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{{MagicAwakenedSpoiler}}
 
{{Pet individual infobox
  
{{Pet individual infobox
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|image = [[File:Crookshanks FH.png|250px]]<!-- Perhaps discuss changing this first on the talk page to avoid disagreements, thanks.-->
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|name=Crookshanks
  
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|image=[[File:Crookshanks.png|250px]]
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|name = Crookshanks
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|born = Before [[1993]]
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|bgcolor1=
  
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|died = Between [[1997]] and [[2021]]<ref name="death">[https://stories.jkrowling.com/harrypotter/#question-6 Q.6 Does Harry Potter still have his owl (Hedwig) and does Hermione still have her cat (Crookshanks)?] - JKR</ref>
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|bgcolor2=
  
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|alias =
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|gender=Male
  
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|title =
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|eyes=Orange
  
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|species = Half-[[Kneazle]] [[cat]]<ref name="kneazle">[https://web.archive.org/web/20191002071518/http://www.pottermore.com/explore-the-story/crookshanks Explore the Story: "Crookshanks"] on {{PM}} (archived)</ref><ref name="kneazle2">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060316221008/https://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=10 J.K. Rowling.com - Extra Stuff (2006)] via [https://www.archive.org Internet Archive]</ref>
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|hair=Ginger
  
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|gender = Male<ref name="POA4"/>
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|feathers=
  
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|height =
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|hideb=1
  
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|hair = Ginger<ref name="POA4"/>
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|born=
  
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|feathers =
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|died=
  
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|eyes = Yellow<ref name="eyes1">{{POA|B|17}} - "''But Harry had just seen — slinking towards them, his body low to the ground, wide yellow eyes glinting eerily in the darkness — Crookshanks.''"</ref><ref name="eyes2">{{OOTP|B|5}} - "''Crookshanks had given an angry hiss and shot off under the dresser, from whence his large yellow eyes glowed in the darkness.''"</ref><ref name="eyes3">{{HBP|B|9}} - "''Crookshanks's yellow eyes followed it and he hissed when it came too close.''"</ref><ref name="eyes4">{{HBP|B|14}} - "''Crookshanks trotted after her, his yellow eyes fixed upon Arnold.''"</ref>
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|hidef=hide
  
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|skin =
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|family=[[Granger family]]
  
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|family =
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|species=Half-[[cat]]/half-[[Kneazle]]<ref name="kneazle">"[http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=10 Crookshanks]" on J.K. Rowling Official Site</ref>
  
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|loyalty = *[[Magical Menagerie]] (formerly)<ref name="POA4"/>
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|title=
  
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*[[Hermione Granger]] (owner)<ref name="POA4"/>
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|alias=
  
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|hidem=1
  
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|wand=
  
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|boggart=
  
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|patronus=
  
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|animagus=
  
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|job=
  
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|owner=*[[Hermione Granger]]
  
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|loyalty=*[[Magical Menagerie]] (former)
  
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*[[Magical Menagerie saleswoman]] (former)
  
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*[[Hermione Granger]] (owner)
  
 
*[[Sirius Black]]
  
*[[Sirius Black]]
 
}}
  
}}
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{{Dialogue a-b|Ron|What ''was'' that?|Harry|It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger.|[[Ronald Weasley]] and [[Harry Potter]] see Crookshanks for the first time.|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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{{Quote|He's the most intelligent of his kind I've ever met.|[[Sirius Black]]'s acknowledgement of Crookshanks' advanced intelligence|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
   
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'''Crookshanks''' was [[Hermione Granger]]'s pet cat. He is half-[[Kneazle]],<ref name="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).
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'''Crookshanks''' was [[Hermione Granger]]'s pet [[cat]]. He was half-[[Kneazle]],<ref name="kneazle" /><ref name="kneazle2" /> 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 [[Transfiguration|transfigured]]).
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In [[1993]], Crookshanks was purchased from [[Magical Menagerie]] by Hermione Granger. The [[Magical Menagerie saleswoman|saleswoman]] from whom she had purchased him stated that he had been in the shop for a long time as "nobody wanted him".
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Crookshanks played an important role in the events that took place on [[6 June]], [[1994]]. During the height of the [[Second Wizarding War]], Crookshanks stayed at [[the Burrow]]. It is unknown what happened to him after the war, but it can be assumed that he was returned to Hermione.
   
