Chapter 18: Pain again
Harry, Ron, and the others returned to Gryffindor tower and pulled out their homework. Hermione must be in the library, Ron mutterd, for they couldn't see her in the common room. Harry and Ron settled down and pulled out books and pieces of parchment.
Harry was setting to work on potions, figuring the sooner he got it done, the less likely he was to forget about it; best not give Snape another chance to pick on him. Ron had pulled about Defense Against the Dark Arts and was writing up a second extra essay
"It's extra work, sure," said Ron to Harry's raised eyebrow, "but the way I reckon it, if I show initiative, Hermione will be appreciative and she might just be willing to show that appreciation."
Harry laughed at Ron and turned back to his homework. Soon enough, Hermione returned from the library, laden with books and, noticing Ron, squealed and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Ron looked up, startled as did Hermione, who also looked startled. They both looked over to Harry, who was, by now, struggling to keep the laughter inside.
"Laugh it up, scarhead," Ron said, "but I don't see you getting kissed."
Harry smiled, "No, you're right Ron. Proceed." he said, trying to calm himself down. A few minutes later they all decided it was time for bed and headed off to the dormitories.
The next morning Harry woke up with a funny feeling he'd had an important dream, but he couldn't remember any of it. It didn't come back to him until he had his glass of orange juice halfway to his mouth.
"Of course!" he said, smacking his head. The other sixth year Gryffindors looked cautiously at him.
"You all right, Harry?" Dean asked.
"What?" said Harry, distracted by the question. "Oh, right, yeah."
Ron gave him an odd look, but Harry shrugged, telling him not to worry. The dream, which Harry had just remembered, had been about Sirius. He didn't have time to dwell on it, though, as the mail arrived just then.
Hedwig flew down from the rafters and deposited a small piece of parchment on Harry's plate. "Thanks Hedwig." he told her before she took off again.
He slid a finger under the ribbon and opened the note. It was from Hagrid.
Harry-
Come down after dinner tonight for detention. Nothing serious,
but enough to serve your time. And bring your wand.
Hagrid
Harry nodded and showed it to Ron.
"At least it's not with Snape." he said sympathetically.
Harry rolled his eyes. "No, but I've still got one more with that greasy haired, big nosed-
"I would recommend not finishing that sentence, Mister Potter, if you wish to see the light of day yet this year." Interrupted Snape silkily, who had silently approached the Gryffindor table.
Hermione looked horrified. Ron and Neville were white as ghosts. Harry bit his lip and turned to face his professor. "May I help you, sir?" he asked pointedly. Hermione's eyes opened wider.
Snape curled his lip, "Your final detention will take place Sunday evening. Be at my office no later than eight o'clock." Having delivered his message, Snape turned on his heel and marched out the main entrance of the Great Hall.
Ron let out a low whistle. "That was close, Harry. How does he do that?
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, "Dunno. At least he interrupted me before I could finish."
"Harry, you're going to get in serious trouble soon if you and Professor Snape can't get along better." Hermione warned as they gathered up their books. He and Hermione parted ways with Ron and Neville at the foot of the stairs.
"Hermione, I know this year Snape and I have been making progress at being able to stay in the same room together, but, does it seem to you we're getting along worse than ever?" he asked as they walked down to join the other students for potions.
Hermione thought about it for awhile before answering. "Well, I don't think Professor Snape's let up any, if that's what you're getting at. And I don't really think you're standing up for yourself that much more. I think, more than anything, you've both started respecting each other."
Harry looked at her incredulously. Him? Respect Snape? "Hermione, you're nutters." he said. She grinned and joined him in the queue.
Snape ushered them all in and they got to work immediately. Malfoy tried to catch his eye all class, but Harry refused to rise to the bait. His potion, without any help from Hermione, turned out exactly as it was supposed to. Snape, though he had tried four times, had not been able to find anything to fault Harry on.
Harry smiled smugly as he approached Snape's desk at the end of class. He held out the corked flagon to Snape. And then his scar burst into pain.
"Ouch!" he cried, dropping the potion and falling to the ground. He clamped both his hands to his forehead. He vaguely registered the sound of breaking glass. Students were standing in a circle all around him. Hermione shoved her flagon into Snape's open hand and knelt down to his side.
