Harry Potter Theory: Who Was Crookshanks Original Owner? 

"Wizards are allowed to bring with them a cat, an owl, or a toad." Ron: "I'M GONNA BRING A RAT"

"and he really just, inserts himself into the plot" That's exactly what a cat would do

Big help: Pottermore there’s a picture a of James Lilly and Harry and what is Lilly holding? An orange cat? A orange fluffy cat? Crookshanks......Yea

it makes sense that Hermione had a cat. She still had to go home to her parents living in the muggle world, so a cat wouldn't be out of place.

Luckily Hermoine didn't have to kill the previous owners to be the true owner of the cat.

What? Crookshanks not changing much in _Prisoner of Azkaban_? He's the unsung _hero_ of _Prisoner of Azkaban_! He recognizes Peter and chases him, causing conflict between Ron and Hermione, yes, but when he meets up with Sirius, he first tries to steal Peter for Sirius. This keeps Sirius from making any risky moves at the beginning of the year. When he fails to capture Peter himself, he also steals the passwords for Sirius to break into the Gryffindor common room. As we approach the climax, he aids Sirius in luring Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the Shrieking Shack, even calming the tree by touching the knot on its trunk to allow Harry and Hermione to follow Sirius and Ron through the passageway at its base. When Harry is going to kill Sirius, the main reason he hesitates is because Crookshanks curls up on his chest and refuses to get off him, shielding him and forcing Harry to think through his actions. Who knows _how_ these situations would have happened without having Crookshanks there. He could have be written out, sure, but he's actually a pretty big plot device and would need to be written out with care.

One of my favorite scenes in Harry Potter is when Ron asks Crookshanks to confirm that Pigwidgeon is really an owl. I love that he goes from an antagonistic relationship with Crookshanks to complete trust in his judgement.

I think that Crookshanks being the potter's cat was hinted at. He was a smart cat, so went after the person who betrayed them, helped their closest friend, and always seemed nice to Harry, whom he knew of before

"Hermione owes Harry his cat back" Lol

Actually hermione wanted an owl but crookshanks jumps down and the owner of the store said no one wanted it so hermione took it

"Man, you know what sucked? Being a cat. Huh, I wonder where you can get one."

I was under the impression that Crookshanks was an Animagus until he...wasn’t.

This is a question I never knew I needed the answer to until I started watching this video.

Maybe Hermione got a cat so she could have an animal she could take home without breaking the statute of secrecy 😂😂😂

when you said "are you really the true owner" I was like here we go with the elder wand again

At pottermore there is an illustration of the potter family and james is holding an orange cat of the same breed as crookshanks!

Another bit of proof is in Prisoner of Azkaban. Crookshanks is next to Harry and looking at him with concern on the train after he first encountered a Dementor.

Harry, why did you terrorize a cat?

I like the theory that Mrs Norris is actually a witch who turned herself into a cat by mistake when she tried to remove her magic to be with the squib Mr filch. her students helped her so that is why filch hates the students for what they did to the woman he loved. It's a cool theory that accounts for Mrs Norris' intelligence

Crookshanks had no owner. Crookshanks is a free cat.

Technically since harry and Ginnyget married and how Ron and Hermione get married the cat kinda stays in the family ish.

Hermione: Hello, Harry. Harry: That cat seems femelier. Hermione: Weird. Sirius: That is your parents old cat, Harry. Harry: Gimme my cat.

I think that argus filch and arabella figg having the same initials is interesting AF!! 😎

It also makes sense because the Crookshanks is really friendly to Harry in general, like in that one scene in Order of the Pheonix where Harry just got back from detention with Dolores and Crookshanks just comes by and sits on his lap. In fact there is a lot of scenes where Crookshanks just shows up to be petted by Harry.

it would be cool if the Harry potter cast did reaction videos to these harry potter theory's!!!!!!

i can imagine the conversation after Harry watches the video: Hermoine: Hey, Harry, what's u- Harry: You owe me a cat. Hermoine: Uh... but why- Harry: You owe me a cat.

Don't be silly. Hermione is owned by Crookshanks. Ask any cat owner who owns who

My teacher's name is Mrs. Norris.........

*hermione buys a cat and therefor is the owner* Supercarlinbrothers: well yes, but actually no

I've been obsessed with the origins of crookshanks. And this was always the theory that makes most since to me. Along with a theory that Crookshanks is an animagus of Regulas Black. And that his forray in the cave had some kind of lasting effect of a curse that kept him from being able to transform back to human form. Love the videos btw.

