Hagrid
Snape took Katie's hand, shielding them from the rain with the cloak, as they ran to Hagrid's hut. Snape had never been a regular guest of Hagrid's and felt odd going there, but it was the closest shelter, and the weather was becoming violent. He raised his hand to knock, but Hagrid opened the door and pulled them both inside.
"Get in or ye'll catch yer death o' cold!" He handed them both a towel and turned around to stir the fire, draping Katie's soaked t-shirt on the back of a chair to dry. "Had a feelin' ye might stop by. I've already got the kettle on! Have a seat!" He was excited to have visitors and made a fuss over getting the giant mugs ready to pour hot water over the tea.
Katie looked all the way up to his wiry beard. She came to his elbow and had to lean her head almost all the way back to see his face. The furniture in the room was made to fit Hagrid's giant size and she had to step up to sit down. The chair was so large, her legs dangled, not touching the floor, making her feel like a little girl.
Hagrid's monstrous Boarhound, Fang, was sitting in front of Katie with his paws on her knees, panting as if smiling. He swabbed her face with his tongue as she squinted her eyes and tightly closed her mouth to keep him from licking her teeth. She scratched him playfully behind his floppy ears and he began licking her arm, but she didn't seem to mind.
"He really likes you! He usually barks at strangers!" Hagrid said impressed. He poured the hot water into the mugs and placed jars of cream and sugar on the table as Katie continued to giggle and play with Fang. Seating himself across from them, he winked at Snape, remembering catching them snogging by the lake. Snape veered at Hagrid and tightened his lips. Hagrid continued to grin and look at him, as if to say, 'atta boy, Severus, you dog, you.'
Fang curled up under Katie's chair and she scratched his belly until he went to sleep. Snape and Hagrid watched, smiling. Hagrid already liked her because of her apparent care for animals and her mutual affection for Fang. She straightened up and mixed cream and sugar into her steaming hot mug of tea. Despising hot tea, she grimaced as she sipped, making a horrible face as she swallowed. Putting down her mug, she glanced at the men across from her and saw both sets of eyes fixed on her. Snape's head was propped on his hand, grinning as he gazed at her. Hagrid's puffy cheeks blushed red when she discovered them staring at her.
"Whaaat?" she drawled, as she looked innocently at them. Focusing on Hagrid, she laughed jovially. "Say, you're the one who busted us, aren't you?"
"Hagrid," Snape answered without taking his eyes off Katie, gesturing to her, "This is Katie Lee Hawkins from Mississippi." Then he gestured toward Hagrid, "Katie, this is Hagrid"
Hagrid stood and offered his massive hand. She wiped Fang's drool on her jeans and firmly shook his large finger, since his hand was much too large to shake. "It's a pleasure ta meet cha, Hagrid."
Hagrid didn't mind the drool. "Interestin' accent you got there, Katie, er...where exactly is Mississippi?" She seemed familiar to Hagrid, but he didn't ask anything since she was from so far away.
"It's in the southern part of the United States," she said proudly.
"North America," Snape added, still gazing at her through his black glossy eyes.
"Ahh...ok. Never been there, myself. Never had a reason to," said Hagrid. "Not much magic goin' on there, don't s'pose."
"Well," Katie started, "to me it's home and I love it. We've got Magnolia Trees, fried chicken, baseball, southern belles, and wide open spaces. Life moves pretty slow and we ain't in a hurry for nuthin,' bragged Katie proudly.
Hagrid wanted to hear her talk more. He had never heard such a sweet accent. There was an innocent air about the way she spoke. It was almost childlike and uninformed, but Snape and Hagrid could already tell that she was far from stupid.
"Hagrid?" whispered Katie, her voice low, as if she was about to tell him a deep, dark secret. He leaned in to hear it. "Do you have any of that Fahr-whiskey?"
"Hmmm," he said, leaning back, turning his head toward Snape, with a playfully reprimanding look, "So! You already know about that, do ya?"
Snape rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, denying any wrongdoing.
Katie saw what passed between them and played along, "Yea, he got me piss drunk last night and..."
Snape interjected defensively, "I did nothing of the sort!"
She laughed gleefully as Hagrid joined her. Snape waved them off and sipped his tea. Hagrid thought it wonderful to see Snape with a woman; especially this woman. She was so easy going compared to his baleful way of being.
"I think I've got somethin' ter drink 'round here somewhers." He pulled a corked jug from the back of a shelf and blew off the dust. Katie waved the dust away from her face as she sneezed. "Sorry 'bout that," He apologized. Haven't been able ter get anythin' ter drink what with the war 'n all...I 'spect the suppliers'll be up an' runnin' b'fore long."
