Chapter 7-At Hagrids Hut

Relieved that the day was nearly over Jordan left the castle and walked over to the hut where Hagrid was giving Joey and Kole large cups of tea with some of his famous rock buns and treacle toffee. Hagrids Dog Fang was sprawled out in front of the fire dozing.

"Hi Jordan are you done already?" Joey asked in surprise

"It can't be an hour yet." said Kole looking over at Jordan.

Hagrid motioned to Jordan "Well git yer self over here and join in. The tea is hot."

Jordan did as Hagrid requested. He put his work down and joined in.

"So how is the detentions going Jordan?" asked Hagrid

"I don't mind them Hagrid, Professor Snape gave me some pages to read over and I have to write out some of the words that I have a hard time with."

"Don't sound like no Detention I've heard of before." Hagrid scratched his head "Especially the ones I've heard of, that Professor Snape usually gives."

He was a little bit surprised at Professor Snape taking an interest in Jordan who was a Griffindor but then Hagrid was an easygoing person himself and figured the Professor had his reasons.

But then he knew Professor Severus Snape way back when the Marauders were causing trouble for those they thought beneath them. Hagrid remembered the confrontations between the Marauders and Snape were most unpleasant.

"So what are these pages Jordan that you are to read?" asked Hagrid

"The pages come from this book Fantastic Beasts and where to find them by Newt Scamander. I've already read two pages over and I am to read the next two before tomorrow. If I find words that l have a hard time pronouncing I am supposed to write them down." Jordan told Hagrid.

"Gee Whiz I remember taking this book back when I was in school." exclaimed the gentle half-giant.

Jordan told them "I'm glad the professor didn't keep me any longer today It was one of those days that I wanted to scream." he tried not to show how much the day had effected him but the tears started to fall and he started to cry.

Hagrid picked him up off his chair and gathered him gently in his massive arms. "Hey now it cant be as bad as all that. Tell me what is botherin' yeh'."

Jordan settled down and said, "We were supposed to copy stuff off the boards all day and I was so scared of making a mistake I did misprint a letter in potions class and the professor noticed it."

Hagrid comforted him "Did he get mad at you?"

"No he just told me I misprinted a letter and to change it."

"Well that doesn't sound so bad." Hagrid said to Jordan "he didn't make a big scene about it did he?"

"No he didn't." Jordan admitted as Hagrid cuddled him and rubbed his back.

Hagrid smiled "Then it wasn't that big a deal to him, a lot of people make mistakes, heck I cant even spell properly myself, but then I don't have a lot of schooling."

Jordan sat thinking "You feel dumb?"

Hagrid hugged Jordan and laughed "Heck sometimes I'd, I know I'm not a good speller but I didn't have someone take an interest in my education like you have. Professor Snape must notice something smart about you to take the time to help. He is a hard taskmaster but he does care."

"He is said to be the meanest nastiest teacher especially towards Griffindor students here at Hogwarts, yet he is helping Jordan , Why is that?" asked Kole as he was trying to bite a rock cake.

Hagrid paused as he wasn't sure he should say anything but then again the kids did ask."A little history lesson concerning the Professor you be wanting to hear then."

All three said "Yes please"

Hagrid was pleased and he thought back to the first time he saw Severus Snape.

"Lets see now back then l used to ferry the firs" years over to the school an' I remember when Severus Snape came to school that was in '71'. He was obviously a poor neglected child yet he was really smart an' he came to school knowing more curses and hexes than any seventh year student but he didn't like to associate with anybody, he kept to himself mostly." Hagrid looked rather sad as he remembered.

"He got sorted into Slytherin house when Professor Slughorn was head of Slytherin House who was a vain sort of fellow who liked only those students who could help him in his social climbing.He didn't care to help Snape overcome his problems and ignored him as he was obviously not the type to have any social standing. None of the other teachers took any time for him either." Hagrid looked at his audience who sat quietly and listened carefully.

"Those years there was a large group known as deatheaters and most not all came from Slytherin house"

Jordan said quietly "I remember mom telling me about them, they were followers of a tyrant known as Voldemort who wanted to obliterate all those who weren't pure bloods but it didn't seem to matter who he killed as long as there was death."

"Smart one you are, yes that is right, They were finally defeated by a group called the Order of the Phoenix an' a young lad by the name of Harry Potter ,but that is another story."

"Was the Professor a Deatheater?" Asked Joey you said a lot of the Deatheaters came from Slytherin house.

"Yes he became one when he was about sixteen but some time later he came to Headmaster Dumbledore an' confessed everything he had done while a Deatheater. The Headmaster thought he was sincere an' stood up for him at his trial. Dumbledore gave him the job of head of Slytherin house after Professor Slughorn retired an' Professor Snape was to teach potions since he was the best Potions Master around."

Hagrid paused and took a drink of tea and continued

"The Professor became a spy for the Order an' it must not have been easy for him pretendin' he was still a deatheataer an' following Dumbledores orders as well"

"Hey I remember hearing the professors name in connection with killing the Headmaster of the school and then running off with a bunch of Deatheaters who had got in with the aid of a student here." Kole exclaimed

"Yes he did do that but it was proved that Albus Dumbledore had ordered him to do it.Professor Snape didn't want to carry out that order but he did.

"Oh wow that must have been hard for him and dangerous but how come he became a deatheater?"asked Kole

Hagrid thought back

"Right from the start Severus Snape an' a fellow by the name of James Potter, who came from a wealthy pure blood family hated each other from the first time they laid eyes on each other.

Potter who had formed a group known as the Mauraders from Griffindor house liked to bully him and call him nasty names when they got him down an' he would retaliate with his own curses and hexes. They fought all through their school years. It got worse as the years went by an' eventually he was so depressed about himself an older Slytherin student by the name of Lucius Malfoy pretended to be a friend and got him to join in with the deatheaters. At least that is how I remembered it went.

"So he became mean and nasty because he was bullied?"

"Yes that's about right, he does have a soft heart but so many bad things has happened to him over the years he hides his real self.

"You knew him well when he was in school? Asked Joey

"Yes I used to have him here just like you and talk , I guess I was the only one here at the time he didn't feel threatened by." answered Hagrid.

"Oh wow." Jordan said "I guess in a way he must know how I felt when I came here."

"Maybe so, but it is getting later an' you three better get back to the castle for supper." Hagrid said

The trio gathered their school things together and thanked Hagrid for the quick history lesson and the snacks.

Hagrid thanked them for coming and told them to come again. He also told Jordan not to give up on his attempts to learn reading.

Jordan felt cheered by the kindness of the friendly half-giant.

Hagrid stood in the door way of his hut and watched them head back to the castle. He really enjoyed their visit immensly.

"Gee now I understand the Professor better now." said Joey

"Yeah from the sounds of it he certainly had some bad experiences, makes mine seem easier in comparison." said Jordan.

Kole turned toiwards Jordan and asked. "You wont give up on reading?"

Jordan smiled, "Nope Im going to keep on trying. I do after all have people who like me and are interested in helping. I can't let them down"

Kole and Joey clapped him on the back and the trio walked together into the castle to the Great Hall and a very enjoyable supper.