Chapter 7: Reminiscing Old Days

Words: 4,298

Recap: Apparently, most of you readers love how I get to punch the Prat James because he deserved it, so that actually lessen the guilt a bit. Thanks! Anyway, the detention was boring, but I'm already getting used to it. Though it was worse with James complaining beside me until the emerge of a mysterious character walking around Hogwarts raised question for the two of us.

Since that first night, every time James and me were serving our detention (While trying not to provoke one another with utmost effort), we were unnaturally wary with our surroundings. Wanting to catch a glimpse of Professor Heckler's odd action but never did since that night. So we were miserable the whole week and was more than glad when the end of the week came.

"Finally, I don't think I could spend one more day with him!"

"Uhm, not that it's good that your detention is about to be over, but can we return to the fact a mysterious figure was discovered to be acting suspiciously around the school?" Severus pressed, "And are you sure it was Professor Heckler?"

"Well, not anyone wore that charm bracelet around. Especially one that had a grave, knife, lizard, and other weird symbols attached to it. I'm telling you now those are serial killers charms."

"What serial killer would wear a charm bracelet?" Sev retorted with a snort.

Lily groaned at our argument, "Okay, first Percy there's no such thing as a killer charm so don't be dramatic. Second, Severus that is so not the point of our conversation."

"I admit I went off topic there, but Percy I hate to say this... but you're getting paranoid."

I almost missed the disappearing steps and would have tumbled down if Lily hadn't caught me halfway. I whipped my head back at him with opened mouth, "What?!"

"A Professor is crawling out at night and the first thing you can think of is that he's up to something no good. True, it was suspicious behavior, but what are the odds we have another Professor Rose?"

"Not that I think he's a spy, but you said it yourself he's suspicious."

"Yes, doesn't mean there's some big conspiracy act. Not everyone is out to wreak havoc in this school. You wouldn't get any studies done otherwise."

In normal circumstances, I would agree with him. In normal circumstances, I would have laughed at my own thoughts and brushed it off. In normal circumstances, I wouldn't even have played the idea of anything sinister happening in this school.

However, the circumstances are far from normal. I'm in a wizard school, searching for an evil witch, Voldy Lord spreading power, a jinx school position, and not having my decision deciding the fate of the world. So yeah, forgive me for being paranoid but I'm less inclined to risk everything for not being the least bit vigilant.

But out of everyone, I would think Severus would agree on my case. I eyed him and his out of character antics, "What's up with you Severus? You're usually the first one to jump in these "conspiracy" theories."

"While I'm glad Severus grew some sense in his head," Sev sputtered at Lily's words, "but Percy got a point. You're usually the excited one when you've got a mystery to solve."

Sev fidgeted a bit, his eyes looking anywhere but her Lily's concerned green emerald eyes, "Listen, all I'm saying is that not everything has to be some deep undercover mystery. For all we know, Professor Heckler was trying to find the kitchen for some midnight snack. I don't know. Anyway, my class is this way, see ya."

Lily and me watched as he made a hasty retreat until he turned a corner, losing him from our sight.

"I'm worried about him Percy," Lily confessed, "He's been a bit out of it since that time we confronted that no-good scamp James. Do you think his words got to him?"

"Maybe," I couldn't help agree, "Pointing out his dad had really thrown him off. It always was a touchy subject for him."

"At least now he would watch what he says around Sev next time, I think he had enough from you socking him good."

"Did I heard that right? Lily Evans actually commending me for punching a bloke's face?" You could just hear the grin in my tone.

"Shut up." Lily lightly slapped my arm and I couldn't help the laughter I let out. She smiled back at me.

Later on, when lunch rollover. A single owl came flying and landed a small letter at my side. I eyed it with some suspicion since I wasn't expecting any letter from anyone, but my tensed shoulder had sagged when I noted the rough, messy handwriting of my half-giant friend.

Percy, I know you have afternoon off today. I know it's a bit sudden but would you like a cup of tea after lunch and have a little bit of chat? Your welcome to invite your friends over. I'll be at my hut. Send me an answer back with Sophia.

