Crookshanks sat in the Great Hall for a few hours, waiting and watching. When the students began gathering for dinner, he finally saw who he was looking for. Stormy, a solid grey cat that was slightly bigger than most cats appeared and walked up the stairs. As she headed towards one of the student tables, Crookshanks came up behind her.
“Stormy, could I please have a word?”
Turning in annoyance, the grey cat jumped back in surprise when she saw the cat who was addressing her. “What could you possibly want? I have broken no rules, and I won’t be detained when it is meal time.”
“I’m not who I appear to be. I’m Crookshanks. I really need your help. There is some evil object that I know of, and I need your help to pinpoint exactly what it is. Somehow I ended up switching bodies with Mrs. Norris, and she can’t understand the feeling running through my body. The ones she does understand are so pure that they are obvious. The room this object is in is full of other magical items, and all the feelings from them made her pass out. I really need your help; the Masters need your help! If we can find this object we can lead them to it. I need to know what it is first, please.”
The grey cat had started to walk away, but stopped and stared at him in disbelief as he continued speaking. After his pleading she studied him for a few more moments, and walked right up to him. “I don’t know how I could help you. I would be as much help as any other cat in this place.”
“I don’t know why you can’t just accept that you are not just a cat. I have been telling you for years that you are the same as me. Remember that day we met out by the trees? I knew right away. There is much evil around here these days, and if we can’t help the Masters find and destroy it, we are all doomed!”
Stormy blinked in surprise, “Wow, you really are Crookshanks. I didn’t believe you right away. Now that you mention it, I do feel less mischievous intentions in you than Mrs. Norris has ever had. You are the only cat that has ever realized I was more then I appeared. Do you really need help with something that could help my wizard, Wayne?”
Looking straight into her eyes, Crookshanks answered, “I swear by my mistress that if we find this object and can find a way to bring it to the awareness of the Masters, it will help yours.”
“Ok, lead the way. You better not let anyone else know what I am! I don’t want the teasing or hard times I see you getting.” Stormy stood to follow him.
“Ah, about that… I have two other cats helping me; Mrs. Norris you could probably figure out, and Blackie,” Crookshanks said, looking sheepish.
“WHAT! He is one of the worst bigots in the castle! I can’t let him know what I am,” Stormy said, sitting on her haunches.
“He has changed! Since this mess began he has been helping us. I never thought he’d be the type to help anyone. Even he realizes that things are getting out of the Masters’ control. His Mistress means more to him than anyone. I get a feeling there is much more to him than any of us could have ever guessed. He will keep the secret, I’m sure about it!” Crookshanks looked at Stormy, afraid she wouldn’t come.
“If I hear it from his own mouth I’ll believe you, but otherwise…,” Stormy replied.
“Hide around the corner. I’ll get him to swear,” Crookshanks promised.
Blackie watched over Mrs. Norris as she lay motionless. Who would have ever thought he’d be part of this very mismatched group of cats? He was actually starting to think of them as friends. Never having had a friend in his life, it was a very different thought. The only person he had ever cared about was his Mistress.
After about an hour, the ginger body began to twitch. Blackie leapt to his feet in worry. He then realized that Mrs. Norris still wasn’t awake, but was starting to show signs of waking. What could he do to help keep her calm? Then he had a thought.
Walking up next to her, he curled up and started purring. He noticed that she calmed down almost instantly. After about another hour, she finally seemed to come to her senses.
“Are you ok?” Blackie asked with concern.
“I don’t feel the greatest. All my nerves seem to be still vibrating. I am not going back into that room until I’m totally back to myself. NO WAY!”
“Frankly, I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t go in there either if I reacted the way you had,” Blackie said with understanding.
“Wow, you really have changed in the past few days, haven’t you?” questioned Mrs. Norris.
“I guess I have. It is a lot more fun being around a few other cats then being alone all the time. I just never realized that before,” replied Blackie.
A familiar voice came from behind them, making them jump. “I’m glad to hear that. Could I get your promise to hide the identity of the cat that is going to help us? She really doesn’t want her reputation tarnished by being labeled as other then a full cat.”
Blackie turned and looked at Crookshanks. “I swear not to let anyone know. We need her to help, so it is really in my best interest to let her.”
“This is definitely a side of you I never even thought existed,” Stormy said as she came around the corner. “Where is it we are going? Crookshanks told me you found something evil. I can feel it here in the hallway, but I see no doors.”
“Well, the room is hidden. We’ll get you in. Mrs. Norris, we’ll be back in a few minutes. Hopefully with the object we are looking for,” Crookshanks said as he started the pacing that would open the door.
Stormy looked on in confusion. When the door appeared, she jumped back startled.
“Well, here we go. Follow me,” Crookshanks said as he leaned on the cat door and disappeared inside.
