AN: So… hi there. I know, I know, a year. Sixth Form has been a bitch and I have a January exam to study for, along with Christmas to worry about. But I have a surprise to make up for it! I've written not just this chappy but also a few others, which means you get this one today, the next one tomorrow, and the last one of Christmas day :D Happy holidays, dear readers that I love oh so much!

As I've been away so long, I've lost track of reviewers too. Sorry again. I guess my whole reply system has failed. I suppose I'll just have to reply when I can to those with questions :( In any case, enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I basically own nothing… Please excuse while I just go weep in a corner now.

Bella's POV

It felt good to be back at Hogwarts, though I missed my father. Hogwarts had been my home for nearly five years. The professors could be counted as family (those I liked anyway), and this was the reason for my and Harry's delight when Hermione told us Hagrid had returned. I remembered not being able to wish him happy holidays – he had left the school roughly a week before Christmas break began, along with Carlisle. It made me wonder why they both left; I supposed I'd have to ask Hagrid, as we were now off to see him.

Hermione found Ron and the two of them followed Harry and I out to Hagrid's hut. We practically sprinted with bright smiles on our faces. The half giant greeted us warmly with very minor cuts on his face. I looked at them with concern. "Hagrid, what happened? Where did you go?"

He gestured for us all to sit down, which we did. "This is top secret, right? Dumbledore sent me to parley with the giants."

We exchanged looks between us. "Giants?" Hermione repeated. He hushed her quickly and she lowered her voice. "You found them?"

"With some help from Dr. Cullen," he nodded, before smiling. "Plus, they're not that hard to find, to be perfectly honest. They're big, see? I tried to convince 'em to join the cause. But Dr. Cullen and I weren't the only ones who were trying to win them over."

"Death Eaters?" Ron guessed quietly.

"Yeah, tryin' to persuade 'em to join You-Know-Who."

"And did they?" asked Harry, squeezing my hand.

"I gave 'em Dumbledore's message. Suppose some of them remember he was friendly to 'em… I suppose…"

"Are they the reason you're hurt?" I asked sternly.

He gave me a fond look. "Don't you worry about me. I'll be all right. Dr. Cullen was more hurt than me."

"Why would the giants hurt Carlisle?" I frowned.

"It wasn't them exactly…"

Before I could try and weasel the truth out of him, Fang barked loudly, making me jump. Harry held me closer to his side. Hagrid's face was grave as he stared out the window, no longer paying us much attention, too buried in his thoughts. When he spoke, his voice was not the warm, joking tone I was use to.

"It's changin' out there. Just like last time. There's a storm comin', and we'd all best be ready when she does."

After we all said farewell to Hagrid with another big hug, I departed from my three friends and quickly visited the Hospital Wing. Inside I found Alice and Jasper. They stood beside a curtained off bed, and with a sinking feeling in my stomach, I heard Carlisle's pained groans.

I stopped beside the two slowly. Neither turned to me but Alice muttered, "Esme's in there with him with Madam Pomfrey." Her spiked head shook. "I didn't see him getting this damaged; Rose is furious at Dumbledore for letting this happen. Em's trying to calm her down at the moment."

I nodded silently and held her cold hand. She gripped it tight and Jasper put an arm around her, smiling sadly at me. We didn't move for a while.

Things just seemed to get worse after that. Bellatrix Lestrange, my dearest second cousin, had escaped from Azkaban. When I heard the news, I had rushed to Neville and led him to the Room of Requirements. He was quite, upset. I sat him down and just hugged him, unsure of what else I could do. The DA members slowly trickled into the large room soon after, and once again, Harry and I taught everyone what we knew.

Once our fellow students were leaving, Neville stayed behind, looking at the old photograph of the Order. I walked over and stood beside him, rubbing his back. Frank and Alice Longbottom smiled at me from the picture, all happy and determined.

"Fourteen years ago a Death Eater named Bellatrix Lestrange used the Cruciatus Curse on my parents," Neville said in a low voice. I realised that Harry had wandered over to us. "She tortured them for information, but they never gave in. I'm quite proud to be their son, but I'm not sure I'm ready for everyone to know just yet."

"We're going to make them proud, Neville," Harry told him firmly. "That's a promise."

I smiled at him and then leant nearer to Neville. "Don't be upset," I murmured to him. "Be angry. Passion will help improve your spells as long as it's controlled."

He nodded slightly, giving the two of us a small smile.

We all worked harder than ever before in the DA sessions. Sadly, it didn't last for long…

"A full-bodied Patronus is the most difficult to produce, but the shield form can be equally effective at protecting from a variety of opponents…" Harry was telling the class as we rushed around, correcting people. "Fantastic! Remember, the Patronus will only be effective as long as you stay focused… Luna, think of the happiest thing that you can… Good!"

"This is really advanced stuff, guys," I told them encouragingly. "You're doing really well —"

A sudden booming crash from the wall interrupted me, and we all turned slowly to face the source. Nigel shuffled over curiously before Harry could stop him and peeked out of the newly made hole in the wall. A grating, high-pitched voice could be heard emanating from it. "I'll make short work of this…" And there was a giggle.

My eyes widened as the wall blasted up like a bomb had been set off, noting thankfully that Harry had managed to shove himself and Nigel away from the flying rubble. The even bigger hole in the wall was surrounded by (who else?) the pink toad and her all-Slytherin Inquisitorial Squad. With a start, I recognised Draco who gave me an expression of apology. I looked away angrily. I supposed this was what he'd been warning me about.

"Get them!" Umbridge ordered, and the DA was very quickly rounded up by the group of Slytherins.

AN: I hope the start of this chapter answered any queries you may have had about Hagrid being present when he was giant hunting in the book/film. I just thought that surely Dumbledore would want to give him extra protection, especially as he's not actually allowed to do magic.

And why not Carlisle? He's a healer, he can fight in battle, and he's a vampire with enhanced senses. So yes, my theory is that, with Carlisle there to help, the search for the giants would have been shorter and therefore Hagrid wouldn't have needed to leave as early as he did in the book/film :D Don't forget to REVIEW! xx