"Harry!" she cried. Harry could hardly hear her through the pain. He twisted from one side to the other. He heard shouts and feet moving. He felt himself lifted up and then nothing.
Harry blinked. It was black in front of his eyes.
"Harry?" he heard Hermione's voice ask softly. He couldn't see anything. He began to panic. What if he had gone blind?
"Don't be daft, Potter." came Snape's voice. He must have said that last bit out loud. A soft swish and then a bit of light poured in the room. Harry blinked again. He could just see Hermione out of the corner of his right eye. He seemed to be resting on a sofa of some sort.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"My private chambers." Snape said, sounding irritated. "Don't touch anything. I'll be right back. Miss Granger, I am placing you personally responsible should anything be out of place upon my return." Harry heard a click of a door.
"Harry, can you sit up?" Hermione asked.
Harry lifted himself up. "Apparently." he said, giving a weak grin. "What happened? I only remember my scar hurting."
Hermione's eyes were once again wide as saucers. "You clutched your scar and started screaming. Everyone froze. Snape picked you up and brought you in here. He told me to come with you."
Harry stared at her in amazement. "Snape picked me up?"
"You were jerking about. None of us knew what was going on. You were yelling, too. Harry, are you all right?" she asked, sounding very worried.
"I don't know." he answered honestly. "My scar hasn't hurt in awhile, it's only been prickles since the end of last year."
"Could you tell what was going on?" she asked timidly.
Harry thought about it. "Sort of. I think he was happy about something, but I couldn't actually tell what. It wasn't a vision, just a feeling. I think something good happened." They shared a worried look, then turned to the door as Snape came in, followed by Dumbledore.
"Ah, Harry." said Dumbledore. "How are you feeling?" he asked, coming over and sitting on the edge of the sofa next to Harry. Suddenly Harry was very aware that he was in his professor's private rooms. And, of all his professors, Snape's private rooms.
He quickly glanced around. The sofa he was sitting on was plush and green. There was a small table to the left, just off his elbow. The only light was coming from a small window across the room. They were obviously still in the dungeons, judging by the height of the window, which was almost at the ceiling. He thought there looked like the walls were lined with bookshelves, but before he could look closer, Dumbledore had repeated his question and Harry felt obliged to answer.
"Fine, sir." he said, lifting up his bangs to reveal his scar. Dumbledore reached his hand forward, but did not touch it. He looked hard at Harry.
"Did you see anything, Harry?" he asked.
No, sir. But Voldemort," Snape gave a sharp intake of breath, "is very happy about something." he said.
Dumbledore's eyes flickered again over his scar but he said nothing. He looked at Snape, who wordlessly shook his head.
"Was there anything else, Harry?" Dumbledore asked gently. Harry chewed on his lip and tried to replay everything.
He shook his head. "No." said finally.
"Very well." said Dumbledore, rising. "Severus, I believe your next class will be waiting. Harry, Miss Granger, I suggest you both get down to lunch as quickly as you are able."
He stood and held open the door as they both passed through. Snape's next class, the fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were sitting in their desks, silent. Ginny looked curiously at them, but said nothing.
Luna, who was sitting towards the back of class, noticed them as they passed, "I didn't know Professor Snape allowed older students to supervise." she said.
"We're not supervising," Hermione said, "we're leaving." She pulled Harry out before he could explain further.
She didn't let go of his arm until they had reached the great hall. "Ow!" he said, rubbing the spot where her hand had been. Ron looked up as they entered.
"Where have you two been?" he asked around a mouthful of sandwich.
"Harry had an attack." Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Harry threw her a look, but answered Ron's question immediately. "My scar started hurting at the end of potions. Worse than it's hurt in ages. I fell down and Snape carried to his rooms, but then it felt better. I'm fine now."
Ron was staring open-mouthed, bits of food visible. Hermione slapped him on the arm. He swallowed. "What do you mean? You mean, You-Know-Who was back in your head? But I thought you were getting better at Occlumency.
"I am." Harry said. "This wasn't a vision. It was just one of those super-intense emotions. He was really happy about something." He was getting irritated by all the accusations that he wasn't trying to stop the visions.
"Hold on a sec." said Ron, obviously realizing something. "You were in Snape's rooms? Both of you?"
