Chapter 55

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN1:Thank you for the support

SMUT WARNING


January 9th 1995

It has been two weeks since Christmas and after spending a week with mandrake leafs under their tongues Harry and Hermione are both a step closer to becoming animagus's.

It is Monday afternoon, the first day of classes, and Harry, Hermione and Neville are walking into Remus and Sirius's office so that they can ask if they can spend some time in their quarters to get away from Ron's glaring and snide comments.

"I'm going to get her. I'm going to figure out how she is doing and I will make her pay." Hermione tells Neville and Harry, sounding furious as Skeeter just wrote an article revealing that Hagrid is a half-giant.

"Mione….." Neville says.

"Don't Mione me. I will find out how she is finding all this stuff out and I will make her pay." Hermione says angrily.

"Make who pay or don't I want to know?" Sirius asks, and it's in that moment that the three fourth years realise that they have reached Sirius and Remus's desk.

"Skeeter." The three answer.

"Ahh." Remus says, "I understand why you would want to but you need to be careful. Who knows what she could do to you." Remus tells his daughter.

"After what she's done to Hagrid, the times she's tried to get something on our family, I don't care." Hermione say, it being clear that she is angry.

"Have either of you been able to talk to Hagrid?" Harry asks concerned, looking between Remus and Sirius.

"No, he won't let anyone into his hut." Remus explains sadly.

"Ohh, I need to get her." Hermione says angrily.

"I'm sure you will." Sirius tells his daughter, "And I will happily help you." He assures her.

"Thanks Dad." Hermione says gratefully.

"Can we study in your quarters?" Harry asks curious, "Ron's glares and snide comments are getting frustrating."

"Sure, go ahead. You know you don't have to ask." Remus answers.

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

"Thanks Remus, Sirius."

Neville, Hermione and Harry say and the three of them head to Remus and Sirius's quarters.

"We should do something right?" Sirius asks once the three teenagers are out of hearing range.

"I don't think there is anything we can do." Remus admits, "Not without making thigs worse." He explains to Sirius, "But if things get worse then we'll talk to Ron."

"I don't like doing nothing." Sirius says with a pout.

"I know." Remus comments and the two of them drift into silence.

"So…." Sirius says, sounding a little awkward, something which he never is, "The Full Moon is in a week." He comments.

"I know." Remus says, annoyance in his voice as he will never forget that.

"Are you going to use the potion again or go without?" Sirius asks, "I'll help, whichever you choose."

"With it." Remus say and even though they aren't close Remus can see Sirius tense at that, "I need to be in control, and Moony is calm now, it will be better than last time."

"What if it's not?" Sirius asks worried, "You almost died, Rem, and there was nothing I could do to help you."

"I know." Remus says, getting up and walking over to Sirius, "I'll never be able to understand how much I scared you, or how hard it was for you to sit by my bed for a week and wonder if I'd wake up." He says as he sits down on Sirius's lap, causing Sirius to wrap his hands around Remus's waist, "And I never can understand that, but I need you to try to understand that being out of control is the worst thing for me, I hate it so much, and that potion gives me the control I've always wanted." He explains, "If I happens again I won't use it again."

"If it happens again I'm terrified that you won't make it through." Sirius says, his voice destressed as it is clear that he believes that

"I know." Remus says before leaning down and pulling Sirius in for a long, deep kiss.

START OF SMUT

As Sirius and Remus continue to kiss Sirius starts to run his hands up and down Remus's spine, causing his mate to let out a moan.

Breaking apart Sirius moves Remus so that his mate is sitting on the table before he gets up and casts a silencing spell on the room, followed by locking charms on all the doors, causing it to become clear to Remus what is about to happen, resulting in him letting out a moan.

Once he is sure that there is no way for them to be interrupted Sirius walks back over to Remus, with a predatory strut and once he is right in front of his mate Sirius grabs hold of Remus's neck and pulls him forward, into a heated kiss. After a couple of minutes the pair break apart both panting while they attempt to catch their breaths.

"I am going to take you on the desk, Remy, you're going to think of me every time you teach." Sirius informs Remus, causing Remus to let out a wine.

Smirking at that Sirius slowly starts to remove Remus's clothes, purposely going slow.

"Siri…." Remus starts to wine.

