eating, as usual, but you could tell his hands were shaking by the way his porridge fell out of his spoon.

Uncle Vernon's face turned a nasty shade of pale yellow and he demanded, "Boy, what is that noise!"

Harry honestly didn't know so he just shrugged his shoulders. He was curious as to what would make that sound, too.

"Mowr," something behind the door said. Then it said, "Har-reh."

Harry was mystified. It almost sounded as if the thing behind the door was trying to say his name.

The fact that the beast behind the door appeared to be able to talk or speak was even more unsettling to the Dursleys. Petunia quivered in her chair. Dudley stopped eating. And Vernon's face was still a dull yellow, only now flecks of red were rising into his cheeks.

"Har-reh!" went the thing again.

This time Harry was sure the thing behind the door had said his name. He stood from his chair and walked to the open door.

Uncle Vernon objected to his actions and said in a dangerous tone, "Potter, don't you dare open that door!"

Harry enjoyed taunting his relatives. He smirked. He reached for the door knob.

Vernon was furious now. "We will lock you in your room till the remainder of the summer if you open that door! Now step away!"

Harry smirked again and turned the door knob.

"Boy!"

Harry pulled the door open and found a fluffy ginger cat with a smashed in snout looking up at him from the door step.

"Har-reh," the cat said.

Harry heard his Aunt Petunia drop to the floor in a dead faint behind him. Dudley went over to his mother to comfort her.

An astonished Vernon gaped at the innocent looking cat.

The cat, named Crookshanks, pranced into the house like he lived there. He leaped on to the couch and looked at Harry.

"Har-reh, ter frow My-neh," he stated.

"What? What is it?" Harry asked.

"My-neh ent ter ta Har-reh," the cat repeated.

Harry looked blankly at the peculiar feline. 'What is he doing? Is he trying to speak!'

Harry asked Crookshanks, "What are you trying to say?"

"My-neh," repeated Crookshanks. "My-neh!"

"Hermione?" Harry asked it. "What about Hermione?"

Crookshanks started to say something but didn't get the chance because a pillow case was thrown over him by a man with large hands and a thick, short neck.

"Ha! I've got you now, you little vermin!" Uncle Vernon exclaimed triumphantly while stuffing the cat into the covering.

Harry defended the cat angrily, saying, "Why did you do that? He wasn't going to do anything to you!"

"How do you know that? For all I know he could attack my family and give us hideous diseases," Vernon shouted in reply.

"He is my friend's normal housecat. He isn't about to start spitting fire to burn the house down," Harry explained stubbornly. "And he's just said her name, Hermione."

"This thing can speak!" Vernon asked incredulously. "Do you mean to tell me that this bloody cat can talk?"

Harry, trying to stay calm, replied, "Not very well, but he can say 'Harry' and 'Hermione'."

Uncle Vernon stared at his nephew in disbelief. He said suspiciously, "You're up to something, boy, I know it."

Harry sighed in vexation at his uncle. "Uncle Vernon, I swear I am not up to anything. I just want to find out why my friend's cat is saying her name and my name", he said assertively.

It was then that something finally dawned on him. In the letter Ron had sent him, it had mentioned Hermione and how she had taught Crookshanks how to deliver letters. He said, "I think he might have mail for me."

Vernon eyed him warily as if Harry might suddenly attack and said shakily, "You swear on th-that…that thing in your back pocket? You swear that cat won't harm me or my family?"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon, I swear."

"Fine," Vernon finally said, still keeping his eyes glued to Harry and his right hand, while he dumped a very grouchy Crookshanks on to the hard wood floor.

Crookshanks landed on his feet, as all cats do, made a quick dash up the stairs, and disappeared into Harry's bedroom.

Harry surveyed his surroundings. Petunia was just now becoming conscious while Dudley wiped her forehead with a wet washcloth. Vernon's face was slowly returning to its normal color while he continued to glare at his nephew.

Harry, not wanting to be around his easily irritated uncle any longer than was necessary, ran up to his room where he found Crookshanks crouching on his un-made bed, waiting.

The feline perked up when he saw the raven-haired boy enter the messy room. He got to his paws and promptly stated, "Har-reh, ter frow My-neh." Then he pulled on a strap, which was hidden under a mass of orange fur, to reveal a small purple coin purse. Crookshanks opened the flap and pulled out an envelope addressed to Harry. He laid the letter down on the bed and looked up expectantly at Harry.

"Wow, Crookshanks," Harry said to the cat currently sitting where he slept. Crookshanks purred and stretched out on the bed when he said this.

