A/N: Once again, sorry I don't update that often.
Chapter 3 Hagrid's Secret
I woke up the next morning and made my way down to the great hall by following an older student. If I had tried to go there myself, I probably would have wound up wandering around the school for an hour. The castle was just as big as my book, Hogwarts: A History had said.
I was eating breakfast in the great hall, when to my total amazement, what seemed like hundreds of owls suddenly swooped into the room. I watched as they dropped letters in front of the proper students, and then flew out.
For some reason, everyone at the Gryffindor table suddenly became quiet as they saw a red letter dropped in front of Sirius Black.
"Just open it, Sirius," the boy with the messy hair said. "Better just get it over with before it explodes on you."
I watched as Sirius opened the letter. Suddenly the letter seemed to change. It suddenly levitated above the table, and forming a mouth with the envelope, began shouting.
"I WARNED YOU, SIRIUS! THIS WAS YOUR CHANCE TO FINALLY SHOW THAT YOU BELONG TO THE FAMILY BLACK, AND YOU RUINED IT! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE PUREBLOODS! IF YOU DARE EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE IN THE HOUSE OF BLACK, I SWEAR, SIRIUS, YOU WILL REGRET IT! I AM FURIOUS THAT ANY SON OF MINE COULD BE PUT INTO GRYFFINDOR! IF YOU DARE EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE IN THE HOUSE OF BLACK, I SWEAR, SIRIUS, YOU WILL REGRET IT!"
And then the letter tore itself up and fell on Sirius' plate. Sirius was staring at the pieces in chagrin. "Well," he said finally, "they never were much of a family anyway."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
My first class was History of magic. I found that this was defiantly the most boring class by far, taught by a very old man. It was surprising that he was even still alive, as he droned on in the same boring tone.
However I was convinced that I would get the best grades of my year, and forced myself to take notes on such people as Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball.
Charms was by far my favorite class, taught by a very short Professor. It seemed defiantly the easiest to me, also. Professor would show us the wand movement, give us the incantation, and I could get the spell right with only a couples tries, if not my first.
I also highly enjoyed transfiguration, although it was quite challenging. At first we did was take notes, as a very strict Professor McGonagall walked around the room talking. Then we were given a match, and told to turn it into a needle. I am proud to say that I was one of the two kids in my class who actually managed to do it. The other was Sirius Black.
Herbology was easy, although it did not particularly interest me. Learning different kinds of plants and fungi wasn't my idea of fun. The teacher, Professor Sprout, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the subject however.
Potions class I also liked, taught by a tall man named Professor Porter. He was a lot like Professor McGonagall-very strict. Overall, however he was not unfairly mean.
If there was a teacher that favored some students, it was Professor Lefkowitz. He taught Defense against the Dark Arts, and was head of Slytherin House. The class itself was not very challenging, but Professor Lefkowitz was always unfairly taking away points from Gryffindors. To make things even worse, Gryffindors had that class with Slytherins, and it was obvious that the Professor favored his own House far more over the others. Especially mine.
Lots of my free time, where I wasn't doing homework, I spent outside. I had always enjoyed being outside, and I knew that once it became cold I wouldn't be able to be out as often.
It was when I was wandering around the grounds after class one day, enjoying the cool autumn air, when I saw Hagrid working around his hut.
"Hey," he called over to me.
"Err-hello," I answered hesitantly. He was, after all, twice my size, and did not look very friendly.
"I'm Hagrid," he introduced himself.
"Lily Evans," I answered. Then noticing he was holding out his hand, I shook it, feeling as if my hand was going to be squashed.
"Happy to meet you," he said, smiling cheerfully. "Did you have a good first week at school?" he asked politely.
"Oh, yes, it's very interesting," I answered truthfully. "What are you doing?"
"Weeding," he said shortly, as he strained to pull out the biggest weed that I have ever seen. Weeds just don't naturally grow that big!
"Err-those are some big weeds."