Hermione nodded. All thoughts of Harry's scar were forgotten. "What's it like? Fred and George tried for years to break in there, but they never could."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but Harry welcomed the diversion. He filled Ron in on as much detail as he could remember, Hermione adding a few of her observances.
"Green." said Ron. "I knew it. The git's a Slytherin 'till the end."
Harry and Hermione grabbed a sandwich on their way out of the hall, Ron still pestering them for more details for Snape's rooms. "Wait till I tell Fred and George. They tried to put a cage full of salamanders in there one time, but they couldn't figure out how to break the wards."
They arrived at Hagrid's hut the same time as everyone else. Hagrid smiled at Harry, Ron and Hermione and got to work. They checked in on the cu'chulain, who had grown a little, and then moved out to the hills behind the castle.
Hagrid had a pair of live griffins tethered. "Thought I'd start instructing you about the four animals of Hogwarts." said Hagrid.
"We'll start with the griffins, then move on to serpents, badgers, and ravens. You all ought to know all about these creatures. They're special, they are."
Hagrid lectured them on the eating habits of the griffins, they're distinct traits, and other highly useful information. Harry was very surprised at how much better Hagrid's lessons had been this year. He'd have to ask him how we was doing it during detention tonight.
Class ended with no incidents from the griffins, nor any comments from Malfoy. They trudged up the hill and got to class just in time for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Come in, come in!" Calabrone welcomed them. This class period they were paired with the sixth year Hufflepuffs. Harry paired off with Susan Bones. She obviously remembered most of what she had learned in the DA, and seemed remarkably pleased every time Harry complimented her.
After awhile, Susan and Harry had shot off and blocked all the spells they had told to practice for that class and their attention wavered. Harry noticed Professor Calabrone seemed distracted. She complimented Neville, who was paired with Hannah Abbott, when he deflection spell shot a book off the shelf and hit Hermione in the back of the head.
She came to stop by Harry and Susan. Susan dutifully performed all the spells for her approval. She readily gave it, but Harry noticed she'd kept her eye trained on him the entire time.
"Professor, is there something I can help you with?" he asked. Calabrone looked up, startled. She looked at him politely, then shook her head.
"I appreciate the offer, Mister Potter, but I am quite fine. Have you recovered sufficiently?" added lowly, so Susan couldn't hear.
Harry looked over at her and nodded. "Good." she said. "I wonder, Mister Potter, if you would have any free time tonight to come and visit me?"
"I'm afraid I have detention with Hagrid."
She looked surprised, but said smiling, "Ah yes, Professor Snape has been on a rampage lately, hasn't he?"
Harry returned the smile.
"Would you have any time over the weekend?" she persisted.
"I should. I'm sure Angelina will want us for quidditch practice in the afternoons, and I have detention with Snape Sunday night, but-
"Would Sunday morning be a bad time, Harry?" she asked.
Harry shook his head, wondering what could possibly be that important.
"Wonderful. Sunday morning, not too early." she confirmed. She turned her attention to the rest of the class.
"Everyone, excellent work. For next week, I want you all to practice two new spells. Come, I will teach them to you now, and I expect them to be ready to go on Monday afternoon. There will be no homework." there were a few cheers, "but, as always, you are all encouraged to introduce new spells for everyone to learn.
She gathered them in to a circle and demonstrated the new spells. They left, all muttering the new spells, and made their way back to their common rooms before dinner.
Dinner passed by quietly, with Hermione, Ron and everyone else at the Gryffindor table passing quick glances in Harry's direction, probably waiting for him to have another fit.
He excused himself from the table and headed down to Hagrid's cabin. Hagrid was waiting for him as he arrived.
"Ready to head in to the forest?" he asked, grinning wildly.
"Yes." said Harry nervously. "What are we going to do?
"Go and visit Grawp, of course. You haven't seen him in awhile." said Hagrid cheerfully. "Come on then.
Harry walked behind Hagrid, dragging his feet. He had no desire to see Grawp. The last time he had, he and Hermione had been fleeing the Centaurs after leaving Umbridge in the forest. He followed Hagrid deeper and deeper in to the forest, Hagrid occasionally calling out news about Grawp.
"Ah here, we are." said Hagrid, coming to a stop. "Here, Grawpy. Come on out."
