The Family Name

Year Five

By Elbereth in April

Chapter 21

When Artemis saw Hagrid leading Hermione, Harry, and Ron away during the Slytherin-Hufflepuff game, he slipped out of the bleachers and followed them. Sirius offered to come, since Butler was on the pitch assisting Madame Hooch. Artemis agreed.

By the time the Trio and the half-giant reached Hagrid's cabin, Artemis and Sirius had caught up with them. "Out for a stroll?"

They all jumped. Hagrid waved his hands around, causing Ron to duck. "Nothin' to see, nothin' goin' on! Hello, Sirius."

"Hagrid."

"Well, I can keep following and eavesdropping… or you can just tell me what's going on," Artemis said calmly.

"No, you don't want to be sneaking around in the Forest. It's dangerous nowadays," Hagrid protested, picking up a crossbow.

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Firenze left, and now the other centaurs are riled. An' they've got a lot of influence in the forest…"

"You know, most people don't bust into other people's secrets," Ron began hotly.

Sirius burst out laughing. "Sorry, but coming from you three? That's hilarious."

"You can trust Artemis," Hermione told Hagrid, "if that's what you're worried about. If you have a problem, he can help."

"Well… I don't know…"

"I'm not going to go off and inform Dumbledore, the law, or the newspapers," Artemis offered dryly. "Or Voldemort, for that matter."

Hagrid hesitated another minute, then nodded. "Alrigh', Hermione, if you vouch for 'im, let's go."

Sirius drew his wand and held it down at his side. He brought up the rear as the teens followed Hagrid.

They walked quite a ways, and the trees grew ever closer together, making it hard to see in the dark. They performed the Lumos charm for light. Eventually, Hagrid stepped off the path, causing the teens to look at each other uneasily.

"Where are we going, Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"Bit further. Keep together now."

The branches and thorn thickets made passing difficult, as their robes and hair became ensnared and their arms and legs were scratched. Artemis tried a variation of a shielding charm, which seemed to work, and Hermione quickly followed suit, teaching the boys.

"Well, the thing is…" Hagrid took a deep breath. "Cronin keeps nosin' aroun' an' causin' trouble. I'm worried I may get the sack entirely."

The Gryffindors looked horrified.

"It's not the end o' the world. I can still be useful ter the Order, an' you'll have Grubbly-Plank ter get yeh through your exams…" His voice broke. Hermione patted his arm. "Don' worry abou' me," he continued bravely, mopping his bruised eyes with a handkerchief. "I wouldn' be tellin' yer this if I didn' have ter. But if I go… I can' leave withou' tellin' someone. I'll need you ter help me, see."

"Of course," Harry volunteered at once for his set. Artemis was waiting to hear more.

Hagrid brightened. "I knew yeh'd say yes, but I won' forget... well, c'mon then."

They walked a little further, until they came to a huge mound of earth. Trees had been ripped up at the roots all around to form a barricade around the mound. They could hear a rhythmic rumbling, like an enormous pair of lungs. "Sleepin'," Hagrid whispered.

Hermione's voice trembled. "Hagrid, who is he?"

"Who—what?"

"You told us none of them wanted to come!"

Harry blinked as he watched the mound move up and down with the breathing. It was not a mound, but someone's back.

"Well—he didn' want ter come," Hagrid admitted, "but I had to bring him, Hermione! I knew if I jus' got him back, an'—taught him a few manners—I'd be able ter make everyone see he's harmless!"

"It's a giant," Artemis said blankly.

Sirius was staring. "Harmless? He's why you've been sporting so many injuries, yeah?"

"He jus' don' know his own strength! An' he's gettin' better…"

Hermione was getting louder and shriller. "Hagrid, why did you bring him back if he didn't want to come?"

"They were all bullyin' him 'cause he's small."

"Small?" Ron mouthed.

"B'sides, I couldn' leave him. He's my brother." Hagrid was weeping now. "Well—half-brother. Me mother took up with another giant when she left me dad, an' she had Grawp here."

"Grawp?" Harry repeated.

We're all in shock, Artemis thought. At least this explains Firenze's warning.

"Tha's what it sounds like. He don't speak a lot of English. I've been trying to teach him…"

"Hagrid, what on earth are you going to do with a violent giant who doesn't even want to be here?" Hermione cried.

