A New Deal

The train slowed, about to pull into the platform. Aside from Allen, who had cast an illusion over his wizard's robe, the girls had all taken off their wizarding robes and changed into ordinary summer clothes. At last, the train stopped at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in King's Cross Station. Allen and the others followed the surging crowd off the train. While adult wizards kept coming up of their own accord to greet the new savior warmly, Crookshanks suddenly leapt down from Hermione's arms and shot off with a whoosh. Hermione, caught off guard, hurried after him, and Allen and the others followed close behind.

Not far away, Harry, who had just said goodbye to the Weasley family, was talking with Sirius Black, who had come to pick him up. Sirius took Harry's luggage, looking extremely happy. Crookshanks sprang up and launched himself into Sirius's arms, his plump body knocking Sirius, who had recovered to a fairly sturdy build, back two steps.

"Crookshanks!" Sirius cried excitedly, then began rubbing him all over with both hands.

Hermione and the others finally pushed through the bustling crowd and reached him.

Seeing this, Hermione stopped. After all, Crookshanks and Sirius had once formed a comrades-in-arms sort of friendship; back then, Crookshanks had even helped Sirius fight Allen.

Sirius kept stroking Crookshanks's smooth fur and said with feeling, "This cat's getting on in years." He handed Crookshanks back to Hermione. Hermione smiled. "He is. He's probably sixteen or seventeen. If he were an ordinary house cat, he definitely wouldn't be in such good shape. If he were a Muggle kneazle or something like that, his lifespan would be even shorter. My Crookshanks can clearly still live for a long time..."

Sirius turned his head, intending to greet Allen, only to suddenly notice Helena floating