Communicating with Crookshanks

StaceyLC · #1 08-03-2007, 21:55

Did it ever specifically say in PoA how Sirius managed to "communicate" with Crookshanks? He brought Sirius the list of passwords, so I figured he must have gotten something like "I need to get into the castle" across.

LilykinsLove · #2 08-03-2007, 22:08

*is thinking along the lines of maybe crookshanks is just amazing*

maybe dogs and cats can speak to each other???

FenrirG · #3 08-04-2007, 13:02

I have to agree with LilykinsLove; either dogs or cats can speak to each other, or Crookshanks is just brilliant. But at the same time, Sirius said that Crookshanks knew he wasn't a dog... so I'm leaning toward Crookshanks being brilliant.

Also, remember that magical animals tend to be extremely intelligent. Owls, for example, know exactly what their owners are telling them.

Oh! And JKR said in an interview that Crookshanks is part Kneazle. Here's what the HP Lexicon has to say on them.

Quote:

This very intelligent cat-like creature can detect unsavory or suspicious persons very well and will react badly to them. However, if a kneazle takes a liking to a witch or wizard, it makes an excellent pet. The kneazle has spotted fur, large ears, and a lion-like tail (FB). Crookshanks is part kneazle

Probably his Kneazle-ness allows Crookshanks to understand that Sirius is trustworthy and that Peter is not; therefore, he wants to help Sirius.

Yeah. *nods* Hope this helps!
Fenn

LilykinsLove · #4 08-04-2007, 18:12

*just thought of another reason*

Or MAYBE Crookshanks is an animagus. or MAYBE kneazles talented in the way that they can understands humans as owls do.

Are all owls magical?

Fenrir, I luff your avvie.

Emma

FenrirG · #5 08-04-2007, 22:35

Well, as for Crookshanks being an Animagus, I'm pre-etty sure [but not positive] that JKR said in an interview that he's not. Perhaps it was on her website. *checks* Yep, it says that he's not an Animagus.

Ooh, and thank you. <3 Isn't it adorable? /spam

StaceyLC · #6 08-05-2007, 19:54

I knew he was half-Kneazle. I just thought Dumbledore - or even Sirius - mentioned how he got Crookshanks to cooperate.

cmwinters · #7 08-05-2007, 20:09

Sirius did mention that he *got* Crookshanks to cooperate, but didn't specifically mention *how*.

From Prisoner of Azkaban:

"This cat isn't mad," said Black hoarsely. He reached out a bony hand and stroked Crookshanks's fluffy head. "He's the most intelligent of his kind I've ever met. He recognized Peter for what he was right away. And when he met me, he knew I was no dog. It was a while before he trusted me.... Finally, I managed to communicate to him what I was after, and he's been helping me.

"What do you mean?" breathed Hermione.

"He tried to bring Peter to me, but couldn't... so he stole the passwords into Gryffindor Tower for me.... As I understand it, he took them from a boy's bedside table...."

So apparently it was some Animagus form to Kneazle "conversation".

I don't know about your cats but mine frequently know what I want and will react accordingly.

MrsRuebeusHagridDursley · #8 08-08-2007, 15:24

Well, I always thought that Sirius had just talked to Crookshanks. Once an animal has been around people for a while they tend to understand what people want them to do. For example, my pet bird knows when we're about to put him in his cage (he starts freaking out and flying as far away from the cage as possible). Animals are highly intelligent, they can tell from you body your emotions, and from voices and pointing can take directions. All Sirius would have to do was get Crookshanks to know him and then when they saw Ron, mime that he wanted Scabbers. Getting the passwords seemed like it was all Crookshanks idea. (And if Crookshanks is that smart, wouldn't he be able to take orders?) I know I could get one of friend's cat to take an order like that (but maybe on a less sophisticated scale

).

*looks up*

Well, that's a very long and confusing paragraph. I hope it helped! Feel free to ask me any questions!

~Morgan

rebelelfgirl · #9 08-08-2007, 16:26

I had always assumed that being a Kneazle, Crookshanks had abilities that were never fully explained in the books. Perhaps Sirius recognizes his "kneazlness" and knows how to communicate with Crookshanks, while the trio can't because they don't know that he is anything other than a cat.

Maybe if there was a way to peer into Crookshanks mind...