"Violent—tha's a bit harsh…"

"Then why do you have him tied down?" Artemis pointed at the ropes tied to Grawp on one end and the trees on the other.

"It's like I say—he doesn' really know his own strength."

"That's not very humanitarian," Artemis remarked. "He shouldn't be a prisoner."

"He's not exactly human," Ron cut in.

"Not a prisoner—more like a mental patient," Sirius shrugged.

"Just what it is you want us to do?" demanded Hermione.

"Look after him after I'm gone," Hagrid explained.

"How?"

"He can get his own food—birds an' deer an' stuff. No, it's company he needs. If I jus' knew someone was tryin' ter help him, teachin' him…"

"You want us to travel through a dangerous forest to talk to a violent giant who can't comprehend us?" Artemis shook his head.

Hagrid frowned. "Yeh don' haf to. But them, yeah…"

Sirius grinned. "Sounds exciting. Like adventure."

"Butler would lock me in a room first."

Hagrid ignored this. "I reckon if he can talk ter people, he'll understand that we all like him an' want him to stay."

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "Kind of makes you wish we had Norbert back, doesn't it?"

Ron laughed.

"Norbert?" Artemis inquired politely.

"Hagrid's pet dragon our first year," Harry told him with a crooked smile.

"Yeh'll do it then?" asked Hagrid anxiously.

He had promised, Harry realized. "We'll… we'll try…"

Hermione groaned. Sirius laughed. "I'll help!"

"I'll remain sane," Artemis said dryly. "But if you ever don't return from the Forest, I'll come looking for you, so let me know before you visit."

Hermione looked relieved at that. "OK."

"I knew I could count on yeh, Harry!" Hagrid beamed. "I'll wake him up, then—introduce you!"

Artemis took a large step backwards. "Not necessary!"

But Hagrid had already gone over the barrier and walked toward Grawp. He poked him with a stick to wake him.

The giant roared, causing birds to rapidly fly away. He pushed himself up to his knees. Artemis regarded him with a sort of horrified fascination. He didn't look right—his features were misshapen and just too big.

"All righ', Grawpy?" Hagrid backed away.

Grawp rubbed his eyes and sprang to his feet—all 16 feet of him. Hermione made a terrified shriek and Artemis instinctively moved closer to her. She looked at him, surprised.

The trees Grawp was tied to creaked alarmingly. He grabbed a bird's nest from a nearby tall tree and turned it upside down. Eggs fell around Hagrid like fast-pitch baseballs.

When he was done ducking and covering, Hagrid looked back at his brother. "I've brought some friends ter meet yeh, Grawpy. Remember I told you I might?"

Grawp didn't appear to be listening. He roared again, the sound echoing around the forest. He seized the top of a pine tree and bent it back towards him like a toy.

"Now, Grawpy don't do that!" Hagrid poked Grawp with the stick again. He let go of the tree and looked over. "This is Harry! He'll come ter visit if I go away." The giant bent his head down to squint at them. "This is Ron, and Hermione." Hagrid stopped speaking and looked at Hermione. "Can he call yeh Hermy? I don't think he can remember the other…"

"That's fine…"

"This is Hermy! They'll come, too. Is'n tha' nice?—Grawpy, no!"

Out of nowhere, Grawp's hands shot toward her. Artemis had his wand out and Hermione behind him before Harry could reach her. Grawp's hands only struck an invisible shield. He looked puzzled.

Hermione was breathing fast as Ron and Harry converged on her, making sure she was alright. Artemis moved them all several feet back, Sirius joining them.

"Bad boy, Grawpy!" Hagrid yelled. "Very bad! Yeh don't—ouch!" Grawp knocked him to the ground, then lost interest and went back to pulling on the tree.

"Righ'." Hagrid got up, feeling over his bloody nose. "Yeh've met him an'… yeah… well… I reckon tha's enough fer one day. We'll go back now…"

Hermione nodded emphatically, still shaking a little and holding onto Artemis's arm.

They were walking back when Hagrid called a halt, and fit an arrow in his crossbow. Everyone immediately raised their wands. They heard someone—or thing—heading towards them.

A male centaur with long black hair and a bow and arrow stepped through the bushes and spoke. "I thought we told you that you are no longer welcome here, Hagrid."

