Library

Why Did Crookshanks Cat Attack Scabbers In Prisoner Of Azkaban?

2025-11-06 01:39:45

306

Follow30

4 Answers

Xavier

To be clear, Crookshanks was not attacking a normal rat. Scabbers had something very wrong about him. Crookshanks was a kneazle crossed with a shere-khan and thus would be extremely sensitive to normal rats. However, he would also be extremely sensitive to something disguising itself as a human. And Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew in rat form as an Animagus.

In addition to Crookshanks’ natural antipathy towards unusual creatures, he seems to enjoy the company of Hermione Granger and is clearly wary of Scabbers’ sly presence in their home. His attacks on Scabbers throughout the book read as a mix of aggression to protect Hermione and of intense curiosity as to the nature of Scabbers. When Scabbers is finally revealed to be Peter Pettigrew in disguise, Crookshanks’ behavior makes perfect sense. He had long suspected a rodent in the walls, and a cat helps uncover the secret to one of the greatest mysteries in the book.

2025-11-07

Veronica

This is quite funny the first time you see it but then very sensible. Crookshanks has kneazle instincts – he can tell when there are dodgy creatures near. And Scabbers, the rat pretending to be Ron’s pet, has human habits and is very smarmy, which a normal pet wouldn’t be. So it is these tiny things that Crookshanks notices about Scabbers that make him jump on him in this angry fashion.

He wasn't attacking Ron's pet out of anger. In fact his anger was very precise and he was targeting Scabbers for suspected reasons, perhaps to protect Hermione as she bought him. In fact his actions towards Scabbers made perfect sense as the story progressed and it was revealed that Scabbers was in fact Peter Pettigrew. So in fact Crookshanks had been sniffing out betrayal all along. I rather like that little cat, he's a furry lie-detector.

2025-11-08

Amelia

I think it is obvious that Scabbers was attacked by Crookshanks because he wasn't Scabbers. There are three different reasons for this, all of which are convincing for their own reasons. First, because Crookshanks is a kneazle, he has a very good sense of who to trust. He can smell out trickery and disguise. Second, Pettigrew as Scabbers was a very unusual creature - a rat with a human and a very 'calculated' nature. I think Scabbers would have had 'slipperiness' to his movements that would have been very obvious to any observant creature, including Crookshanks. Third, Crookshanks had a great deal of affection for Hermione and so could have perceived Scabbers to be a threat to her safety or wellbeing.

In the book 'Prisoner of Azkaban' the attacks by Crookshanks serve a purpose in the plot. They create suspicion of the rat Scabbers and allow the plot to unfold to the shocking truth of Scabbers' identity. Crookshanks' aggression is portrayed as a combination of his nature and his agenda, to expose the impersonator and to protect the people he cares about. This is a clever aspect of the book and every time I read that part of the book I notice Crookshanks and feel a slight smile, he's an unsung hero in the book.

2025-11-11

Talia

Re-reading ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’ has given me a new found respect for the way Crookshanks can tell the difference between a room and a rat.

When J.K. Rowling later revealed that Crookshanks was part-kneazle, this explained so much. Kneazles are notoriously wary of shape-shifters and dishonest creatures, andCrookshanks is always sensitive to ‘odd’ behavior, ‘human’ cunning and ‘strange’ smells. I always imagined that the attacks on Scabbers were nasty and senseless but, in retrospect, they were more like the work of a clever detective cat searching for clues and trying to unmask an imposter. In this light, the attacks were not so cruel after all.

But then there is the way that Crookshanks looks after Hermione and fears for her while Scabbers is around. You can see him stalking Scabbers in order to test him, to find out what secrets the odious rodent is hiding. I love Crookshanks in these scenes, a clever little debugger (for that is what he is) trying to uncover the truth in the face of much confusion and disrespect.

