Albus Dumbledore strode down the corridors; so fast that the only thing you could see of him was the end of his cloak as he turned around corners.
His face remained expressionless, of course, the same composed mask as always. Long gone was the bright sparkle in his eyes, though, or the small half smile.
When he reached the Headmaster's office, he muttered the password and stood back as the stairs appeared, before climbing onto them slowly.
He knocked on the door firmly, and when he heard the mandatory "come in", he entered the office to see that not only the headmaster was there, but the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, Kettleburn was his name, was there too, facing the Headmaster angrily.
Of course.
Hagrid was his best student, after all.
Albus sat down to listen to Kettleburn's long and passionate defence of Hagrid, ranging from his gentleness to his honesty, ending in a very firm and very final: "he's an unconscious little boy, but he wouldn't hurt a fly!"
Albus couldn't help but smile at that. It was true. While Hagrid sometimes didn't realize the consequences of what he was doing, he would never even think about hurting someone, even if it were in self-defence.
"That is all very true" The headmaster sighed "and we're not saying that Hagrid hurt anyone, but his rather large pet probably did."
And no matter how many protests Kettleburn could say, the Headmaster wouldn't budge. The decision was made.
Seeing that it was pointless, Kettleburn soon left the room, leaving Dumbledore as he stared quizzically at the Headmaster.
"Do you really think it was Hagrid's Acromantula that did this?" The question left Dumbledore's mouth before he could stop himself, tumbling out like the snow of an avalanche.
"I can't be sure Albus, but what else could it be?" He sighed as he spoke and leaned back on the chair, looking completely exhausted. "Of course, if the attacks don't stop, Hagrid will be readmitted and given a new wand, but right now all evidence points towards him. There is nothing I can do."
The Transfiguration professor didn't press the issue further, knowing that Hagrid's expulsion was irreversible. He could do something else, though.
"I understand completely. But I think there is something we could do. What if Hagrid stayed at Hogwarts, as a groundskeeper? Kettleburn already has so much work to do with his classes..."
AN: Hello! I wrote this for the Harry Potter book quote challenge, medium, using the quote "he's a boisterous little boy, but he wouldn't hurt a fly!" originally spoken by Petunia about Dudley. Anyways, thanks for reading!