Neither CATS nor Harry Potter belong to me.

R&R please.

"They live in you
They live in you
They live in you
They live in you"

Misto opened his eyes, which he had closed during the song. He'd heard Asparagus and Skimble sing that song a day after Tumble and Pouncival had lost their brother. Yes, the two troublemakers used to be three. Now the boy looked down at Harry, to smile. He'd fallen asleep again, looking far more relaxed than before. Misto got up slowly and Quaxo settled on his shoulder again.

"Good Night to you too Quaxo", whispered Misto and scratched the owl's brow. Quaxo hooted in approval and didn't make any ruckus when Misto put him back into his cage. With a yawn the boy crept into his bed again and pulled the blankets over him.

Soon he was fast asleep, dreaming of happy days in the Junkyard, where he and Vic would fool around with the other kittens.

When Misto awoke the next morning, he just lay in bed for a while longer, letting everything that had happened rush through his head one more time. Could it really be that just three months ago his only worries had been which magic-tricks he'd perform at the Jellicle Ball? It seemed so much farther away than that right now.

With a grunt Misto sat up and rubbed his eyes. Everyone else was still asleep, not that he was surprised. Misto had the habit of awakening around six in the morning, not many were already awake then. He slid out of the bed, changed into his robes and let Quaxo out the window before he left for the Common Room. It was still pretty empty, aside from a few upper years and Hermione Granger, who sat over a few books.

Shaking his head Misto walked up to her and sat down across the girl. "Isn't it a bit early to bend over the books already?" She gave a startled squeak when Misto spoke and her head shot up. Misto fought his grin down to a smile and asked: "Well?"

Hermione blushed and muttered: "I just want to be prepared."

"And that's nothing bad", agreed Misto. "But there is more to life than books and learning." He got up and smiled at the bushy-haired girl. "Sorry if I let it look like I have problems with you in the train. You want to join me for breakfast?"

Hermione stared up at him surprised, then stuttered: "I'm not sure…I mean I…you…"

Misto silenced her with a finger and explained: "I'm pretty good at reading people Hermione…and I can see that you're lonely and wish for friends, though you have no idea how to make friends. Just know, if you need someone to talk to, I'll be there." He retreated from her and turned to leave the Common Room, when she hurried after him. "What about…the other two?", asked Hermione while they walked down the stairs. "What will they say?" "About me befriending you?", asked Misto. "If they're true friends, they'll accept it. They don't have to like it and, and forgive me for saying it like that, your personalities clash like hell. Although, with some efforts on your and their sides you could become friends too."

"Really?", asked Hermione, her eyes shining with hope.

Misto smiled and repeated: "Yes, but it will take a while…and probably a lot of arguments." And that was the truth. Misto had couldn't even recall the number of arguments he'd gotten into with Etcetera and Pounce before they'd started forming their friendship.

"Hey Misto?"

"Yes?"

Hermione took his hand and squeezed it shortly. "Thanks."

He smiled at the girl and answered: "You're welcome Hermione."

The rest of their way to the Great Hall, the two spent trying to come up with Theories how today's classes would be. Hermione sounded the most interested in Charms and Transfiguration and with a smirk Misto thought; Maybe I should make sure she meets Mom in the holidays. "What about you?" Misto thought for a while, then answered: "To be honest, it all sounds great. I'll wait a week or two and then I'll tell you."

Hermione laughed at that and Misto smiled. When you took your time to look past the, what some would maybe call, nerdyness, she was a great person to be around. The two sat down at Gryffindor Table and started to eat, all the while talking. Misto got to know that Hermione was a top-student, no matter which School, that her parents were dentists, making her a Muggleborn Witch, that, no surprise, reading was one of her favourite past-times and, which made Misto quite happy, she'd love to have a cat.

"An owl wouldn't be too bad either I suppose", said the girl after swallowing her toast. "But Mom and Dad are freaked out enough as it is. Besides, with a cat I won't attract as much attention as when I would have an owl."

"That's true. Cats are also quite loyal creatures…once you managed to earn their respect." Hermione looked at him confused and Misto blushed. "Sorry, despite me having an owl, I like cats very much as well. We used to have contacts with a lot of them, but that was quite a while ago", almost three months, "I know quite a bit about cats."