2025-11-11

Related Books

Alpha Vorthrane's Pet

Osarumwense Osakue

12.4K

They say Alpha Kael Vorthrane is not a man. He is a curse. A beast born from betrayal. A ruler who destroyed entire packs to build his throne. And now… he owns mine. I am Liora Ashwyn. Daughter of the Dark Moon Alpha. The girl my own parents handed over like a peace offering when Alpha Kael came for revenge. I watched him slaughter my pack. I watched my parents choose me to save themselves. And I watched his soldiers drag me away to be his “gift.” But when Alpha Kael finally looked at me… He didn’t see a slave. He saw the daughter of the people who ruined his life. And he decided I would pay for their sins. Alpha Kael doesn’t just want my body. He wants my fear. My pride. My spirit. He wants to break me slowly. Because his wolf is insatiable. Cruel. Hungry for revenge. And I am the perfect victim. But Alpha Kael doesn’t know one thing… I am not as weak as I look. And the girl he plans to destroy might be the only one capable of destroying him. Or worse… Becoming the one thing his wolf never expected. His perfect mate.

Read Now

Turns Out Cats Are Endgame

Simple Sketch

1.4K

When the zombie apocalypse hit, pets leveled up into guardians. Three per person. That was the cap. My buddy dropped serious cash on three Caucasian Shepherds. My landlord dumped his fish and started raising crocodiles. My girlfriend bolted to the zoo and came back with a lion. Me? I had three strays. Bubba—blind. Missy—lame. Snowy—barely a month old. The second the system locked pet slots, I knew I was screwed. I barricaded myself inside with my three "broken" cats and kept my head down. Day one—fear. Day two—helpless. Day three—the cats strolled back in, tails up, dragging something I didn't recognize. Bubba looked at me. "Dad, I bit off every zombie head on the block. I'm solid, right?" I just stared.

Read Now

Dad Swears the Cat Is My Brother

Ashlore

235

When I was six, my older brother, Garrett Johnston, died in an accident. Not long after, Dad finds a stray kitten with a marking on its wrist that matches Garrett's birthmark. From that day on, the cat becomes my brother. Dad takes down my desk to make room for a luxury litter box, leaving me to do my homework on the dining table. He tears down our bunk bed and replaces it with a cat tree, banishing me to a bed made of stacked cardboard boxes on the balcony. Dad spares no expense on premium cat food, treats, clothes, and toys, while I get nothing at all. Finally, I pluck up the courage to ask Dad, "Garrett and I used to share everything. How come he gets it all now?" Dad just snaps at me. "Do you have any idea how hard Garrett worked to come back to me? He's just a cat now! Why are you still fighting with him?" But Dad, why are you crying again when I listen to you and stop fighting with Garrett?

Read Now

How I Heard My Cat and Ruined Them

Gathering Clouds

3.6K

My boyfriend thought I was too fat at 121 pounds. I signed up for a gym and started working out like crazy, but the more I tried to lose weight, the more I gained. Meanwhile, my best friend, Chloe Woods, was doing late-night eating streams every single day, stuffing herself with steaks, seafood, and greasy takeout. Not only did she not gain weight, she dropped from 154 pounds to 143. When my boyfriend started tearing into me even worse than before, I suddenly heard the tabby cat’s voice in my head. “You idiot. Chloe’s got you trapped in a weight-swap system. “No matter how hard you try to lose weight, she’s the one getting thinner. Every pound you lose is a pound she drops. She’s trying to ruin you.” I froze and turned to look at my best friend, Chloe. She was staring at my boyfriend without even trying to hide it, her eyes full of admiration. Then the tabby’s voice exploded in my ears again. “Chloe is obsessed with that trashy loser. Once she gets skinny, the two of them will hook up. Then they'll team up to get you killed and spend your settlement money living a happy life.” The moment I learned the truth, I smiled. Since my so-called best friend wanted to be skinny that badly, if I made her whole body weigh less than 50 pounds, she’d probably be very grateful to me, right?