"Patience, Rem." Sirius says, placing a kiss to Remus's inner thigh.

After all of, both their clothes, are removed Sirius pushes Remus back ad slowly starts to kisses along Remus's torso and along his stomach.

Once Sirius arrives at Remus's cock Sirius starts to suck an lick at the engorged head.

"Ohhh, Siri." Remus moans, not being able to stop himself from thrusting up, causing himself to go deeper into Sirius's mouth.

After several minutes of pleasuring his mate, causing Remus to become close to climax, Sirius grabs one of the wands that was abandoned nearby and uses a charm to lube his fingers. To start with Sirius puts light pressure on Remus's tight pucker and gently eases his finger in. Once he is sure Remus is ready he thrusts that one finger in and out, causing Remus to moan them moves to two and gives the same treated.

"Oh, god Siri, more." Remus begs once Sirius is up to three fingers.

"Just making sure you're ready." Sirius says, before pulling his fingers out and causing Remus to wine at the emptiness, "Rem, I want you to ride me. I want to be able to see your beautiful flushed face as you ride my cock."

"Oh god, yes. Pleas, Siri. I can't wait much longer." Remus pleads.

In one quick move Sirius picks up his mate, causing Remus to wrap his legs around his mates strong body as Sirius switches positions.

Once Sirius is lying on the hard desk Remus climbs on top of him, kissing him thoroughly before he sinks down on Sirius's hard cock in one go, only stopping when Sirius's cock is completely inside of him.

"Ohhh, so tight, so hot, love you Rem." Sirius moans.

"Oh, god, love you too, Siri please, move." Remus responds and as he does Sirius starts to thrust up, slowly, and Remus meets every one of his thrusts.

After a couple of minutes Remus starts to move hard and faster, causing Sirius to also thrust harder and faster so that they can keep their rhythm. After several minutes of this fast pace Sirius takes Remus's member in his hand and starts to stroke it at a slower pace, hoping to hold of his orgasm.

Realising what his mate is doing Remus uses the table to get a better gip and starts to move even faster. After a few more thrusts Sirius realises that he can't hold out anymore and so he lets go and yells

"REMUS." as he coms.

About a minute later Remus comes too, all of Sirius chest, not that Sirius mind as he completely loves the feeling.

For a little while the two of them just stay in their current position, both of them attempting to catch their breaths. Once they manage to Sirius gently lifts Remus off his soften member, lies him next to him, and kisses his mate forehead. Once he does that Sirius picks up a wan and uses it to clean up before collapsing next to Remus and pulling his mate in for a hug.

"I love you." Remus say as he snuggles closer to Sirius.

"Love you too." Sirius responds and the two of them enjoy the few precious minutes of cuddling time they have before they have to go back to being professionals.


January 16th 1995

It has been a week since the article about Hagrid came out and ever since Hagrid hasn't been seen and Hermione has been looking into ways to make Skeeter pay.

It is just before midnight, on a full moon and Hermione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George are the only ones in the common room, the four boys are attempting to distract Hermione from what is going on, though it is not really working as while the five of them are playing poker Hermione is also staring out the window.

"Hermione." A voice says, "Hello, earth to Hermione." George's voice says, cutting through Hermione's thoughts.

"Sorry, what?" Hermione asks, turning around the face the other.

"Are you in or folding?" George asks.

"Oh, um, folding." Hermione answers.

"You're really not okay, during full moons, are you?" Fred asks, sounding both surprised and worried as this is only the second full moon he's seen Hermione go through.

"No. I worry about Papa and it's just…. Not good for me." Hermione explains to the twins, saying things that Harry and Neville already know.

"I'm sorry." Fred and George say together.

"You need a distraction." Neville says, racking his brain as he tries to think, "How's things going with the egg? Have you got any idea what to do?"

"Not yet." Harry answers, seeing what Neville is trying to do.

"We haven't tried Cedric's clue." Hermione reminds Harry.

"Cedric's clue?" George asks surprised.

"After the ball Cedric said to take a bath with the egg, mull things over in the hot water, he even gave us the password to the prefects' bathroom." Harry reveals.

"Nice." Fred and George say together.

"You know the bath in the prefect's bathroom is the size of a swimming pool." Fred reveals.

