Chapter 50: Magical Pets (1/2)
Chris and Ginny had barely stepped on the stairs when they heard Ron's voice.
”OY!” Ron roared, seizing his bag, as Crookshanks sank four sets of claws deeply into it, and began tearing ferociously.
”GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!” Ron tried to pull the bag away from Crookshanks, but Crookshanks clung on, spitting and slashing.
”Ron, don't hurt him!” squealed Hermione.
The whole common room was watching; Ron whirled the bag around, Crookshanks still clinging to it, and Scabbers came flying out of the top. . .
”CATCH THAT CAT!” Ron yelled, as Crookshanks freed himself from the remnants of the bag, sprang over the table and chased after the terrified Scabbers. George Weasley made a lunge for Crookshanks but missed; Scabbers streaked through twenty pairs of legs and shot beneath an old chest of drawers. Crookshanks skidded to a halt, crouched low on his bandy legs and started making furious swipes beneath the chest of drawers with his front paw.
Chris hurriedly went there, ”Crookshanks! No. It's a bad thing. Don't do it. Crookshanks stop. Hermione will be upset if you do this.”
Crookshanks stopped and looked at Chris. Hermione and Ron came, Hermione grabbed Crookshanks around the middle and heaved him away; Ron threw himself onto his stomach and, with great difficulty, pulled Scabbers out by the tail.
”Look at him!” he said furiously to Hermione, dangling Scabbers in front of her. ”He's skin and bone! You keep that cat away from him!”
”Crookshanks doesn't understand it's wrong!” said Hermione, her voice shaking. ”All cats chase rats, Ron!”
”There's something funny about that animal!” said Ron, who was trying to persuade a frantically wiggling Scabbers back into his pocket. ”It heard me say that Scabbers was in my bag!”
”Oh, what rubbish,” said Hermione impatiently. ”Crookshanks could smell him, Ron, how else d'you think —”
”Hermione, I think Ron is right. He can understand humans language.” Chris said and Hermione looked at her in disbelief. The people around them, who were giggling, looked at her as well.
”What do you mean by that Chris? What are you talking about?” Hermione asked angrily.
”— umm — I mean what I said, Hermione. He really heard Ron that Scabbers was in his bag, then he stopped when I told him that you'll be upset if he chases Scabbers.” Chris answered.
”See, even Chris understood something is wrong with that beast,” Ron said fuming.
”You two don't know what you're talking about,” Hermione said stubbornly.
”You believe it or not Hermione, that cat's got it in for Scabbers!” said Ron and marched through the common room and out of sight up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
Hermione also marched towards her room angrily.
Harry looked at Chris, ”Are you sure about what you said Chris? I mean how can be —?”
”We live in a magical world, Harry, and Hermione brought her cat from a magical market. Isn't that enough proof for you? Anything is possible here.” Chris said with a matter-of-fact tone.
Next day was no better, at Lunch and Dinner, Chris realized, Ron and Hermione weren't talking to each other. Harry was particularly looking sad.
Chris couldn't help but ask, ”What's going on?”
There was a pause then a quarrel broke out...
”Ron thinks that Professor Trelawney's prophecies are right — just because Lavender's rabbit died.” Hermione hissed.
”So it's just a rabbit nothing else for you, isn't it, Hermione? Only that cat matters to you.” Ron snapped.
”I didn't say it's means nothing Ron. I just said she can't dread a baby rabbit's death without any reason. Professor Trelawney is not right.” Hermione slammed her hand on the table. ”We can't trust her and be stupid.”
”Just because you're right, that doesn't make everyone else wrong, Hermione,” Chris said calmly. ”Relax.”
But Hermione wasn't in the mood of listening, she turned to Chris, ”Of all people I thought you're smart enough not to believe in stupid prophecies and omens, Chris! But fine. I get it.” She stormed out of the Hall.
Chris watched her leave.