Read Now

The Cat Snitched, So I Got Payback

Lil' Falafel

885

Madison Hodge, my fiancee, thinks that weighing 160 pounds makes me too fat. So, I sign up for a gym membership and work out as much as I can. But the more I exercise, the more weight I put on. Meanwhile, Daniel Webb, a good buddy of mine, livestreams his supper every night. Despite feasting on the most calorie-rich food out there, not only does he not put on any weight, but he even loses ten pounds. As Madison rips into me for not losing any weight, I suddenly find myself able to hear the thoughts of my tabby cat, Furball. His mind goes, "Why are you so silly, Master? Daniel chose you as his target for the Weight Swapping System he has! No matter how many pounds you work off, it's Daniel who loses the weight. He's trying to ruin your life!" Feeling completely stunned, I turn to Daniel, only to see that he's staring at Madison with an affectionate gaze. Once again, I hear more of Furball's thoughts. "Daniel is hopelessly in love with that awful woman. Once he slims down, the two of them will start hooking up. They'll team up to take your life and live off your life insurance payout. They'll even enjoy their intimacy during your funeral!" Now that I know the truth, I simply let out a chuckle. Since this good buddy of mine loves losing weight so much, I'm sure he'll be extremely grateful to me if I make sure he weighs no more than 100 pounds, right?

Read Now

My Cats Ruled the Apocalypse

Simple Sketch

1.5K

The zombie apocalypse had arrived, and pets could transform into guardians to protect their owners—each person was allowed no more than three. My best friend had spent a fortune on three Tibetan mastiffs. The landlord cleared out a fish tank to raise a crocodile. My boyfriend? He had stormed the zoo and dragged a lion home. And me? I only had three stray cats. The eldest was blind, the second one limped, and the youngest had just turned one month old. The moment the apocalypse system announced that pet slots were locked, I knew I was doomed. I tried to hide with my three disabled cats, hoping to survive quietly. Day one of the apocalypse: terrified… Day two: helpless… Day three: my cats sauntered over, tails swishing, carrying some unidentifiable object. "Mama, I bit off all the zombie heads on this street. How's that? Solid enough?" I was rendered speechless.

Read Now

Topic

#Fandom, Ships & Character Discussions to see

Related Questions

Why is Sirius Black innocent in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'?

12 Answers2025-06-20

There is Peter Pettigrew’s confession in the Shrieking Shack under pressure. There he admits his treachery, explaining that he betrayed James and VH to go to Voldemort because he thought he would win and he wanted protection. He cowers and begs for mercy, a weak and abject creature. His confession is a direct, verbal one, made in the presence of a number of witnesses (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Remus, Snape) and in that scene, Sirius’s name is cleared, both magically and narratively. However, in reality, the confession is not believed by anyone who counts (in the story) because Pettigrew escapes and the witnesses are all discredited in various ways (a werewolf and an outlaw against the Draco-Law; children against the adult-established order of things) and silenced one way or another. For the reader however, this is the moment of Sirius’s exoneration.

What are the best 'Azkaban innocent' Harry Potter fanfiction stories?

6 Answers2026-04-05

Guided By A Star" has mpreg so skip if you hate that. But its complete and well written.

How does Harry defeat the Basilisk in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'?

9 Answers2025-06-20

Harry's showdown with the Basilisk in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is a mix of bravery, quick thinking, and sheer luck. Armed with the Sword of Gryffindor—pulled from the Sorting Hat by Fawkes' timely arrival—he stabs the monster through its venomous mouth. The Basilisk's fangs pierce his arm, but Fawkes' tears heal the wound before the poison kills him. What fascinates me is the symbolism. The sword represents courage earned through desperation, while Fawkes embodies loyalty. Even Harry's refusal to listen to the Basilisk's whispers (unlike Ginny) shows his moral strength. The moment feels like destiny—yet it's Harry's choices, not fate, that win the day. Dumbledore later hints the sword only appears to worthy Gryffindors, tying it to Harry's identity. The scene’s brilliance lies in weaving magic, mythology, and character growth into one climactic strike.

What does Number 6 symbolize in The Prisoner?

5 Answers2026-06-20

Number 6 is unchanged because he refuses to conform. Whatever way you choose to believe his storyline (he’s a secret agent or he’s in a politcal allegory or he’s just a really cool anti-hero), his defiant spirit will be with us forever. The ambiguity of the show allows us to believe whatever we want to believe about Number 6 – that he’s a spy, a prisoner or just about anything else we can imagine. My favorite thing about Number 6, though, is the image of him running towards the ocean, never quite reaching it. This is life, after all – we push against things that never budge. Perhaps that is why Number 6 is as memorable as he is – he’s around long after the credits have rolled.