"Accidentally-got-fertilizer-on 'em," he grunted as he pulled at the weed. The weed suddenly came out, and Hagrid, who was not expecting it, fell down.
"Can I help?" I offered, not having anything better to do.
"Nah," he answered getting up, "I'm done for now anyway. If you want, though, you can come inside," he added hopefully. "I jus' made some o' my treacle fudge, if you'd like some."
"Sure," I answered, not realizing what I was saying.
Inside, Hagrid gave me some of his treacle fudge. To my dismay, I found that it was hard as a rock.
Pretending to enjoy his treacle fudge, I found that Hagrid was actually a very kind man, despite his large size. By the time I left his hut, I had definitely made a friend out of Hagrid.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
It was the beginning of October when I finally decided that I needed to send a letter to my parents. I hadn't told anyone that I had run away, not even Kirsten. Grabbing a piece of parchment, I went and sat in a corner of the common room, to avoid notice. I sat there for a bit, sucking on the end of my quill, uncertain how to start. Finally I began:
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know what I did was bad, but I hope that you'll forgive me for running away. I'd like you to know that I'm safe at Hogwarts, and you shouldn't be worrying. Term ends in June. I'll send you another letter with the exact date, later.
I'm learning loads of new stuff here at Hogwarts. Just yesterday I managed pincushion into a porcupine! That's really advanced magic, at least for first years. We don't start with live animals until our third year. Professor McGonagall got mad at me for messing with magic that is 'too advanced' for me, but I think she was really pleased.
There's also this man, his name is Hagrid, who's Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts. He is the biggest man you've ever seen! I swear, he must be half- giant! But he's really nice; I spend a lot of time with him.
I've also made a bunch of new friends. There's also this boy, James Potter, who I think likes me!
Well, I've got to go now, I hope that you aren't to mad at me.
Love, your daughter,
Lily
I looked it over, changed a few things, and decided that it was good enough. I've never been very good at writing letters. I had done my best to apologize quickly and then try to distract them with other information.
Sealing it, I took it up to the owlery and sent the letter off with one of the school owls.
I was on my way back to the common room to finish some homework, when I heard the some Professors talking in the teacher's lounge.
Curiously, I went closer to the door.
"-recruiting giants," I heard Professor McGonagall say. "Are we just going to ignore this growing threat until it gets too big to handle? Already half the tribes have been convinced to settle their differences and come together."
"We do not know who is behind this," Dumbledore said. "Nor do we have any proof that the giants are not gathering together of their own accord."
"But what if this turns out to be another Grindelwald, Dumbledore? What will everyone say when they learn we had suspicions and took no action?"
"I am afraid that without proof, we can do nothing, my dear Professor. Only hope. Would you like a lemon drop?"
"No," Professor McGonagall answered, rather sharply.
I heard footsteps, as someone was leaving the room. Quickly I began walking back to the common room. Once I turned the corner I slowed, glad that the teacher had not stopped me and asked what I had been doing.
Someone was gathering the giants. For what purpose, I wondered. To make an army? I knew from my readings that giants were over all not very friendly with wizards. What would make them suddenly gather together for one? I could only come to one conclusion in my mind. The giants were afraid of the wizard, and according to every book I have read, giants are not easy to scare.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
It was Halloween night. I sat at the Gryffindor table with Kirsten, Chris, and Kelly, listening to Nearly Headless Nick drone on about how he always hated this time of the year.
Kelly, unfortunately asked him why that was, giving him even more room to complain about not being part of the headless hunt. He even popped off his head so that it hung on by the smallest amount of skin. It was actually quite disturbing, seeing someone pull their head off, even if he [I]was[/I] dead.
Looking up at the teachers table, I noticed that Hagrid was missing. Wondering why he was missing, I excused myself and headed down to his hut on the edge of the forbidden forest. Hagrid had told me that Halloween was his favorite holiday, so why was he missing it?
As I neared Hagrid's hut, I heard two voices speaking. One I recognized as Hagrid's. The other, however was one I had never heard before.
"-could use a person like you," a cold, sly voice was saying.