"War?" she inquired with her eyes wide open.
Hagrid realized she had no clue what he was talking about and he looked at Snape to answer. Snape explained how she had come to be in his quarters a few days before when he returned from the hospital. He gave the information to Hagrid, but never talked of the war or how he had ended up in the hospital wing. He was careful to keep Katie away from his past, as he was not willing to risk losing her over certain bygone decisions, no matter how much remorse he continually carried.
"Oh, I'm sorry ter hear 'bout that. If there's anyone in the whole wizarding world that can help you he's sittin' right there." He removed the mugs from the table and reached for the whiskey bottle. Pulling the cork out of the bottle with his teeth, it made a low 'tunk' sound as it popped out. "I've had this here bottle of Elf Whiskey since I came ter Hogwarts as Gamekeeper. Don't know what it'll taste like, but it's a sure bit better'n nothin'!'' He poured them each a full tumbler and sat down again.
Crossing his arms on the table, Hagrid raised his glass for a toast as Snape and Katie followed. He looked into the whiskey, as if to bless it. "Here's ter new friends!"
"Cheers!" Katie returned, and chugged back the red liquid all in one gulp. She looked at the others with a calm grin, wiping her mouth with the back of her arm. She poured herself another jigger, laughing as the others winced and exhaled their air loudly. Snape coughed and sputtered.
"You better go easy on that stuff," Hagrid advised them," It goes to yer head pretty quick.
"I promise to behave...I learned my lesson with the Fahrwhiskey last night. I'll just nurse this one." She said menacingly.
The crackling of the fire in the small hut provided a safe and cozy environment to enjoy an amusingly staggering conversation. While the dark clouds outside spat rain and banged thunder, the three of them talked and drank throughout the afternoon. After only two tumblers, however, Snape leaned his head back on the massive chair and went to sleep. He looked like a little boy on the oversized wooden chair.
Katie and Hagrid were exchanging jokes, getting tipsy and laughing out loud at everything the other one said.
"Do you know what the Americans told the British after we kicked their ass?" She asked Hagrid.
"No," he said laughing into is glass as he swigged.
"Fuck you, we're calling it Soccer!"
Hagrid slapped the table, roaring with laughter.
As their merriment subsided, Hagrid wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes as he still chuckled off and on. A few moments passed and they sat quietly, listening to the wind and the crackle of the fire. Katie seemed lost in thought turning her glass around in her hands. Hagrid looked at Snape snoring softly on the oversized chair. He had never seen him so vulnerable and tame.
Breaking the silence, Hagrid said in a low and caring voice, "He's been through a lot, you know... the war... almost died just a few days ago. He is different now. Better. Happier. I kinda think you have somethin' ter do with that." He pulled her warm, dry shirt from the back of the chair and handed it to her.
"Thanks," she said as she pulled the t-shirt over her head. "I don't know about that, but he's done everything he can to make me comfortable. He's been kind to me and I've grown incredibly fond of him in an extremely short period of time. My feelin's for him are really powerful and I'm a little scared, but it just feels so right. He does, I mean. Comfortable, ya know? Like it was meant to be. My father wouldn't approve of him, though." She grinned, taking another swig.
"Why, because he's a wizard?" He asked, raising his eyebrows and bristling defensively.
"Naw." She said very matter of fact. "It's 'cause he's a lot older'n me and he's still a virgin." Katie began laughing at her own words as Hagrid leaned his head back and bellowed. She laughed louder as she tossed more whiskey into her mouth. She glanced at Snape, sleeping soundly with his mouth open.
There was a sudden loud pounding on the door and Katie knocked over her glass, spilling her drink. Fang licked up the mess while Hagrid grabbed a tumbler from the table, leaving only two glasses.
"Be right there," Hagrid called.
Snape jumped out of the chair, alert. "Kingsley!" He whispered, alarmed. He straightened his jacket and rubbed his hands through his hair to look more presentable. The letter! I forgot to open the damn letter.
"Hagrid, open the door," the man's voice called over the sound of the rain. "I'm looking for Professor Snape. Would he be in there?"
Katie was unnerved and couldn't quit laughing even though she wanted to respect Snape's wishes that no one yet know about her presence because of possible danger. Hagrid motioned for her to follow him into the back. He opened the wardrobe and she stepped in, crossing her legs as if she needed to pee.
"Stay very still and quiet. I'll get rid of him and I'll be right back ter get you out," he said, putting his finger to his lips. He closed the door as Katie began to act serious.