Hermione nodded in understanding, then asked: "So, what are your hobbies?"

Well, let's see how she reacts, thought Misto before he answered: "I love to dance and sing."

"Really?", asked Hermione. "Yeah, I one of the lead-voices in my old school-choir. Ron said I should consider joining this choir."

"I heard it is great", said the girl. "You should." Then she blushed.

"Yes?", asked Misto, hiding his smirk in his goblet. Oh he knew what she wanted to ask.

"Would you…I mean could you…would you mind singing for me someday?" She ducked her head and Misto chuckled. "No need to be ashamed for asking that Hermione", soothed the black-haired boy. "Harry and Ron asked that already as well…and apparently they liked it. I wouldn't mind at all. How about today after classes?"

"Common Room?", offered the girl.

Misto grimaced shortly. He didn't want everyone to hear him. Yet he finally gave a nod and said: "Alright, Common Room, today after classes."

"There you are!"

Both looked up from their conversation. Harry and Ron rushed up to Misto, looking quite dishevelled. "Morning to you too", laughed Misto. Ron glowered at him while Harry just sighed. "We wondered where you went when you were gone." Misto shrugged and answered: "I'm an early riser, that's it."

He didn't miss Hermione, who'd tensed and returned her full attention to her breakfast. Harry nodded in understanding and sat down on Misto's free side, Ron next to him. The two started eating, but after a while Ron asked: "So honestly Misto, why were you talking with her." Misto frowned at the way Ron spoke the word her and was glad he'd spoken silent enough to not have Hermione hear him.

"She's in our house and we were both awake so we went for breakfast together", answered the black-haired boy. Harry nodded in understanding while Ron scowled a little. Misto tilted his head at that and wondered what about Hermione bothered him that much. "McGonagall", whispered Hermione suddenly to him. He sat up to find that she was right. Professor McGonagall was walking along the Gryffindor Table, handing out time tables.

Misto saw three other teachers do the same with the other tables. Once she got to them, she handed each of the four a time table and moved on. Misto looked down at it.

"First class today: History of Magic followed by Charms and Transfiguration", muttered Misto to himself. "Me too", called Harry and Ron. Hermione just barely nodded her head in agreement. Misto sighed. If those three didn't get along by themselves in the next two months, then he'd force them into a room and lock them in there till they made up.

After breakfast all four of the First Years walked to the History of Magic Classroom. To Misto's surprise, a ghost taught the subject. Which was good and bad. For one, his voice had something ominous that made what he said sound much more dangerous, but it was monotone and Misto himself, as well as Hermione and most of the present Ravenclaw's, who had this class with them, fought to stay awake. Most Gryffindors had given up already. Ron was snoring quietly and Harry had dozed off a while ago.

"That was boring", yawned Ron once the three boys left the classroom.

Misto couldn't help but agree. He, after all, had almost fallen asleep by himself.

Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of their first class he took the roll call, and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight, causing Misto to snort in amusement.

The boys walked into their Transfiguration class next and though Misto didn't mind, Harry and Ron sent him apologetic glances when he had to sit down next to Hermione. There was no other free space left, since a certain red-head hadn't believed Misto when he'd said they were going in the wrong direction. Only when Harry had finally had enough of wandering around Misto had managed to take the lead and get them to the classroom. Hermione gave him a shy smile when he sat down, which Misto gladly returned.

That was when the bell sounded.

Everyone looked around confused, when Misto focused his eyes on the tabby that sat on Professor McGonagall's desk. Like with Ron's rat, he had the feeling there was more to this cat than met the eye. The cat looked at the students one by one and once it looked at Misto, he gasped. Those weren't the eyes of a cat, at least not completely.

"An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can morph him- or herself into an animal at will. It is a learned, rather than hereditary skill, unlike those of a Metamorphmagus", echoed Demeter's voice in Misto's head and he smirked. Neat, his Transfiguration Teacher could turn into a cat. Finally the cat moved and leaped from the table, only to turn into Professor McGonagall.

"Wow", echoed through the classroom.

"She's an Animagus", breathed Hermione.

"Damn right she is", muttered Msito back.

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again.

