Mr. Whiskers - Chapter One
Where it all Began

Hermione looked around the Headmasters office in anticipation. When her head-of-house approached her at the leaving feast with a note from Dumbledore she couldn't think of any reason the Headmaster would want to speak with her. It had been almost 8 months since she was involved in anything that would require a visit to his office. So it had to be about next year, maybe they wanted her to be the Head Girl! Traditionally, the Prefect and Headship invitations would come with their annual letters in mid-July, but Hermione couldn't think of any other reason for her to be singled out.

While she waited for the Professor, Hermione took note of the changes in furnishings that had occurred since she was here over a year ago. A few of the Headmasters alchemy devices were missing and a second desk had been added. Her first thoughts when she spotted the Quidditch memorabilia in the small workspace were that Professor McGonagall had moved her office up here to better assist the Headmaster, but quickly abandoned that idea as she realized the books laying about the workspace dealt primarily with Divination and the Dark Arts. The mystery identity of the Headmaster's new roommate really sparked her interest when she noticed a sword hanging behind the new desk.

"Ah, Ms. Grainger. I hope I did not keep you waiting too long," The wizened voice of Professor Dumbledore startled Hermione as he entered the office. "I'm sure you have much more pressing engagements than to entertain an old man on your last evening in the castle, Farewells to be given and belongings to be packed. I believe our esteemed librarian mentioned a tomb or two still out under your name."

"I had planned on returning them before leaving tomorrow, Sir. I can go get them now if you wish."

Albus quickly motioned for her to take a seat. "I'm sure Madam Pince can wait until the morning." She could hear the humor in his voice, something that many of the students had remarked was in short supply as of late. "Butterscotch Disk?"

Hermione tried to keep the surprise out of her voice, "No thank you, Sir."

"Yes, I do seam to get significantly fewer takers, but I haven't been able to look at my lemon drops the same since I received that Christmas gift from the Misters Weasley."

"I believe the twins have dubbed them 'Power Puckers'," Hermione momentarily forgot her unease as she joked with the Headmaster, but upon realizing where she was she quickly turned her sight to the floor, a reaction that was not lost on Albus.

"It has been a while since you have visited my office, Ms. Granger. I believe your only previous occasion was the night Arthur was attacked last winter."

The abrupt change in conversation unnerved the young witch. This wasn't sounding like a congratulation speech. "Well, um... with how things have ended up... um,..."

"There is no need to worry my dear, I understand the reasoning for your actions last summer. Mr. Potter and myself have had several occasions to discuss everything over the past year. Actually, I was hoping to speak with you about some of your more recent decisions."

"More recent decisions? You mean about Ron and-"

"Please Ms. Granger, the staff and I do not involve ourselves with the personal lives of our students. I was merely inquiring if you had given any thought to your holiday plans."

"Oh... Well, the Burrow is obviously out, and I don't think I would be welcome at Grimmauld Place-"

"Let me assure you Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter harbors you no ill will. But as he will not be summering there himself, I would dare say that you would find the comings and goings of our friends disturbing to your studies"

"Oh, I just figured with the Dursleys gone now... never mind. My parents were hoping to spend the entire summer together, and I thought it would be ideal to get started on my NEWT studies."

"That sounds like an informed decision, Ms. Granger," the sparkle in Dumbledore's eye was working overtime now. "Are you enjoying your NEWT classes? I hear you are one of the few to attend Hangrid's magical creatures lessons at this level."

"Oh, yes, this years magical creatures classes were quite educational. Then again, the most dangerous creature we studied was a Nogtail. I'm not sure next year will be quite so smooth, he had mentioned the possibility Chimeras and Nundu during the final exam." Hermione was quite glad to move the conversation away from her summer plans.

"Ahhh... let me assure you there will be no Chimeras allowed on Hogwarts grounds. But exactly what have you heard about Nundu?"

"Not much really," the direction their conversation had taken was beginning to confuse Hermione. "There was mention of Nundu in our third-year text, but no detail. Just that they were a large form of feline from Africa with toxic breath and resistance to spells."

"Very good Ms. Granger, you've just summed up almost everything ever written about the Nundu. But what would you think if I were to tell you it was all based upon ancient tribal legends and the sighting of a single specimen?" The incredulous look on Hermione's face was all the response Albus needed.

"There had been legends in tribal villages for years about a 'ghost cat' that attacked little children. The ministry sent an investigator to look into the stories, one Robert Edgecombe." Here Albus paused until he saw understanding on Hermione's face.