"How do you know that?" Hermione asks surprised.

"Bill."

"Charlie."

The two brothers answer.

"Right." Hermione says, understanding.

"You know, if we all put on bathers and use the cloak and map to go to the prefect's bathroom with the egg, it could be a good distraction. Plus you might be able to figure out the clue." Fred suggest.

"Five of us under the cloak will be difficult, maybe even impossible." Harry reveals.

"We can still try though." George says.

"Yeah, we can." Harry confirms, "What do you think?" he asks Hermione.

"It will be difficult." Hermione admits "But could work well, and we really should get started on the egg." She comments as she has been so focused on figuring out how Skeeter is finding out what she knows that she

"Great, we'll meet back down here in ten." George says and all five of them head upstairs.


Even though Harry, Hermione, Neville, Fred and George are all back in the common room after ten minutes it is almost fifteen minutes before they can leave the common room as they had to figure out the way to leave the common room under the cloak while allowing it to cover all of them, something which is very difficult.

Thanks to how close they have to be and the way they have to move to be sure that they can't be seen from out of the cloak it isn't until twenty minutes after they leave the common room that Harry, Hermione, Neville, Fred and George can remove the cloak as they are in the prefects' bathroom.

"Okay, that was harder than I was expecting." George comments, saying what they are all thinking.

"No kidding." Harry informs him.

"Wow, this place is incredible." Hermione says, sounding amazed as she looks around.

"Really is." Neville confirms.

"Let's get this bath started." Fred comments as he walks over to the bath and starts to turn on the different taps.

A few minutes later the large Olympic sized swimming pool bath is full and the five teenagers strip down to their bathes and climb in. For a little while the five of them just swim around, enjoying the bath that is like a pool.

"We better see if we can figure out the egg." Hermione comments.

"I'll get it." Harry says before swimming to the edge and grabbing the golden egg, "Here goes nothing." Harry says before opening it, but as he does it just wails causing Harry to drop it in shock, as the egg falls into the water it stops screaming even though it is still open.

"I think we should put our heads under." Hermione suggests and the group of five do just that, as they do they hear a voice,

"Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, pounder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."

Once they listen to the entire song Harry, Hermione, Neville, Fred and George go back to the surface.

"Any idea what that means?" Neville asks once they are all above the surface.

"Maybe." Hermione answers, "Come seek us where our voices sound we cannot sing above the ground." Hermione quotes

"You have the entire thing memorized already, don't you?" George asks and Hermione nods.

"I love your memory." Harry says with a grin.

"We're our voices sound, that would be the lake." Hermione realizes.

"Would make sense." Harry says, with an approving nod.

"Do you guys know what's in the lake apart from the giant squid?" Hermione asks, looking a Fred and George figuring that they will know.

"All different things. Creatures and animals, and really cool plants." Fred answers.

"Are there… Merepeople?" Harry asks, as he stares at a picture on the wall.

"Yeah, I think there are." George confirms.

"So, the second task. We've got to find the Merepeople, who live at the bottom of the lake, and get back what they took." Hermione realizes and as she does she notices a frown on Harry's face, "Harry, what is it?" Hermione asks concerned.

"I can't swim that well." Harry reveals, feeling a little embarrassed to admit that.

"But you've swum in my pool before." Neville points out.

"A pool is one thing; a deep lake is another." Harry says, "I don't know if I'll be okay."

"We'll practice; help you get better." Hermione tells him.

"Thanks."

"Um, have either of you thought about the biggest problem you're going to face?" Fred asks, looking between Harry and Hermione.

"Breathing." Hermione say, "How we're going to breath underwater for an hour." Hermione says, sounding worried.

"There are spells you could learn, they're complicated, but you should be able to figure them out in time." George says, looking between Harry and Hermione.

"Hopefully." Harry comments.

"There are plants too." Neville reveals, "I don't remember the name, but there was something in the book Katie gave me that would allow you to breath for an hour. I can show you when we get out of here." Neville tells them.

"That would be good, thanks." Hermione tells him.

"What do you think is going to be taken?" Harry asks curious, sounding worried.

"Who knows." Hermione answers and the group drift into silence.

After spending a while swimming together Harry, Hermione, Neville, Fred, and George make the difficult walk back up to the Gryffindor tower before heading to bed.


