Hogwarts: From Squibs to Greatness

Chapter 120 Crookshanks
Still feeling the disappearance of the killing intent, Banban calmed down in Ron's hand again.

"I want to take it for a check," he said, placing Banban on the table in front of them, "it seems a bit unaccustomed to Egypt."

Banban looked thinner than before, and his beard was obviously drooping, and he didn't know if it was because of the fright just now, he looked very sluggish.

There's a Fantastic Beasts store over there. said Harry, who knew Diagon Alley very well. "You can see what they can do with Scabbers, and Hermione can buy her owl. "

So they paid for the ice cream and walked across the road towards the Fantastic Beasts store.

The shop is very small, the walls are densely hung with cages, the air smells bad, and it's noisy because the guys in the cages are all squeaking, chirping, or hissing .

The witch behind the counter is telling a wizard how to care for a two-tailed salamander.

After John entered the door, he began to browse the notices on the wall. Harry led Sirius, and Ron and Hermione waited aside, studying the cages carefully.

Two gigantic purple toads sat devouring dead blowflies until their mouths drooled.

A frighteningly large turtle sat by the window, its shell shining like a jewel on its back.

Poisonous orange snails crawl slowly on the walls of the glass tank.

A chubby white rabbit changed into a satin top hat with a snap, and changed back with a snap, and it kept changing like this.

There were also cats of every color, a cage of noisy ravens, and a basket of funny fuzzballs the color of custards buzzing.

There was a big cage on the counter, and in it the sleek black mice were playing a kind of jumping game supported by their long, bald tails.

It's just that Harry and the others didn't notice that once John focused his attention on a certain magical animal, that magical animal would freeze in place stiffly as if pressing the pause button.

When John looked away, these magical animals resumed their movements, and at the same time chose to move away from John.

The wizard who bought the two-tailed salamander left, and Ron walked into the counter.

"My mouse," he said to the Witch, "has been of a strange color since I brought it back from Egypt."

"Put it on the counter," said the witch, drawing a pair of thick black glasses from her pocket.

Ron took Scabbers out of his inside pocket and placed it next to the large cage of rats.Those mice stopped playing tricks of jumping, they all crowded over to the side of the wire cage, and looked at Banban carefully.

Scabbers the mouse, like everything Ron owned, was second-hand, battered, and shabby compared to the brightly colored mice in the cage.

"Well," said the witch, picking up Scabbers, "how old is this mouse?"

"Don't know," said Ron, "very old, it used to be my brother's."

"What's it capable of?" the witch asked Banban carefully.

"Er—" Ron faltered.

In fact, Scabbers never showed the slightest bit of fun.

The Witch looked from Scabber's left ear to its front paw, where a toe was missing, and she smacked her lips loudly.

"This mouse has suffered a lot," she said.

"That's how it was when Percy gave it to me," Ron said aggrievedly.

"A common or garden mouse like this can only live about three years at most," said the Witch. "I say, if you want something that lives a little longer, you might like to pick one of these... "

She pointed to the black mice, and immediately they started jumping again.

Ron muttered, "Show off guy."

"Well, if you don't want to change another one, you might as well try this kind of rat strengthening potion." The witch said, leaning over and taking out a small red bottle from under the counter.

"Okay," said Ron, "how much - ouch!"

A big ginger-colored thing popped out of the top of the tallest cage and landed on Ron's head, nearly knocking him over.

The big guy stood up and grinned aggressively at Scabbers.

"No, Crookshanks, no!" cried the witch, but Scabbers had jumped out of her hand like a bar of soap, and landed on the floor on all fours, before jumping up and running for the door.

"Scabbers!" Ron yelled, chasing after him.

Banban nimbly got out of the door, but he didn't run very far.

In the next second, a big foot stepped on Banban's body, causing Banban to let out a shrill scream.

Sirius stepped on Banban with his front paws, bared his teeth and let out a threatening growl, as if he would eat Banban in the next second.

"Calm down! Wick, this is not food!" Harry who rushed over hurriedly hugged Sirius' neck and pulled him back.

Seeing this, although Sirius was a little reluctant and wanted to collect some interest, but for the sake of his dear godson, he let go of his claws.