 
==Biography==
  
==Biography==
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===Purchase by Hermione===
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===Purchased by Hermione Granger===
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{{Dialogue a-b-a|Ron|You bought that monster?|Hermione|He's gorgeous, isn't he?|Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!|Hermione and Ron after the former's purchase of Crookshanks|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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{{Dialogue|Ron Weasley|You bought that monster?|Hermione Granger|He's gorgeous, isn't he?|Hermione's purchase of Crookshanks|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:Hermione poa.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Crookshanks with Hermione.]]
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[[File:B3C4M2 Magical Menagerie.png|250px|thumb|left|Crookshanks in Magical Menagerie right before being purchased by Hermione]]
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Crookshanks was purchased on [[31 August]] [[1993]]<ref>{{POA||B|4}} - "Harry woke on the last day of the holidays, thinking that he would at least meet Ron and Hermione tomorrow, on the Hogwarts Express."</ref> by [[Hermione Granger]] from the [[Magical Menagerie]], who had originally gone there seeking an [[owl]]. The proprietor informed Hermione that he had been there for quite some time, and that "nobody wanted him".<ref name="POA4">{{POA|B|4}}</ref>
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{{Clr}}
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===Under Hermione Granger's ownership===
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====Suspecting Peter Pettigrew====
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{{Quote|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|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
   
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[[File:The Trio & Lupin on the Hogwarts Express.jpg|250px|thumb|Crookshanks on the Hogwarts Express]]
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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."<ref>''Prisoner of Azkaban'', Ch. 4</ref> It could be that as a highly intelligent animal, Crookshanks was merely waiting for someone worthy of his companionship and as Hermione is a very intelligent witch, Crookshanks must have deemed her worthy of his affection.
  
   
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Hermione took Crookshanks to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with her and he was present on the train when [[Dementor]]s boarded in search of Sirius Black. Perhaps because he was half-[[Kneazle]], the newly-adopted cat demonstrated the ability to detect frauds masquerading as animals, most notable of which being [[Animagus|Animagi]].
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===Crookshanks and Scabbers===
  
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{{Quote|This cat isn't mad. He's the most intelligent of his kind I've ever met.|[[Sirius Black]] on Crookshanks|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
   
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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 [[Peter Pettigrew|Scabbers]], [[Ronald Weasley|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.
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Before the start of the [[1993–1994 school year]], Crookshanks attacked [[Peter Pettigrew]] in his Animagus form of [[Peter Pettigrew|Scabbers]], Ron's beloved pet [[rat]] when Ron took him into the [[Magical Menagerie]] as he was looking unwell after the [[Weasley family]]'s trip to [[Egypt]].<ref name="POA4" /> Afterwards, Crookshanks sought Scabbers out even attacking him in Ron's presence and causing the rat to seek hiding places.<ref name="POA8">{{POA|B|8}}</ref>
   
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[[File:Crookshanks and scabbers.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Crookshanks seeking out Scabbers in the Great Hall]]
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{{Quote|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|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
   
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Crookshanks would even try to sneak into the [[Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory]] to seek out Scabbers.<ref>{{POA|B|9}}</ref> Crookshanks got another chance at Scabbers during [[Christmas]] when Hermione brought him into the boys' dormitory.<ref>{{POA|B|11}}</ref> These constant attacks were cause for Ron and Hermione to argue. Early in second term, when Ron discovered blood on his bed sheet and Scabbers gone, he was convinced that Crookshanks had eaten him.<ref>{{POA|B|12}}</ref>
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Crookshanks met Sirius Black in his [[Animagus]] form of [[Sirius Black|Padfoot]] on the Hogwarts grounds several times, and stole the [[Password|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.
  
