For the Random Characters Challenge on HPFC- I got Katie Bell and Hagrid.


Phoenix

Katie Bell always had a soft spot for Hagrid.

In first year, when she tripped over the steps into the Great Hall and fell on a Prefect, who snapped at her, Hagrid had taken twenty points from Gryffindor for his rudeness. Katie made her way into the Welcoming Feast, face aflame, and when she was sorted into Gryffindor, that Prefect sat next to her and apologized sincerely for his rudeness.

In third year, Hagrid was the first one to know about her crush on George Weasley. He didn't tease her, just smiled gently, and gave her a wink. When George said, "Yuck! Girls are gross!" Hagrid was the one who wiped her tears and gave her a rock cake. (She broke two teeth on it, but it was the thought that counted, right?)

In fifth year, when OWLs were looming nearer and nearer, Katie began having panic attacks. Hagrid cured her by teaching her little tricks to do with her breathing. He began assigning her side projects to do, special research ones, and those gave her something to do when not studying. He began calling her his assistant.

In her seventh year, Katie was taking NEWTs in everything, playing Chaser, and still being Hagrid's assistant. One day, he pulled her aside after class, and told her that there was nothing more he could teach her. Then he began giving her real projects and taking her with him to capture and observe dangerous creatures. Until Katie almost was killed by a necklace. Hagrid carried her into the castle, and through the blinding pain she could hear him saying, "It'll be a'ight, Katie. In no time't all, ye'll be 'elpin' me find that phoenix I 'eard bout."

When it turned out that she would have to spend the rest of the year in her bed at 's, Hagrid dutifully visited her everyday, bringing her the latest reports of the elusive creatures they were searching for. They debated the animal regulation laws, and Hagrid sneaked a baby unicorn in to see her once. The man had a gift with animals.

She applied for a job with the Ministry, and neither she nor Hagrid was surprised when she got it. Then the War came. Katie's time was consumed by helping out those at Hogwarts, and she corresponded with Hagrid frequently, but this time it was serious talk, about casualties, and torture, and mysterious deaths, and a Headmaster whose loyalties were questioned by all.

After the war, Katie walked with a slight limp, and Hagrid had a few scars, but otherwise, they were fine. They became partners, experts in the creatures of the Forbidden Forest. They found the phoenix, which made them highly esteemed in the magizoology world. Hagrid never married, but Katie did- Oliver Wood, who had also visited her everyday in St. Mungo's.

Katie Bell became the world's foremost expert on the Forbidden Forest, (Hagrid had retired peacefully to live in his hut and be gamekeeper part-time.) Oliver and Katie were blissfully happy, and it was all due to Hagrid, gameskeeper, professor, warrior, and best friend.