Someone is coming to visit Alice said, her eyes slightly unfocused. She was having one of her visions.
Anyone we know? Esme asked, nervously. It seemed that, in recent history anyway, those words were ominous usually the beginning of trouble.
No, nobody I recognize Edward?
I listened, trying to catch the thoughts of the approaching stranger He knew Carlisle, or at least new of Carlisle. Do you know someone called Hagrid? I asked Carlisle?
Hagrid? He replied Hagrid there is only one Hagrid I have ever heard of, and I wasn t even sure if he was real Could it be?
I puzzled over his thoughts. It was clear this was not someone Carlisle had met, but what did he mean that he wasn t even sure he existed.
Oh my Oh my Alice s face went blank again. I watched as she saw the stranger approaching now noticing something was different, but it took me a few moments to figure out what. He was walking alone, but he seemed out of place, or wrong. Then I saw what it was he was too big Or the trees were too small. The landscape looked familiar I could see the recognizable driveway up to our house, the familiar foliage lining the way but this guy was huge in comparison.
This Hagrid you knew of was he excessively large? Alice asked.
Oh my, he is real Carlisle s thoughts alarmed me. Esme prepare the house. I don t know what to expect, but this is unusual. It is best to be prepared.
Esme quickly flipped the switch that pulled metal shutters over the solid glass back of the house. Carlisle called us all down to the front room to prepare.
We have a visitor someone who, until now, I wasn t even sure existed. His name is Hagrid he his half giant, half human, or at least that is what the lore says. From what I had heard, he is friendly and is usually good hearted, but I don t know anything for certain. As I said, until just now, I didn t even know he existed for certain.
The tension was high as we waited in silence, not sure what the night would bring. I was thankful that Bella was safely at home in her bed, though a part of me desperately wanted to have her by my side, just to know that she was safe with me. My logical side knew better. If things went terribly wrong tonight, it would be better that she was at home.
Thump, Thump, Thump the knocking at the front door sounded like someone was trying to break it down with a club. Jasper, Emmet and I got in defensive positions around the door, prepared to jump in if needed. Alice s face went blank as she focused on the immediate future. Esme and Roslie stood to one side, ready to attack if it came to that.
It will be okay. Alice finally said. We breathed a collective sigh of relief, He has a message for Carlisle and Edward. It affects us all. Suddenly she was grinning. I searched her vision to see why.. Oh, this could be interesting.
Well, I guess I should welcome our visitor, Carlisle stated, not sure what Alice had seen but taking her word that there was no danger. Good evening he said to the stranger as he opened the door, Welcome to my home. My name is Carlisle. Would you like to come in?
I d be muc obliged. A rough, booming voice replied back, as in walked the largest human we had ever seen. He had to stoop almost to his knees to clear the standard door frame and I wondered if, due to his width, he would fit at all. He was almost twice as tall as an average man and nearly five times as wide
Rubeus Hagrid s th name. Everybody calls me Hagrid.
We re very pleased to meet you Carlisle offered his hand when Hagrid finally squeezed himself into our entry way. It was fortunate that our house was designed to be very open with high ceilings. As it was Hagrid had to sit on the floor to be able to carry on any type of conversation.
Carlisle then gestured back toward us During the process of Hagrid s entrance and settling in, we had all backed up considerably. Carlisle frowned slightly at what could be construed as our rudeness, as he introduced us, Hagrid, this is my family: Esme, my wife, and our children, Edward, Rosalie and Emmet, Jasper and Alice. Everyone, come and meet Hagrid. He is an assistant to Dumbledore, a gentleman I was fortunate to have met some time ago.
We all filed forward and greeted Hagrid in the order we were introduced.
Well, then, the introductions are take care of Down to business. Now where was me note he padded around his leather clothing, checking pockets and creases until he found was he was apparently looking for, Ah, yes, here it is An urgent letter from Albus Dumbledore. He said as he presented an envelope to Carlisle.
The envelope looked as though it had come from another time, one closer to when Carlisle was changed then the rest of us. The paper appeared to be parchment, the address written in calligraphy and having the appearance of being written with a fountain pen. It was bulky and as Hagrid handed it to Carlisle, I noticed it was sealed with wax.
Thank you. Carlisle responded as he took the letter.
You sees, Dumbledore needs you to come to Hogwarts righ away. There s an issue a brewing with Harry Potter nots that there ain t always something with Harry. That boy is cursed with bad luck. I smiled as I recalled someone else with that particular ailment.
Carlisle smiled as this Hagrid recounted what was supposed to be in a private letter.
I guess I shouldn t ve said that well, it s all in the letter
Carlisle opened the letter then, scanning it over at once, then reading to the rest of us.
My old friend Carlisle,
Very dark times are upon us, or I would not have risked sending you this letter. A very dark Wizard, Lord Voldemort, is gathering strength. He is using all his power to reappear as he once was and take control in the Wizarding world. This would have far reaching implications in the muggle world, as I am sure you can understand, affecting all creatures, magical and otherwise.
We have a young boy who is the key to our freedom, Harry Potter. His life is at great risk and I need assistance in protecting him. I have received a prophesy that Harry will be entered into the Tri-Wizard Tournament, though he is under aged and unprepared for such a battle. I fear this is the work of this wizard in an attempt on young Potter s life.
There are few people I trust with such a task, and those I do trust, are already known to Lord Voldemort. I need someone who would be unknown to come to Hogwarts to help protect young Harry. I hope you will accept my invitation to teach at Hogwarts over the coming year. We have an opening in Herbology that I think you could fill given your extensive knowledge. I assume your family would also accompany you. We may have need for the services of your son, Edward.