   
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This caused a row with Hermione until the rat was found at Hagrid's. But Crookshanks was not the only one after Scabbers. [[Sirius Black]]'s attempts to enter [[Hogwarts Castle]] that year, after escaping from the wizard prison [[Azkaban]], was to procure [[Peter Pettigrew|Pettigrew]], who framed Sirius for the betrayal of Harry's parents [[James and Lily Potter|James and Lily]] to [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] as well as the murder of [[Peter Pettigrew's unidentified victims|twelve Muggles]] on a crowded London street during the first War.
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[[File:HermioneRonCrookshanks.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Crookshanks on the [[Hogwarts Express]] with Hermione and Ron.]]
  
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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, asking for his 'judgement' of the [[Pigwidgeon|small owl]] that Sirius had offered to him as compensation for the loss of Scabbers to confirm that the owl wasn't another [[Animagus]].<ref name="POA">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''</ref>
  
   
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=====Helping Sirius Black=====
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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.<ref name="GOF">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref> [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]], whom Ron claimed was a great lover of cats<ref name=CS>{{COS}}</ref>, 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.<ref name=OOTP>{{OOTP}}</ref>
  
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{{Quote|Harry stared down at Black and Crookshanks, his grip tightening on the wand. So what if he had to kill the cat too? It was in league with Black.... If it was prepared to die, trying to protect Black, that wasn't Harry's business....|Crookshanks protecting Sirius from an enraged Harry Potter| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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At some point during the year, Crookshanks met [[Sirius Black]] in his Animagus form, the stray dog mistaken by Harry for the [[Grim]]. He immediately trusted Sirius, meeting with him on the Hogwarts grounds several times and stealing the passwords to [[Gryffindor Tower]] from [[Neville Longbottom]] to help him get into the castle.
   
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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, and for the truth about both Sirius and Scabbers to be revealed.
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===Second Wizarding War===
  
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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 [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s wedding reception was interrupted by [[Death Eaters]].<ref name="DH">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref> It is unknown what happened to Crookshanks while Hermione was searching for [[Horcrux]]es; most likely, he stayed in the Weasley's care, given Ginny's fondness of cats. Alternately, he may have left the Weasley household alone.
  
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[[File:B3C22M2 Ron offering Pig to Crookshanks to check on Hogwarts Express.jpg|250px|thumb|Ron allows Crookshanks to sniff his tiny owl]]
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Crookshanks led the way back through the tunnels. However, when Lupin transformed into a [[werewolf]], [[Peter Pettigrew|Pettigrew]] stole [[Remus Lupin's wand|Lupin's wand]] and stunned both [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and Crookshanks before escaping. After all this, Ron accepted Crookshanks as a remarkable animal companion, asking for his 'judgement' of the [[Pigwidgeon|small owl]] that Sirius had offered to him as compensation for the loss of Scabbers to confirm that the owl wasn't another [[Animagus]].<ref name="POA">{{POA}}</ref> Crookshanks did not react to the tiny owl, therefore it was decided that there was nothing wrong with it.
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====Eve of war====
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[[File:B4C14M2 Hedwig's Gryffindor Common Room delivery.png|250px|thumb|left|Crookshanks curled up on Hermione's lap in the [[Gryffindor Tower|Gryffindor Common Room]]]]
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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 [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] while they made up answers for their [[Divination (class)|Divination]] [[homework]].<ref name="GOF">{{GOF}}</ref>
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[[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] (who Ron claimed was a great lover of cats)<ref name="CS">{{COS}}</ref> 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.<ref name="OOTP">{{OOTP}}</ref>
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He had a fondness of chasing [[Wizard's Chess|Wizard Chess]] pieces and had to occasionally be restrained in their presence. He was wary of [[Fanged Frisbee]]s and hissed when one came near him. At a Gryffindor party, he took to following Ginny around, his yellow eyes fixed upon her new [[Pygmy Puff]] [[Arnold]].
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====Second Wizarding War====
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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 [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s wedding reception was interrupted by [[Death Eaters]].<ref name="DH">{{DH}}</ref>
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It is unknown what became of Crookshanks after Hermione was forced to abandon him during the [[attack at the Burrow]] in 1997. Hermione did not bring him along on the [[Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter's Horcrux Hunt|Horcrux Hunt]]. Later they mentioned him when trying to get past the [[Hogwarts Whomping Willow|Whomping Willow]]. Most likely, Crookshanks stayed in the Burrow under the Weasleys' care until he could be reunited with Hermione after the war.
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====Later life====
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Crookshanks lived to a very old age, but at some point between 1997 and [[2021]], he [[Death|passed away]].<ref name="death"/>
   