January 17th 1995

A few hours after they left The Prefects bathroom Hermione is walking into the Common Room on her way to check in with her parents where she finds Harry, Neville, Fred and George.

"Mione, I found it, the plant I was telling you about." Neville says as Hermione walks over, "It's called Gillyweed." He explains, passing the book over to Hermione.

"Let me see." Hermione says, starting to read the page Neville is indicating, "You're right. That's perfect." Hermione tells her friend once she reads the page.

"That's exactly what we were just talking about." Harry reveals, "The only question is how we are going to get it."

"Snape's bound to have it in his storeroom." Fred comments.

"True, but I don't see him just giving it to us." Harry tells them.

"Maybe we can order it." Hermione suggests.

"Yeah, that may work." Neville confirms.

"We'll figure it out later, I need to go see Papa." Hermione says, "I'll see you guys at breakfast." Hermione tells Neville, Harry, Fred and George before leaving them.


A little while after she left the Gryffindor Tower Hermione walks into her parents' quarters.

"DAD, PAPA." Hermione calls.

"Kitchen." Sirius's voice calls back.

"How's Papa, is he okay?" Hermione asks concerned, as she hurries over to the kitchen.

"He's a little sore, and has some minor wounds, but yeah, he's okay." Sirius explains to his daughter, "I'm making him some hot chocolate."

"Good, that's good, right?" Hermione asks her Dad.

"Yeah, it is." Sirius confirms, causing Hermione to look relieved, "He's awake in our room if you want to see him."

"I do." Hermione says before heading to her parent's room to sit with her Papa for a couple of minutes before she has to go to class.


Hours later classes are over for the day and Hermione is sitting with Neville and Harry in the Gryffindor Common room.

As they work Harry, Hermione and Neville can basically feel the angry looks that Ron is giving them.

"Excuse me." Hermione says, standing up and walking over to Ron.

"That's not going to go well." Neville mutters.

"Really isn't." Harry confirms, but he knows that trying to stop Hermione from doing something right after a full moon is impossible.

Walking over to Ron Hermione can feel her anger growing,

"What is your problem?" Hermione asks annoyed.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asks, also sounding annoyed.

"You, sitting there and staring at us." Hermione says angrily, "It's annoying and kind of pathetic."

"Oh, I'm pathetic am I?" Ron asks, sounding angry as he stands up, "I'm not half as pathetic as you. You surround yourself by boys just hoping that one of them will notice you even though you're the ugliest person I've ever known." Ron tells Hermione.

"Wow, you really are pathetic. If your goal was to hurt me then you failed remarkably. You're a small jealous little boy and I can't believe it took me so long to see it." Hermione says, Ron's words amusing her more than hurting her, causing Ron to open and close his mouth several times as he tries to think of a way to respond.

"Need to see you upstairs." Fred says grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her upstairs as George goes over to Harry and Neville, "You two can insult each other later." He comments.

About thirty seconds later Hermione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George are in Harry and Neville's dormitory, with the door closed behind them.

"What's going on?" Harry asks once the door is closed.

"We have presents." George says as both he and Fred pull out what looks to be squishy green goo out of their pockets which the others realizes is the Gillyweed.

"Where'd you get it?" Neville asks surprised.

"Nicked it from Snape's office." Fred explains.

"Thank you." Hermione and Harry say, both sounding grateful.

"Is there anything we need to do to keep fresh, make sure it works?" Harry asks, looking at Neville.

"Just keep it someone dark, your bedside draw will work, and it will be fine." Neville assures his friends, causing them to drift into silence.


January 21st 1995

It has been five days since Fred and George stole Gillyweed for Hermione and Harry an ever since then Hermione, Neville and Harry have been doing their best not to let Ron's behavior get to them, even though it can be difficult at times.

It is Saturday and a Hogsmeade visit, Harry, Hermione and Neville have gone together and plan on meeting up with Fred and George, as they are hoping to see Hagrid, even though he hasn't been out of his hut since Skeeter's article, Harry and Hermione have been keeping their eyes open I hopes of seeing their friend.

"Three broomsticks?" Harry asks Hermione and Neville.

"Yes."

"Yep."