Harry, Ron, and the others returned to Gryffindor tower and pulled out their homework. Hermione must be in the library, Ron mutterd, for they couldn't see her in the common room. Harry and Ron settled down and pulled out books and pieces of parchment.
Harry was setting to work on potions, figuring the sooner he got it done, the less likely he was to forget about it; best not give Snape another chance to pick on him. Ron had pulled about Defense Against the Dark Arts and was writing up a second extra essay
"It's extra work, sure," said Ron to Harry's raised eyebrow, "but the way I reckon it, if I show initiative, Hermione will be appreciative and she might just be willing to show that appreciation."
Harry laughed at Ron and turned back to his homework. Soon enough, Hermione returned from the library, laden with books and, noticing Ron, squealed and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Ron looked up, startled as did Hermione, who also looked startled. They both looked over to Harry, who was, by now, struggling to keep the laughter inside.
"Laugh it up, scarhead," Ron said, "but I don't see you getting kissed."
Harry smiled, "No, you're right Ron. Proceed." he said, trying to calm himself down. A few minutes later they all decided it was time for bed and headed off to the dormitories.
The next morning Harry woke up with a funny feeling he'd had an important dream, but he couldn't remember any of it. It didn't come back to him until he had his glass of orange juice halfway to his mouth.
"Of course!" he said, smacking his head. The other sixth year Gryffindors looked cautiously at him.
"You all right, Harry?" Dean asked.
"What?" said Harry, distracted by the question. "Oh, right, yeah."
Ron gave him an odd look, but Harry shrugged, telling him not to worry. The dream, which Harry had just remembered, had been about Sirius. He didn't have time to dwell on it, though, as the mail arrived just then.
Hedwig flew down from the rafters and deposited a small piece of parchment on Harry's plate. "Thanks Hedwig." he told her before she took off again.
He slid a finger under the ribbon and opened the note. It was from Hagrid.
Harry-
Come down after dinner tonight for detention. Nothing serious,
but enough to serve your time. And bring your wand.
Hagrid
Harry nodded and showed it to Ron.
"At least it's not with Snape." he said sympathetically.
Harry rolled his eyes. "No, but I've still got one more with that greasy haired, big nosed-
"I would recommend not finishing that sentence, Mister Potter, if you wish to see the light of day yet this year." Interrupted Snape silkily, who had silently approached the Gryffindor table.
Hermione looked horrified. Ron and Neville were white as ghosts. Harry bit his lip and turned to face his professor. "May I help you, sir?" he asked pointedly. Hermione's eyes opened wider.
Snape curled his lip, "Your final detention will take place Sunday evening. Be at my office no later than eight o'clock." Having delivered his message, Snape turned on his heel and marched out the main entrance of the Great Hall.
Ron let out a low whistle. "That was close, Harry. How does he do that?
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, "Dunno. At least he interrupted me before I could finish."
"Harry, you're going to get in serious trouble soon if you and Professor Snape can't get along better." Hermione warned as they gathered up their books. He and Hermione parted ways with Ron and Neville at the foot of the stairs.
"Hermione, I know this year Snape and I have been making progress at being able to stay in the same room together, but, does it seem to you we're getting along worse than ever?" he asked as they walked down to join the other students for potions.
Hermione thought about it for awhile before answering. "Well, I don't think Professor Snape's let up any, if that's what you're getting at. And I don't really think you're standing up for yourself that much more. I think, more than anything, you've both started respecting each other."
Harry looked at her incredulously. Him? Respect Snape? "Hermione, you're nutters." he said. She grinned and joined him in the queue.
Snape ushered them all in and they got to work immediately. Malfoy tried to catch his eye all class, but Harry refused to rise to the bait. His potion, without any help from Hermione, turned out exactly as it was supposed to. Snape, though he had tried four times, had not been able to find anything to fault Harry on.
Harry smiled smugly as he approached Snape's desk at the end of class. He held out the corked flagon to Snape. And then his scar burst into pain.
"Ouch!" he cried, dropping the potion and falling to the ground. He clamped both his hands to his forehead. He vaguely registered the sound of breaking glass. Students were standing in a circle all around him. Hermione shoved her flagon into Snape's open hand and knelt down to his side.