He hurried back into the front room and opened the door. The man plowed past Hagrid taking off his soaked hat. "Sorry to bother you, Hagrid, but I came to check on Headmaster Snape. He missed a meeting today and I thought something may be wrong." He stopped talking for a moment and sniffed Snape's breath. "Been drinking, eh?"
"Please forgive my absence this afternoon, Kingsley, I've been very busy with paperwork. My deepest apologies...I am not yet back to my full potential since..."
"No need to apologize," he reassured in a good natured way, "I've been hitting the Firewhiskey every night since the battle. I just need to speak with you
to tie up some loose ends about that. It won't take but a moment. Come with me and I'll get you right back."
Snape stood with his arms crossed, rolling his eyes as they disapperated, very unhappy about being called away.
Hagrid hurried to let Katie out of the wardrobe. "They're gone." He said, opening the door.
Katie stepped wrong and fell forward. Hagrid caught her by the back of her t-shirt and held her up to his eye level. She felt like a puppy being carried by its mother. She became limp with laughter.
Hagrid found amusement in the fact that she didn't protest when he held her up. He laughed as she did. "You are certainly a mystery, Katie Lee Hawkins. You could make a dragon laugh. I can see why Snape likes you."
"You're sweet, Hagrid. "I like you, too," she said as he put her down. I feel like I'm in a dream or a fairytale. No one's ever gonna believe this shit when I get home."
His eyes danced when she cursed, and laughed out loud all the way back to the front of the hut.
Katie followed him and said quietly, "If I get back home...maybe I should click my heels together three times and say there's no place like home, there's no place like home."
Hagrid cocked his head in confusion. "Huh?" He had no idea what she was talking about, but still thought it hilarious.
"Never mind. Let's have another drink. It's rainin' and we can't go out and play. Might as well get piss drunk."
He poured them another round and they toasted again, still giggling at the smallest funnies. Katie began to wonder how her father would have reacted to Snape as her significant other. Inebriated, her emotions were exaggerated and she began to leak tears as she missed her parents.
"Mah Daddy died recently and ah ain't got nobody left in this whole wahd worl'," she slurred. "I jus' wanna play the pianah 'n sing." Sniffling, she said, "I was practicin' when the lahts flickered in the practice room. There was a storm 'n the 'lectricity got knocked out...there was this really old book...Ah thought it was comin' a tornado...and then ah woke up in his bathroom!" Her vocal inflection rose into a squeak as she talked, fighting tears, but finally allowed them to spill forth.
"There, there, now, Katie Lee, don't cry..." He put his arm around her shoulder patting her on the back. "We'll find a way ter get ye home".
"Thanks, Hagrid." She coughed as his hand patted her, knocking the wind out of her. She recovered and gulped the rest of her drink, slamming the glass onto the table upside down. She stood and stretched, noticing a lifeless potted plant as she yawned. "Hey, Hagrid, you wanna see something really cool ah just found out ah can do?"
"Sure!" He answered enthusiastically, watching her set the plant on the table in front of him. "Been meanin' ter throw that out. I can't keep a house plant alive..."
She began singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in her best singing voice. Hagrid, now highly intoxicated, listened intently with tears streaming down his cheeks. As she sang, he suddenly felt good and happy and his tears weren't sad, they were tears of unexpected joy. Ribbons of rainbows began forming in the room and they danced around the plant. It burst forth with vivid, blooming flowers as Hagrid rubbed his eyes in disbelief. She finished singing and the colors escaped through the walls and windows, disappearing slowly.
"Weird, huh?" She laughed as she staggered over to sit down.
"Well, for Merlin's life I've never seen anything quite like that. Yer a Muggle? From Mississippi?"
"No, I'm a Methodist Democrat," she slurred, "but I guess you could also say that I'm a Muggle who can sing to dead plants and make them pretty again. The Merpeople told me I'm fam'lyand they gave me jewelry." Thinking about her last statement made her laugh out loud, holding her stomach.
Hagrid did not laugh. His eyes were wide open in disbelief. "You just figg'rd out ye could do that?" Who were yer parents? Wha'd you say you were doin' 'fore you got sucked out o' that room?" He asked, seriously.
"I was a piano," she slurred as she put her head on the table and passed out. He effortlessly picked her up and laid her on his massive bed. Fang jumped up and snuggled next to her. Placing his head on his paws, he exhaled a deep breath, and looked innocently up at his giant master.
"Bloody traitor!" Hagrid whispered to Fang as he covered Katie with a quilt.
Katie slept until the sun was full in the sky the next morning. Fang was barking outside and she was momentarily disoriented. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around. When she could focus, she threw back the quilt and went into the front room. Looking out the side window, she saw Hagrid talking with Snape. They were standing among a thick patch of towering sunflowers and appeared to be having a heated discussion. She strained to hear what they were saying over Fang's thunderous barking.
