Disclaimer: Most of the characters featured in this story are not mine, but
belong to J. K. Rowling, the genius behind the whole idea of Harry Potter.
I just LOVE the books and want to see if I can write anything worth
reading. Thanks!
(Author's Note: This is my first fanfic and I really hope you like it. I'd appreciate any kind of review as long as it's not hateful. Please tell me what you think and would like to see in the story, but remember, I can't please everyone!!! I don't exactly know where this is going but just stay with me because I'm planning something awesome in the back of my head that my brain won't tell me about yet. Please R/R. Now you can get to the good part, THE STORY!)
Chapter One: The End Already?
The end-of-terms were closing in on the three friends, but unlike the years before, they would not be returning to Hogwarts after the summer was over. They were seventh-years now and many a thing had changed since their first year in the beloved school; Harry and Hermione were both Head Girl and Head Boy as well as Prefects, Harry was Quidditch Captain, and Ron had become a beater just like Fred and George once were. Ron was also going steady with a sweet, lovely Gryffindor girl named Leslie Andrews.
They had all change a lot physically, too. Harry had grown into a handsome young man of a substantial height. His once unmanageable jet-black hair was now a bit more cooperative. His bright green eyes were his best asset, and Quidditch kept him in shape.
Hermione, once geeky and awkward, was almost unrecognizable. Her frizzy hair was now sleek, her teeth straighter, ad her over-all appearance was one of poise and beauty.
Ron had gone through the most dramatic changes of all. He was a different guy; all the girls wanted him. The combination of his height and that rugged, "outdoorsy" look made him irrisistable. But that's beside the point, since he was already much in love with Leslie.
Our story starts with an end, obviously, the end of the first term of the school year. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room preparing to take the O.W.L.'s for the last time.
"Hermione, can I see your notes for last week's Divination lesson?" Harry asked, frantically searching for his own.
"Sure thing Harry, I've got them right here." She said, and then turned to Ron. "I wish we could go outside, it's such a lovely day, don't you think?"
"Uh, yeah sure, whatever," Ron grunted, too deep into his studies to answer.
It was a lovely day. A slight breeze swept over the campus and the finely manicured flowerbeds were buzzing with insects. Students that were lucky enough to have already taken all their exams were strewn about the lawn, talking and playing, happy that the worst was over now.
Harry saw the distant look on Hermione's face and said, "Why don't we take a break and visit Hagrid?"
"Oh, what a nice idea! I need some fresh air anyway." She squealed. Going to Hagrid's little hut by the edge of the forest would allow them plenty of fresh air.
"Ron, are you with us? Ron!" Harry yelled, and Ron came to from his trance within the extensive homework and study notes he was surrounded by. "Wha- what?"
"We're going to see Hagrid, do you want to come? You look like you need a break anyway."
"Oh yeah, sure," Ron replied, and the left the common room and traversed through the corridors towards the front doors.
When they finally stepped out into the brisk summer day they all gave a slight sigh. Only three more exams to go before freedom was theirs and they too could enjoy the beautiful summer.
As they made their way nearer the small (but large at the same time) hut they could hear Fang barking happily. But this time there hung an odd feeling over the hut, as though to say, "Go away, you're not welcome here!"
Harry knocked on the wooden door as he always did, but no one answered. He knocked again- still no answer.
"Let's check around back." Ron offered. "Maybe he's in the garden."
They followed the brick path that led around to Hagrid's little vegetable garden but they did not see him anywhere.
"Well maybe he went to Hogsmeade for some butter beer. He's been---" Hermione started in, but Harry cut her off. "Shhh! I hear something."
He crept up to the gate, opened it slowly, and made his way to one of the few windows on the hut. The others followed suit and joined him, listening intently for any sound.
An important conversation seemed to be going on between Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid. Hermione started to protest their eavesdropping on the headmaster of the school, but Harry quickly shushed her.
"But Professor, he didn't do nothin' wrong, I know he didn't. He'd never do somethin that dern terrible. Ron's a good kid, he is! Ter take him out of 'is last year. that just ain't right!" (They all gasped at this remark.)
"I'm sorry Rubeus," Dumbledore said calmly, "but this kind of behavior is simply unacceptable. He'll have to be expelled immediately." And with this Dumbledore stood up and left a bewildered Hagrid all alone in the cramped hut.