"What do you mean a 'person like me,'" I heard Hagrid answer suspiciously.
"I am sure you are aware what I mean," the cold voice answered.
"I don't think I do," I heard Hagrid retort.
"Oh, I know about your dear mother Hagrid. I know that you are half- giant."
I nearly gasped aloud. Hagrid really [I]did[/I] have giant blood? And I had always thought he just had big bones.
"W-what do you want then?"
"You could be useful in getting your mother to help gather the giants, Hagrid. I would very much appreciate your help. I always reward those who are helpful, Hagrid."
Then I heard the sound of a chair scraping the floor.
"I shall come back on December 1st, awaiting your answer."
Hearing the man's footsteps as he began to leave Hagrid's hut, I looked quickly around. The only place I saw that could hide me was in Hagrid's gigantic weeds, which he had never successfully finished pulling. Hastily, I dived in them and lay flat on the ground, only lifting my head a bit to see around me. I was hard to see through the thick weeds, but I saw two feet walking towards the forbidden forest. After the man had finally disappeared into the forest, I got up.
Cautiously, I went and looked in Hagrid's window. He was sitting at his table, a worried look upon his face. I didn't think he would be going anywhere soon, but he might suddenly get the urge to tell Dumbledore what had happened right now. It wouldn't be very surprising if he did.
Hoping that he wouldn't suddenly leave his hut, I jumped out of the weeds and sprinted back to the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Back safe in the Gryffindor common room, I was able to think over everything that I had just seen. Or rather, heard.
Hagrid was half-giant. I couldn't get over that shock.
Then I thought back to the conversation that I had heard between Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore. Was this the same man who was recruiting the other giants? I wondered if I should tell Professor Dumbledore, but decided that Hagrid would tell him and he could figure it out for himself. Not to mention I met get in trouble if I said that I had been eavesdropping on two teachers.
Yes, it would be better to let Hagrid handle it. I wouldn't even tell anyone what had happened. Not even Kirsten.
Chapter 3 Hagrid's Secret
I woke up the next morning and made my way down to the great hall by following an older student. If I had tried to go there myself, I probably would have wound up wandering around the school for an hour. The castle was just as big as my book, Hogwarts: A History had said.
I was eating breakfast in the great hall, when to my total amazement, what seemed like hundreds of owls suddenly swooped into the room. I watched as they dropped letters in front of the proper students, and then flew out.
For some reason, everyone at the Gryffindor table suddenly became quiet as they saw a red letter dropped in front of Sirius Black.
"Just open it, Sirius," the boy with the messy hair said. "Better just get it over with before it explodes on you."
I watched as Sirius opened the letter. Suddenly the letter seemed to change. It suddenly levitated above the table, and forming a mouth with the envelope, began shouting.
"I WARNED YOU, SIRIUS! THIS WAS YOUR CHANCE TO FINALLY SHOW THAT YOU BELONG TO THE FAMILY BLACK, AND YOU RUINED IT! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE PUREBLOODS! IF YOU DARE EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE IN THE HOUSE OF BLACK, I SWEAR, SIRIUS, YOU WILL REGRET IT! I AM FURIOUS THAT ANY SON OF MINE COULD BE PUT INTO GRYFFINDOR! IF YOU DARE EVEN SHOW YOUR FACE IN THE HOUSE OF BLACK, I SWEAR, SIRIUS, YOU WILL REGRET IT!"
And then the letter tore itself up and fell on Sirius' plate. Sirius was staring at the pieces in chagrin. "Well," he said finally, "they never were much of a family anyway."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
My first class was History of magic. I found that this was defiantly the most boring class by far, taught by a very old man. It was surprising that he was even still alive, as he droned on in the same boring tone.
However I was convinced that I would get the best grades of my year, and forced myself to take notes on such people as Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball.
Charms was by far my favorite class, taught by a very short Professor. It seemed defiantly the easiest to me, also. Professor would show us the wand movement, give us the incantation, and I could get the spell right with only a couples tries, if not my first.