Hagrid

It was a bit of a surprise to hear from him and the sudden invite he made, but I wasn't averse to it either. Heck, I was more excited about meeting up with him. I didn't get to thank him enough for covering me up on my late coming at school. I made a quick reply note that I would be coming over soon, and giving a sign to Lily and Sev by pointing at the door with two of my fingers. A sign we recently made whenever we needed to talk without calling out attention. A quick nod told me they noticed and once I was done with my meal. I was gratified the three of us finished up at the same time and showed them Hagrid's letter and both agreed to properly meet him. Lily especially was excited. It had slipped my mind that she hadn't met him and thought it's high time they did.

We went out of the castle and to his small cabin at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Though not quite so forbidden considering how many times I slipped in and got a horde of angry centaurs now aiming at my back.

A surprising sight, however, made us paused. There, standing outside by the door of the hut, and looking like who was arguing with Hagrid, was Professor Heckler. The reminder of our talk before was brought forth in my mind, and I bet the same for my pair of friends. We rushed to the side of the hut, out of sight, but close enough to overhear them talking.

"Em tellin' ya I don' know what you're talkin' bout, ya have the wron' person to talk to!"

Another Deja Vu washed over me at the familiarity situation; a confronted Hagrid being questioned by a DADA Professor. Hope this isn't going to be a thing. Unlike last year, I could tell Hagrid was a lot angrier. His voice boomed loud, close to livid and so uncharacteristically coming from the soft-spoken half-giant I came to know.

"Surely you don't expect me to believe that? I've read about you Mr. Rubeus, and as someone who was able to find the Chamber of Secret. I'd like to know if you came upon more than only a mere beast."

"An' I'm tellin' ya yer wron'! I knew nothin' o' the chambe'"

"If that's true then why had the school board decided to break your wand?" that got a gasp from Sev, I shushed him but thankfully they didn't hear us.

"I tol' yeh, tha' was a misunderstandin'

Now if yeh don't have anything worth sayin' then I suggest yeh get out o' my sight!"

Heckler didn't so much as flinch as the barking words toward him and curtly nodded in response. As if being polite at the last moment would brush off everything he had said, "I'll cease my questioning, for now, Mr. Rubeus, but I am a persistent man and I do get what I want, one way or another." He began walking back to the castle, and we were glad he did not look back and spot us eavesdropping.

Once we were sure he was out of sight, and Hagrid sighed heavily, we jumped right out and startling the big guy. "Blimey Percy, where did yeh pop out from? Wait... were you three eavesdroppin' on us?"

Lily blushed at the spot-on statement, Sev looked passive as ever, and I just grinned unashamedly, "Sorry, we didn't mean to, but we were on our way meeting you and it sort of happened."

Hagrid didn't look appreciative of our curious nature, but being a good friend as he is, he let it slide and gestured us to come inside. His eyes locked on to our fiery redheaded friend and beamed a smile hidden beneath his bushy beard, "'Ello, yeh must be Lily. Percy tol' me all about a fellow Gryffindo'"

Lily blushed some more but then made a wide bright smile, "You're a Gryffindor?"

He strode to the kitchen and fetched some mugs for us, "Yep, always wanted to meet yeh."

"Likewise, Percy told me a lot about you."

"Not that I don't mind the chit-chat," Severus cut in, not harshly but dispassionately, "but I'm more interested in hearing why Professor Heckler was here and was asking about your expulsion."

"Expulsion?!" the two of us cried out, shocked made our eyes wide and mouth agape at our host.

Lily snapped first and slapped Sev's arm for being blunt and rude while I kept my eyes at Hagrid, "You were expelled? How? Why? And how in Zeus's name did you know about it, Severus?"

Hagrid was already red in embarrassment and looking like he wanted the ground to swallow him. Severus, taking no note of this, continued on, "Professor Heckler mentioned about your wand being broken by the school board. That only happens when you get expelled."

"But... why did they expel him? Hagrid's the most swell guy I know in this school, and I doubt Dumbledore would trust him being the school's groundskeeper if he weren't"

"Aaaw, you're too kind Percy," Hagrid said, grinning, "Yeh don't have ter be worked up ove' me."