(Author's Note: This is my first fanfic and I really hope you like it. I'd appreciate any kind of review as long as it's not hateful. Please tell me what you think and would like to see in the story, but remember, I can't please everyone!!! I don't exactly know where this is going but just stay with me because I'm planning something awesome in the back of my head that my brain won't tell me about yet. Please R/R. Now you can get to the good part, THE STORY!)
Chapter One: The End Already?
The end-of-terms were closing in on the three friends, but unlike the years before, they would not be returning to Hogwarts after the summer was over. They were seventh-years now and many a thing had changed since their first year in the beloved school; Harry and Hermione were both Head Girl and Head Boy as well as Prefects, Harry was Quidditch Captain, and Ron had become a beater just like Fred and George once were. Ron was also going steady with a sweet, lovely Gryffindor girl named Leslie Andrews.
They had all change a lot physically, too. Harry had grown into a handsome young man of a substantial height. His once unmanageable jet-black hair was now a bit more cooperative. His bright green eyes were his best asset, and Quidditch kept him in shape.
Hermione, once geeky and awkward, was almost unrecognizable. Her frizzy hair was now sleek, her teeth straighter, ad her over-all appearance was one of poise and beauty.
Ron had gone through the most dramatic changes of all. He was a different guy; all the girls wanted him. The combination of his height and that rugged, "outdoorsy" look made him irrisistable. But that's beside the point, since he was already much in love with Leslie.
Our story starts with an end, obviously, the end of the first term of the school year. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room preparing to take the O.W.L.'s for the last time.
"Hermione, can I see your notes for last week's Divination lesson?" Harry asked, frantically searching for his own.
"Sure thing Harry, I've got them right here." She said, and then turned to Ron. "I wish we could go outside, it's such a lovely day, don't you think?"
"Uh, yeah sure, whatever," Ron grunted, too deep into his studies to answer.
It was a lovely day. A slight breeze swept over the campus and the finely manicured flowerbeds were buzzing with insects. Students that were lucky enough to have already taken all their exams were strewn about the lawn, talking and playing, happy that the worst was over now.
Harry saw the distant look on Hermione's face and said, "Why don't we take a break and visit Hagrid?"
"Oh, what a nice idea! I need some fresh air anyway." She squealed. Going to Hagrid's little hut by the edge of the forest would allow them plenty of fresh air.
"Ron, are you with us? Ron!" Harry yelled, and Ron came to from his trance within the extensive homework and study notes he was surrounded by. "Wha- what?"
"We're going to see Hagrid, do you want to come? You look like you need a break anyway."
"Oh yeah, sure," Ron replied, and the left the common room and traversed through the corridors towards the front doors.
When they finally stepped out into the brisk summer day they all gave a slight sigh. Only three more exams to go before freedom was theirs and they too could enjoy the beautiful summer.
As they made their way nearer the small (but large at the same time) hut they could hear Fang barking happily. But this time there hung an odd feeling over the hut, as though to say, "Go away, you're not welcome here!"
Harry knocked on the wooden door as he always did, but no one answered. He knocked again- still no answer.
"Let's check around back." Ron offered. "Maybe he's in the garden."
They followed the brick path that led around to Hagrid's little vegetable garden but they did not see him anywhere.
"Well maybe he went to Hogsmeade for some butter beer. He's been---" Hermione started in, but Harry cut her off. "Shhh! I hear something."
He crept up to the gate, opened it slowly, and made his way to one of the few windows on the hut. The others followed suit and joined him, listening intently for any sound.
An important conversation seemed to be going on between Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid. Hermione started to protest their eavesdropping on the headmaster of the school, but Harry quickly shushed her.
"But Professor, he didn't do nothin' wrong, I know he didn't. He'd never do somethin that dern terrible. Ron's a good kid, he is! Ter take him out of 'is last year. that just ain't right!" (They all gasped at this remark.)
"I'm sorry Rubeus," Dumbledore said calmly, "but this kind of behavior is simply unacceptable. He'll have to be expelled immediately." And with this Dumbledore stood up and left a bewildered Hagrid all alone in the cramped hut.