Crookshanks

Crookshanks was Hermione Granger's pet cat and magical familiar. He is half-Kneazle, as evidenced by his lion-like appearance, ability to solve problems on his own without aid or teaching, and clear dislike of and ability at recognising untrustworthy persons (even if they are transfigured).

Purchase by Hermione


Crookshanks was purchased by Hermione Granger from the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley in 1993. The proprietor informed Hermione that he had been there for quite some time, and that "nobody wanted him." It could be that as a highly intelligent animal, Crookshanks was merely waiting for someone worthy of his companionship.

Crookshanks and Scabbers
"This cat isn't mad. He's the most intelligent of his kind I've ever met."

- Sirius Black on Crookshanks

Crookshanks played an instrumental part in Sirius Black's attempts to enter Hogwarts Castle for the purpose of procuring Peter Pettigrew, who was masquerading as Scabbers, Ron Weasley's beloved pet rat. Crookshanks immediately took a disliking to Scabbers, (perhaps because he was half-kneazle and could detect frauds) trying to attack him through Ron's clothes the first time they met. Afterwards, Crookshanks independently sought Scabbers out, causing the rat to seek hiding places. When Scabbers took off to hide in Rubeus Hagrid's hut, Ron was convinced that Crookshanks had eaten him. This caused a row with Hermione, until he was found at Hagrid's.

"There's something funny about that animal! It heard me say that Scabbers was in my bag!"

- Ron after one of Crookshanks' failed attempts to catch Scabbers

Crookshanks met Sirius Black in his Animagus form of Padfoot on the Hogwarts grounds several times, and stole the passwords to Gryffindor Tower from Neville Longbottom to help him get into the castle. Crookshanks helped Sirius lure Harry, Ron and Hermione into the Shrieking Shack. During the scuffle between Harry and Sirius, Crookshanks attempted both to steal Harry's wand and attack Harry, and when both failed, set himself over Sirius' heart. The hesitation that Harry felt gave enough time for Professor Remus Lupin to arrive.

Crookshanks led the way back through the tunnels. However, when Lupin transformed into a werewolf, Pettigrew stole Lupin's wand and stunned both Ron and Crookshanks, escaping. After all this, Ron accepted Crookshanks as a remarkable animal companion.

Crookshanks soon became more friendly to others; for example, he once curled up in Harry Potter's lap when Harry was waiting to hear from Sirius. However, he still remained unusually perceptive and disapproving of bad behaviour, judging by how he stared at Harry and Ron while they made up answers for their Divination homework. Ginny Weasley, whom Ron claimed was a great lover of cats, seemed fond of Crookshanks; she enjoyed playing with him, and was able to coax him out in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place during an Order of the Phoenix meeting, rolling butter beer corks for him to catch.

Second Wizarding War
During the height of the Second Wizarding War, Hermione and Crookshanks came to stay at the Burrow, but Hermione left with Harry and Ron after Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding reception was interrupted by Death Eaters. It is unknown what happened to Crookshanks while Hermione was searching for Horcruxes with Harry and Ron, or if they were ever reunited, but it is most likely he was left in the care of the Weasleys.

Physical appearance
Crookshanks was described as very big, bandy-legged, ginger-coloured and with a "squashed head". His face was described to look as if he had "run headlong into a brick wall." This type of cat's face is known as a "pansy face." Based on these markings, Crookshanks would have the characteristics of a hansa Persian, or ginger Persian cat. His other most recognisable physical trait was his "bottlebrush" tail.

Personality and traits
"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?"

- Hermione Granger after Crookshanks caught a spider

Crookshanks was highly intelligent and helped Sirius Black expose Peter Pettigrew who was disguised as Scabbers. Ron Weasley initially thought that Crookshanks wanted to simply eat Scabbers and accused him of being mad but Sirius Black claimed that Crookshaks was the most intelligent cat he'd ever met. Crookshanks was also very playful and enjoyed catching spiders, chasing gnomes in the Weasleys' garden , and attacking chess pieces. He was affectionate with those he liked and also acted as a shield to Sirius when Harry was planning to kill him. However he was aggressive and disdainful of those he dislikes, such as Ron when the two first met. Crookshanks also liked hiding in objects such as Ron's luggage, Harry's book bag, and Lupin's golf club Quidditch gear holder.

Etymology
The name Crookshanks seems to refer to the cat's bandy legs, from crook, meaning "a bend", and shank, a term for the lower part of the legs.

Behind the scenes

 * In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Crookshanks interfered with one of Fred and George Weasley's Extendable Ears, which the twins, Hermione, Harry Potter, and Ron and Ginny Weasley used to listen in on an Order of the Phoenix meeting in 12 Grimmauld Place.
 * Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood in the film series, named her cats after Harry Potter characters: she has a cat named Luna and another named Dumbledore. She also had a cat named Crookshanks, although it is now deceased.
 * In the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book, Crookshanks was bought by Hermione while Harry and Ron were looking for Scabbers. In the film, this scene was omitted and he was first seen chasing Scabbers when Harry left his room in The Leaky Cauldron. Ron later referred to him as a "bloody beast" and a "pig with hair".
 * To make Crookshanks hair look tatty the animal carer in the film put tats of fake hair in Crookshanks' fur.
 * Hermione's ownership of Crookshanks may be reminiscent to her transformation as a cat one year prior to his purchase.
 * In the films, Crookshanks is played by Crackerjack, as said on the second disk of the DVD of Prisoner of Azkaban.
 * Hermione was forced to abandon Crookshanks during the attack at the Burrow in 1997, and it remains unknown if they ever reunited after the Second War ended, however, it is likely that they were reunited. If Kneezel's live longer than normal cats, then Crookshanks would have seen the births of Rose and Hugo Weasley, who are the daughter and son, respectively, of Crookshanks' owner, Hermione after her marriage to Ronald "Ron" Bilius Weasley.
 * If Crookshanks did escape the Burrow, then it is possible that he went to the house of Arabella Figg, as she raises half-kneezels, like Crookshanks.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Notes and references
Pattenrond Knikkebeen