when is a question not a question

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione has her hands full when she enters the Nexus today. She has a large box in her hands, which has Crookshanks laying on top of it.

"Where do you want to go?" She speaks to the cat softly. He blinks at her a couple of times. Hermione smiles softly, and heads towards the Grand Library. Their favorite place to visit. The same place where they first visited when they entered this area of the Nexus, so many months ago.

She sets down the box gently. Crookshanks closes his eyes, content with the location. He seems to be guarding the box. Or whatever is inside the box.

Hermione doesn't seem to have a question today. She pulls a large book out of her small beaded bag. And gives Crookshanks another fond smile, petting him softly.

Crookshanks seems to be waiting for someone to appear. Who could it be?

Comments

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Well, all this assistance is just too much for Majima's Japanese sensibilities. "Yer really goin' above and beyond the call of duty here, Hermione-san. Dunno what I could hope to offer a witch who can magic up anything she wants, but ya need any help? You gimme a ring."

He digs around in his jacket and pulls out a business card -- red paper stock with gold-embossed letters. These have since been modified with a string of PINpoint contact numbers that look utterly useless to anyone not in the know. "Hopefully I'll have at least the one eye back by the time ya call in a favor."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione takes the card with a slight smile. "Thank you."

She knows that magic can't solve all her problems. And it is nice to know that she has someone else to call upon.

Crookshanks meanwhile has decided this man needs a little cheering up. And slowly climbs in Majima's lap. Where he settle down and starts to purr softly.

[gorogorogoro_chan]

"Glad I ran into a good witch," he quips.

Majima continues stroking Crookshanks, setting aside any thoughts that come to his mind about all the fur that's probably being shed on his black slacks. "Ya got yerself a real sweetheart of a cat here."

[mudblood_andproud]

It is a good thing that Kneazles don't shed. Thus there is no fur getting on his black slacks.

"He is the best. I am going to miss him terribly."

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Majima pauses mid-pet and gives Hermione a questioning look. "Miss him? Whaddaya mean?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Crookshanks is at the end of his life. That is why we are here today. To make sure his kittens get to their chosen safely, before he takes his last sleep."

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Majima frowns at himself for stumbling right onto that emotional landmine. "Shit, I'm real sorry to hear that."

He returns his hand to Crookshanks' head to give him another comforting pat. "Glad he's at least got a legacy?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"He knew what was coming. He felt that it was important to leave a legacy behind."

[gorogorogoro_chan]

"Guess animals got a better sense of their time than us humans, huh? They don't live in denial, anyway." His handling of Crookshanks has gotten more delicate, as if the cat might keel over at any second. "How old is this guy, anyway?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"My rough guess would be 20 human years. So... 100 or so?" Hermione answers

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Majima gives her a comforting smile. "A good run, then. I'd be damn pleased to live to see 100. Ya must'a taken good care of 'im, Hermione-san."

[mudblood_andproud]

"He has taken care of me too." His support and guidance really helped her get through wizarding school and then the Wizarding War.

[gorogorogoro_chan]

"I'd better get a move on. Don't wanna compromise time with yer friend anymore than I already have. Seein' as it's at a premium an' all." Majima gently shifts Crookshanks from his lap, depositing him in what he judges to be Hermione's general direction. "Thanks again for lettin' me butt in."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione helps with Crookshanks, taking the cat back into her arms. "May I help you get home? I can transform your umbrella into a proper cane. One that will warn you with vibrations if you are able to bump into something."

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Majima rises to his feet and reflexively dusts off his pants before picking up his umbrella. "I mean, I got my PINpoint just fine. But if it ain't puttin' you out, a cane would serve me better than this ol' thing."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Magic is what I do." Hermione smiles. With a simple wave of her wand, and a spell, his umbrella is magically transformed into a cane. And she hands the newly transformed object to him.

[gorogorogoro_chan]

Majima runs his hands along the former-umbrella experimentally. Once again, he's disappointed he didn't get to witness whatever process just happened before his unseeing eye.

"Just like that, huh? Crazy." The cane gets a few experimental taps along the ground. It's longer than the umbrella, which helps significantly, and it functions just as she promised, giving a little rumble when it sweeps near an obstacle. This'll do nicely.

Majima moves far enough that he loses track of where Hermione and the cats are in relation to his new position. He gives his head a few confused turns. "Oi, one good turn deserves another. Remember, hit me up if ya need anything, alright?"