Clara was walking back from the greenhouse after her herbology class, thankful that her partner today had been rather enthusiastic, so she'd been able to sit back as he handled most of the work. She didn't mind work, of course, she just wasn't a huge fan of plants--particularly plants that are persnickety and sometimes bite. She was nearly to the castle, when a black and white blur darted past her with a "mreow."
The cat jumped up onto a low stone wall, and paced for a bit, tail swaying. Then it stood still, and seemed to stare at her. She approached slowly. Cats were among the few animals she actually liked. She'd considered bringing her own cat to Hogwarts, but had decided against it, unsure of whether Abrasax would be comfortable in a new environment, and whether she could take care of him with ease while at school. She'd be worried about losing him in such a large castle--much like she suspected someone had lost this cat.
She'd gotten near enough to touch the cat now, and she held her hand out, moving slowly so she wouldn't frighten it. Her fingers brushed the cat's fur.
Suddenly, it ducked under her hand and sprang down from the wall, away from her. Then it sat down a few meters away, and started licking its paw. Clara crouched down, but didn't move any closer. She stared at the cat, and the cat stared back.
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