"Crookshank, Hermione's pet." Harry introduced him, his eyes puzzled, "I remember you were only afraid of spiders, when did you get scared of cats?" ”

Ron stared at Crookshank, cautious: "I'm not afraid of cats, I met it in a pet store." ”

"Huh?" Harry continued to wonder, "You were beaten by a cat?" ”

Ron was ashamed: "No, how could it be, I didn't, I would be beaten by a cat?" ”

Crookshank shook his head and arched into Hermione's arms, a grunt of disgruntled snorting from his mouth.

"Hermione, you've got to hold it." Ron stared as he pulled out his rat, "Spotted has been in a bad state since I came back from Egypt. ”

It became thinner, more listless, and its fur was as dry as a weed, and it looked sickly.

"I went to the pet store to check, and the clerk said it was fine, maybe it was too old." Ron sighed and poked Spotted's head.

All his stuff is second-hand.

Pets are no exception.

But after all, pets are different from ordinary items, living things, it is easy to brew feelings.

Spotted is ugly, even disabled, and missing a toe, but after more than two years of living, it is emotionally difficult for Ron to watch it die.

"Just as I was about to buy a rat tonic, this hateful cat pounced and almost ate Spotted!" Ron gritted his teeth, "It's good that Spotted was clever and escaped, and it took a long time to find it." ”

Hermione was stunned for a moment, and her gaze involuntarily fell on the book she had just flipped.

Cats catch mice, rightly so.

But the words she had just seen kept swirling in her mind, making her vaguely feel that something was wrong.

She looked at Harry again, his face unchanged, and asked with concern, "How old is Spotted?" ”

Ron was stunned for a moment, frowned and shook his head: "I don't know, but it was Bill's pet a long time ago, Bill gave it to Percy, Percy became a prefect, and after having an owl, he gave it to me." ”

"That's at least thirteen years." Harry's tone was a little emotional, "As a mouse, it's long enough." ”

Ron didn't notice anything wrong, sighed, and looked at Hermione, "At least let Spotted die of old age, don't let it die in Crookshan's mouth." ”

Hermione opened her mouth to say something.

Harry raised his hand and poked it in Crookshank's head, "Do you hear that, don't do anything to Spotted." ”

Crookhill grinned, his beard twitched, he reluctantly meowed, turned his head over, and arched into Hermione's arms.

The meow life in the future is a little bleak.

Meet such a dangerous person.

They talked for a while, and Ron waved his hand to go home first.

"Spotted probably isn't your average mouse!" When Ron's figure disappeared from view, Hermione pressed Crookshank's head and spoke eagerly.

"I know." Harry nodded, thought for a moment and took out a few owl rations from his pocket and handed them to Crookshank, "What do you think it might be?" ”

Hermione frowned.

Crookhill turned his head in disgust and sniffed, the smell was somewhat appealing.

It paused, clawed and swept the ration into its mouth.

The cat's eyes lit up instantly.

He stepped on Hermione's knees, jumped into Harry's arms, and arched his head at him flatteringly, and swept his tail away, and was very happy.

"I still like the way you were unruly." Harry teased Crookshank.

Aunt Penny's craft has always been able to subdue these magical creatures with great precision.

Hermione flipped through the books.

When it was getting dark, she put down the book in frustration: "I didn't find it, Spotted doesn't look like a magical creature, just like an ordinary chipmouse." ”

"Why do you think it must be a fantastic beast?" Harry rubbed Crookshan's belly, which lay with its belly bared and snoring, "He might be something else." ”

"Him?" Hermione was stunned, this was a personal word for a male, "You're saying he could be Animagus?" ”

Harry nodded.

"It's... Unlikely, right? Hermione hesitated, "Spotted has been a pet for thirteen years. ”

"Rats don't live that long, but people can." Harry followed Crookshank's tail, "You have to try to trust your pet. ”

Crookhill meowed lazily, echoing his words.

"But if the wizard has been in the Animagus state for too long, it is very likely that he will be assimilated by the Animagus and eventually become a real beast." Hermione frowned.

She followed Harry and knew a little bit about Animagus.

"Who knows?" Harry looked down and pulled out the amulet, "But it should be harmless, no malice perceived. ”

"And after thirteen years in the Weasleys, if it wanted to do anything, it would have done it a long time ago."

Hermione nodded approvingly, "It couldn't have predicted that the Weasleys would win a big prize in thirteen years." ”

It's not worth it at all for such hard work, just for these hundreds of gold galleons.

They talked a little more, and Hermione left with Crook Hill in her arms.

After Harry had a drink at the Leaky Cauldron Bar, he borrowed the fireplace to go back.

Professor Flitwick was looking forward to it, and the day of the start of school had finally arrived.

On the evening of August 31.

There was a knock on the door.

Professor Flitwick opened the door, and a group of Aurors entered, led by Scrimgeour, an old acquaintance who had a relationship at Hogwarts.

"What are you doing here?" Flitwick frowned, "I didn't get a notice from the Ministry of Magic. ”

Scrimgeour waved his hand and said with a smile, "Relax, my dear Professor Flitwick, we're here to protect Mr. Potter." ”

"After all, you know, that guy escaped, and his target was probably Potter."

Harry poked his head out and looked at him calmly, "The Ministry of Magic is coming to keep me safe?" Are you sure? ”

Scrimgeour's eyelids trembled, remembering what happened at the castle this year, but he still nodded: "Of course." ”

"In terms of strength, I'm about as good as protecting your safety, right?" Harry didn't save him any face, "Mr. Scrimthour, these Aurors ......"

"It's an order from the Ministry of Magic." Scrimgeour interrupted him, trying to save the last of his face.

"I'm not Professor Dumbledore." Harry waved his wand, and the floor swelled like waves.

With the exception of a few Aurors who were barely able to hold themselves on their feet with their wands raised, about half of them didn't have time to react, falling to the ground, rolling and being sent out of the door by Harry.

"Look at it." Harry spread his hands, his face full of innocence.

Scrimgeour shook his head, "Mr. Potter, the Ministry of Magic needs to convince others that we are protecting you. ”

"For the sake of our face in dealing with basilisk together......"

Harry whispered, "Mr. Scrimthour, are you going to give me a commission?" ”

Scrimgeour was stunned.

The scene of Harry and Snape haggling came to mind, and he nodded ruthlessly: "If this is okay." ”

(End of chapter)