 
==Physical appearance==
  
==Physical appearance==
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{{Dialogue a-b|Ron Weasley|What ''was'' that?|Harry Potter|It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger.|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Harry Potter|Harry]] discussing Crookshanks after leaving the Magical Menagerie|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:Animalmagic 111305 crookshanks 0001752.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Crookshanks]]
  
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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."<ref name="POA" /> This type of cat's face is known as a "pansy face." Based on these markings, Crookshanks would have the characteristics of a hansa Himalayan, or ginger Himalayan cat.He could also be a Persian, but due to his face shape the former is more probable. Many people get these breeds confused, the Persian has larger, buggier eyes and rounder upper lips than a himalayan. Crookshanks' other most recognisable physical traits were his "bottlebrush" tail and his yellow eyes.
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Crookshanks was described as very big, bandy-legged, ginger-coloured and with a "grumpy and oddly squashed" face. It was described by Harry Potter to look as if he had "''run headlong into a brick wall.''"<ref name="POA" /> Crookshanks' other most recognisable physical traits were his "bottlebrush" tail and his yellow eyes.
   
 
==Personality and traits==
  
==Personality and traits==
 
{{Quote|Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?|[[Hermione Granger]] after Crookshanks caught a [[spider]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
{{Quote|Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?|[[Hermione Granger]] after Crookshanks caught a [[spider]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
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[[File:CrookshanksPottermore.png|200px|thumb|Crookshanks determining if Ron's new owl [[Pigwidgeon]] is an Animagus]]
   
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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 Crookshanks was the most intelligent cat he'd ever met. Crookshanks was also very playful and enjoyed catching [[spider]]s<ref>''Prisoner of Azkaban'', Ch. 8</ref>, chasing gnomes in the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]]' garden<ref>''Goblet of Fire'', Ch. 5</ref>, and [[File:Cat.jpg|thumb|Crookshanks in the [[Magical Menagerie]] on [[Pottermore]].]]attacking chess pieces<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', Ch. 38</ref>. 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 disliked, this list included Ron when the two first met. Crookshanks could also be moody towards those who threw him off their lap, no matter if it was accidental or deliberate.
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Crookshanks was highly intelligent and helped [[Sirius Black]] expose [[Peter Pettigrew]] who was disguised as Scabbers. [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] initially thought that Crookshanks wanted to simply eat Scabbers and accused him of being mad.
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Sirius Black, on the other hand, claimed that Crookshanks was the most intelligent cat he had ever met. Crookshanks was also very playful and enjoyed catching spiders,<ref>{{POA|B|8}}</ref> chasing gnomes,<ref>{{GOF|B|5}}</ref> and attacking chess pieces.<ref>{{OOTP|B|38}}</ref>
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He was affectionate with those he liked and acted as a shield to Sirius when [[Harry Potter]] was planning to kill him. He eventually came to like Harry and would sit on his lap occasionally, as he did in the summer of 1996. However, he could be moody towards those who threw him off their lap, no matter if it was accidental or deliberate.
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
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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. It is likely to be derived from the Scottish surname 'Cruikshanks', which is pronounced in exactly the same way. {{wplink|Isaac Robert Cruikshank}} was a well-known British illustrator in the 1800s and illustrated {{wplink|Charles Dickens}}' novel ''{{wplink|Oliver Twist}}'', the first of the famous "orphan novels" that influenced [[J.K. Rowling]] as she came up with the character [[Harry Potter]].
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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. It is likely to be derived from the Scottish surname 'Cruikshanks', which is pronounced in exactly the same way. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cruikshank#Charles_Dickens George Cruikshank] was a well-known British illustrator in the 1800s and illustrated {{wplink|Charles Dickens}}' novel ''{{wplink|Oliver Twist}}'', the first of the famous "orphan novels" that influenced [[J. K. Rowling]] as she came up with the character [[Harry Potter]].
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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[[File:Crackerjack.jpg|thumb|200px|Crackerjack, the cat that plays Crookshanks.]]
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[[File:Crackerjack.jpg|150px|thumb|[[Crackerjack]], the cat that plays Crookshanks]]
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[[File:Crookshanks_Plush.png|thumb|Crookshanks plush from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.]]
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[[File:Crookshanks Plush.png|150px|thumb|Crookshanks plush from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]]
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[[File:Crookshanks WU.png|150px|thumb|Crookshanks as seen in {{WU}}]]
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*In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|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 [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]] used to listen in on an [[Order of the Phoenix]] meeting in [[12 Grimmauld Place]].
  