Everyone seemed very impressed and couldn't wait to get started, but soon they had to realize they weren't going to be changing the furniture into animals for a long time. Misto shook his head. How had he started to believe that?

He knew very well how much hard work magic was, how you had to start with the smallest things to reach the big ones.

After taking a lot of complicated notes, or at least many complained that they were complicated. Misto couldn't agree, it wasn't all that complicated. Then again, he was used to some things through his own studies. Finally they were each given a match and started trying to turn it into a needle. By the end of the lesson, only Hermione had made any difference to her match; Professor McGonagall showed the class how it had gone all silver and pointy and gave Hermione a rare smile.

"Congrats", whispered Misto. Hermione smiled at him thankfully.

"Misto c'mon!"

The black-haired rolled his eyes good-naturedly, electing a giggle from the girl, before he got up and rushed to Harry and Ron. Their next class Misto had really been looking forward to. It was Defence Against the Dark Arts, Munkus had explained a bit about it and Misto had to admit, it sounded quite neat. But Quirrell's lessons turned out to be a great joke. His classroom smelled strongly of garlic, causing Misto to retch slightly. Everyone said was to ward off a vampire he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days.

Stupid, thought Misto while he sat down in his seat. If that were ture, that Vampire would've finished him off a long time ago.

His turban, he told them, had been given to him by an African prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, but they weren't sure they believed this story. "Load of rubbish if you ask me", muttered Misto to Harry and Ron. Harry nodded, but Ron looked uncertain. His point though was proven when Seamus Finnegan had asked eagerly to hear how Quirrell had fought off the zombie.

Quirrell had gone pink and started talking about the weather.

Something else bothered Misto too. Everyone had noticed that a funny smell hung around the turban, and the Weasley twins insisted that it was stuffed full of garlic as well, so that Quirrell was protected wherever he went. Misto didn't believe that. Whatever this scent was, it wasn't Garlic. Something was up with this teacher, because now he could finally tell that he was the one that had sent the great evil energy out during the feast.

After classes that day, Misto had all but forgotten about his promise to Hermione, which was why he jerked into the air when she called his name. He'd just been putting the finishing touches to his Transfiguration Essay.

"Yes Hermione?" She blushed, obviously embarrassed at interrupting his work and muttered: "Nothing." Misto chuckled and argued: "C'mon tell me." She bit her lip, then asked: "Remember what we said at breakfast, about your talent." Now Misto had to fight the blush and admitted: "Well dammit, I forgot all about that." He leaned back and gestured to the chair across him. "Sit down, and maybe you can think of a song before I find one." Hermione sat down and blushed again. Misto raised an eyebrow and asked: "You have an idea already?" Hermione blushed once again, but answered: "Well, yeah, it's a little embarrassing though." "Why that?" "It's from a movie I used to watch and…kinda still love and…well there is a second voice, a female one." "So, then you just join me." "I'm not that good." "Let me be the judge of that, 'kay?" Hermione gulped, then took a deep breath before humming a tune. A grin appeared on Misto's features when he realised what song she had in mind. He gave her an encouraging grin and began to sing.

Misto:

As you go through life, you'll see
There is so much that we
Don't understand

And the only thing we know
Is things don't always go
The way we planned

But you'll see every day
That we'll never turn away
When it seems all your dreams come undone

We will stand by your side
Filled with hope and filled with pride
We are more than we are We are one

Hermione:

If there's so much I must be,
Can I still just be me,
The way I am?

Can I trust in my own heart
Or am I just one part
Of some big plan?

Misto:

Even those who are gone
Are with us as we go on
Your journey has only begun

Tears of pain,
tears of joy
One thing nothing can destroy
Is our pride, deep inside
We are one

We are one,
you and I
We are like the earth and sky
One family under the sun

All the wisdom to lead
All the courage that you need
You will find when you see

We are one!

Applause roared through the Common Room and Misto grinned at his fellow Gryffindors while Hermione blushed beet red. Some of the upper years came up and informed Misto that next Monday evening the rehearsal for this year's school choir would be and they all hoped he'd be interested in joining in.

By Friday Misto felt at home in Hogwarts and knew his way around, as well as quite some secret passages, credit to the Weasley Twins who were great at jokes and pranks, but could be followed easily when you knew how to be sneaky.