Hermione and Neville respond and the three of them walk into The tree broomsticks. When they walk in Harry, Neville and Hermione aren't surprised to find that it is quiet busy but they don't see Hagrid so they go up to the bar.

"Three buttebeers." Neville orders.

"Doesn't he ever go into the office?" Hermione whispers to Harry and Hermione.

"Who?" Harry and Neville ask together.

"Bagman." Hermione says, pointing at the mirror behind the bar where Ludo Bagman is reflected, sitting in corner with a bunch of goblins.

"There is no reason for him to be here." Neville comments with a frown.

"There really isn't." Hermione confirms as she does Bagman looks over and sees Harry and Hermione standing at the bar.

"In a moment, in a moment." Bagman says to the goblins before hurrying over to Harry and Hermione.

"Harry, Hermione." Bagman says, "How are you? Been hoping to run into you? Everything going all right?"

"Fine." Harry answers.

"Thank you." Hermione adds.

"Wonder if I could have a quick, private word, with the two of you." Bagman says eagerly.

"Why don't I go find us a table." Neville suggests.

"Thanks, Nev." Hermione says and Neville heads to a table while Hermione and Harry follow Bagman down along to the end of the bar that is furthest from Madam Rosmeta.

"Well, I just thought I'd congratulate you both again on your splendid performance against the Hortail, Harry, Hermione." Bagman says, "It was really superb."

"Thanks" Harry and Hermione say, but honestly they both can't help but wonder why he couldn't do this in front of Neville.

For a little while Bagman is quiet and Harry and Hermione notice that he is staring at the Goblins.

"Absolute nightmare." Bagman tells Harry and Hermione, "Their English isn't too good. It's like being back with all the Bulgarians at the Quidditch World Cup, but at least they used sign language another human could understand. This lot keep gabbling in Gobbledegook, and I only know one word of Gobbledegook. Bladvak. It means 'pickax' I don't like to use it in case they think I'm threatening them." Bagman explains as he gives a short, but booming laugh.

"What do they want?" Hermione asks curious, getting a feeling that something is going on with Bagman.

"Er…. Well." Bagman says, suddenly looking nervous, "They, er they're looking for Barty Crouch."

"Why are they looking or him here?" Harry asks confused, "He's at the Ministry in London, isn't he?"

"Er, as a matter of fact, I've no idea where he is." Bagman reveals, "he's sort of stopped coming to work. Been absent for a couple of weeks now. Young Percy, his assistant, says he's ill. Apparently he's just ben spending instructions in by owl. But would you mind not mentioning that to anyone Harry? Because Rita Skeeter's still poking around everywhere she can, and I'm willing to bet she'd work up Bartys illness into something sinister. Probably say he's gone missing like Bertha Jokins."

"Have you found anything about Betha Jorkins?" Hermione asks, doing so because she knows that she is dead.

"No." Bagman says, looking strained again, "I've got people looking, of course." Bagman says, causing Harry and Hermione and exchange looks, both thinking that it's about time, "And it's all very strange. She's definitely arrived in Albania, because she met her second cousin there. And then she left the cousin's house to go south and see an aunt, and she seems to have vanished without a trace en route. Blowed if I can see where she's gone to… What are we doing, talking about goblins an Bertha Jorkins? I really wanted to ask you both…." Bagman says before lowering his voice, "How are you getting on with your golden egg?" he ask.

"Not bad." Hermione answers, wondering where Bagman is going with this.

"Listen, Harry, Hermione." Bagman says, in an even lower voice, "I feel very bad about this, the two of you were thrown into this tournament, neither of you volunteered for it, and if…" Bagman says, lowering his voice even more so Harry and Hermione have to lean in close to hear, "If I can help at all, a prod in the right direction, I've taken a liking to the two of you, the way you got past that dragon, well, just say the word." Bagman says, causing Harry and Hermione to frown.

"We're supposed to work out the clues alone, aren't we?" Hermione asks, being pretty sure that Bagman giving them help is very different from the help they've been getting from Neville, Fred, George and even her Fathers.

"Well, well, yes." Bagman says, impatiently, "But, come on. Harry, Hermione we all want a Hogwarts victory, don't we?"

"Have you offered Cedric help?" Harry asks curious.