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*Crookshanks may be named after [[Poderick Crookshank]].
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*In {{OOTP|FA}}, Crookshanks interfered with one of [[Fred and George Weasley]]'s [[Extendable Ears]], which the twins, Hermione, [[Harry Potter]], and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] and [[Ginevra Weasley|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.<ref>http://www.evannalynchfans.com/evanna/biography.shtml</ref>
  
*[[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.<ref>http://www.evannalynchfans.com/evanna/biography.shtml</ref>
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*In the ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' book, Crookshanks was bought by Hermione while Harry and Ron were looking for [[Peter Pettigrew|Scabbers]]. In the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|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".
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*In the {{POA}} book, Crookshanks was bought by Hermione while Harry and Ron were looking for [[Peter Pettigrew|Scabbers]]. In the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|film]], this scene was omitted and he was first seen chasing Scabbers when Harry left his room in [[Leaky Cauldron|The Leaky Cauldron]]. Ron later referred to him as a "bloody beast" and a "pig with hair".
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*Crookshankes role in the film Prisoner of Azkaban is considerably diminished compared to his role in the book; he is never shown as friends with Sirius Black nor does he help Sirius in any way.
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*Crookshanks' role in the film version ''Prisoner of Azkaban'' is considerably diminished compared to his role in the book; he is never shown as friends with Sirius Black nor does he help Sirius in any way.
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*Hermione's ownership of Crookshanks may be reminiscent to her transformation as a cat about one year prior to his purchase.
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*Hermione's ownership of Crookshanks may be reminiscent of her transformation to a cat about one year prior to his purchase.
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*In the films, Crookshanks is played by [[Crackerjack]], as said on the second disc of the DVD of ''Prisoner of Azkaban''.
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*In the films, Crookshanks is played by [[Crackerjack]], as said on the second disc of the DVD of ''Prisoner of Azkaban''. He is also played by [[Prince (cat)|Prince]] and [[Pumpkin (cat)|Pumpkin]]. To make Crackerjack's hair look tatty like Crookshanks's, his trainer stuck bits of his already shed fur onto his body.
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*A plush version of Crookshanks is available at {{WWHP}} and at {{MHP}}.
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*To make Crackerjack's hair look tatty like Crookshanks's, his trainer stuck bits of his already shed fur onto his body.
  
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*Crookshanks's type of cat's face is known as a "pansy face". Based on these markings, Crookshanks would have the characteristics of a hansa Himalayan, or ginger Himalayan cat. He could also be a Persian, but due to his face shape the former is more probable. Many people get these breeds confused. The Persian has larger, buggier eyes and rounder upper lips than a Himalayan.
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*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 would be safe to assume that the two did reunite, seeing their strong love and affection towards each other.
  
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*Although not confirmed, it is a popular theory that Crookshanks had once belonged to [[Lily J. Potter]], as Lily had owned [[Potters' cat|a cat]] when Harry was a baby, which disappeared after the Potters were killed (and possibly ended up at the shop where Hermione later purchased him) and Crookshanks seemed to have a particular bond with [[Sirius Black]], and a particular vendetta against Ron's rat Scabbers, who turned out to be [[Peter Pettigrew]], implying he knew both of them for a long time.
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*A plush version of Crookshanks is available at [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]].
  
