CHAPTER FIVE: HAGRID
Harry, Ron and Hermione had decided to pa Hagrid a visit the following weekend. The reminder from Paris about them not going sooner had hit home and each of them was feeling rather guilty. Coming to a holt into front of Hagrid's hut, Harry knocked twice. They heard Fang, Hagrid's dog, give a bark and Hagrid opened the heavy wooden door. He stepped back beaming at the trio as they went through the door.
"Thought I wasn' goin' ta see yer three 'till the holidays! Well come in, sit down! Can I offer yer a cuppa tea?" Hagrid rambled as Harry, Hermione and Ron took a seat at Hagrid's giant dinning table, Fang resting his drooling head on Harry's lap.
Hagrid poured them all a steaming mug of scorching tea and sat himself down at the last place at the table, surveying the trio with a small smile.
"So how've yer all been?" Hagrid asked before realizing what he had just said and turning a flustered red, "Oh Hermione, I'm sorry, I-" Hagrid stumbled.
"It's alright Hagrid. I'm fine, really." Hermione said, although none of them was convinced.
They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment and Harry racked his brain for a safe topic.
"Hey, Hagrid. You said you were going to see us these holidays. Are you coming with us to headquarters?" Harry asked, breaking the droning silence.
"Yeah. Going back with yer lot. Course I wont be stayin' the whole time. Me and Olympia goin' back to the giants. Thinking that maybe they got em'selves a new leader. At any rate, we have ta try again. Grawp's been talkin' bout goin' back. Thought I might take him." Hagrid told them, clearly glad to have a change of topic.
"Do you think that's safe?" Ron asked, the shock visible on his face, "Grawp isn't exactly small."
"Oh, he's gotten loads better since Hermione and Harry last saw him. Hasn't thrown a punch at me or lashed out in a while and he is speakin' English really well now. Course, we wont just set off down the street with him, be able ta use some magic now we got ministry support." Hagrid reassured them.
They stayed for a chat a while longer before waving goodbye and heading for the castle.
X
Once back inside the Gryfindor common room, Harry, Ron and Hermione took chairs next to Paris who was in the middle of writing a letter.
"Who are you writing to?" Hermione asked in her newly hollow voice.
Paris paused, scratching her chin with the end of the quill.
"Keeping in touch with a few mates back in Australia." She replied.
It still astounded Harry that Paris could still speak in such a strong accent after the few months away from her homeland. He supposed it was what set her apart from everyone else.
"So how is Hagrid today?" Paris asked as she rolled up her parchment and put away her quill.
"Sounds alright. He's talking about going to see the giants again these holidays." Ron said, still looking very sceptical at the idea.
"Yeah, he told me. I don't know about Grawp though. He sounds a little dangerous if you ask me." Paris said, knitting her brow as though trying to draw up an image of Grawp in her mind.
"Well I suppose we will soon find out, wont we?" Harry replied, stifling a yawn.
"I guess we will have to wait and see," Paris said, "Anyway, I'm going to post this letter. I'll see you three later."
They bade goodbye to her as she left through the common room, letter in hand.
XXX
A/N: Short, I know, but important. Please review! I only have one, which makes me think that maybe this new fic kinda blows.