"What have we got today?" Harry asked Ron while Misto stirred his tea. They sat at breakfast right now. "Double Potions with the Slytherins," said Ron. "Snape's Head of Slytherin House. They say he always favours them - we'll be able to see if it's true."

"Wish McGonagall favoured us," said Harry.

Misto shook his head. Professor McGonagall was head of Gryffindor House and did favour them, although more subtly than any other teacher. Yet it hadn't stopped her from giving them a huge pile of homework the day before.

Just then, the mail arrived.

Misto scanned the ceiling for Quaxo, hoping he'd have his parents reply with him today. And yes, there he was! The black snowy owl dropped a letter in front of Misto on the table and settled down on his shoulder. From the corner of his eye he saw Harry's snowy owl Hedwig sit with him while Harry scribbled something on a note. Not wishing to pry Misto gave him privacy by opening his own letter.

Dear Misto,

We miss you very much as well, though it is great to hear that you found friends already.

Yes, we do remember Harry and we did read the books you asked us to read. What you told us very concerning though. We still will talk more about once we're face to face again. Demeter and I have a few quite interesting ideas.

As for your concern with Harry's scar and the reason for his living, we can only guess and you know that. Maybe we shouldn't tell you this, but Demeter and I went to Godric's Hollow a few days ago. It is a village in the West Country of England, Godric Gryffindor's birthplace and the place where the Potter Family lived in the night of the attack. To do some research. Strangely enough, there is still quite the amount of safety charms around the mansion left. Do you want us to research more?

Young Ronald really doesn't need to be ashamed for his lack of money and I'm sure you can make him see that in due time. By your description of his brothers, we agree with you. They do seem a lot like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Yet we also agree with your description of Percy Weasley. Keep an eye on him son, he seems like a good guy, but could easily lose the right path.

We're glad you wish to be friends with Hermione. Don't let your friendship with Harry and Ron get in the way of that. If they truly are your friends, they'll have to accept that Hermione is part of your life.

You're Jellicle-Magic really acted up again. This is interesting news. Be careful to keep your emotions in check till we can figure this out Misto. Try to meditate, if I remember right Coricopat taught you how.

We miss you very much Misto. The house is empty without you and Quaxo there. Still, enjoy your stay at Hogwarts, don't hesitate in writing to us when you feel the need to.

All the best

Mom and Dad

Misto smiled while he read the letter, then scratched Quaxo's chin. The black owl hooted softly and he murmured to him: "I'm gonna send you back to mom and dad tonight, 'kay?" Quaxo only hooted again, picked at some of Misto's breakfast and flew off. Misto chuckled at that and put the letter away.

"Hey Mist, you coming?" He looked up, to find Harry and Ron ready to leave. "Sure am", answered Misto and got up.

Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle, and would have been creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls. The second the Professor walked in, the students fell silent. The black-haired man had an aura of darkness and viciousness around him, yet somehow Misto felt less uncomfortable with Snape than with Quirrel.

Snape, like Flitwick, started the class by taking the roll call, and like Flitwick, he paused at Harry's name. "Ah, Yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity."

Misto rolled his eyes and muttered: "As if he asked for the fame." Harry next to him gave a sigh and a nod. Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class.

His eyes were black and they had only very little warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels, yet Misto didn't think this man was naturally evil like Voldemort or Macavity. More…a poor and lonely soul that had to go through far too much in his life. Someone who'd lost much and probably would have it easier by dying, but fought on.

That alone caused Misto to respect the man even more.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word - like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death", Nice speech, thought Misto impressed, "- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." And that blew it, thought the black-haired, keeping a snort at bay.

More silence followed this little speech. Misto saw how Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasn't a dunderhead. "Potter!" said Snape suddenly, having half of the class, Misto included, jerk up. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

The what of what?!, wondered Misto with raised eyebrows. He remembered Munkus talking about it in summer, but was sure that wasn't a first year question. Harry glanced at Ron, who looked as stumped as he was, then at Misto, who gave a shrug. Hermione's hand had shot into the air though. Figures, thought Misto amused.

"I don't know, sir," said Harry finally.

