Chapter 19: Visiting A Half-Giant

Harry and Ron were left in a bad mood after the confrontation with Malfoy. It was Hermione who suggested that they all go visit Hagrid. This idea seemed to lift the boys' spirits, and now Ellie was standing in front of the large wooden door that led into Hagrid's hut. Harry briskly knocked on the door. A dog began to bark from within followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.

Ellie had only ever seen Hagrid from a distance, both at the Three Broomsticks and at the feast. She knew he was a very large man, but his immense size still caught her by surprise when he opened the door. Hagrid's entire body filled the door frame.

"I was wonderin' when yeh guys were gonna visit me next." Hagrid smiled warmly. "Yeh must be Ellie." He said kindly as Ellie entered the tiny cottage.

Hagrid then shook Ellie's hand which became completely engulfed by his monstrous palm.

"It's nice to meet you." Ellie said quietly, still astounded by Hagrid's size.

Hagrid just smiled down at her, then quickly turned his attention to the whistling kettle hanging over the fire. After pouring everyone a cup of tea, Hagrid took a seat in his large arm chair.

"Yeh two just comin' back from quiddich practice?" He asked Harry and Ron, realizing that they were dressed in their practice robes.

"Yeah." Harry replied.

"How'd it go?"

"Fine, until Malfoy and team Slytherin showed up." Ron answered bitterly.

"Uh oh." Hagrid said with a worrisome tone.

"Don't worry, no one was hexed." Hermione reassured him.

A wave of relief swept over Hagrid's face.

"But it was close." Harry added.

"What did Malfoy do this time?" Hagrid asked.

"He insulted Ellie." Harry replied.

"And Hermione." Ron quickly added.

"Well, that's expected from Malfoy. Be thankful it wasn't worse." Hagrid said taking a sip of tea. "Personally, I was surprised that Dumbledore even let Ellie stay at Hogwarts."

"So, you don't think I'm welcomed here either?"

"I didn' mean it like that Ellie." Hagrid said apologetically. "Its jus' that a muggle has never laid eyes on Hogwarts let alone stay for a few days. It's bound to upset people, an' cause trouble, especially from the Slytherins. An' believe me, the las' thing any muggle needs is more trouble."

"What do you mean by that?" Ellie asked puzzled.

Hagrid remained silent for a moment before placing his cup and saucer on the table next to his chair, and took a deep breath.

"Righ' now muggles aren't safe. I'm sure yeh've heard of the bombings that have 'bin occurring around London. Well, they're not bombings at all. A wizard is responsible...a very bad wizard."

"You mean Voldemort?"

Everyone, except Harry, stared at Ellie with stunned expressions.

"How do you know about Voldemort?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"I told her." Harry replied before Ellie had a chance.

"Exactly how much did you tell her?" Hermione asked in a bit of alarm.

"Everything." Harry answered plainly.

"Well, if Harry told yeh everythin' then yeh know how ruthless and evil Yeh-Know-Who is." Hagrid said to Ellie.

"I do." Ellie said solemnly. The image of her cousin's pale dead body, peacefully lying in a casket clouded her mind.

"I mean jus' look at the las' muggle attack," Hagrid continued, "nine dead an' four missin'. No muggle is safe as long as Yeh-Know-Who is around."

Ellie suddenly snapped out of her mournful frame of mind.

"Four missing?!" She exclaimed, "The news reported that there were thirteen people killed in the bombing. There was no mention of anyone missing."

"I shouldn' have said that." Hagrid mumbled to himself.

"The Daily Prophet also reported that thirteen muggles died in that attack." Hermione commented.

"How do you know that four muggles went missing Hagrid?" Harry asked skeptically.

Hagrid remained silent, nervously playing with his bushy beard.

"What do you know that you're not telling us?" Harry pried even further.

Hagrid gave a low reluctant sigh.

"The problem is not much is known at all." Hagrid said lowly. There was a brief pause of silence before he continued. "When the Aurors were doin' their investigation they discovered that there were four muggles unaccounted for. They eventually came ter the conclusion that they were taken by the Deatheaters."

"But why would the Daily Prophet report that all of the muggles were killed?" Hermione asked.

"'Cause it's extremely out o' character for Deatheaters to kidnap muggles. Usually they either torture 'em or kill 'em. If every wizard discovered that the Deatheaters are acting unusual it would cause more fear an' panic than there already is. It was jus' easier to announce that all o' 'em were dead....they probably are, poor souls." Hagrid muttered sadly.

"But why?!" Ellie cried in frustration. "Why would they leave some dead, but take others? Why do they even have to attack muggles in the first place?" A lone tear trickled down her cheek.

"That's jus' what Deatheaters do. They get pleasure out o' killin'...they're twisted like that...makes 'em feel powerful." Hagrid replied with disgust. "As for the reason why they took those four muggles, that's the question no one can find the answer to.....not the ministry, not the order, not even Dumbledore."

Ellie gazed down at her lap in despair. Terrible things were happening, and not even the magic world had answers on how to stop it.

The remaining time with Hagrid was very quiet. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts as they finished the rest of their tea.