Artemis observed the centaur closely. He looked a lot like Firenze and Foaly. He was strong and muscular. Four more centaurs closed in around him.

"How are yeh, Magorian?"

A centaur with a beard stepped up to Magorian, who was clearly their leader. "We agreed what we would do if we saw this human again," he said to Magorian.

"This human?" Hagrid repeated. "Jus' cause I stopped yeh from murderin' Firenze?"

"Our ways and laws are not yours. Firenze has betrayed and dishonored us by entering into servitude with humans."

"Servitude?" Hagrid said scathingly.

"He is peddling our knowledge and secrets among humans."

"Not all knowledge and secrets," Artemis said in Gnommish.

It became instantly very quiet. "You would be Haven's human," Magorian replied in the same language.

"I just do consultant work."

"Your name is written in the stars, human," Magorian said. "As is his." He nodded towards Potter. "That does not make you equal to centaurs."

"If we're not here to stop Voldemort from taking over Hogwarts, he'll burn this forest down around your ears. You shouldn't kill anyone in a position to prevent war between you and the Death Eaters—and fairies. You know that Voldemort has one on his side. A pixie named Opal Koboi."

The centaurs muttered amongst themselves.

"We do not harm innocent foals, at any rate," Magorian said. "That is a terrible crime."

"But—" the bearded centaur began to protest.

"No, Bane." He switched to English. "Today, Hagrid, while you have young with you, you may pass. But from now on, stay away from this place. You forfeited the friendship of the centaurs when you helped Firenze escape us."

"I won' be kept outta the fores' by a bunch of mules like you!" Hagrid exclaimed.

Bane pawed at the ground, head lowered.

"Perhaps you should not antagonize the proud creatures with longbows," Artemis suggested. This was an interesting side to Hagrid he'd never seen.

Hagrid reluctantly began to lead them away, crossbow still held on Magorian, when the centaur called after them, "We know what you are keeping in the forest, Hagrid! And our tolerance is waning!"

Hagrid stopped and turned around. "You'll tolerate him as long as he's here!" he yelled after them as they slipped back into the trees. "It's as much his forest as yours!"

His grammar improves when he's truly angry, Artemis mused.

Sirius laughed. "You tell 'em, Hagrid!" His eyes were bright.

"The adventure appeals to your Marauder side," Artemis noted.

Sirius laughed again. "Yeah! I used to roam this place with Remus and James on full-moon nights. Hey, what did you say to them, Artemis? What language was that?"

"It's a standard form that creatures like centaurs and goblins speak. And I reminded them that Potter is important to the wizarding world and shouldn't be killed, at least until Voldemort is dead, anyway." He smiled at Potter.

"Gee, thanks," Harry said, but smiled back.

"I'm not sure how we're going to help Grawp if the centaurs won't let humans in the forest," Hermione began as they resumed walking.

"Ah, you heard 'em, they won't hurt foals—I mean, kids." Hagrid dismissed Hermione's concerns with a shrug. Her face fell.

"Don't worry, Snuffles will go with you," Sirius volunteered happily. Hermione didn't look overly reassured, but Harry grinned at the older man.

Finally they exited the Forest with the Quidditch game still in progress. Even with the shield charm they'd used, they were somewhat scratched up, with twigs in their hair. Harry, Ron, and Sirius headed back to the game, but Artemis and Hermione elected to head back to the castle. "Tell Butler I'll be back in the dorm," Artemis instructed Black, who nodded. Butler had surely noticed he was missing by now, and was likely furious at him for running off without him.

"I don't believe him!" Hermione exploded as she and Artemis walked away. "Any of them! Sirius is as bad as Hagrid! And Ron and Harry always throw themselves headlong into danger…"

"Gryffindors are reckless," Artemis said calmly. "Present company excepted, of course."

"I should say! A giant! And we're supposed to give him English lessons, assuming we can get past the herd of murderous centaurs on the way!"

"Perhaps the best course would be to ensure Hagrid keeps his job. That way, you won't have to deal with it."

"How do we do that?"

"It'll probably come down to bribing or blackmailing Cronin. Hagrid certainly can't keep himself out of trouble."

"Do we need to spy on Cronin, then?"

