Hagrid

Books are covering the table. To be honest Hagrid's choices seem to be a bit bleak. Looking at the cases of magical creatures endangering wizards and witches, there was a high rate of mortality for the animals. The few cases they decided not to kill of the beast, it usually was a very rare magical creature on the point of extinction. If Zacharias Smith's father decided he wanted the hippogriff beheaded, it would not stand a chance, that much was very clear to me.

Greg has not yet reached that same conclusion. I remember his boggart. I really should help him with this. He is my friend and obviously thinks this is very important.

I close the book on law cases covering dangerous magical creatures. I sigh. Maybe there is some other way to help Greg. I look at him. He is yawning. Would he be angry if I suggested to stop reading about cases for today?

Well, not if I used the right words. I push back the reluctance. "If we want to cheer up Hagrid we might need to head over, maybe we can get him to join dinner."

Greg smiles. "See, you can be nice."

I feel offended. "I am almost always nice."

"Thanks," Greg says, "For caring. I know you still think Hagrid is crap and Buckbeak is horrible and gross."

I frown. I could not exactly tell Greg he was wrong.

Greg continues talking. "Almost every Slytherin was demeaning to Hagrid. Pansy actually visited Smith in the hospital. You don't like magical creatures, I know that.."

"Hey," I joke lightly, "I like owls."

"Owls are not hippogriffs," Greg says, "You still support me. Even though you don't agree with me. Almost no one in Slytherin agrees with me. You're own parents would never agree with this. Still, you are here reading all those boring law books for hours."

A few minutes we sit there in silence.

"Look," I then blurt out, feeling like I had somehow failed Greg, "You read all these cases too. Even with the most incredible defence, it won't save Buckbeak. And Hagrid will be fine. Dumbledore will make sure Hagrid will be able to stay teaching."

I am almost sure he'll get mad at me. "I know," Greg then silently answers. "Still, it might help Hagrid."

I just nod. "Maybe we'll think of something else, I just feel there is nothing to gain from reading these cases."

Greg shrugs. "Maybe." He seems unconvinced and looks a bit brooding.

I slyly smile at him. "We can always free Buckbeak."

"Hagrid would get into trouble," Greg answers. "Besides you'd have to get near the hippogriff to free him. We both know you won't come near Buckbeak, if you have any say in it."

Greg then stands up. "Coming?"

I nod and we quickly put back all the library books. We are heading to Hagrid. Greg is knocking at the door. "Who is it?" Hagrid's voice calls.

Greg answers. Good thing too, I would not have known what to say. "It's me Greg. And I've got Draco with me."

The door swings open. Hagrid's eyes are red. He looks at me a little unbelievingly. "It's nice of ya ta come an visit me, Gregory." I clearly see it in his eyes: distrust, confusion of why I am here.

I swallow my pride. "I'm sorry to hear about the case against you and Buckbeak."

Hagrid looks surprised.

Greg smiles at me. "Yeah, we're sorry Hagrid. We wanted to help you with your case. We were reading books in the library almost all day."

Hagrid looks really touched. "That is really nice of ya two. Thank you." He then seems to remember we are awkwardly standing in front of his wooden house. "Why don't ya two come in? I'll make ya a cuppa tea."

Hagrid walks inside and puts a kettle on the fire. Greg walks inside. Hesitating, I follow him and sit down on a chair. Hagrid's house is really small.

Kevin, the bow truckle, than jumps out from Greg's robes, looking angrily at Hagrid. The little guy started pinching Hagrid menacingly, who looked just as shocked as Greg did. I am immensely enjoying myself. The sight of the half-giant being terrorised by the small bowtruckle, was just really funny.

I smirk. "I think Kevin doesn't want you to mope around, Hagrid."

Hagrid then smiles weakly and puts down cups of tea for the three of us. "How is the small fella?" Hagrid asks Greg. "Good," Greg answers.

Hagrid and Greg then start talking about magical creatures. I listen absently to them and do not contribute much, I really was not such a good conversationalist on magical creatures.

Luckily it is not too long before dinner comes around. Greg and I head down towards the great hall, but walk into Harry, Weasley and Granger on the grounds. Granger walks towards me angrily.

She looks exceedingly tired. Her eyes are red. Her wand is pointing to me. "You, arse! You came from Hagrid. Did you come to laugh at him too? You don't care don't you? Buckbeak will be slaughtered for it, an innocent creature! You think that's funny don't you?"

I take a few steps back. "You don't know what I think is funny and what is not, Granger," I answer warily. She hits me. I stumble back and look at a shocked Greg. Potter and Weasley are both looking at Granger like she was absolutely brilliant. Well, if that is how you are going to be Potter just call me Harry.

Embarrassed I run away with Greg.

When we come to the great hall, my cheek has become quite red, attracting quite some attention. I plop down next to Ginny. Pansy keeps shooting me curious looks.

Ginny does not seem to hold back her curiosity. "What the hell happened to your face, Draco?"

I flush. I would not tell with so many people listening in. I lean into her. "I'll tell you. Tonight. We sneak into Lupin's classroom and fight a boggart." I whisper into her ear.

Ginny blushes. "Why would you want to do that?"

I smirk. "Scared, Gin?

She scoffs. "Of course not. Please tell me you are not heart-broken and now have a death wish."

"Please," I say. "Like I would get turned down."

Ginny smirks. "If you hadn't noticed yet. You have quite the mark on your face. Why else would you get that."

"I'll tell you tonight," I hiss.

She smiles amused. "Why?"

"I did not get time to practice during class," I answer.

She snorts. "We're sneaking out, breaking a hundred rules, just to practice some defence? Can't you just ask professor Lupin? I'm sure he'd let you try."

I hesitate. "I have my reservations.."

"I guess so," Ginny says, "At least you've got guts, Draco, I like that."