There is much to discuss, and time is short. I ask you to consider this request with haste.
Your old friend,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
There was a moment of silence then as we took in all that was said, realizing that we were not much more clear about what was happening then before the letter was read. Questions flooded to me all at once, as not only my own but the entire family s thoughts penetrated my head:
What, there are Wizards? Why hadn t I heard of this before? What is with this Harry Potter? Why don t they just un-enter him from the contest? Can I be in charge of protection? Wizard or not, I ll bring him down That one was Emmet.
When did Carlisle meet this Dumbledore, and why is he asking for our help Does this mean we have to move again? I m almost done with high school. I wonder if I could take him He is huge, but still, I am stronger I wonder how strong half-giants are? Emmet again.
Well, then, there it is so shall I tell the headmaster you accep his offer? Hagrid said, hopefully.
We all looked up at him in shock. Was he serious? We were just wrapping our minds around the existence of a half-giant and Wizards And now he was asking if we were ready to go to Hogwarts, whatever that was, to defend against a dark Wizard?
Ah, Hagrid I think my family may have a few questions. Do you have leave to respond to them, or do I need to take them up with Dumbledore directly? Carlisle started.
I ll try me bes to answer what I can. I m only the groundskeeper. Hagrid responded, looking slightly disappointed that Carlisle didn t answer in the affirmative immediately.
All right. Thank you. Hogwarts I am assuming that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
Yes, that is right. He responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
And Albus Dumbledore is now the headmaster of this institution?
Yes. He began to eye Carlisle as though he questioned his intelligence.
Carlisle turned to us then I m afraid I may need to fill in some of the gaps, here. Albus Dumbledore is a Wizard I came across once in my visits to England. Wizards are not immortal as we are, but do live much longer lives then normal humans, or muggles as they call them. I met him not long before I settled in Chicago, where I met you, Edward, he looked down at me. He was young then, almost thirty, but was already a very talented and well regarded Wizard.
I did not know much about his world and, in fact, know very little to this day However, he did tell me about the existence of Wizards and a school where they developed their magical skills This is the Hogwarts referred to in the letter.
Over the years, I have heard word from and about Albus from time to time. That is how I heard about Hagrid. It was really just a story in passing about a half giant who was working with Albus at Hogwarts. I don t know much more then that. I also recall hearing about some sort of uprising that occurred roughly 13 years ago It was very dark and there was concern it would have an effect on the entire world, but it died down. I didn t ever hear why, but I do remember hearing the phrase he, who shall not be named . I am quite sure, however, I have never heard of the boy you speak of, Harry Potter
You ve never hear of Harry? Hagrid looked incredulously at Carlisle and then the rest of us. Finally accepting that we, indeed, had never heard of this Harry Potter, he launched into an explanation, Well, Harry Potter is the one who defeated Volde er, he, who shall not be named in the first place. When he was bu a baby, Harry was attacked along with his mum and dad. His parents die , but when he, who shall not be named, attacked Harry, he survived, and he, who shall not be named, was killed. Or at least that is what everyone though . He is famous the most famous Wizard of all time. He looked back at us all then as if he imagined we would now recall that we remembered this Harry Potter, but, of course, we didn t.
Carlisle, Esme started, the first of all of us to have actually spoken since the stranger arrived, Why haven t you ever mentioned any of this before?
The Wizards protect their identity as strongly as we protect ours. They do not, hastily, bring others into their world. It was only because I was involved in an incident that I came in contact with Albus at all. And, it was only because of what I am, that I maintained that knowledge otherwise the spell they use on muggles would have erased the memory from my mind. Carlisle explained, There was never any need to share the knowledge it was no more then a passing event in my long life In context, until now, it was insignificant
I finally found my voice, Why does he know about me, then? I searched through my vampire memories which were as clear as the day they happened, but found nothing. No reason to believe that I had ever met this Albus Dumbledore.
As I said, I met Albus just before settling in Chicago. We corresponded sparingly after we first met. In one of my letters I told him about my first attempts to create companions you, Edward, and then Esme. We haven t corresponded since then, and so I am sure he is unaware of the rest of you.
Yes, that s true. He said I was to find Carlisle, Edward and Esme Cullen. He never mentione four more o you s. Hagrid piped in. Had a lot of fun findin you I did. Not easy to track down And this land is bloody huge, if you don t mind me sayin .
I saw then, in his mind, that he had to cross the ocean by boat and then travel the country on foot. I guessed he wouldn t fit on any commercial airlines and I couldn t imagine a vehicle that would fit him.
Well, I best be off He said, suddenly. What should I tell Dumbledore? he asked Carlisle.
Tell him I will consider his offer. I would, very much, like to confer with my family and, I am wondering, if he would consider meeting with me before I finalize my decision.
He thought you might say that. Here are airline tickets for the three of you to come to England. Dumbledore would be happ to meet with you and discuss the details. I m not too sure of them all me self. As I said, I m only the groundskeeper.
Do you want anything to eat or do you need a place to rest? Esme added then. We had some food stocked now that Bella was a regular visitor, but I couldn t see where we would be able to offer him a place to rest.
No, I need to be on my way. I res when I need to I ve a long journey.
I could only imagine, as he now had to walk back across the country and then travel to England by boat, how long it would take him. I wondered if we would make it there before he did if we came at all.
Thank you, Hagrid. Give my best to Albus. I ll be seeing him soon. Carlisle shook his hand and Hagrid stooped and squeezed himself back out of the house and started off down the path.
We all stood in the living room watching him go for once, the shock and amazement did not flood me with thoughts everyone was truly speechless in voice and mind.