"Hagrid, I've been expelled six times throughout my life. I know better than anyone how far of a line it takes to get you expelled. A magic school more so and I know you're the type that stays out of trouble...well, mostly if you ignore your obsession with beasts."

"Oi! Em not obsessed, just... enthusiastic. And did I 'ear that right? You were expelled six times. How did that happen?"

"One for every school he transferred," Sev explained.

"Never seems to stay for more than a year," Lily added with a giggle.

"Another glaring example of why wizards aren't meant for muggle school," Sev expressed.

"Hey, I went to muggle school and turned out just fine!" Lily snapped with no bite in her words.

Hagrid watched the playful banter between them and suddenly laughed boisterously that he slapped his thigh to contain his mirth. Wiping away the tears he said, "Oh, yeh got great friends Percy, I can see why yeh like them so much. Only yeh would have such a good pair of friends between Slytherin and Gryffindor."

My grin couldn't help but match his, "Don't I know it." my face grew solemn once more as I tried to broach the topic again, "Sorry I burst out like that, I didn't mean to push you like that. You don't have to tell us anything if you don't want to, we just can't help ourselves asking you."

"It's fine, yeh were just concern." He brushed it off, "It happened in the middle o' my third year o' Hogwarts. 1943, the firs' time teh Chambe' o' Secrets was open." That elicited a gasp from us. Lily was stricken that it exist, Sev was more surprised Hagrid was there to witness it.

"You were there when the chamber was first open?"

"I thought it was just a legend to scared off muggle-borns."

"Oh, mos' students thought so too, even teh ones who had experienced the horror o' teh incident 29 years ago. They didn't know wha' exactly had happened othe' than two things; the Chambe' was opened, and mugglebo'ns were targeted and hurt by that time. The las' victim turned out ter be ol' Myrtle, now haunting that abandoned bathroom o' hers."

Really? Moaning Myrtle? Can't say I blame her now for moaning all the time if she died in a tragedy.

"What does that story have to do with you?" Sev asked.

Hagrid looked away again, he shifted his body as if he wanted his large frame to be small, and licking his dry lips. "Before I tell yeh this, I wan' yeh ter know that I have nothin' teh do with all this and that I did nothin' wrong I tell yeh. Nothin'!"

We weren't expecting on his insistence but nodded nonetheless, and Hagrid sagged in relief after. "When the attack started, it was at by that time I first met Aragog. Yeh remember Aragog, right Percy?"

I tilted my head, "Isn't he that Giant-man-eating-spider you kept in the forest?"

That made Sev shot up from his chair, "You kept an Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest, are you insane?!"

"Sssshhh, please don' shout it ter teh world. Aragog is a nice spider; he wouldn' hur' a fly as long as em around. Trust me. I had him for almost three decades now, and he never caused a problem." Sev pursed his lips but nodded in acceptance before sitting back down, "Thank yeh. Where was I? Oh yeah, back then Aragog was just a little spider, couldn' harm anyone then and decided to take care of it. I fed it secretly in a hidden cupboard in school an' didn' tell anyone. But Tom, a Slytherin student, somehow caught me with him and thought I was the one who set loose the chamber's beast. They blamed me, and I ended up expelled. I tried telling them it wasn't Aragog or me, but they wouldn't listen, and the killing had stopped when they accused me, so they settled the case closed. The only person who believed in me was Dumbledore and so later on when there was an opening job as the groundskeeper, he offered it ter me so here I am."

The four occupants of the small hut sat undisturbed as we let the story settled and processed. Poor Hagrid, he kept fidgeting in place, anticipating our reaction. I was already having a hard time trying to think of the word to say. What would be the right thing to say to a guy who was accused of being responsible for the harm and death of students, and ended losing his only means of doing magic? I was much more surprised Hagrid even accepted working here. If it were up to me, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near any reminder of what I'm sure was a horrible memory—much less watching kids coming to learn to Hogwarts and graduating with a wand on their hands every year without getting bitter. Heck, even as he told his story, I didn't note a single tone of resentment he had to this Tom-guy who he thought had been doing his job to keep the school safe. It became more apparent to me how much bigger his heart was than his big self.

