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Enjoy!
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Part 11
Hogwarts
August 20th, 1994.
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After having a whole day to himself, James asked Hagrid that he was up for another tour of Hogwarts and the half-giant was delighted to comply.
"That's 'bout it. Do you have any questions, James?"
Hagrid let James ascend the moving stairs before him.
"Yes. Where is your room, Hagrid?"
James asked, his lips curling up. He thought it was funny to ask when he could practically walk to Hagrid's hut with blindfolds on.
"Oh, bli'mey! I forgot. Of course, my hut. It's outside," Hagrid slapped his head then looked at James, "say, would you like to have lunch with me, James?"
James realized it was almost lunch time and he was hungry from the long walk of the tour. He was planning to have lunch at the Great Hall and get acquainted with the other professors, but he'd much enjoy having a comfortable, friendly lunch with his half-giant friend.
"Sure, it's a date then."
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As they reached his hut, Hagrid asked the house-elf to bring some lunch for him and James.
'This place never changes...' James smiled to himself as he observed the small room. His eyes stopped at the big cage on the far corner, which was covered with an old rag. He slowly approached it but was interfered by a large hand on his shoulder.
"Don't go near that, James... Eznik is asleep. He get's cra'nky when you disturb his nap."
James remembered the first night he had arrived.
"Oh, you mean that boomslang you've mentioned? How is he?"
He was very interested in seeing the serpant, but Hagrid guided him away.
"Uhh, yeah... the boomslang.. I'm afraid he ta'kes quite a long nap, though."
Hagrid forced a laugh and James became even more suspicious. But he wasn't going to pry it out of his friend if he didn't want to talk about it. Plus, he was confident it would slip out of Hagrid mouth sooner or later. The Care of Magical Creatures professor was a very loyal friend but a very poor liar.
"Is tea o'kay with you, James?"
Hagrid asked, relieved that James didn't ask further questions.
"Sure. I love tea with a burning passion."
Hagrid laughed and started to boil some water in a copper kettle he pulled out from his coat pocket, but James intervened.
"Let me make the tea, Hagrid."
"No, James. You're my guest."
James shook his head and took the teapot from the huge hand.
"It's a small gratitude for showing me around the castle. Besides, I enjoy making tea. Sit."
He pushed the giant on the wooden chair as he prepared the tea. He sighed when all he found was teabags by a cheap brand. Nevertheless, he quickly poured the boiling water in the teapot and dipped the teabags.
"Here you goes, sirs."
The house-elf appeared with two plates filled with delicious looking meal.
"Will sirs be needing anythings to drinks?"
"No, thank you. I got it."
James brought the teapot and two big mugs on the small table. The house-elf nodded and disappeared.
"Th'anks, James."
Hagrid took the mug as James sat next to him.
"W'ow! This is good, James! What d' you put in it?"
James laughed.
"Just the teabags you had on the counter. Why?"
"Really? I don't know w'at you did but it t'astes great!"
Hagrid gulped the tea despite the temperature and poured some more. James smiled and took a sip.
"Hmm, not bad..."
He lied. The tea was bad... He looked at Hagrid to see if he was just being nice but decided he wasn't when he downed his second cup.
"Are you s'ure this is my tea, James? It tastes dif'rent."
"Well, I cleaned the grimes from your teapot... and ah, by the way, how old is this thing?"
James pointed at the worn out brown teapot.
"Ehh,.. not sure... I found it in the school kitchen after I was giv'en the g'amekeeper pos'tion."
"So.. it's at least 50 years old..."
James blinked. He wasn't sure if he should compliment him for keeping the old thing for that long or frown at him for not throwing it out.
Hagrid slowly placed the mug down and observed James.
"How'd you know when I was given the g'amekeeper pos'tion, James?"
James scooped some cream spinach with his fork.
"I've heard from Harry Potter."
"Oh,"
They ate in silence for a while, but James could feel Hagrid wanting to ask more about Harry. He sighed and looked up to meet Hagrid's gaze. The half-giant immediately looked away and act as though he was staring at the window behind James.
"..Do you trust me, Hagrid?"
James put his fork down and looked at Hagrid straight in the eyes as he turned. The black glinting eyes narrowed for a moment, but Hagrid nodded.
"...I trust you, James..."
"With Harry's life?"
James countered. Hagrid gave a surprised look.
"You didn't say anything during the meeting two days ago.. Mr. Black's reaction was understandable given his position as a godfather," James sipped the bitter tea, "but I've heard from Harry that you are very close and very dear to him.. so I was surprised when you didn't react the way Mr. Black did… Not that I wanted you to, mind you."
James laughed. He would be long gone if the gamekeeper decided to throw a punch at him.
"He said that? H'arry said that 'bout me?"
Hagrid looked as though he was about to cry.
"Of course," James smiled, "he asks me about you all the time."
"You ta'lk to him?"
"Yes, but not very often. I'm unable to see him everyday because of the risk of being followed."
"Who'd follow you, James? The on'ly ones that know you're his Secret Keeper is the headmaster and the Order."
James nodded calmly, signalling Hagrid to keep his voice down.
"The walls have ears, Hagrid."
"Oh,.. right.. Sorry."
Hagrid bit his lips.
James mentally placed a silencing charm around them. He had to take double the precaution when engaged in a conversation with Hagrid. While not many people came near Hagrid's hut(especially when school's out), James wanted the extra insurance anyway.