Artemis thought about this. He already had enough on Cronin, just knowing the man was a Death Eater, but that was all the more reason to know what he was up to. Butler, Black, and Snape were all watching him, but Artemis's putting up a camera had proved worthless. Cronin conducted his "interesting" conversations behind some sort of obscuring, silencing wards, and the camera picked up nothing.

"He's dangerous," Artemis said slowly. "Perhaps the Weasley twins could watch him? And how about Lovegood? No one would ever suspect her."

Hermione blinked. "That's because she'd be terrible at it."

"I think she'd surprise you."

Hermione was hit by a spike of jealousy. Artemis was showing too much interest in Luna Lovegood lately. She made a noncommittal grunting noise. Artemis just smirked at her, knowing Loovegood drove Hermione crazy, and thinking it was more of the same.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Hermione and Draco took a walk around the lake, so she could rant while she told him about Grawp and still be private. "He's the reason Hagrid has had so many bruises and cuts this year! But Hagrid still claims he's not violent! And he calls him Grawpy!"

"We all know Hagrid is crazy."

Hermione scowled at him. "Why do I even bother talking to you?"

"Hermione, come on, don't be like that," Draco coaxed, taking her hand. "You know exactly what I mean. Nice or not, he's nuts. Remember the Blast Ended Skrewts!"

She sighed. "He does seem to not be in touch with reality sometimes. But we promised, so we have to help teach Grawp English if Hagrid goes."

"To be honest, the giant doesn't bother me as much as the centaurs. You guys can handle a giant, especially with Sirius for backup. But a whole herd of angry centaurs? Their leader may have let you pass because you're kids, but obviously not everyone agreed. All it takes is one dissenter to shoot an arrow at you from under cover…"

"Well, that's a scary thought. We'd have to come up with some kind of plan. Hopefully, Hagrid won't leave and it will be a moot point."

They walked in silence for a few moments.

"Blaise and Marie are having relationship issues," Draco volunteered, searching for conversation topics. "Marie has become like—um, well, like you and HELP. She's gotten all gung-ho about the idea of everyone having the right to learn to protect themselves and wanting to spend all her free time leading SUAVE meetings for the younger years. Blaise thinks she's gone overboard and it's not that big a deal. She's becoming annoyed with his attitude and he's mad 'cause he never sees her…. At least the younger years will be able to handle themselves well by the time she's done."

"Ginny and Dean are having troubles, too. They're realizing they don't have much in common, after all."

"Oh, really?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "No need to sound so pleased."

Draco looked genuinely confused. "What?"

"Oh, Draco, it's becoming increasingly obvious you still have a crush on her."

"But—what—why—?" He sighed. "Yes. But you still like Artemis, don't you?"

She smiled wryly. "At first I was still so angry and hurt by him, I was glad we were through. But now that we're friends again… the old feelings are coming back." It was her turn to sigh. "I don't want them to. Artemis still isn't ready for a romantic relationship, I don't think."

"But we have fun together, you and me." They stopped walking and faced each other. They were still holding hands.

"We do. And kissing you certainly is nice!"

They both smiled.

"So—what should we do?" Draco asked, forehead crinkling.

"Five years from now, who do you see yourself with? Me—or Ginny?"

The answer came in a flash of red hair.

Hermione rubbed his arm. "It's alright. I didn't see you, either."

"But everything's been going along just fine—" Or has it? Draco thought, recalling Hermione's vivid memory of kissing Artemis while he was teaching her Occlumency.

"If we'd fallen for each other first—but we didn't. We've both had our eye on someone else all this time. You only backed off approaching Ginny because Goyle still liked her. Does he still?"

"I…don't think so. I'll need to have a talk with him."

"I can tell you if you asked Ginny out now, she'd say yes. I think she's realizing she's always had a soft spot for you."

A quirk of his lips. "Well, not always."

She smiled back. "Recently, anyway. I mean, her mum even gave you an Easter egg."

He looked at the bracelet on her wrist. His Valentine's Day gift. Did I know this was coming? Did I see it even then? I think I might have, deep down, and just didn't want to admit it. Now it's all coming to the surface… Hermione means a lot to me. But… He thought about Ginny. Hermione and I aren't right the way Ginny and I feel right.

He bit his lip. "We'll still be friends, right? I don't want to give you up."

She squeezed his hand. "We'll be very good friends."

