Out of the Room and Into the Fire

Disclaimer:You name it, I ain't got it. (If you name Harry Potter, that is).

Presents and Passwords Part I – Crookshanks and Catnip

Last time:

"What's up with her?" Harry wondered aloud, helping himself to a marshmallow and sticking it on the end of his wand. Ron shrugged.

"Probably realised that no one's been feeding Crookshanks while she's been away."

"Right." Thought Crookshanks, perched on top of the bed nearest the door. "I will pounce on the next person through that human catflap, and knaw on their paw until either I'm full or they give me some catnip. I mean, mice are all very well and good on a short term basis, but that greedy Mrs Norris is a wicked old woman who deserves to be cursed. Or kicked. Or hung upside down and petrified by a basilisk. Come to think of it I wonder why she's so afraid of water… Hold on! Stupid Human Alert. Human entering. On the count of three. One…" Crookshanks crouched in readiness. "Two…" He extended his claws. "ThreeAHHHH!" Crookshanks shrieked as he leapt into the air and brought his claws to bear on a familiar, very much missed bushy head.

"AHHH!" Shrieked Hermione as she staggered around the room, clutching at the hissing rug that had latched onto her skull. Her screams increased until finally she tripped over backwards on one of Lavender's shoes and fell onto her bed. There, Crookshanks disentangled himself from the mini jungle that was Hermione's head and promptly sat on Hermione's chest. Realising what had happened – or rather not happened during her short absence, Hermione reached a hand over to her truck and after much fumbling brought out a bottle of catnip, which she emptied onto the floor.

A moment later she was sitting comfortably on her bed, Crookshanks free, and thinking what to get Draco for Christmas.

What to get Draco? What could she make quickly and easily? What would be useful? What would Draco like?...

Mittens!

She got started right away. She worked late into the night, knitting needles clicking away with a soft green wool while she caught up with some homework and Crookshanks finished rolling around on the floor and hid in Lavender's bed – awaiting her return to knaw on her leg. Just because he felt like it.

A/N

I've assumed that Crookshanks is male. If you think otherwise, let me know with reference to where Rowling suggests that he is female. If you spot any other mistakes, please let me know!

Thanks.