"Harry!" she cried. Harry could hardly hear her through the pain. He twisted from one side to the other. He heard shouts and feet moving. He felt himself lifted up and then nothing.
Harry blinked. It was black in front of his eyes.
"Harry?" he heard Hermione's voice ask softly. He couldn't see anything. He began to panic. What if he had gone blind?
"Don't be daft, Potter." came Snape's voice. He must have said that last bit out loud. A soft swish and then a bit of light poured in the room. Harry blinked again. He could just see Hermione out of the corner of his right eye. He seemed to be resting on a sofa of some sort.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"My private chambers." Snape said, sounding irritated. "Don't touch anything. I'll be right back. Miss Granger, I am placing you personally responsible should anything be out of place upon my return." Harry heard a click of a door.
"Harry, can you sit up?" Hermione asked.
Harry lifted himself up. "Apparently." he said, giving a weak grin. "What happened? I only remember my scar hurting."
Hermione's eyes were once again wide as saucers. "You clutched your scar and started screaming. Everyone froze. Snape picked you up and brought you in here. He told me to come with you."
Harry stared at her in amazement. "Snape picked me up?"
"You were jerking about. None of us knew what was going on. You were yelling, too. Harry, are you all right?" she asked, sounding very worried.
"I don't know." he answered honestly. "My scar hasn't hurt in awhile, it's only been prickles since the end of last year."
"Could you tell what was going on?" she asked timidly.
Harry thought about it. "Sort of. I think he was happy about something, but I couldn't actually tell what. It wasn't a vision, just a feeling. I think something good happened." They shared a worried look, then turned to the door as Snape came in, followed by Dumbledore.
"Ah, Harry." said Dumbledore. "How are you feeling?" he asked, coming over and sitting on the edge of the sofa next to Harry. Suddenly Harry was very aware that he was in his professor's private rooms. And, of all his professors, Snape's private rooms.
He quickly glanced around. The sofa he was sitting on was plush and green. There was a small table to the left, just off his elbow. The only light was coming from a small window across the room. They were obviously still in the dungeons, judging by the height of the window, which was almost at the ceiling. He thought there looked like the walls were lined with bookshelves, but before he could look closer, Dumbledore had repeated his question and Harry felt obliged to answer.
"Fine, sir." he said, lifting up his bangs to reveal his scar. Dumbledore reached his hand forward, but did not touch it. He looked hard at Harry.
"Did you see anything, Harry?" he asked.
No, sir. But Voldemort," Snape gave a sharp intake of breath, "is very happy about something." he said.
Dumbledore's eyes flickered again over his scar but he said nothing. He looked at Snape, who wordlessly shook his head.
"Was there anything else, Harry?" Dumbledore asked gently. Harry chewed on his lip and tried to replay everything.
He shook his head. "No." said finally.
"Very well." said Dumbledore, rising. "Severus, I believe your next class will be waiting. Harry, Miss Granger, I suggest you both get down to lunch as quickly as you are able."
He stood and held open the door as they both passed through. Snape's next class, the fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were sitting in their desks, silent. Ginny looked curiously at them, but said nothing.
Luna, who was sitting towards the back of class, noticed them as they passed, "I didn't know Professor Snape allowed older students to supervise." she said.
"We're not supervising," Hermione said, "we're leaving." She pulled Harry out before he could explain further.
She didn't let go of his arm until they had reached the great hall. "Ow!" he said, rubbing the spot where her hand had been. Ron looked up as they entered.
"Where have you two been?" he asked around a mouthful of sandwich.
"Harry had an attack." Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Harry threw her a look, but answered Ron's question immediately. "My scar started hurting at the end of potions. Worse than it's hurt in ages. I fell down and Snape carried to his rooms, but then it felt better. I'm fine now."
Ron was staring open-mouthed, bits of food visible. Hermione slapped him on the arm. He swallowed. "What do you mean? You mean, You-Know-Who was back in your head? But I thought you were getting better at Occlumency.
"I am." Harry said. "This wasn't a vision. It was just one of those super-intense emotions. He was really happy about something." He was getting irritated by all the accusations that he wasn't trying to stop the visions.
"Hold on a sec." said Ron, obviously realizing something. "You were in Snape's rooms? Both of you?"
