Urquart Cottage
Hagrid had thought that he would have a hard time entering the cottage. Surely the wards would have prevented him from entering, but as if sensing his purpose the gates opened when he pushed. The cottage set off by itself a little bit from Hogesmeade, not much land, but enough to have a fence that enclosed the property. As he neared the door he braced himself, while the gate might have opened it didn't mean there wasn't spells set off to harm intruders. When the door opened he pulled his umbrella forward and slowly moved inside. Looking around he was shocked to see what had let him in. Several Hogwarts house elves were packing up Minerva's things and popping out, arms full with boxes.
"Master Professor Dumbledore, told elves that yous be comin'. The shawl is in Mistress Professor McGonagall's study. Would yous like to get it or should Maple get if fors you?" Maple questioned twisting his ears nervously.
"I-I'll get...thank ye, Maple." Hagrid smiled and the elf nodded before picking up a box and disappearing.
One by one house elves all over the cottage disappeared until the only thing left in the cottage besides the furniture was Hagrid and a green tartan shawl. He entered Minerva's study and saw the shawl draped over the back of her chair. He hesitated momentarily before picking it up and making his way back towards the front door. When he heard a noise he jumped and pulled his umbrella out. The noise had come from upstairs, and slowly he started to climb them. As he reached the landing he found one last house elf packing up a box.
"Oh, sorry Master Hagrid, Magnolia was just leavings." Magnolia apologized but Hagrid barely heard the elf. On the wall was one picture left, of Elphinstone and Minerva on their wedding day.
"Yer fine. Magnolia was it? Could ye just...I mean could I...reckon it'd be ok with ye if I took this picture back meself?" Hagrid questioned and Magnolia nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course Master Hagrid, Magnolia will be leavings then." Magnolia nodded and disappeared before Hagrid could tell her not to call him "Master".
Once Magnolia was gone Hagrid stared at the picture for a minute. He knew that Minerva had loved Elphinstone, and it didn't feel right, him here in their house. He felt like he should say something, even if it was just to a picture of the man. The picture was muggle, but it still represented who the man was.
"I...I know ye cared a great deal for Minnie. I want ye to know that she misses ye something fierce. In all me years, I've never seen the lass cry so much as this evening. Might near burned down the greenhouse she did. I woulda just left, but I reckon it...it ain't right, to not tell ye how I feel about her. I'd never say to 'er face, but...well...she's a great woman that Minnie. I'll look after he for ye and make sure she's taken good care of. I-I hope that ye'd be ok with me carin' for 'er. Ye was a right nice man from what I seen. I, I'll do right by...I promise ye." Hagrid swore and then he pulled the picture frame down and headed out of the house.
As he neared the front door, something stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Minerva will be lucky to have you. Don't give up on her, Hagrid." a voice spoke. As he turned around he almost fainted. There in the house was the translucent form of Elphinstone Urquart.
"I-I think I might 'it me 'ead." Hagrid murmured and slowly leaned against the wall for support. The man, or well ghost of a man, chuckled softly.
"Not at all Hagrid. I was worried about Minerva, so I came here. I could see how upset she was, but I couldn't talk her. For some reason she couldn't see me. I wasn't sure why I was even back her, if I couldn't make things better, but I get it now. You're the reason I got to come back here, no matter how briefly. I'm glad you're going to be there for Minerva during this. I'm sure you know how stubborn she can get, but don't give up on her, ok?" Elphinstone requested and Hagrid nodded.
"I won't, I promise ye." Hagrid nodded and wiped at his eyes.
"Good, and Hagrid? Thank-you, for talking to a dead man...even when you didn't know I was here." Elphinstone smiled and then he was gone. Hagrid shook his head and left the cottage.