"So what was Professor Heckler doing?" Lily finally broke the silence that was stretching uncomfortably, "I say it was quite rude of him to drag up your past like that forcibly."

"Well, that's the funny thing," Hagrid began with a scratched of his bearded chin, "Professo' Heckler was convinced I was teh one who opened teh chamber an' demanded me how and where it was. I kept denying it but he wouldn' take no fer an answer. Even askin' me what was it was like and if there were any clues left from the Founder's Time. Not like I could hav' tell the difference if I had even bin' there."

"Do you have any idea what he might be cluing on Hagrid?"

"None, although... now that you mention it... he did... no, that would be ludicrous... but is he mad enough?" Hagrid's voice turned softer in every word and began mumbling to himself, leaving us to dust in his thought.

"Hagrid," I snapped at him, "Care to share the class what's on your mind?"

"It's nothin'...just remembered anothe' legen' passed down in school about teh ol' treasure o' Hogwarts."

"I've heard of it," Lily leaned forward excitedly, "It's a story passed down around the Gryffindor House about a hidden chamber of Godric's that kept his most prized possession, not many know it seemed, and they are many version of its background. Some say it's where he hid all his accumulated wealth since there were no Gringotts at the time, some said that it's where he kept his powerful weapons and magical item from his time in the war. Some said he had kept a dragon inside the school to fight back the beast kept in the Chamber of Secret so his house would have a way to fight off the hidden evil in the future."

Hagrid nodded at her words, "Exactly. When it was known the Chamber was opened, there was a crazed admits the Gryffindor House on finding Gryffindor's Lost Treasure in the hope to fight off whatever we were dealing with. Yet, with more victims coming and no sign of said legend of his treasure, they pretty much gave up quickly. I'm surprised they still told that story."

"So what you're saying Professor Heckler might be looking for said legendary treasure?"

"I know, it's crazy ain't it?"

"But not impossible, and it's not the craziest thing I've heard. I've met a lot of people who believed in even more unlikely things."

Sev snorted, "Considering he had gone on and on about Hogwarts and its founder, it's not that surprising."

"But Gryffindor's Lost Treasure," Lily said with a bright gleam of her emerald eyes, smile widening that showed her pearly teeth, "Do you think it might be real? Kept hidden all these centuries until it was denounced as a mere legend. Imagine what could be hidden right under our nose without anyone ever realizing."

Sev and me exchanged knowing glances and a smile on our faces, "Looks like someone wants to take a look of this treasure."

Lily blushed, "So? Nothing wrong with a little bit curious. No harm from trying."

"Sorry to burst your bubble Lily," Sev said evenly, "but we are talking about an almost a millennia-old secret hidden within the bowels of the school. What are the chances we or anyone can find it?"

"You'd be surprised Severus," I cut in before Lily could reply, "but sometimes, even the most hidden secret, could be revealed from just being in the right place at the right time."

Sev couldn't help glare at the stupid grin I was wearing, "So what you're essentially saying is dumb luck."

"Pretty much, yeah. How do you think I survived this whole time?"

Sev groaned aloud that he rested his forehead at his hand, "I can't argue with that."

Lily and me laughed at his reaction before a sudden reminder, whirled my head back to Hagrid, "You know, you never told me why you wanted to see me today."

His eyes flashed at the reminder, "I didn', didn' I? I wanted ter ask yeh if it was true tha' yeh punch a Gryffindo' kid an' got detention for it. I didn' believe what I 'ear and wanted a straigh' answe' from yeh."

I fidgeted in place and scratched the back of my neck, looking anywhere else but at Hagrid, wincing when I realized how guilty I must be looking like from his eyes.

"It wasn't Percy's fault!" Lily immediately got up to defend me, "That Stinky James insulted Sev and provoke Percy."

"But if I 'eard right, Percy was the one who threw the first punch, right?" Lily whimpered a bit before reluctantly nodded at the truth. "Now I know yer a good person Percy, but it's shamin' that yeh would resort ter violence like that. I don' expect you not to defend yer friend, that's an honorable thin' fer yeh ter do, but yer a smart kid. Yeh should know there are better way teh solve things." Hagrid's voice was stern but there was an edge of softness as if he was talking to someone of an equal rather than a child, and I couldn't help but appreciate the respect he's giving me. Not even a superiority tone for being an elder like I would have expected when being scolded.

