CHAPTER III: Shocking News
A.N. Chapter Three! Yippee! (Hey that rhymes… grins and expects people to think that's a colossal accomplishment) I apologize in advance for any spelling/grammar mistakes… I wanted to get the chapter up as soon as it was done, and I didn't have the patience to proofread. Without further ado…
Hermione, after consulting with Professor McGonagall, was allowed to go to Hogsmeade with Ron the following day – on the condition that Hagrid went with them and they were only gone two hours.
"How'd you manage that, Hermione?" Ron asked, stunned.
"It helps to be getting a 120 in Transfiguration," the young witch said quietly.
After lunch, Ron and Hermione (a.k.a. 'Herm') went down to Hagrid's to meet him.
When the gamekeeper saw them without Harry, he asked why it was just the two of them.
"Harry had Charms homework," Ron said. Hagrid seriously doubted this, because Ron's ears were turning pink again and he knew Harry never did homework on Saturdays anyway.
"Enough chitchat, let's be off," Hagrid said hurriedly. Hermione was beginning to look more uncomfortable by the minute. The three of them walked around to the front of the castle and down the path to Hogsmeade village.
"So what's this I hear 'bout you losin' Crookshanks, Hermione?" Hagrid asked.
The young witch explained the whole story, and by the time she'd finished, the trio ended up on the doorstep of the Three Broomsticks pub.
Hermione could see a small man with thinning brown hair. He was sitting at a small table, attempting to drink his coffee and contain a rambunctious Crookshanks at the same time.
"That's him!" she squealed, pushing open the thick oak doors and scrambling over to Mr. Durnham. Hagrid and Ron followed, with Ron grumbling quite loudly.
"Mr. Durnham?" Hermione asked. "May I sit down?"
"Certainly, certainly," he said. "You must be Hermione Granger."
"Yes," she reached over to pat Crookshanks on the head. "And these are my friends, Ron Weasley and Rubeus Hagrid --- he's the groundskeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Mr. Durnham shook hands with the two of them --- Hagrid's hand enveloped his whole arm.
"Now, Miss Granger," Fogglebrook began. "Have you, by any chance, read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander?"
"Yes, many times," Hermione answered, not quite sure where the conversation was going. "But I'm afraid I haven't picked it up since my fourth year."
"That's fine. While you were reading, did you ever come across the entry on Kneazles?"
"I have," answered the witch. She paused for a few seconds, and then said, "Mr. Durnham, if you don't mind my asking, what has this got to do with you finding Crookshanks?"
"Your 'cat' is actually a Kneazle, Miss Granger."
"What? But… I'm sure I read… but of course! I should have noticed the signs. 'The Kneazle has an uncanny ability to detect unsavoury or suspicious characters…' That's why he chased after Scabbers late in our third year! After we watched Buckbeak's execution and everything… Crookshanks was chasing Peter Pettigrew because he didn't trust him!"
"Correct," replied Fogglebrook. "But the Fantastic Beasts entry also says that Kneazle owners require a license to keep their pets. No one wants a Muggle spotting Crookshanks and causing a disturbance, am I right?"
"Of course," Hermione said hurriedly. "I'll do anything, as long as I get to keep my little Crookysh--- sorry," she coughed. Ron gave her an odd look.
"Right…" Mr. Durnham shifted on his chair. "I suggest you sent an owl to the Ministry of Magic, and I'm sure they'll be able to send you the proper paperwork. In the meantime, there is one more small issue."
Hagrid spoke for the first time. "Think I'll get us some Butterbeers, Ron." The gamekeeper left the table and headed for the bar.
"Yes, Mr. Durnham?" Hermione was getting a little annoyed --- all she wanted was to take Crookshanks home.
"It also says that Kneazles can be interbred with regular cats. That, I'm afraid, has happened. You see, I own a small farm in the countryside, not too far from here. I have several cats, and it appears one of them has… well, you know. I expect the litter will be born in about two months."
"So in the three days he was lost, that ruddy cat… Kneazle… thing made it all the way to some farm and got friendly with a random cat and now needs a license?" Mr. Durnham and Hermione jumped at Ron's words. He hadn't said a thing for a full ten minutes.
"Well, yes. You are most certainly right, Mr. Weasley."
Just then, Hagrid returned with the Butterbeers and slid two across the table to Ron and Hermione.
"Now Miss Granger," continued Fogglebrook. "I am only content with keeping one of Crookshanks' kittens. I'll need a cat around after my others pass on --- to catch rats, mice, that sort of thing. Would you be willing to adopt some as well?"
"Crookshanks is havin' kittens?" Hagrid blurted out.
"No," Ron said quietly, so as not to interrupt the current conversation. "It's a long story, Hermione'll fill you in later."
"I… well… this is a lot to take in all at once, sir," Hermione responded. "I suppose I'll take a few, but that depends on how many there are. I can't have eight Kneazle kittens running around Gryffindor Tower, I don't think Professor McGonagall would allow it. Could you send me an owl when the kittens are born, and we'll discuss matters then?"
Mr. Durnham took a sip of his coffee and stroked (the now sleeping) Crookshanks on his lap. "That would be fine," he said slowly. "I'm sorry to leave so quickly, but I've got to return to the farm. Here's Crookshanks ---" the small man attempted to shift the slumbering Crookshanks to Hermione's waiting arms without waking him. Crookshanks half-opened one bleary eye, then hissed (quite loudly) at Mr. Durnham.
"Thank you for all your help, Mr. Durnham." Hermione stood up and shook Fogglebrook's hand, then motioned for Ron and Hagrid to follow her out the door and up the path toward the castle.
A.N. Yay, the third chappie is done! Sorry it was a bit on the short side, but I figured that was a good place to stop. The part about Crookshanks being a Kneazle is actually true, ya know. JKR says so on her website. :-D So thanks for reading, and please review! Chapter Four will be up ASAP.