To keep herself from overthinking, Hermione reached down and opened the enormous wicker picnic basket by her feet.
With a loud snort, a huge ginger cat with a broad, flat face and bowed legs climbed out.
"Hermione! Get that monster away from me!" Ron clutched the pocket on his chest. "It tried to claw Scabbers to death in Diagon Alley!"
Crookshanks flicked his stubby tail and scanned the compartment with wary yellow eyes. A low growl rumbled in his throat as he bared his teeth at Ron.
Cordelia perked up at once, her gaze settling on the scruffy cat.
She reached out, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together as she cautiously approached Crookshanks.
Crookshanks' arched back went still.
Cordelia's fingers touched the scruff of his neck. She kneaded along the gaps beside his spine in a peculiar rhythm, then moved to the tiny hollows behind his ears.
The ginger cat's tense body instantly relaxed.
Prrrr—
A loud purr filled the compartment.
Crookshanks narrowed his eyes in bliss and melted into Cordelia's lap. He rolled onto his back, rubbed his head against her sleeve, and soon began to snore.
Everyone stared in astonishment.
Hermione's mouth fell open. She didn't even notice her book sliding onto her knees. "How... how did you do that? Crookshanks clawed at the staff in the Magical Menagerie! He's never been this gentle with anyone!"
Cordelia expertly scratched under his chin, looking delighted.
"I learned it at Mr. Scamander's house. He keeps three Kneazles in his backyard, and they're even crankier than this one. This is how I usually rub them."
"Mr. Scamander?!" Hermione drew a sharp breath, her voice rising. "Mr. Newt Scamander, who wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?! You visited his house this summer?!"
"We went to put out a fire for