I also highly enjoyed transfiguration, although it was quite challenging. At first we did was take notes, as a very strict Professor McGonagall walked around the room talking. Then we were given a match, and told to turn it into a needle. I am proud to say that I was one of the two kids in my class who actually managed to do it. The other was Sirius Black.
Herbology was easy, although it did not particularly interest me. Learning different kinds of plants and fungi wasn't my idea of fun. The teacher, Professor Sprout, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the subject however.
Potions class I also liked, taught by a tall man named Professor Porter. He was a lot like Professor McGonagall-very strict. Overall, however he was not unfairly mean.
If there was a teacher that favored some students, it was Professor Lefkowitz. He taught Defense against the Dark Arts, and was head of Slytherin House. The class itself was not very challenging, but Professor Lefkowitz was always unfairly taking away points from Gryffindors. To make things even worse, Gryffindors had that class with Slytherins, and it was obvious that the Professor favored his own House far more over the others. Especially mine.
Lots of my free time, where I wasn't doing homework, I spent outside. I had always enjoyed being outside, and I knew that once it became cold I wouldn't be able to be out as often.
It was when I was wandering around the grounds after class one day, enjoying the cool autumn air, when I saw Hagrid working around his hut.
"Hey," he called over to me.
"Err-hello," I answered hesitantly. He was, after all, twice my size, and did not look very friendly.
"I'm Hagrid," he introduced himself.
"Lily Evans," I answered. Then noticing he was holding out his hand, I shook it, feeling as if my hand was going to be squashed.
"Happy to meet you," he said, smiling cheerfully. "Did you have a good first week at school?" he asked politely.
"Oh, yes, it's very interesting," I answered truthfully. "What are you doing?"
"Weeding," he said shortly, as he strained to pull out the biggest weed that I have ever seen. Weeds just don't naturally grow that big!
"Err-those are some big weeds."
"Accidentally-got-fertilizer-on 'em," he grunted as he pulled at the weed. The weed suddenly came out, and Hagrid, who was not expecting it, fell down.
"Can I help?" I offered, not having anything better to do.
"Nah," he answered getting up, "I'm done for now anyway. If you want, though, you can come inside," he added hopefully. "I jus' made some o' my treacle fudge, if you'd like some."
"Sure," I answered, not realizing what I was saying.
Inside, Hagrid gave me some of his treacle fudge. To my dismay, I found that it was hard as a rock.
Pretending to enjoy his treacle fudge, I found that Hagrid was actually a very kind man, despite his large size. By the time I left his hut, I had definitely made a friend out of Hagrid.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
It was the beginning of October when I finally decided that I needed to send a letter to my parents. I hadn't told anyone that I had run away, not even Kirsten. Grabbing a piece of parchment, I went and sat in a corner of the common room, to avoid notice. I sat there for a bit, sucking on the end of my quill, uncertain how to start. Finally I began:
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know what I did was bad, but I hope that you'll forgive me for running away. I'd like you to know that I'm safe at Hogwarts, and you shouldn't be worrying. Term ends in June. I'll send you another letter with the exact date, later.
I'm learning loads of new stuff here at Hogwarts. Just yesterday I managed pincushion into a porcupine! That's really advanced magic, at least for first years. We don't start with live animals until our third year. Professor McGonagall got mad at me for messing with magic that is 'too advanced' for me, but I think she was really pleased.
There's also this man, his name is Hagrid, who's Keeper of the Keys at Hogwarts. He is the biggest man you've ever seen! I swear, he must be half- giant! But he's really nice; I spend a lot of time with him.
I've also made a bunch of new friends. There's also this boy, James Potter, who I think likes me!
Well, I've got to go now, I hope that you aren't to mad at me.
Love, your daughter,
Lily
I looked it over, changed a few things, and decided that it was good enough. I've never been very good at writing letters. I had done my best to apologize quickly and then try to distract them with other information.
Sealing it, I took it up to the owlery and sent the letter off with one of the school owls.
