Crookshanks on the other hand, didn't seem impressed at all. He led the way into the room, swaying his bushy tail and looking around with a critical eye. After going around the room once, he stopped in front of Hermione and gave a loud meow that sounded like a complaint.
"I know, I know, it's not to your majesty's liking." Hermione teased him, giving him an amused smile.
She bent down and ruffled his fur playfully.
"But it will have to do for now." She finished, getting up and heading for the desk.
She heard Crookshanks meow again, displeasure even more evident this time. To make his point even further, he started scratching at the base of the couch.
Hermione ignored him. Something else had attracted her attention.
Further from the bed there was a door she hadn't noticed before. She went and opened it curiously and saw what she had missed. Behind the door a large bathroom opened in front of her, a big bathtub in the middle and a shower cabin in the back. A sink and mirror on the left wall finished the picture. The tiles and decorations were a mixture of gold and red, while the bathtub was of the purest white.
"Nice finishing touch. What can I say?! The woman knows how to please. Isn't that right, Crookshanks?" Hermione asked, as Crookshanks came along to see the bathroom as well.
After the tour ended, Hermione made sure the door was closed and placed warding and protective charms around the room, as well as a silencing charm.
"Better safe than sorry." she muttered to herself, as the last spell was placed around the space.
After that, she headed for the desk and took a seat, pulling out a piece of parchment, a quill and ink from one of the drawers. Half an hour later, a chestnut colored owl flew from Hermione's window, carrying a letter. It glided gracefully for a few moments before soaring up into the sky and disappearing from sight.
The letter was addressed to Harry. Hermione had promised Harry she would write to him as soon as she arrived at the flat. She smiled now, remembering the scene and how overprotective both Harry and Ron had been.
"You make sure to write me a letter as soon as you reach that place." Harry had said, slightly nervously, but keeping an appearance of calmness.
Ron, on the other hand, didn't have a problem showing his feelings.
"Yeah, you just be careful when you Apparate there. Keep your wand ready and…" he was saying ardently, but Hermione cut him short with a laugh.
"Stop it Ron. It's not like he'll attack me as soon as I set foot into the room. she had said, shaking her head amused by her friend's ideas.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't put it past him." Ron had scoffed, crossing his arms stubbornly.
"Ron's right, Hermione." Harry had told her with a nod. "After all, It's Draco Malfoy we're talking about." he had finished, a slight frown forming on his forehead.
Hermione remembered staring at them for a moment before replying.
"He's not the scariest person alive." she had said, rolling her eyes at them, but with a slight more serious tone.
"But he's the sneakiest." Ron had interjected, passionately raising his fists as if what he had said won him the whole argument.
"As far as I remember, you two weren't above being sneaky yourselves, while at Hogwarts." Hermione had retorted, narrowing her eyes at Ron.
Ron's ears went red and he had looked away, coughing nervously, while Harry had simply looked at her sheepishly, his bright green eyes twinkling amused. He was clearly remembering all those times the three of them either sneaked out of Gryffindor tower or did something that could have warranted expulsion from Hogwarts, or even worse, doing something dangerous that would have ensured their deaths. Harry had shaken his head, thus shaking the memories off.
"Nonetheless, Hermione please be careful around him." he had said finally, a calm seriousness in his voice, "And promise me you'll write to let me know you are safe".
She promised and she complied.
Her owl was now carrying out her letter, containing assurances that she was safe. Besides this, she had also enclosed in the letter a note, mentioning the address of the flat. Harry hadn't asked for it, but she knew that having it would put his mind at ease.
After finishing with the letter, she went to the bed where Crookshanks was already curled up, sleeping.
"So you decided to enjoy the comforts, after all." she addressed the sleeping cat, teasingly pinching one of his ears.
Then she stroked the soft, ginger fur, slowly tracing her fingers on the cat's back. That made Crookshanks purr in contentment, stretching slightly to give Hermione's hand more room to pet him.
Hermione's soft smile soon transformed into a yawn. She felt tired. She couldn't sleep the night before because of nerves, not knowing what to expect the next day. Now, sitting on the soft bed, petting Crookshanks, hearing his calming purrs, made her realize just how tired she was.
Therefore, without another moment's thought, she laid down and closed her eyes, letting out a long breath. She immediately felt herself relaxing, sinking slightly into the mattress. The bed was indeed softer than any other bed she'd slept in.