Ron immediately grabbed Banban, who hadn't recovered for a moment, and hugged him into his arms.

Seeing this scene, a look of disgust flashed across Sirius' face.

"What was that just now?

"It's either a big cat or a little tiger," said Harry.

"What about Hermione?

"Probably buying her owl."

They walked back down the street to the Fantastic Beasts store, and just reached the door when Hermione and John came out at the same time.

But Hermione wasn't holding any owl, she was holding the big ginger cat tightly in her arms.

"You bought this monster?" Ron asked with his mouth open.

"It's so pretty, isn't it?" Hermione beamed with delight.

Everyone has a different opinion, Harry thought.The cat's ginger fur is fluffy and soft, but its feet are noticeably sloppy and its expression is sullen, with an odd persimmon face, as if it's once slammed its head against a brick wall.

Scabbers was out of sight now, and the cat purred contentedly in Hermione's arms.

"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" said Ron.

"It wasn't intentional, was it, Crookshanks?" said Hermione.

"What about Scabbers?" Ron pointed to the small bag bulging out of his breast pocket. "It needs to rest and relax! How can it relax with this thing next to it?"

"That reminds me, you forgot about your mouse tonic," Hermione said, shoving the little red bottle into Ron's hand.

"Don't worry, Crookshanks sleeps in my dormitory and Scabbers sleeps in yours. What's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, the witch said it's been there for ages and no one wants it. "

"Besides, John also checked Crookshanks just now. He told me that she has the blood of a cat and raccoon. She can protect those she trusts when danger arises. She is an excellent guardian beast."

"Really? John?" Harry and Ron both looked at John.

John nodded. He really didn't talk nonsense. Crookshanks did have the blood of a cat and raccoon. When evil exists, this magical animal will issue a warning and attack it.

"Crookshanks liked Hermione," John said.

Hearing what John said, even though he was very upset about the big cat, but thinking that Crookshanks could protect Hermione, Ron still chose not to mention the matter just now.

Seeing that they were almost done shopping, they walked towards the Leaky Cauldron together.

Entering the bar, they found Mr. Weasley sitting at the bar reading the Daily Prophet.

"Harry!" he said, looking up, smiling, "How are you?"

"Very well, thank you." Harry said, and he, Ron, and Hermione took their shopping and sat down next to Mr. Weasley.

John sat opposite Mr. Weasley.

"John."

Mr. Weasley put down the newspaper and greeted John with a smile, who responded with a smile.

And then Harry saw the familiar picture of Sirius Black staring back at him.

"Haven't they caught him yet?" he asked.

"No." Mr. Weasley's expression was very serious. "The Ministry has transferred us all from our normal posts and tried our best to arrest him, but so far there has been no progress."

"Is there a bonus if we catch him?" asked Ron, "and some more money..."

Sirius lying on the ground glanced at Ron and made a disdainful sound.

"Don't talk nonsense, Ron," said Mr. Weasley, looking very nervous at a closer look. "There's no way Black would be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. Mark my words, put him in the end." It must be the guards of Azkaban who caught it back."

John smiled slightly. Mr. Weasley might be disappointed in this matter. It is impossible for Sirius to be captured by the guards of Azkaban in the future.

After all, John will help Sirius clear his grievances later, and he will return to the sun by then.

At this moment, Mrs. Weasley walked into the bar, carrying big bags and small bags of shopping in her hands, followed by the twin brothers Fred and George.

They would start their fifth year at Hogwarts, with Percy, who had just been elected Head Boy, and Ginny, the youngest Weasley and only girl.

Ginny has always liked Harry very much, but after the experience of last semester, although she is still a little shy, she can now look Harry in the eyes and greet him.

Percy held out his hand seriously, as if he and Harry didn't know each other before: "Harry, nice to meet you."

"Hello, Percy," said Harry, trying to suppress a smile.

"Are you all right?" Percy asked, smiling.

When Percy saw John, he showed a respectful expression on his face, and said in a very formal tone: "Nice to meet you, John."

"Nice to meet you, Percy" John replied with a smile.

(End of this chapter)