MAGIANIMA // Hermione Granger

Unruly Bedhead

It was late by the time any noise interrupted Atlas and the cat she had found, sitting on her bed when she had eventually gotten to her room. He was a little chubby, ginger and had a mean look about him, his face a bit squished. Still, Atlas found him cute, good company, he was well behaved, sat in her arms the entire time, his paws wrapped around her neck as if cuddling her and he didn't make a sound. Save for his purring.

That was until she walked in, Hermione Granger. The big cat jumped out of her arms and padded over to the bushy-haired girl, pruning against her legs. To say Atlas was shocked would be an understatement, animals would more often than not, stick to her, even if their owner would turn up.

"Hello, Crookshanks," Hermione greeted, grinning from ear to ear as she picked the cat up and cradled him in her arms, Atlas just watching from her bed. It was clear the cat was well-loved - definitely so if he chose Hermione over Atlas - and that Hermione was a good girl if she had such a bond with the cat who gave off a very untamable vibe. "It's nice to meet you, Atlas," she smiled kindly, "my name is--"

"Hermione Granger," Atlas finished bluntly, "I know," she affirmed and Hermione seemed to backtrack a bit, a blush of what looked to be embarrassment blooming across her face, "Minerva talks about you, Ron and Harry a lot."

"Good things I hope," Hermione chuckled.

"If you consider breaking countless school rules on multiple occasions and being the sole ones responsible for the number of grey hairs she has...yes," Atlas nodded, "I find the stories funny."

"I'm glad someone benefitted from the trouble those dimwits get us into," Hermione sighed and then soon smiled, holding her hand out for Atlas to take. The girl eyed it curiously for a second, before standing up and putting her hand forward with furrowed contemplative brows. "It honestly is good to meet you."

"You're Muggle-born."

"I'm aware," Hermione replied.

"Look, did Minerva set you up to this?" She sighed, taking her hand back and looking back at Hermione, eyes searching. "Because honestly, you don't have to talk to me if you don't want. I get it if I make you uncomfortable, my family bloodline has made strides against Muggle-kind after all and you know, my dad does work for the guy who killed your best friends parents," Atlas said. Hermione smiled at her kindly, Professor McGonagall was right when she said she'd be hesitant.

"Professor McGonagall is your godmother?"

"Uh...yeah...?" Atlas stopped, her gaze turning quizzical, "You don't...find me off-putting?"

"Of course not," Hermione smiled and then moved to sit on Atlas's bed, Atlas mutely sitting down with her on reflex.

"But...you don't know me? Do you not read the paper?"

"I read the paper," Hermione nodded, "and I'm all for freedom of the press...but...the Daily Prophet isn't a very honest news outlet. Plus, I'm not so small-minded as to judge you based on your families actions. You haven't acted like Malfoy yet so that's a good sign."

"Malfoy?"

"You don't know the Malfoys?"

"No, I do...we're all sort of...related," Atlas grimaced and then smiled for the first time, looking at Hermione gratefully, while the other continued to regard her with a sort of fondness. "Thanks...for not treating me like a threat. It's refreshing. Most people in the village have resorted to avoiding the street I live on now, even though we all used to get on just fine."

"It's really no problem. Besides, Crookshanks likes you so I automatically like you too," Hermione assured, stroking down the back of the cat's spine absentmindedly. "Oh!" She rummaged through the inside of her cloak, pulling out a messy clump of greasy tissue and unravelling it, "I brought you some sausages."