Astra

XXVI - The Christmas Present

"WHAT ARE YOU two laughing about?" asked Astra, while Hermione still frowned and sent worried glances at Astra.

"Don't bring him in here!" said Ron, hurriedly snatching Scabbers from the depths of his bed and stowing him in his pajama pocket and glaring at Crookshanks, who had jumped out of Hermione's hands. Astra glared at the rat, wondering how Ron would respond to her asking to hold him, but decided it would be a bad idea after the confrontation with Hermione.

Hermione dropped Crookshanks onto one of the beds and stared at something that Astra just noticed; the brand new firebolt. She immediately smiled, remembering how her father had wanted to get Harry something like that and how Astra told him about Harry's old broom and how James had talked all about the new Firebolt.

"Oh, Harry! Who sent you that?" asked Hermione, forgetting about her dispute with Astra.

"No idea," said Harry. "There wasn't a card or anything with it."

To this statement, she immediately frowned and glanced back at Astra, who glared at her, warning her not to say anything about the letter.

"What's the matter with you?" said Ron.

"I don't know," said Hermione slowly, "but it's a bit odd, isn't it? I mean, this is supposed to be quite a good broom, isn't it?"

Ron sighed exasperatedly.

"It's the best broom there is, Hermione," he said.

"So it must've been really expensive..."

"Probably cost more than all the Slytherins' brooms put together," said Ron happily.

"Well...who'd send Harry something as expensive as that, and not even tell him they'd sent it?" said Hermione.

"Who cares?" said Ron impatiently. "Listen, Harry, can I have a go on it? Can I?"

"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermione shrilly.

Harry and Ron looked at her while Astra glared harder, but Hermione didn't listen.

"What d'you think Harry's going to do with it -- sweep the floor?" said Ron.

"Hermione," Astra warned.

But before Hermione could answer, Crookshanks sprang from the bed, right at Ron's chest.

"GET -- HIM -- OUT -- OF -- HERE!" Ron bellowed as Crookshanks's claws ripped his pajamas and Scabbers attempted a wild escape over his shoulder. Ron seized Scabbers by the tail and aimed a misjudged kick at Crookshanks that hit the trunk at the end of Harry's bed, knocking it over and causing Ron to hop up and down, howling with pain. Astra jumped up, trying to get the rat, but only ended up knocking down some books.

Crookshanks's fur suddenly stood on end. A shrill, tinny, whistling was filling the room. The Pocket Sneakoscope had become dislodged from Uncle Vernon's old socks and was whirling and gleaming on the floor.

"I forgot about that!" Harry said, bending down and picking up the Sneakoscope. "I never wear those socks if I can help it..."

The Sneakoscope whirled and whistled in his palm. Crookshanks was hissing and spitting at it.

"You'd better take that cat out of here, Hermione," said Ron furiously, sitting on Harry's bed nursing his toe. "Can't you shut that thing up?" he added to Harry as Hermione strode out of the room, Crookshanks's yellow eyes still fixed maliciously on Ron. Astra wanted to follow Hermione to make sure that she wouldn't do anything about it, but also wanted to see the Firebolt that her father had gotten harry. So, she decided to follow Hermione out, as she would be able to see the broom later.