  +
*He is the third recurring character to be confirmed by [[J. K. Rowling]] to have died since the series ended after [[Petunia Dursley]] and [[Kreacher]].
  +
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===Author's comments===
  +
"<em>When I was working in London in the late 1980s I used to eat my lunch in a nearby square on sunny days and a large, fluffy ginger cat that looked as though it had run face-first into a wall used to prowl around the sunbathers there; I assume it lived in a nearby house. I didn't ever get close enough to give myself an asthma attack, but I became distantly fond of this cat, which prowled among the humans around it looking disdainful and refusing to be stroked. When I decided to give Hermione an unusually intelligent cat I gave him the appearance of this haughty animal, with the slightly unfair addition of bandy legs."</em><ref>[[Harry Potter Lexicon]]</ref>
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Crookshanks}}
  
{{Imagecat|Images of Crookshanks}}
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*{{POA}} {{1st}}
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' {{1st}}
  
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
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*{{LEGO|Y2}}
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
  
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*{{WWHP}}
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*''[[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]]''
  
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
  
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*{{WW}}
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*{{WU}}
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*{{MA}} {{HoM mention}}
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*{{HPWA}}
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
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{{Reflist}}
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Latest revision as of 22:41, 1 April 2024

Harry Potter Magic Awakend Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

"He's the most intelligent of his kind I've ever met."
— Sirius Black's acknowledgement of Crookshanks' advanced intelligence[src]

Crookshanks was Hermione Granger's pet cat. He was half-Kneazle,[2][3] 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).

In 1993, Crookshanks was purchased from Magical Menagerie by Hermione Granger. The saleswoman from whom she had purchased him stated that he had been in the shop for a long time as "nobody wanted him".

Crookshanks played an important role in the events that took place on 6 June, 1994. During the height of the Second Wizarding War, Crookshanks stayed at the Burrow. It is unknown what happened to him after the war, but it can be assumed that he was returned to Hermione.

Biography

Purchased by Hermione Granger

Ron Weasley: "You bought that monster?"
Hermione Granger: "He's gorgeous, isn't he?"
— Hermione's purchase of Crookshanks[src]
B3C4M2 Magical Menagerie

Crookshanks in Magical Menagerie right before being purchased by Hermione

Crookshanks was purchased on 31 August 1993[9] by Hermione Granger from the Magical Menagerie, who had originally gone there seeking an owl. The proprietor informed Hermione that he had been there for quite some time, and that "nobody wanted him".[4]

Under Hermione Granger's ownership

Suspecting Peter Pettigrew

"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[src]
The Trio & Lupin on the Hogwarts Express

Crookshanks on the Hogwarts Express

Hermione took Crookshanks to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with her and he was present on the train when Dementors boarded in search of Sirius Black. Perhaps because he was half-Kneazle, the newly-adopted cat demonstrated the ability to detect frauds masquerading as animals, most notable of which being Animagi.

Before the start of the 1993–1994 school year, Crookshanks attacked Peter Pettigrew in his Animagus form of Scabbers, Ron's beloved pet rat when Ron took him into the Magical Menagerie as he was looking unwell after the Weasley family's trip to Egypt.[4] Afterwards, Crookshanks sought Scabbers out even attacking him in Ron's presence and causing the rat to seek hiding places.[10]

Crookshanks and scabbers

Crookshanks seeking out Scabbers in the Great Hall

Crookshanks would even try to sneak into the Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory to seek out Scabbers.[11] Crookshanks got another chance at Scabbers during Christmas when Hermione brought him into the boys' dormitory.[12] These constant attacks were cause for Ron and Hermione to argue. Early in second term, when Ron discovered blood on his bed sheet and Scabbers gone, he was convinced that Crookshanks had eaten him.[13]

This caused a row with Hermione until the rat was found at Hagrid's. But Crookshanks was not the only one after Scabbers. Sirius Black's attempts to enter Hogwarts Castle that year, after escaping from the wizard prison Azkaban, was to procure Pettigrew, who framed Sirius for the betrayal of Harry's parents James and Lily to Lord Voldemort as well as the murder of twelve Muggles on a crowded London street during the first War.