"Yes, you're right. But when I helped the boy escape the Death Eaters three nights ago, couple of them saw my face. I'm afraid I'm up there on their list with Harry."
James didn't like lying to his friend one bit, but he knew he must.
"That's horr'ible, James..."
Hagrid feared for his friend. But something was puzzling him and couldn't help but ask.
"But why are you helping him, James? I mean... you're risking your own li'fe for some'one you don't really know?"
"Actually, I've known him for quite some time now. I've been asked to keep an eye on him by Kingsley Shacklebolt after Mr. Black escaped from Azkaban."
He was going to have to collaborate his story with Shacklebolt later, James mentally noted.
"Really? So you help'ed Sirius and Buckbeak escape too?"
"No. The boy did that on his own, with the help from his friend... Hermione, I believe her name was. From what I've heard, they've been causing quite of trouble."
"Yes, and Ron too," Hagrid laughed, "he's the son of Molly and Arthur who were at the mee'ting."
James nodded to confirm he knew who they were.
"The three are quite the troublemakers.. But those kids saved Buckbeak's life and cleared my name from mur'der which follo'wed me for a long time, James. I can never repay for what they have done for me."
Hagrid became teary-eyed and turned away, embarrassed to be so emotional in front of a colleague.
"I'm sure in many ways, you already have. Hagrid."
James patted the big shoulder and smiled. He was so happy to have such a friend and thanked Dumbledore for giving the half-giant the task to fetch him for Hogwarts.
They ate their meals in silence again, but it was a serene atmosphere this time. Both were content and didn't want to break it. When they finished, Hagrid asked if James could deliver a letter to Harry next time he visited him.
"Sure. Anything for you, my friend. In fact, I promised I'm visiting him tonight."
"Bli'mey! I'll write it now, then!"
Hagrid quickly pulled out his quill and parchments from his pocket, but the quill fell from his hand and rolled away. James picked it up and smiled.
"No need to hurry. I'm going shopping for few things. I'll come and fetch the letter then," James handed the quill, "take your time, Hagrid."
"O'kay. Thanks, James."
"No. Thank you for inviting me for lunch. Let's do it again sometime."
With that, James took off the silencing charm.
As Hagrid opened the door for him, a large boarhound entered.
"H'ullo, Fang. Did you have a nice walk? ..Oh, James" Hagrid turned, "this is my dog, Fang. He's not as scary as he looks… quite the oppo'site, really.."
"Hello, Fang. Pleased to meet you."
James stroked the oversized head as the gentle eyes looked up into the green eyes, knowingly. James knelt down and whispered in his ear.
"Shh, don't tell your master now. It's a secret between you and me, got it?"
Fang licked James' cheek as if to answer his assent. He might be a coward, but Fang sure was intelligent. James laughed and stood up.
"Well, see you two later."
"W'ait, James!"
Hagrid called back. James stopped and turned back.
"A'bout earlier... You asked me if I trust you with H'arry's life... The answer is yes. I think I can trust you with my life too."
James smiled.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I already trust you with mine."
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James apparated on Hogwarts ground four-and-a-half hours later with handful of shopping bags. He exhaled deeply and headed to his room.
'I am never going shopping in London again...' But then, he realized he have said that millions of time in the past. He was exhausted, thirsty, and hungry. There were plenty of good restaurants in London, but he hated crowds and wanted to avoid them as much as he could. Luckily, he was finished with shopping.
As he neared his room, he felt a familiar presense sneaking up on him.
"Hello, professor. What can I do for you?"
Snape was taken by surprise.. and frowned distastefully as his plan backfired. He was the one supposed to surprise James and as a bonus, the new professor would jump up and drop whatever he was carrying.
"Were you out in muggle streets, professor?"
Snape's face quickly returned to his usual expression... which was showing no expression.
"Why yes, how did you know?"
James said sarcastically as he set some bags down to open the door. He was wearing muggle clothes and carrying muggle brand items.
"Could you-.. nevermind.."
James was about to ask if Snape could help carry some bags, but reminded himself this was not the Snape he was used to. He sighed for heaven knows how many times, and extended his hand to pick the bags up.
"Why don't you shrink them or levitate them, professor? You're not in the world of your beloved muggles any longer."
Snape smirked as he observed James struggling with the items.
"I like the extra work-out. It keeps me in shape."
James retaliated as he finally dropped all the bags on the small sofa. He flipped one bag upside down as dozens of small boxes spread about.
"What, may I ask, are those?"
Snape asked from the door.
"You can come in if you want, professor," James took another bag and checked its contents, "they're tea leaves. Would you like some?"
"No."
Snape simply answered.
"No, you don't want to come in or no you don't want any tea?"
James smiled inwardly as he found what he was looking for.
"Both."
Snape growled irritably. There was something about this Hadwin James character that got on his nerves.
"Okay then."
'Too bad. Your loss.' James took out a larger box. Snape saw that it was a teapot made of glass.
"When you're done with your tea infatuation, professor, the headmaster would like to see you. His office is already opened."
With that, Snape was gone.
"I bet it's about the meeting..." James groaned as he remembered the verbal assault on Sirius. He knew Dumbledore would ask him sooner or later.
He quickly put the teapot and handful of tea leaves in a separate bag and headed out.
Drink the tea, damn you Snape! James makes excellent tea!
...Sorry. My obsession with caffeine knows no bounds.