7

This World's Magic

The streets were filled with witches and wizards of all shape and size. The one that caught her eye, was a large man with a big brown beard. Compared to everyone or anyone she had ever seen, he was a giant! Looking at the man, Lorette was surprised when he looked at her, smiled, and walked towards her and Zack.

Lorette nudged Zack in the arm and whispered, "Who's that man and why is he walking over here?"

As soon as he saw who she was pointing at, not very hard with Hagrid's size, he smiled and walked over to the large man. "Hagrid!" He walked faster, Lorette struggling to keep up.

Once they reached each other, the large man named Hagrid wrapped his arms around Zack and pulled him in hugging him as if meeting a long lost relative for the first time.

"Zachary! You've grown since the last time I saw you, putting on a little weight."

Zack smiled and answered, "been eating alot lately, and working with dragons this summer was no piece of cake either!"

"Well at least your in good health, so who's your friend?" he asked him looking at Lorette from a short distance.

lorette walked up to the man called Hagrid and held out her hand and said, "Lorette Nevermore, how are you?"

"Did you say Nevermore?" said Hagrid right after she had announced herself. "Leaping lizards! Good glory Merlin's beard!" He gave Lorette the most welcoming and bone crushing hug she had ever gotten in her life. She was surprised she could stand up straight afterwards.

"Sorry, it's just that I knew your parents, and it's so sad what happened."

"It's okay!" she exclaimed quickly to stop Hagrid from bawling his eyes out.

"Hagrid, we were just going to get some ice cream before we went shopping for school supplies. Would you like to join us?"

"Sorry, I can't!" he said emmediately.

"Oh! That's alright, may I ask why?" Zack asked a bit hurt.

"You can, but don't expect a reply, it's a secret." Hagrid answered also adding, "I wish I could though, but I have a job to do." He padded Zack's shoulder saying, "I must go now, but you two have fun." He turned to Lorette took her hand and said, "It was great to finally meet you, see you two at Hogwarts!" and he walked away.

They walked from the middle of the street towards a little ice cream parlor, passing many magical shops that caught Lorette's attention and made her look all ways around.

Shortly after taking they're orders, Zack came out and handed her a strawberry sundae. For himself he had gotten a chocolate fudge caramel melt. They ate their ice cream slowly enjoying every bite, letting the sweet aroma and tastes fill their thoughts.