Helping Sirius Black
"Harry stared down at Black and Crookshanks, his grip tightening on the wand. So what if he had to kill the cat too? It was in league with Black.... If it was prepared to die, trying to protect Black, that wasn't Harry's business...."
— Crookshanks protecting Sirius from an enraged Harry Potter[src]

At some point during the year, Crookshanks met Sirius Black in his Animagus form, the stray dog mistaken by Harry for the Grim. He immediately trusted Sirius, meeting with him on the Hogwarts grounds several times and stealing 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, and for the truth about both Sirius and Scabbers to be revealed.

B3C22M2 Ron offering Pig to Crookshanks to check on Hogwarts Express

Ron allows Crookshanks to sniff his tiny owl

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 before escaping. After all this, Ron accepted Crookshanks as a remarkable animal companion, asking for his 'judgement' of the small owl that Sirius had offered to him as compensation for the loss of Scabbers to confirm that the owl wasn't another Animagus.[14] Crookshanks did not react to the tiny owl, therefore it was decided that there was nothing wrong with it.

Eve of war

B4C14M2 Hedwig's Gryffindor Common Room delivery

Crookshanks curled up on Hermione's lap in the Gryffindor Common Room

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.[15]

Ginny Weasley (who Ron claimed was a great lover of cats)[16] 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.[17]

He had a fondness of chasing Wizard Chess pieces and had to occasionally be restrained in their presence. He was wary of Fanged Frisbees and hissed when one came near him. At a Gryffindor party, he took to following Ginny around, his yellow eyes fixed upon her new Pygmy Puff Arnold.

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.[18]

It is unknown what became of Crookshanks after Hermione was forced to abandon him during the attack at the Burrow in 1997. Hermione did not bring him along on the Horcrux Hunt. Later they mentioned him when trying to get past the Whomping Willow. Most likely, Crookshanks stayed in the Burrow under the Weasleys' care until he could be reunited with Hermione after the war.

Later life

Crookshanks lived to a very old age, but at some point between 1997 and 2021, he passed away.[1]

Physical appearance

Ron Weasley: "What was that?"
Harry Potter: "It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger."
— Ron and Harry discussing Crookshanks after leaving the Magical Menagerie[src]

Crookshanks was described as very big, bandy-legged, ginger-coloured and with a "grumpy and oddly squashed" face. It was described by Harry Potter to look as if he had "run headlong into a brick wall."[14] Crookshanks' other most recognisable physical traits were his "bottlebrush" tail and his yellow eyes.

Personality and traits

"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?"
— Hermione Granger after Crookshanks caught a spider[src]
CrookshanksPottermore

Crookshanks determining if Ron's new owl Pigwidgeon is an Animagus

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.

Sirius Black, on the other hand, claimed that Crookshanks was the most intelligent cat he had ever met. Crookshanks was also very playful and enjoyed catching spiders,[19] chasing gnomes,[20] and attacking chess pieces.[21]

He was affectionate with those he liked and acted as a shield to Sirius when Harry Potter was planning to kill him. He eventually came to like Harry and would sit on his lap occasionally, as he did in the summer of 1996. However, he could be moody towards those who threw him off their lap, no matter if it was accidental or deliberate.

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. It is likely to be derived from the Scottish surname 'Cruikshanks', which is pronounced in exactly the same way. George Cruikshank was a well-known British illustrator in the 1800s and illustrated Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, the first of the famous "orphan novels" that influenced J. K. Rowling as she came up with the character Harry Potter.