"Yes, as in Marietta Edgecombe. He was her grandfather, actually. He spent several months searching for the Nundu, and by the time he found one sleeping on a sun-warmed rock in the summer of 1914, he was not in the most pleasant of moods. Robert was never one of the most patent of men, aggravated that he had been forced into less than comfortable living conditions for the entire hunt, Robert took his aggression out by throwing a stunner at the sleeping animal. Unfortunately the fur coat of a Nundu is quite spell resistant, and the awakened beast released a cloud of orange vapor from its mouth that quickly killed Mr. Edgecombe."

"You mean he invested that much time searching for one and attacked it on sight?" Hermione could see where Marietta inherited her values.

"Yes, and unfortunately the Ministry's response was just as foolish. Alarmed by the strength of the toxins that had killed Mr. Edgecombe, they send a hunting party of over 50 aurors to capture or destroy the Nundu. It took a combined effort of 26 incendios to fell the animal, and 17 aurors were killed by poorly aimed spells during the final attack. In an effort to cover up the deaths of 18 ministry workers by a single animal, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures released a statement classifying the Nundu as a dangerous creature, warning everyone to avoid them at all costs. And that was the first, last, and only time a living Nundu has been recorded."

Later, she would never be able to decide if it was the lateness of the hour, the stress of knowing how much packing she still had to do that night, or the fact that their discussion had roamed from truant library books to failed relationships to a ministry worker that had been dead for over 80 years, but Hermione's patience was wearing thin.

"I'm sorry sir, but I really do not see what this has to do with me."

"Ahh, but it has everything to do with you, Ms. Granger. You see, almost everything the ministry has recorded about the Nundu is incorrect, and I would like your help in documenting this." Professor Dumbledore walked over to the second desk and retrieved a large scroll from one of the lower drawers, quietly handing it to the stunned woman before him.

"My absent assistant and I have spent the past several months with a live Nundu here in Hogwarts. The scroll contains a detailed report on what we have observed, but due to the lateness of the hour a short summary should suffice for now. The Nundu is a magical relative of the leopard, but slightly larger with a black, glossy coat. Contrary to the ministry reports, Nundu do not breath acid. The one Mr. Edgecombe came across had recently consumed a streeler, the acidic cloud that killed Mr. Edgecombe was a vaporous form of the streeler's venom. So far the only magic we have documented in the Nundu, other than his natural resistance to magic, is the ability to change the color and patterns of his coat, much like a disillusionment charm."

Hermione pondered this new information for a moment. "So, if they have the ability to hide, and the intelligence to avoid nearly all human contact for hundreds of years, why is one here now? I mean, how did you gain its trust?"

Hermione was surprised by the painful expression her question brought. "Yes dear, the question as to why he trusts me is much more poignant than you could ever know." The headmaster was lost in thought for a few moments before responding. "The fact is that I have gained his trust over the past year, whether that trust is deserved or not, and he has consented to my plans for this summer."

"What do you mean 'consented'? Surely you are not suggesting it can communicate"

"But he can Ms. Granger, and luckily for us he can." The sparkle in her Headmaster's eye suddenly reminded her of the look Ron used to get whenever he defeated Harry at chess. "It will make his stay at your home much easier for everyone involved."

"WHAT?" Hermione jumped to her feet so forcefully the chair toppled behind her. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'MY HOME'? I LIVE IN A MUGGLE NEIGHBORHOOD, I CAN'T BE HARBORING A LEVEL 5 DANGEROUS CREATURE IN MUGGLE LONDON!"

Dumbledore was unruffled at her outburst. "But that is exactly why I have chosen you for this task. I have already spoken with your parents and they have agreed to everything." With a wave of his wand a steaming cup of tea appeared on the desk. "Please, sit down and have a drink while I explain everything."

"You see Hermione, our Groundskeeper will be leaving on a trip for me at the beginning of August and will not be able to take care of our young visitor. Due to the 80 years of horror stories perpetuated by the ministry against Nundus, it would be unwise for me to bring our feline friend on my travels through wizarding areas. That is where you and your family come in. Living far from any other magical persons, we will not have to worry about the panic a Nundu spotting would create. Besides, there is no others I would trust to handle the situation."

"Remus and Tonks will be spending several weeks in July at your home placing wards to prevent any muggles from noticing our adventuresome guest. I hope their presence will not cause any undue strain as I have already cleared their visit with your parents. Hangrid will stop off with our guest and any provisions he may need on the afternoon of July 31st."

"I guess I don't really have much say in this arrangement?" The guilty look on the Headmasters face was enough of an answer. "If that is all, I have some packing to finish," and with that she stormed out of his office.

No sooner did the young witch leave that a shimmer in the air rippled outward to reveal an adolescent Nundu crouched beneath the assistant's desk. As it crawled out from under the desk it disappeared again with a soft pop, only to be replaced by a young man with an unruly mop of black hair.

"Would now be a good time to tell you again that I do not like this idea of yours?" Harry questioned his mentor.

But a sly grin and twinkling eye was the only answer he received.