"You'll have ter let her make her own decision! You can't make her stay, Severus, you'll have ter let her decide!" Hagrid argued as he was feeding raw meat to Buckbeak.
"Yes, Hagrid, that is what I intend to do, but my way is better..."
"Oh, look!" She called to them, interrupting their squabble, "A pissing contest! Can I watch?"
She stepped onto the landing hoping they understood her meaning for the two of them to stop arguing. Fang was the first to see her and barked as he bounded over to her. She bent her knees and held her arms out for him as if she were calling a toy poodle. He rolled onto his back with his massive paws bent in front of him like a puppy and she gave him a belly rub.
The two men abruptly stopped their conversation when they heard her voice calling to them. Snape's expression went from stress to elation when he saw her and thought her interruption was valiant. They walked to the steps where she was playing with Fang.
"Aww, now isn't that sweet." Hagrid cooed at Fang, "He looks like a baby."
"Why'd you let me sleep so long?" She asked, hugging Snape.
"I did not want to see you vomit," he said jokingly, giving her a squeeze. "Hagrid tells me you sang for him last night." His tone contained a hint of jealousy, not of Hagrid, but the fact that he wasn't there to hear it.
Hagrid looked at the ground apologetically as though he shouldn't have said anything about her singing. To his relief, Katie rolled her eyes, signaling she did not care.
"I need to have a look at the book you mentioned to Hagrid." Snape said somberly.
"You mean that old book in my bag?" She asked inquisitively, noticing he had not had much sleep, and wondered why he had to be gone all night.
"Katie." Snape said her name as a statement and stopped walking, looking deeply into her eyes. "That book may be the reason you are here. I saw it on the floor next to you the night you arrived. We may know something about it that can help you return to your life." What should have been good news for her did not provoke a positive reaction. Instead, there was a certain unexpected sadness in believing there was a solution to her dilemma.
"Hagrid," Snape directed, "Come to the castle and join us for brunch. We will have a closer look to see if the book is genuine."
Hagrid accepted graciously. He was relieved and grateful that Snape had not blown up at him for knowing about the book and becoming friends with Katie. He was used to Snape's insults of times past, and he was overjoyed at Snape's new outlook with Katie, but he knew there would soon come the time when Katie Lee would have to return to her world.
They started toward the castle with Fang running along behind them. Katie played chase with him, and threw a stick for him to retrieve. He fetched it and lay on the ground chewing it. Katie called to him and whistled, trying to get him to bring it back, but he only continued gnawing and drooling on the stick.
The sun had made its way over the trees and there was a slight breeze cooling the warmth of the morning air. The grounds were green and bursting with life, and Katie stopped walking to take it all in. The castle towered overhead, as if guarding the grounds, spreading endlessly from end to end, resting in its ancient spot on a hill. The forbidden forest spat out random flocks of birds, flying gracefully from its ancient trees. Katie was spellbound by the majestic presentation.
"Stop!" she called to the men as she stood in place.
They both whisked around and took steps toward her, but stopped when they saw her holding out her arms to let the breeze caress her skin as it lifted her hair. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling with joyful satisfaction. It was as if the elements charged her spirit with a thorough knowledge of life.
"What the?" Snape snapped.
"Call me crazy, but let's just stop. I wanna stand here for just a minute and just breathe. I have to remember this. Gimme time ta just take it all in."
She closed her eyes, leaned back her head, and inhaled a deep breath, slowly letting it out. Looking up to the sky, she saw Buckbeak flying overhead, followed by a shimmering flock of smaller white birds. Their formation broke apart and they flew out of sight.
Snape watched her breathe in the fresh morning breeze through her nose. The late morning daylight showcased all the sun kissed colors of her hair while the slight wind stroked it with invisible fingers. Her bright green eyes sparkled as rich emeralds when she smiled at him. He saw his reflection in them, but did not notice the man smiling back at him. His face was hardly creased and his eyes were no longer sullen, sad, and bitter.
The War seemed like years ago. Everything he saw everyday and took for granted was what she was seeing for the first time. Looking at the world through her eyes made his flawed world feel new, exciting, and wonderful. He was in awe of how she appreciated the simplest of things with a childlike faith. She had courage to take risks in people which he had never dared to take. She was everything he was not. The talents she possessed were true instruments of peace, life, and everything that he has ever believed to be good and she inspired him. He knew at that instant he was in love with her and he was absolutely certain that he could die right then just having had that moment.