Hermione nodded. All thoughts of Harry's scar were forgotten. "What's it like? Fred and George tried for years to break in there, but they never could."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but Harry welcomed the diversion. He filled Ron in on as much detail as he could remember, Hermione adding a few of her observances.
"Green." said Ron. "I knew it. The git's a Slytherin 'till the end."
Harry and Hermione grabbed a sandwich on their way out of the hall, Ron still pestering them for more details for Snape's rooms. "Wait till I tell Fred and George. They tried to put a cage full of salamanders in there one time, but they couldn't figure out how to break the wards."
They arrived at Hagrid's hut the same time as everyone else. Hagrid smiled at Harry, Ron and Hermione and got to work. They checked in on the cu'chulain, who had grown a little, and then moved out to the hills behind the castle.
Hagrid had a pair of live griffins tethered. "Thought I'd start instructing you about the four animals of Hogwarts." said Hagrid.
"We'll start with the griffins, then move on to serpents, badgers, and ravens. You all ought to know all about these creatures. They're special, they are."
Hagrid lectured them on the eating habits of the griffins, they're distinct traits, and other highly useful information. Harry was very surprised at how much better Hagrid's lessons had been this year. He'd have to ask him how we was doing it during detention tonight.
Class ended with no incidents from the griffins, nor any comments from Malfoy. They trudged up the hill and got to class just in time for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Come in, come in!" Calabrone welcomed them. This class period they were paired with the sixth year Hufflepuffs. Harry paired off with Susan Bones. She obviously remembered most of what she had learned in the DA, and seemed remarkably pleased every time Harry complimented her.
After awhile, Susan and Harry had shot off and blocked all the spells they had told to practice for that class and their attention wavered. Harry noticed Professor Calabrone seemed distracted. She complimented Neville, who was paired with Hannah Abbott, when he deflection spell shot a book off the shelf and hit Hermione in the back of the head.
She came to stop by Harry and Susan. Susan dutifully performed all the spells for her approval. She readily gave it, but Harry noticed she'd kept her eye trained on him the entire time.
"Professor, is there something I can help you with?" he asked. Calabrone looked up, startled. She looked at him politely, then shook her head.
"I appreciate the offer, Mister Potter, but I am quite fine. Have you recovered sufficiently?" added lowly, so Susan couldn't hear.
Harry looked over at her and nodded. "Good." she said. "I wonder, Mister Potter, if you would have any free time tonight to come and visit me?"
"I'm afraid I have detention with Hagrid."
She looked surprised, but said smiling, "Ah yes, Professor Snape has been on a rampage lately, hasn't he?"
Harry returned the smile.
"Would you have any time over the weekend?" she persisted.
"I should. I'm sure Angelina will want us for quidditch practice in the afternoons, and I have detention with Snape Sunday night, but-
"Would Sunday morning be a bad time, Harry?" she asked.
Harry shook his head, wondering what could possibly be that important.
"Wonderful. Sunday morning, not too early." she confirmed. She turned her attention to the rest of the class.
"Everyone, excellent work. For next week, I want you all to practice two new spells. Come, I will teach them to you now, and I expect them to be ready to go on Monday afternoon. There will be no homework." there were a few cheers, "but, as always, you are all encouraged to introduce new spells for everyone to learn.
She gathered them in to a circle and demonstrated the new spells. They left, all muttering the new spells, and made their way back to their common rooms before dinner.
Dinner passed by quietly, with Hermione, Ron and everyone else at the Gryffindor table passing quick glances in Harry's direction, probably waiting for him to have another fit.
He excused himself from the table and headed down to Hagrid's cabin. Hagrid was waiting for him as he arrived.
"Ready to head in to the forest?" he asked, grinning wildly.
"Yes." said Harry nervously. "What are we going to do?
"Go and visit Grawp, of course. You haven't seen him in awhile." said Hagrid cheerfully. "Come on then.
Harry walked behind Hagrid, dragging his feet. He had no desire to see Grawp. The last time he had, he and Hermione had been fleeing the Centaurs after leaving Umbridge in the forest. He followed Hagrid deeper and deeper in to the forest, Hagrid occasionally calling out news about Grawp.
"Ah here, we are." said Hagrid, coming to a stop. "Here, Grawpy. Come on out."