I sighed, "Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have done that. My temper got the best of me and I snapped when I shouldn't."

Hagrid nodded, his smile was warm when he accepted my genuine felt words, "As lon' as you understand."

We chatted a little bit more about our days and bid our goodbye to Hagrid and kept on talking as we walked back up to the castle, revising what we had learned. About the Treasure and Hagrid's expulsion.

"I know Hagrid couldn't be the one responsible for the incident three decades ago. He's too sweet for that." Lily argued, she bit her lips and hesitated to say the rest of her mind, "But is it possible that giant spider of his could still be involved? I mean... it could have attacked the students while he wasn't looking."

For a beat, I sunk a breath at the prospect I didn't consider, feeling dread at the potential tragic story that ended up having Hagrid responsible for the death involved, even involuntarily. The idea would crush the guy if it was true.

"I think that's very doubtful," Sev retorted, "Acromantula only started eating people when they're fully grown and at the young age that Hagrid described, would mean he was feeding him rats or the like. Not strong enough to even kill anyone unless it's with its horde. And even if it had been bigger than what he told us and roamed the school, they wouldn't be capable of finding the death victims," Sev explained in a so sure tone that dispelled doubt like a cut from a sword. It's one of the things I was glad having someone who knows what they're talking about instead of fumbling through a situation and second-guess thing as I alway- often do.

"Why is that?"

"Because the Acromantula would have eaten the person whole." the two of us blanch at the morbid image Sev had painted us, and the person himself looked like he had just pointed out the weather. Nonchalant and uncaring. "Though some I heard, would leave some bones behind but that's not the point. The point being, there were reports of injuries and one death but no missing person so we can conclude whatever it was, wasn't an Acromantula."

Though I could have done it without the gruesome fact, it was relieving to find that Hagrid was completely innocent, "Then what could it be then?"

"Who knows," Sev shrugged, "but that doesn't matter-ow! What was that for Lily?"

"For being a tactless idiot. What do you mean it doesn't matter? You were brilliant and were able to prove Hagrid's innocent!"

Sev blushed before he could make out coherent words and had to clear his throat, "It's still flimsy evidence, Lily. What's done is done, nothing can take back the 29 years that Hagrid lost even if people know the truth now."

"Poor Hagrid," Lily deflated, and I had to pat her back to let her know her sentiment was shared.

"Anyway weren't we talking about the Lost Treasure? Suppose if we try and search for it, what's the first step in finding it?"

I thought through Sev's words and couldn't really find an answer to that, "Now that you mention it, I'm not sure. Lily, did you hear anything more about the legend? Anything at all that might be a clue of where it might be hidden?"

To our dismay, she shook her head, "No, all I hear was that the Gryffindor's Treasure is hidden somewhere in Hogwarts, that's all."

"Okay, so all we need is more information."

"Then should we go to the library?"

"I don't think that would help much," Lily sighed a bit resignedly, "I tried to learn more about Hogwarts last year and search more books circled around the Four Founder but other than the fact that they were close friends, created Hogwarts, and a dispute caused Salazar Slytherin to fall out with his friends, there wasn't much."

"Great," Sev said it like it was cursed, and I shared his sentiment, "Where else could we get information from millennia ago?"

There was a shared silence between us as we brainstorm. My smile broke when I flashed an idea, and my two friends leaned forward to listen, "You know, a very Hogwart enthusiast is currently running around this very school probably in search for said treasure. Want to try testing out how much his mouth would slip?"

AN: To my Christian readers and basically everyone who celebrated it, let me just say...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And to those who don't, well HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :)))))

I haven't quite finished the next chapter but hopefully enough time to give you a New Year Chapter. After that, I would have take a week break. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this festive week with your friends and family. Spread the cheer, peace, love and all that.

Also, I think this is prudent to say but thank you for always sticking around to continue indulge my hobby and reviewing it. It never stop making me happy to spread joy in any shape and form.

Okay, that would be all I guess.

Peace out!