Snape's lips curled into a sneer. "Tut, tut - fame clearly isn't everything." Misto scowled. He may respect that man because he obviously had a hard life, but taking it out on Harry was terrible immature. Snape ignored Hermione's hand and continued. "Let's try again Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat, and this time Misto joined her. Yet he couldn't even tell Harry the answer, since Professor Snape's eyes had zeroed on him now.

Harry frowned and Misto, since Harry obviously didn't dare to, turned his head to glare at Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, who were shaking with laughter. At least Crabbe and Goyle certainly had no idea either. "I don't know, sir", admitted Harry, returning Misto's attention to the front.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Harry obvoiusly forced himself to keep looking straight into the teachers eyes and Misto had resorted to taking deep breaths. Just at breakfast Munkus had warned him to not let his emotions, especially anger, get the better of him. And here he was, close to lunging at a Professor. Given, Snape was terrible unfair, but still.

Snape was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand, as well as Misto's, who wasn't making as much of an effort to be noticed. He just wanted Snape to know he knew what was going on. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" At this, Hermione stood up, her hand stretching toward the dungeon ceiling. That's a bit over the top, thought Misto while he also kept his arm raised.

"I don't know," said Harry quietly. "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?"

"Nice one", whispered Misto. A few people laughed. Seamus winked at Harry, Snape, however, was not pleased.

"Sit down," he snapped at Hermione. The girl eeped and sat down quickly. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"

"Because you didn't tell us to", hissed Misto to Ron, who nodded, but his scared eyes remained locked on Snape. There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment.

Over the noise, Snape said, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter." Misto sighed at that. He really couldn't say anything against that. Every other teacher would've probably brushed it off, but for this one thing, Snape had every right to take points. Things didn't improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued.

Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. Misto was glad he had been paired with Hermione. She wasn't as good in the practical part of Potions, but Misto had barely Problems with that, so they were quite the team. Snape swept around in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy, whom he seemed to like. Well, he didn't have anything to say to Misto and Hermione at least.

"I swear ours is better and he can't take away points for that, so he ignores us. It's as simple as that", explained Misto while he stirred the potion.

Hermione gave an upset huff and argued: "But that's unfair."

"Unfair? Did you see how he treated Harry before? This guy seems to live to be unfair", answered Misto. Hermione sighed, but couldn't disagree.

Both were startled out of their work when Snape was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when suddenly clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. Neville Longbottom had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Immediately Misto leaped onto his stool and pulled Hermione onto hers. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs.

"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. Misto couldn't keep the hiss inside now. Hermione stared at the cat-like noise, but was distracted by Snape. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose. "Everlasting Cat, let him go to the hospital wing", hissed Misto to himself. Snape shot a short glare at Misto, as if he'd heard him, then turned back so Seamus. "Take him up to the hospital wing," he spat at Neville's partner. Then he rounded on Harry and Ron, who had been working right next to Neville.

"Oh no he doesn't", whispered Hermione and was about to storm forward. Misto held her back and growled: "I get you want to befriend them, and maybe it would even work when you get into this now, but believe me when I say, making Snape your enemy is something you don't want."

"You sure about that?"

"I told you I'm great at reading people", answered Misto. "Let this play out. We'll do less damage that way."

"You - Potter - why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor."

"Misto?"

"Trust me, when you go in there now, you'll lose points too."

Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Misto saw how Ron kicked him behind their cauldron. "Don't push it," was what the boys sensitive ears picked up , "I've heard Snape can turn very nasty." Snape simply spun around and stalked off. "See, two points we can accept", sighed Misto and returned his attention to the potion. In the end of the lesson Snape, grudgingly, had to return the two points he'd taken from Gryffindor, since Misto and Hermione were the only ones who'd managed to complete the potion properly.

As they climbed the steps out of the dungeon an hour later, Harry groaned: "I can't believe I already lost us two points."

"Cheer up," said Ron, "Snape's always taking points off Fred and George. Besides, Misto got them back."

"With Hermione", cut Misto in. "Without her…I doubt I'd have managed that."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever", Ron waved him off and turned back to Harry. "Can I come and meet Hagrid with you?"