Assuming that this the truth: Lupin: That cat looks familiar.... Ahh, I must be going crazy.

I think that Crookshanks' face could have been squashed when Voldemort came to the Potter's house and that is why nobody James and Lily knew recognizes him. Crookshanks is described as having a crushed face, so that could have happened because a piece of the Potter's house fell on him when Voldemorts curse rebounded.

has anyone else wondered why its MRS Norris like is ... married?

I had my eye on Crookshanks since he was introduced, and as the books progressed, was hoping that he had a bigger role and a plot twist coming. Crookshanks knew a lot more than JK was letting on. You've done an excellent job in sleuthing out his story! That Crookshanks was the Potter's cat and he recognized Pettigrew as a betrayer to the Potters explains his very violent reaction to seeing Pettigrew for the first time. Makes excellent sense!

What would you think of an animated Harry Potter show that follows the book more closely

Hermione: buys crookshanks Harry: “oy that’s mine!”

Not to put holes in your theory because I would love for this to be confirmed as canon. I have to correct you on one of the points you've made. Crookshanks didnt immediately trust Sirius in his dog shape, in fact he said he had to convince Crookshanks to trust him. "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. . . .”

I have a theory for you: Molly and Arthur knew Lily, James before they died. Keep in mind that Fabian and Gideon were members of the Order of the Phoenix with Lily and James. Guess who Gideon and Fabian are related to? The Weasleys, this fact does not prove anything but Molly and Arthur meeting Lily and James before their deaths could explain why they are so protective of Harry.

this theory makes me happy. i was siriusly bothered when they never mentioned if "the family cat" survived.

My favourite RU-vid channel !!

Question: Why toads? Toads are included in the Hogwarts first year supply list. I understand why wizards and witches might want owls and cats, but what is the practical purpose of a toad?

You obviously never had a cat own you. That's the first thing you learn when you have a cat. You don't own the cat, the cat owns you. The cat chooses you. And in the Muggle world, I am convinced cats are magical anyway, with ways of traveling and places to go that are uncanny. I believe they go places outside the Muggle world until their human calls for them, because they are impossible to find otherwise. Their purrs are known from scientific testing to be healing, especially for bones. Petting and stroking a cat reduces blood pressure and stress. And cats are smart about hunting. As far as Sirius, he said he took a while to get into Crookshanks' good graces, so it wasn't love at first sight. Crookshanks kept his own counsel but was finally convinced of Sirius' intentions.

If this is true, another thought on why the other marauders don't recognize crookshanks would very likely have to do with his age. Now, being a 'magical' cat, and possibly a kneazle, his lifespan may be longer than a normal cat, but most cat's lifespan is about 15 years. Even if that is the case, when considering that, and the fact that it's been 12 years since the potters died, it can be safe to assume that crookshanks was at least a young cat, possibly a kitten. Also considering that at the time of the letter, they had gone into hiding, were essentially stuck at home, and had a newborn son, it would make sense if they had 'just' got the cat for the family. Which further supports the possibility of him still being a kitten. Taking all that into account, Lupin quite possibly had never even seen him, Sirius and Peter would have only seen him a couple times, and none of them would have given much thought to what happened to it considering all the circumstances. After 12 years, even if any of them had given it much thought, nobody would be likely to recognize a cat they had seen only a couple times, or be sure it was the same one. Peter, being the kind of person he is, definitely didn't, especially since he was more concerned about keeping away from him. Lupin and Sirius did seem to recognize a sense of familiarity, but chalked it up to crookshanks just being a very intuitive and magical cat. Sirius especially, sort of developing a bond of friendship, but that also had to do with having been in prison and now being in hiding, so he also had his want for companionship to chalk it up to.

maybe Crookshanks stuck around at the pet store waiting for Harry to come, but he didn't when he turned 11

yep, as soon as i read the seventh book, i was like.....crookshanks was the potter's cat. (the stuff about arabella fig though i didn't think of)

It will be Harrys familys cat, Calling it now. Now to watch video

I like this theory. I always felt like there was more to Crookshanks and was kind of disappointed that the only thing to come out was that he was half-kneazle. There just seemed to be more to him than that.

If Hermione came back with an owl or other magical creature, all her muggle neighbors would question and judge her

... as I pet a cat on my lap...

Mrs. Figg and Filch are both squibs AF.