Behind the scenes

Crackerjack

Crackerjack, the cat that plays Crookshanks

Crookshanks Plush

Crookshanks plush from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Crookshanks WU

Crookshanks as seen in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

  • Crookshanks may be named after Poderick Crookshank.
  • 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.[22]
  • 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".
  • Crookshanks' role in the film version Prisoner of Azkaban is considerably diminished compared to his role in the book; he is never shown as friends with Sirius Black nor does he help Sirius in any way.
  • Hermione's ownership of Crookshanks may be reminiscent of her transformation to a cat about one year prior to his purchase.
  • In the films, Crookshanks is played by Crackerjack, as said on the second disc of the DVD of Prisoner of Azkaban. He is also played by Prince and Pumpkin. To make Crackerjack's hair look tatty like Crookshanks's, his trainer stuck bits of his already shed fur onto his body.
  • A plush version of Crookshanks is available at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and at The Making of Harry Potter.
  • Crookshanks's type of cat's face is known as a "pansy face". Based on these markings, Crookshanks would have the characteristics of a hansa Himalayan, or ginger Himalayan cat. He could also be a Persian, but due to his face shape the former is more probable. Many people get these breeds confused. The Persian has larger, buggier eyes and rounder upper lips than a Himalayan.
  • Although not confirmed, it is a popular theory that Crookshanks had once belonged to Lily J. Potter, as Lily had owned a cat when Harry was a baby, which disappeared after the Potters were killed (and possibly ended up at the shop where Hermione later purchased him) and Crookshanks seemed to have a particular bond with Sirius Black, and a particular vendetta against Ron's rat Scabbers, who turned out to be Peter Pettigrew, implying he knew both of them for a long time.
  • He is the third recurring character to be confirmed by J. K. Rowling to have died since the series ended after Petunia Dursley and Kreacher.

Author's comments

"When I was working in London in the late 1980s I used to eat my lunch in a nearby square on sunny days and a large, fluffy ginger cat that looked as though it had run face-first into a wall used to prowl around the sunbathers there; I assume it lived in a nearby house. I didn't ever get close enough to give myself an asthma attack, but I became distantly fond of this cat, which prowled among the humans around it looking disdainful and refusing to be stroked. When I decided to give Hermione an unusually intelligent cat I gave him the appearance of this haughty animal, with the slightly unfair addition of bandy legs."[23]

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 52 images related to Crookshanks.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Q.6 Does Harry Potter still have his owl (Hedwig) and does Hermione still have her cat (Crookshanks)? - JKR
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Explore the Story: "Crookshanks" on Pottermore (archived)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.K. Rowling.com - Extra Stuff (2006) via Internet Archive
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4 (The Leaky Cauldron)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 17 (Cat, Rat and Dog) - "But Harry had just seen — slinking towards them, his body low to the ground, wide yellow eyes glinting eerily in the darkness — Crookshanks."
  6. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 5 (The Order of the Phoenix) - "Crookshanks had given an angry hiss and shot off under the dresser, from whence his large yellow eyes glowed in the darkness."
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9 (The Half-Blood Prince) - "Crookshanks's yellow eyes followed it and he hissed when it came too close."
  8. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 14 (Felix Felicis) - "Crookshanks trotted after her, his yellow eyes fixed upon Arnold."
  9. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter , page B - "Harry woke on the last day of the holidays, thinking that he would at least meet Ron and Hermione tomorrow, on the Hogwarts Express."
  10. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8 (Flight of the Fat Lady)
  11. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 9 (Grim Defeat)
  12. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 11 (The Firebolt)
  13. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 12 (The Patronus)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  15. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  16. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  17. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  18. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  19. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8 (Flight of the Fat Lady)
  20. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 5 (Weasley's Wizard Wheezes)
  21. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 38 (The Second War Begins)
  22. ↑ http://www.evannalynchfans.com/evanna/biography.shtml
  23. ↑ Harry Potter Lexicon
Diagon Alley North Side
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Known residents, shop owners and employees

Blinkhorn · Belcher · Bufo · Crookshanks (formerly) · Eeylops Owl Emporium female employee · Eeylops Owl Emporium male employee · Florean Fortescue (deceased) · Flourish and Blotts manager · Hedwig (formerly; deceased) · Madam Malkin · Noltie · Madam Potage · Magical Menagerie salesman · Magical Menagerie saleswoman · Milvus Grizedale · Marcus Minucius · Trismus · Tut · Twinkle · Vietch · Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment employee

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