"Hagrid?", asked Misto when Harry nodded. The glasses wearing boy turned to Misto and explained: "This morning Hedwig came and brought me a note from Hagrid. He invited me over for tea. You want to come too?" "Sure", answered Misto with a shrug. "Why not."

So it came that at five to three they left the castle and made their way across the grounds. Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were placed outside the front door. When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks. The hair on Misto's neck rose up and his heart beat faster. He really was no big fan of dogs.

Then Hagrid's voice rang out, saying, "Back, Fang - back." Fang, thought Misto, what a reassuring name. Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open. "Hang on," he said. "Back, Fang." He let them in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound. Misto retreated to the wall the farthest away from the big black dog.

That wasn't a Pollicle, probably the only thing more scary than this thing, but it was definitely bigger than one. And Misto had lived through his fair share of Pollicle attacks.

"You okay Mist?", asked Harry.

Misto gulped and croaked: "Yeah…just no big Fan of dogs."

"Ah s'rry, but ya don' have to worry. Fang's a big softie", assured Hagrid and pulled the dog farther away from Misto. Now that the dog wasn't the greatest issue anymore, Misto could look around. There was only one room inside the hut. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it. "Make yerselves at home," said Hagrid, finally letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears.

Misto, who'd crouched down with a hiss, instinctive response, relaxed and even smiled a little when he saw that. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

"This is Ron," Harry told Hagrid, who was pouring boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate.

"Another Weasley, eh?" said Hagrid, glancing at Ron's freckles. I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."

"And this is Misto", introduced Harry through his snickers. Misto inclined his head and then all four sat down, Misto still careful to keep as much distance as possible between himself and Fang. The rock cakes Hagrid served were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke Harry's and Ron's teeth, Misto's withstood more, but the three pretended to be enjoying them as they told Hagrid all about their first -lessons.

Fang rested his head on Harry's knee and drooled all over his robes. Misto shuddered at the memory of Pollicle drool on his black fur. Harry and Ron were quite delighted to hear Hagrid call Filch "that old git." "An' as fer that cat, Mrs Norris, I'd like ter introduce her to Fang sometime." Misto hissed softly at that. He wasn't the biggest fan of Mrs Norris either, but still. "D'yeh know, every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her - Filch puts her up to it."

Then Harry told Hagrid about Snape's lesson. Hagrid, like Ron, told Harry not to worry about it, that Snape liked hardly any of the students. "But he seemed to really hate me."

"Rubbish!" said Hagrid. "Why should he?" Yet Misto saw how Hagrid avoided Harry's eyes while saying it. "How's yer brother Charlie?" Hagrid asked Ron. "I liked him a lot - great with animals."

"Subject change much", asked Misto with a tilt of his head. Harry only nodded and asked: "Did he do it on purpose?"

"Well, I guess he knows something, but we really shouldn't pry…at least not yet." Both black-haired shared a grin at that. While Ron told Hagrid all about Charlie's work with dragons and Misto listened, Harry picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cosy. It was a cutting from the Daily Prophet.

Misto, hearing Harry's hitch of breath, leaned over to his friend and started to read the article as well.

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown. Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day. "But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon…

"Unbelievable", whispered Misto.

Harry nodded and said: "I remember Ron telling me that someone had tried to rob Gringotts, but he didn't mention the date." Then his eyes suddenly widened and he called: "Hagrid! that Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday! It might've been happening while we were there!" Misto's eyes went wide at that and he looked at Hagrid. There was no doubt about it, Hagrid definitely didn't meet Harry's eyes this time. He grunted and offered him another rock cake. Harry read the story again and stated: "The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied earlier that same day. Hagrid you emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen, if you could call it emptying, taking out that grubby little package."

Misto frowned. Had that been what the thieves were looking for? Hagrid only desperately tried to change the subject again, so after a few minutes, Misto had let it happen. As Harry, Ron and Misto walked back to the castle for dinner, their pockets weighed down with rock cakes they'd been too polite to refuse. Misto could easily see that Harry was thinking hard about what they'd found out. He himself was no better.

Had Hagrid collected that package just in time?

Where was it now?

And did Hagrid know something about Snape that he didn't want to tell them?

Well, Misto could answer the last question with a clear yes.