ប្រាំមួយ
The fireplace was warm and the couch was comfortable. The Gryffindor common room had a warm atmosphere that would make anyone want to stay there forever. Draco was surprised. It was quieter than he was expecting. He had expected a rowdier vibe. But any sound that you heard was the crackle of the fire in the hushed voices of small groups. Occasionally you’d hear the picture frame swing open and someone would walk in.
Draco people watched as he warmed up. This might be his favorite common room now. The Slytherin common room was damp and cold, not at all inviting. Draco imagined this place was bustling when there was a Quidditch match. Especially since they had such a good team, with an even better captain. Harry had decided to keep the captain's role for his last year, but Draco had dropped out of Quidditch to focus on his studies.
Draco watched as a ginger cat approached him. It looked him up and down and sat on the couch next to him. “you’re the dramatic blondie from Slytherin,” the cat stated, “ The one who finally decided to work for the right side. Even though you knew all along that your father was evil.” At first, Draco turned towards the cat because he wondered how it could talk, but he quickly rushed to defend himself. “Well, it would be nice if you didn’t assume you knew everything about me,” He retorted. “Struck a nerve, sorry. What’s your name kid?” The cat asked. “Draco, and you?”
“Crookshanks or at least that’s what my owner named me. It sure has been a while since I’ve talked to a human.” Draco’s brow furrowed “Who else have you talked to?” He was genuinely curious because that person must’ve been an animagus too. “Sirius Black the lovable dog of death” and then the cat grimaced, “and the foul rat Pettigrew” to say he was surprised would be an understatement, but it made sense. Especially regarding their third year, Sirius must have escaped as an unregistered animagus. Draco then responded to Crookshank’s grimace, “ you’re right that rat is a bastard. I had to meet that bitch when my father forced me to work with Voldemort.” Crookshanks cackled at Draco’s statement, “no one can understand why I wanted to kill him so badly and third year. Not even my owner, she is supposedly the smartest person in this house.” Draco nodded in understanding. “So, I take it you didn’t kill him.”
“No, but I sure wanted to.”
“Awe Crookshanks have you made a friend?” A female voice cooed. Draco looked up to see Hermione Granger. “Smart girl for sure,” Draco said. Crookshanks nodded, and Hermione picked him up. “It was nice meeting you kid, I hope you have a good day!” Draco bid him farewell. Hermione gave Draco a small affectionate pat before walking off with Crookshanks.
Deciding to explore, Draco jumped off the couch. Stretching his legs, he made his way toward another set of cursed stairs. Using his momentum he sprinted towards the stairs jumping at the last second. He made it three steps up, impressing himself. Considering he was a kitten it was quite surprising. Truthfully he thought he was going to faceplant into the stair. He didn’t though and considered that a win. Walking up one stare at a time the dorms were finally in range. Bounding towards the eighth-year dorms, Draco knows his way into the room. He looked around his eyes landing on Harry who was putting on a PJ shirt. Normally Draco would have looked away for that person’s comfort, but Draco noticed the scars on his back. Long ones that spiderwebbed up his back. It didn’t look right, Draco had some guesses about their origin. He just hoped he was wrong.
He meowed to get Harry’s attention. Harry turned toward Draco and walked toward him he crouched down and picked up the transformed Draco. “Hello kitten, I see that you’re warm and dry. Did you have a nice rest?” Draco nodded. Which seemed to once again shock Harry, but he shook it off quickly. “That makes me glad” Harry sat down on the bed and placed Draco beside him. This gave Draco a chance to shimmy behind the boy. Delicately placing his paw on Harry’s back. He desperately hoped Harry would understand. Fortunately, he did and lifted his shirt. “Don’t worry kitten, these are old, I got them from my abusive uncle if he was in a pissy mood. The great thing was when I became a wizard, I scared him enough that he wouldn’t get near me.” Draco might’ve hugged the boy if he wasn’t in cat form. He didn’t know how to comfort Harry. He patted his way to Harry’s hand as it was on the bed and nudged it with the side of his head. He let out a small cry in hopes that it would convey how he felt about the situation.