How did Narcissa Malfoy lie to Voldemort about Harry?

5 Answers2026-04-17

This is so scary! Voldemort is right there, and all of his followers are watching. One wrong move and she’s a dead woman. But as soon as Harry starts talking about Draco, her priorities change. And then she just lies to the Dark Lord. I’m talking, she’s looking him straight in the eye, and just telling out right lies. It was a huge gamble on her part, and it paid off. Although, no one will ever give her credit for it. Her actions here were selfish, and not really heroic at all. But they had a huge impact on the battle.

How did cho chang's relationship with Harry Potter end?

9 Answers2025-08-30

It ended because of Marietta Edgecombe. Full stop. The date was terrible, and they may have worked past that awfulness had Cho defended Dumbledore’s Army to Umbridge for different reasons than she did. Instead, Harry saw her actions as absolute treachery, and Cho saw Harry’s refusal to even try to understand Marietta’s fear as heartless. The resulting argument in the hallway was the end of them. A fundamental breach of trust, and the two of them on opposite sides of it all when they were just 15 and in the midst of a huge and secret rebellion.

What age group is prisoner b 3087 appropriate for?

15 Answers2025-10-27

This is a book that could be considered for readers aged 10-14 and grades 5-9 according to the publishing information. However, within this range there is a huge difference between a ten-year-old and a fourteen-year-old. An older range would be more suitable as this book is based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor, Yanek, and his horrific experiences as a young boy who was torn from his family and home. Unlike reading about the Holocaust in a factual book with dates and information, readers can experience it for themselves through Yanek’s eyes as he recounts his harrowing experiences. The book is extremely factual and does not shy away from expressing the full depth of the terror and suffering that he endured. This book would be suitable for readers aged 13 and above.

Prison Healer age rating - is it YA or adult?

3 Answers2026-06-06

I read The Prison Healer in one sitting and my summary of it is that it’s YA with adult teeth. While Kiva’s journey to learn to trust the right people and fight for justice is typical coming-of-age fare, the horrors of the prison where she has to heal her new hostage after he’s beaten to a pulp in order to save his life are most certainly not. It reads like very early Suzanne Collins. And it’s not clear cut moralism – it has a lot of the same grey areas that Orange Is the New Black explores. I’d recommend it to mature teens and adults who read a lot of fantasy and are looking for something with a little more substance than usual, like Graceling. But don’t expect a light read.

what episode does bonnie come back from the prison world

3 Answers2026-07-29

Bonnie returns to the real world in Season 6, Episode 13 of The Vampire Diaries, “The Day I Tried to Live”. She returns to the real world from the prison world that she was stuck in with Damon since the end of Season 5. The whole episode revolves around her return to the real world and her return to her friends and her life with them. Bonnie is one of the favorite characters to many fans and her return to the real world is a wonderful moment in The Vampire Diaries for many fans. This moment is very memorable and powerful because Bonnie went through so much in order to be with her friends. It really highlights Bonnie’s strength and resilience throughout her struggles within the TVD universe and it will effect many of the other characters for the rest of the season. For those watching along for the first time, this is definitely a payoff worth the wait for Bonnie’s return. After so much struggle and heavy sacrifice on her part, it is wonderful to see her back with her friends and watch the impact that her return will have on those around her, including in particular the complicated bond that currently exists between Damon and Elena.

How does 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' end?

10 Answers2025-06-24

This was just so inventive for the protections. Fluffy, the Devil's Snare, the flying keys, the chessboard, the troll, the logic potions... and the mirror. Each one would play to the particular strengths of each of the three of them, and then it would all culminate in a really good RPG-style dungeon crawl, which was very satisfying. And then in the ending of that, it would tie in perfectly to the larger story and the villain of the series, Voldemort. It was a really good way to keep the action of the story high while still continuing to advance the story of the overall series, which isn't always easy to do in the final act of a book. This did it easily and well.