Harry picked the letter up and sat down at his desk to read the letter:

Hello Harry,

Isn't it amazing? Crookshanks learns so fast! I have suspicions that he may be part kneazle. They're supposed to be really smart. That would explain why he learned how to say all of our names. He says my name as 'My-neh', your name as 'Har-reh' (as you've probably already guessed), Ron's name as 'Rowr', and Ginny's name as 'In-neh'. I even bought him a little knapsack to put his letters in so that he can hunt or eat while carrying them.

Ron says you can come to the Burrow in two weeks. I think I might come a week later because my mum, dad, and I are going to visit some relatives of which I've never heard. My dad said they were his mother's second cousins twice removed. I don't see why we have to got visit them; we've gotten along well without ever visiting them. Dad says we're going to stay a week there. A whole week without studying magic! Can you imagine? I've been working overtime so that I don't have to worry about getting my assignments done after I arrive at the Burrow.

My O.W.L.s haven't been delivered yet. Have yours? I'm afraid my Astronomy results will be horrendous due to the distraction concerning Professor McGonagall that night. I also hope I did well in Ancient Runes. I'm not very worried about my other subjects though, including Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm absolutely sure that everyone in the DA passed their Defense Against the Dark Arts exams with flying colors, even Neville who was struggling before he joined! You make a really great teacher, Harry.

I'll see you in three weeks and I'll keep writing to you while I can (because of relatives).

Your friend,

Hermione

Harry set the letter down when he finished reading. Crookshanks apparently noticed this and said, "Mow" then pulled out another piece of parchment from his purple pouch. He set it down beside him.

Harry went over to pick the parchment up and read:

Harry,

I know you'll be bored out of your mind this summer, so I have enclosed a coupon to Flourish and Blott's bookstore along with their owl-order and delivery station where you can send book requests. This has helped me overcome the summertime blues during many summer breaks. A neighbor of mine, Bonnie Maxwell, a soon-to-be 4th year Ravenclaw, has been lending me her owl, Aphrodite, so I can order books for myself. I'm afraid they won't accept cat-delivery.

Hermione

Sure enough, stapled to the parchment was a coupon for 25 off educational books when one purchased Hogwarts, a History. Hermione had no doubt sent this to Ron, too, most likely hoping both he and Harry would stop pestering her to find out information about their magical school.

Harry was grateful towards Hermione for being so thoughtful.

But Harry couldn't help thinking about the days to come.

He wondered if he was going to remain at the Burrow or be forced to go to Order of the Phoenix Headquarters. If he had to go to Grimauld Place, he would be miserable there without Sirius's company. He wondered what he was going to do all summer.

Harry went to sit on his bed. He was so bored! This summer was going to be a complete waste of time. If only he could perform magic! He could be learning new spells to teach to the DA. He could be making and reviewing potions to prove to Snape that he was capable of becoming an Auror. He could be helping the Order.

This last thought was a thought of despair, of desperation. Harry was so bored stiff he wished he was out in the Wizarding world fighting and defeating Dark wizards and Death Eaters, instead of being stuck in his room in a house full of magic-hating Muggles.

It was then that Harry came to this conclusion: Hermione's idea was a life saver.

He quickly wrote a thank you note to Hermione and stuffed it inside Crookshanks's pouch. He instructed him to deliver it to his owner. Crookshanks gave a quick 'Mow' to show he understood and scooted out the door. Harry heard a shriek from his aunt, a broom coming into contact with the floor, and then a door slamming shut.

Harry wrote to the Flourish and Blott's bookstore:

To Whom It May Concern:

I would like to order any and all N.E.W.T. level Defense Against the Dark Arts books along with a copy of Hogwarts, a History. I have a coupon enclosed. My address is also included.

Mr. Harry Potter

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

Harry folded the letter up, stuffed it into an envelope, and tied it to Hedwig's leg with a bit of twine. He then opened the window and sent her on her way.

Harry saw that returning to the breakfast table was not an option if he wanted to avoid his uncle's anger. He decided to instead continue to work on his summer assignments.

Potions: Grade Level 6 Summer Assignment

1. List the ingredients and write the instructions of the Boredom Draught.

Harry immediately yawned. Why did Snape have to assign this question?

A/N: Yay! My longest chapter yet! I know that this story is seemingly not going anywhere, but I promise it will go somewhere soon. I just don't know where…lol

I must admit that I am an American and do not know how to write British addresses. Please excuse me for any mistake I might have made.

I actually came up with the 'Crookshanks the talking cat' thing on my own! Aren't I creative?