"So you think I should pursue her? You won't be—mad or—sad or—whatever?"

"I'll be fine," she reassured him, and meant it.

He nodded. "I'll talk to Greg, then."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Draco had meant to work up to it somehow, but ended up just blurting it out. "Greg, do you still have feelings for Ginny Weasley?"

Greg sat down on his bed and looked at his hands. "I think I always will, a little. But I've resigned myself. We're not meant to be."

Draco winced a little. Goyle looked up at him. "Sit down." Draco sat on the other side of the bed. "Talk."

"Hermione and I have decided to part ways."

"I'm sorry." Greg sounded truly sympathetic.

"It was fun dating her. She's a great girl. I just…"

"Want to know if you can date Ginny."

"…want—wait, what?"

"I figured that's what this was leading up to."

"How obvious is it that I like her?"

"Oh, it's not. Unless you're paying really close attention to anything Ginny-related." Goyle shrugged. "It's OK, Draco, really it is."

"But…"

"I would have given you the OK earlier, but you and Hermione seemed happy."

"We have been. But we've come to understand that we both like someone else better. Someone we both liked before we got together, and never got over."

"She still likes Artemis?"

Draco nodded. "I don't know if she'll act on it, though." Draco put his hand on Greg's shoulder. "But seriously, if you don't want me to date Ginny…"

Greg smiled at him. "I want you both to be happy. Thomas isn't right for her. But I think you are. And I know you'll treat her right. That's all I want to see. And you deserve someone good, too."

"I..."

"If you don't ask her out, I'll be really mad at you!"

"…thanks, Greg."

This time Greg patted Draco's shoulder. "You're welcome."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"I got your owl, Draco. What's up?" Ginny asked as she walked over to where he stood. He'd asked her to meet him in front of a large window overlooking the lake. The window was propped open and the breeze was blowing in. It was a pleasant corner of the castle, and the view was lovely.

"Weasley-girl. Ginny."

"OK, this is something serious, isn't it?" Draco looked solemn and more than a bit nervous, which immediately made her worried.

Now he gave her with a crooked smile. "Have you talked to Hermione?"

She shook her head. "I haven't seen her this evening."

"We broke up earlier."

A wave of shock rushed over her. "Oh! What happened?"

"Ah, well, that's the thing, you see. We realized we were good friends, but not meant for more."

"Why not?"

He took a step closer. He tilted his chin down and looked up at her through his lashes. "Because we both realized we want other people."

Ginny's heart began to pound. Did he mean… "Who?"

Another step closer. "You." He continued gazing into her eyes. "You, Weasley-girl. You caught my attention some time ago and I just can't get you out of my head."

She laughed, part teasing, part delight. "You're serious."

"There was more than one reason I hated Stormbrew," he confessed. "And Dean Thomas, for that matter."

"Dean and I have been… fighting a lot. We don't see eye-to-eye. We've both known it can't last much longer."

"You need someone who knows who to treat you."

She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward a little, smiling. "And how would you treat me, Draco?"

"Like someone who matters. You're strong and brave, smart and pretty." He reached out and ran a hand over her hair. "You're like a diamond, Ginny. Strongest precious gem in the world. But still one to treasure, and treat with care."

She blushed. "Did you sweet talk Hermione like this?"

"Um, no. You bring it out in me." He graced her with another smile, taking a deep breath. "What do you say?"

She took his hand. It was cold and clammy. He was nervous. It made her smile. He could be so sweet when he wanted to be. "You're brave and arrogant, smart and sneaky, and… quite adorable."

He blinked, then smirked. "What about my good looks?"

"Oh yes. And ever so humble."

His eyes brightened. His grip on her hand tightened. "Is that a yes, you'll be my girlfriend?"

Her grin stretched across her face. "Yes. I can't kiss you til I break up with Dean, though. Although I really want to right now."

"That's alright, we've got time." He felt like he was flying. Excitement and exultation made all his senses explode. He could feel Ginny's hand in his like a live wire, making his fingers tingle. He wanted to jump and run, to fly! "Want to go flying?"

She looked outside. It was twilight. "Now?"

"Yes!"

"All right."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

A/N: I've tried to drop in little hints they were going to break up without being too obvious. Did it seem to come too sudden or did I give enough warning?