Crookshanks might look like an average cat.
But there’s a lot more to him underneath his ginger fur.
In fact, he’s helped Harry and his friends countless times.
And without his meddling actions…
You won’t believe what kind of trouble the trio could’ve faced.
Continue reading to discover:
- Who owns the half-Kneazle.
- 13 weird facts you didn’t know about Crookshanks.
- What makes him so different from all the other cats.
- Why Crookshanks played an important role in Harry’s protection.
- And so much more…
About Crookshanks
| Born | Before 1993 |
| Purity | Half-Kneazle, Half-Cat |
| House | N/A |
| Character Traits | Intelligent |
| Patronus | N/A |
| Wand | N/A |
| Zodiac Sign | Unknown |
Crookshanks background
Crookshanks was Hermione Granger’s cat.
But before he’d become part of the young witch’s life…
He spent most of his time in the Magical Menagerie. A mythical creature shop that had almost every beast imaginable.
“So you’re saying Crookshanks wasn’t just a normal cat?”
Yes, he’s actually half-Kneazle. A magical creature that looked and acted much like your regular feline.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for Kneazles to breed with regular cats.
And that’s how we got Crookshanks.
Sadly, we don’t know much about his past.
The shop owner simply shared that nobody wanted Crookshanks. And that he’s been there for a long time.
Until Hermione Granger came into the store on August 31, 1993.
Crookshanks occupation
Crookshanks was a half-Kneazle cat.
So he can’t really do any kind of work…
Even if you forced the poor little guy to use his paws.
But did that mean Crookshanks spent the whole day doing nothing?
No, of course not.
In fact, he actually guarded Harry, Hermione, and Ron against many bad people.
For example, Ron’s pet rat Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew in disguise.
But did anybody know this fact?
Nobody except Crookshanks had noticed.
So if you can remember all the times he chased after Ron’s pet rat.
It wasn’t simply a cat being a cat.
Crookshanks was busy saving them from the man who betrayed Harry’s parents.
And if you thought Snape protected Harry Potter many times…
Crookshanks deserved more recognition for being the only one to find out.
Not to mention, actively kept Scabbers away from the trio.
Crookshanks character
Crookshanks didn’t look like your average cat.
He was a lot bigger.
In fact, this was what Harry Potter had to say about him:
“It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger.”
On top of that, Crookshanks also caused a lot of trouble between Ron and Hermione.
And since the ginger half-Kneazle chased after Scabbers a lot.
It caused a lot of arguments between the owners.
In fact, it’s 1 of the funnier scenes from the earlier movies. And I definitely recommend watching the young lovebirds fight again:
But if there’s 1 thing we can’t deny…
Crookshanks really loved Hermione.
And seeing the cute half-cat sit on her lap and get carried around was priceless.
Not to mention when Crookshanks finally warmed up to Harry and Ron too.
More facts about Crookshanks
#1: Not afraid to face death
I know it sounds crazy.
But Crookshanks wasn’t afraid to face death.
You see, when Sirius Black finally escaped from Azkaban…
He went straight to Hogwarts looking for Peter Pettigrew after his prison time.
And can you guess who helped him find a way inside?
Well, it was none other than Crookshanks.
The half-Kneazle immediately took a liking to Sirius…
Because he also understood that Scabbers was Mr. Pettigrew in disguise.
However, 1 misunderstanding led to another, and Harry got everything wrong.
The young Potter pointed his wand at Sirius, ready to kill…
Thinking he came back from Azkaban to finish the job.
But before Harry could do anything he’d regret.
Crookshanks jumped in front of him.
He made himself a shield and protected Sirius Black.
And if that doesn’t spell out bravery…
Then nobody in the wizarding world’s courageous.
#2: A very quiet life after the 2nd Wizarding War
At the height of the 2nd Wizarding War…
Crookshanks had to take a back seat since Voldemort became too dangerous.
And since Harry and his friends were always on the run.
He couldn’t afford to be with them all the time.
So where did he end up, you ask?
Luckily, he got to stay at The Burrow. Home of the Weasley family.
And while we don’t know much about what Crookshanks did at that time.
The Weasleys are a happy bunch…
So he’d have nothing to worry about while staying there.
Plus, research shows too much stress can be bad.
And if it can harm a person’s well-being.
Who knows what harm it can do to a simple feline?
However, that’s about the last time we ever saw Crookshanks.
Neither the books nor films ever mentioned him again.
And at some time between the years 1997 – 2019…
Crookshanks passed away.
#3: Somewhat judgemental cat
Crookshanks was pretty smart.
But with all that intelligence in his feline brain…
He became quite the judgemental cat.
For example, when Harry and Ron made up random answers for their homework.
How do you think Crookshanks reacted?
Well, he gave them a disapproving look.
(Which might be why Crookshanks really loved Hermione. She’s just super smart.)
But he wasn’t perfect…
Especially when it came to chess pieces.
Crookshanks couldn’t help himself from playing with them.
And everybody had to keep him away to stop the half-Kneazle from disturbing games.
Plus, research shows that stress-free and spontaneous actions are simply playtime for kitties.
So this was the intelligent half-Kneazle’s way of having fun.
Bonus: The Potters might be his original owner
I know it sounds like an impossible theory.
Plus, we’ve already seen Hermione Granger buy Crookshanks.
So what evidence could be there?
Well, in a letter from Lily Potter to Sirius Black, she said:
“Thank you, thank you, for Harry’s birthday present! It was his favorite by far. One year old and already zooming along on a toy broomstick, he looked so pleased with himself, I’m enclosing a picture so you can see. You know it only rises about two feet off the ground, but he nearly killed the cat, and he smashed a horrible vase Petunia sent me for Christmas”
And on top of mentioning a cat…
Have you ever wondered how Crookshanks noticed Peter Pettigrew in disguise?
You see, Mr. Pettigrew managed to fool everyone…
So are we just to accept that a cat solved it first?
Well, it would make a lot more sense if Crookshanks was originally owned by the Potters.
And when they were betrayed by Peter Pettigrew.
Crookshanks would’ve seen everything and remembered.
As a result, that’s how the half-Kneazle knew Peter’s secret right away.
Because he was there on that fateful night.