I'm imagining Crookshaks sitting somewhere, seeing the marauders together, transforming into their animagus forms, then another day sitting in the background again watching Lily and James asking Sirius to be the secret keeper but with Sirius suggesting Peter, then another day seeing the downfall of James and hearing the death of Lily. *Thought bubble* "He betrayed them!"

So, The Entire point of this 8 minute video is.... ....Hermione owes Harry his cat.....

I really liked this theory!! I think Crookshanks is a valuable character in the series!! but does anyone know what happened to crookshanks after the big war?? did he survive, did he died?? please answer!!

I love how many jump cuts you he have it really helps me keep my concentration

Wait... what if that cat was in the same room as Lily and Harry when Voldemort killed Lily... what if Crookshanks is the last horcrux... PLOT TWIST

I think it is adorable that anyone thinks a human owns a cat. Adorable and naive.

Crookshanks jumps on Ron's head because he had RED HAIR. Just like Lily. :)

"Who has an intimate relationship with their friends' cat from eleven years ago?" ... ... Erm.. well... I do? When I'm at my friends' places, I usually end up with cats curled up in my lap. And yes, I remember the little fuzzballs...

Wait I bet this is how Voldermort “died” croockshanks killed him by scratching him

Let me help you out brother. As a proud cat dad that no one owns cats. Cats own us XD

Hey Jay, ask J.K Rowling on Twitter to see if your theory is right.

In a way coming from the Muggle world and getting a cat makes perfect sense, when she goes home during breaks she can take him with her and nobody would be suspicious

Really, this is a huge misunderstanding of Crookshanks' relationship with The Potters. Clearly they didn't own him. He simply allowed them to live in the same house as him. The reason he inserts himself into the story, is because he deserves the recognition. After all, his house got destroyed in all this craziness.

Harry: Hey, Hermione? Hermione: Yes, Harry? Can it wait, I'm studying. Harry: No, it cannot wait! I just figured out that you stole my cat! Hermione: What? Harry: (explains) Hermione: Give me proof. Also, I can't give you crookshanks because he's taken a walk back to Miss Figgs. Sorry.

CROOKSHANKS IS THE BEST CHARACTER OF THEM ALL

Oh god! This is amazing! I like literally get stuck here on these videos! I don't have a time to watch them all but I just want to watch them all and now I am sad... but super excited!!! I just really need to get some sleep here!!!!! And I can't get out of RU-vid... 😂😂😂

So, I watched this video a while ago and am now listening to an audio version of Prisoner of Azkaban. And I don't think there can be any doubt that Crookshanks was the Potters cat and is (at least half) Kneazle! The way he acts towards Scabbers (Pettigrew in disguise), the way he knows how to make the whomping willow still so Harry and Hermione can follow Serious (in dog form) and Ron, the fact that harry says he's seen Crookshanks helping Serious, and the way he leaps onto Serious' chest to protect him when Harry is threatening to kill him. It all fits! It fits that listening to it after hearing the theory, it seems painfully obvious!

To be fair, most magical creatures are considered to be too dangerous to be kept by untrained wizards, and Hogwarts has rules about what types of pets the students can have. I would imagine the Ministry of Magic would take issue with Hermione bringing a pet hippogriff to muggle suburbia every summer. It is also pointed out in the books that Hermione buys Crookshanks because she feels sorry for him.

If Harry knew this he would be like:"Hermione Give me Crookshanks! Hermione:But Harry why? Harry:HERMIONE JEAM GRANGER GIVE ME THE DAMN CAT!!!!CROOKSHANKS COME TO DADDY!

Squibs be connected with cats AF

Answer to your question: Di Crookshanks originally belong to James and Lily Potter? The answer is "YES". I also believe Crookshanks was taken to the Magical Menagerie by McGonagoll. He just recognized Pettigrew as a rat and landed on Ron. Hermoine took a liking to Crookshanks thinking Crookshanks liked Ron; not knowing he as after Scabbers.

Crookshanks is Mrs Norris' secret lover of course

Cats are known to be unbelievably intuitive anyway though......

Ever since I first read all the books & saw the movies, I've always believed that Crookshanks was Lily & James' cat/kneezle. Thanks for validating my belief that he was the Potter's pet half cat/half kneezle (feels like I'm not spelling that correctly).

So, basically, Hermione should give Harry his cat back?

Haha... loved it when you said that she just turned into half cat half human and than went and got a cat. She behaved the same way when Belatrix used the crusio (can't remember how to write it, sorry) cures on her and than Hermione turned into her to get into her safe.