I was on my way back to the common room to finish some homework, when I heard the some Professors talking in the teacher's lounge.
Curiously, I went closer to the door.
"-recruiting giants," I heard Professor McGonagall say. "Are we just going to ignore this growing threat until it gets too big to handle? Already half the tribes have been convinced to settle their differences and come together."
"We do not know who is behind this," Dumbledore said. "Nor do we have any proof that the giants are not gathering together of their own accord."
"But what if this turns out to be another Grindelwald, Dumbledore? What will everyone say when they learn we had suspicions and took no action?"
"I am afraid that without proof, we can do nothing, my dear Professor. Only hope. Would you like a lemon drop?"
"No," Professor McGonagall answered, rather sharply.
I heard footsteps, as someone was leaving the room. Quickly I began walking back to the common room. Once I turned the corner I slowed, glad that the teacher had not stopped me and asked what I had been doing.
Someone was gathering the giants. For what purpose, I wondered. To make an army? I knew from my readings that giants were over all not very friendly with wizards. What would make them suddenly gather together for one? I could only come to one conclusion in my mind. The giants were afraid of the wizard, and according to every book I have read, giants are not easy to scare.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
It was Halloween night. I sat at the Gryffindor table with Kirsten, Chris, and Kelly, listening to Nearly Headless Nick drone on about how he always hated this time of the year.
Kelly, unfortunately asked him why that was, giving him even more room to complain about not being part of the headless hunt. He even popped off his head so that it hung on by the smallest amount of skin. It was actually quite disturbing, seeing someone pull their head off, even if he [I]was[/I] dead.
Looking up at the teachers table, I noticed that Hagrid was missing. Wondering why he was missing, I excused myself and headed down to his hut on the edge of the forbidden forest. Hagrid had told me that Halloween was his favorite holiday, so why was he missing it?
As I neared Hagrid's hut, I heard two voices speaking. One I recognized as Hagrid's. The other, however was one I had never heard before.
"-could use a person like you," a cold, sly voice was saying.
"What do you mean a 'person like me,'" I heard Hagrid answer suspiciously.
"I am sure you are aware what I mean," the cold voice answered.
"I don't think I do," I heard Hagrid retort.
"Oh, I know about your dear mother Hagrid. I know that you are half- giant."
I nearly gasped aloud. Hagrid really [I]did[/I] have giant blood? And I had always thought he just had big bones.
"W-what do you want then?"
"You could be useful in getting your mother to help gather the giants, Hagrid. I would very much appreciate your help. I always reward those who are helpful, Hagrid."
Then I heard the sound of a chair scraping the floor.
"I shall come back on December 1st, awaiting your answer."
Hearing the man's footsteps as he began to leave Hagrid's hut, I looked quickly around. The only place I saw that could hide me was in Hagrid's gigantic weeds, which he had never successfully finished pulling. Hastily, I dived in them and lay flat on the ground, only lifting my head a bit to see around me. I was hard to see through the thick weeds, but I saw two feet walking towards the forbidden forest. After the man had finally disappeared into the forest, I got up.
Cautiously, I went and looked in Hagrid's window. He was sitting at his table, a worried look upon his face. I didn't think he would be going anywhere soon, but he might suddenly get the urge to tell Dumbledore what had happened right now. It wouldn't be very surprising if he did.
Hoping that he wouldn't suddenly leave his hut, I jumped out of the weeds and sprinted back to the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Back safe in the Gryffindor common room, I was able to think over everything that I had just seen. Or rather, heard.
Hagrid was half-giant. I couldn't get over that shock.
Then I thought back to the conversation that I had heard between Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore. Was this the same man who was recruiting the other giants? I wondered if I should tell Professor Dumbledore, but decided that Hagrid would tell him and he could figure it out for himself. Not to mention I met get in trouble if I said that I had been eavesdropping on two teachers.
Yes, it would be better to let Hagrid handle it. I wouldn't even tell anyone what had happened. Not even Kirsten.