There is a theory that Regulus Black never died and instead is either Buckbeak or Crookshanks as an animagus.

Am I the only one who thinks cats like Crookshanks are cute?

This is a really interesting theory. I really love your channel! You are really insightful. This video was interesting because first, Crookshanks is basically back with his original owner. However, I love your theories, because of all the evidence. This video barely had any😢. I am still a huge fan! Love ya!😉

Spoilers, and a long text for those interested in reading: Crookshanks is part kneazle. In the wizarding world, kneazles are required to have a license to own and breed/sell. Kneazles can breed with cats, creating a half-kneazle. The cat-like animals have a very high level of intelligence, are independent and occasionally aggressive, and have an uncanny ability to detect suspicious and distrustful people. They can also safely guide their owners home. I assume that the last witch or wizard who owned Crookshanks just didn't get along well with him, so they gave him up for adoption and that's how Hermione got him. He's also a very important part of The Prisoner of Azkaban, as he literally helps the trio find Sirius, and learn what Peter Pettigrew did. But I still believe, and will forever, that Crookshanks is *Hermione's* cat-kneazle, and harry has Hedwig. I'd like to also note that Hedwig's color, white, is a symbol of purity, and when she dies, it's a representation of Harry letting go of his childhood friend and finally becoming an adult. So I don't think that Crookshanks belongs to anyone other than Hermione. It's just an opinion though.

The real question: does Harry want the cat back or Care

She picks the cat because it reminds her of Ron, now go reread

I always wanted to know how Crookshanks knew how to immobilize the whomping willow. I assumed it would be eventually be explained. If their cat had been at their home at the time it exploded it would explain it's appearance and animosity towards Pettigrew. They also might have assumed the Potter's cat died in the explosion. They never would have the connection.

The only problem is how old Crookshanks would be

Amazing theory but I don't think J.K Rowling intended this cat connection

I prefer the theory that crookshanks is Sirius Black's brother in animagus form

For Hermoine having a cat would actually be more convenient. After all Harry will likely turn quite some heads with his snow owl while Hermoine can handle Crookshanks without it being strange at all.

I have arrived at a short and mannerly fashion after the sound waves reached my eardrums!

Almost all of the theories that you guys come up with are always so good and most of them are probably true. Great video and theory.

I heard a theory that crookshanks is Regulus Black

There's a theory I saw somewhere (maybe on reddit) that Crookshanks could be Regulus Black as an animagus in disguise. Regulus, a star also known as Alpha Leonis, is the brightest star in the constellation Leo, meaning lion. Crookshanks looks sort of like a little lion, doesn't he? It's a loose connection but I kind of like that theory as well. Loved the video, too.

I always thought that Crookshanks was Regulas Black animagized, but this adds up way more

Very compelling theory, and I'm convinced. Well done! Of course, I have to admit that I initially thought Crookshanks was an animagus, and I was pretty sure he was Mundungus Fletcher--right up until the two appeared in a scene together for the first time--as the way they were both described was extremely similar. I had figured that Dumbledore had sent him to keep an eye on Harry.

Actually it says at first crookshanks was actually skeptical of Sirius and it took Sirius a while to convince him but otherwise I like this

yall are the youtubers ive watched the longest, and after rereading Harry Potter i've been watching all the Harry Potter theories again. The weirdest thing is seeing the dates on videos! As i'm watching this, its been 5 years since it came out and i remember seeing it come out like it was yesterday! Keep up the good work you guys! You're still making great content!

this channel and these videos keep me going 😂💖

A problem with the Potterverse is that I'm pretty sure J.K. Rowling didn't think this deeply about minor characters like crookshanks when first writing the books. Evidenced by there being loads of plot holes and inconsistent characters in and across the books. Crookshanks was a plot device and not a particularly inspired one, then it got more or less dropped from the rest of the books. Crookshanks very probably was just a diagon alley cat, and hermione liked to rescue, fight for the underdog, and basically be a bit of a social justice warrior - Whether it was crookshanks, house elves, hagrid or harry and ron. Her parents were dentists so there's a caring background connection there too. The only thing she held in higher regard was her own intellectual and academic achievement. Hence intensely disliking Prof. Trelany (or similar spelling) even though she was repeatedly portrayed as a very vulnerable person. Hence Crookshanks is just a basic plot device.

SUPER CARLIN BROTHERS = GREATEST RU-vidRS EVER!!!

Y'all should do a theory video about whether or not JK Rowling is Rita Skeeter!

But why didn't he go for Harry?