"No, I haven't." Bagman says, a small frown on his face, "I well, like I say, I've taken a liking to the two of you. Just thought I'd offer…"

"Well, thanks." Harry says, "But we're nearly there with the egg, really close to cracking it." Harry says, suspecting that if they tell Bagman that they have cracked it then he'll ask what they are going to do.

Bagman looks like he wants to say something, but before he can get a chance Fred and George turn up.

"Hello, Mr. Bagman." Fred says, brightly, "Can we buy you a drink?"

"Er, no." Bagman says, with one last disappointed glance at Harry and Hermione, "No, thank you, boys." Bagman says, causing Fred and George to look disappointed.

"Well, I must dash." Bagman says, "Nice seeing you all. Good luck, Harry, Hermione." Bagman says before hurrying off the Goblins following after.

"What was that about?" Hermione asks Fred and George as the four of them make their way back over to Neville.

"Long story." Fred answers.

"I'm pretty sure we've got time." Harry comments.

"What did Bagman want?" Neville asks as Harry, Hermione, Fred and George sit down.

"He was asking if we wanted help, again." Hermione says with a frown, "But apparently Crouch is missing."

"Really?" Fred, George and Neville ask.

"Apparently." Harry answers.

"That's strange." Neville says with a frown.

"Yeah." Hermione confirms.

"Oh great." George says sarcastically and all five of them turn to see Rita Skeeter walking into the pub.

"…Didn't seem very keen to talk to us, did he, Bozo? Now, why would that be, do you think?" Skeeter asks her photographer, "And what's he doing with a pack of goblins in town anyway? Showing them the sights, what nonsense, he was always a bad liar. Reckon something's up? Think we should do a bit of diffing? 'Disgraced Ex-Head of Magical Games and Sport, Ludo Bagman….' Snappy start to a sentence, Bozo, we just need to find a story to fill it."

"Trying to ruin someone else' life?" Harry says, loudly.

"Harry!" Skeeter says, beaming, "How lovely! Why don't you come and join…"

"I wouldn't come near you with a ten-foot broomstick." Harry reveals.

"Nice." Fred and George say, both sounding amused.

"Why did you do that to Hagrid for, eh?" Harry asks.

"Our readers have a right to the truth, Harry. I am merely doing my…."

"Who cares if he's half-giant?" Hermione shouts, sounding furious, "There's nothing wrong with him!" She says, causing the entire pub to go very quiet.

"How about you both give me about the Hagrid you know. Harry, Hermione? The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. How would you describe your relationship? Is he a father substitute, a brother?" she asks, causing Hermione to stand up with her butterbeer clutched in her hand, almost like it is a grenade.

"You horrible woman." Hermione says, through gritted teeth, "You don't care, do you? Anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Ludo Bagman."

"Sit down, you're just being a silly little girl don't talk about things you don't understand." Skeeter says, looking less than happy with Hermione, "I know things that would make your hair curl, not that it needs it." She adds, looking at Hermione's curly hair.

"I very much doubt that there is a single thing you know that is the truth." Hermione says angrily, "Let's go." She tells Harry, Neville, Fred and George.

"You know, I wouldn't be surprised if she came after you next." George informs Hermione.

"Let her try!" Hermione says, angrily, "'I'll show her! Silly little girl, am I? Oh, I'll get back at her for this. First Dad, then Harry and I, and now Hagrid." Hermione says, sounding furious.

"Mione you really don't want to go upsetting Rita Skeeter." Neville says, sounding worried, "She'll dig something up on you find, something out."

"My parents don't believe anything Skeeter says. She can't scare me into hiding." Hermione comments, starting along so fast that Harry, Neville, Fred and George have to walk fast to keep up with her, "And Hagrid isn't hiding anymore! He should never have let that excuse for a human being upset him! Come on!" Hermione says before breaking into a run and heading straight towards Hagrid's cabin, leaving the four boys no choice but to follow behind her.

"HAGRID!" Hermione shouts as se pounds on the front door, "Hagrid, that's enough! We know you're in there! Nobody cares if your Mum was a giantess, Hagrid! You can't let that foul Skeeter woman o this to you! Hagrid, get of here, you're just being…" Hermione starts to say, but as she does the front door opens, "About t….." Hermione starts to say, but before she can she finds herself face to face with not Hagrid, but Albus.

"Good afternoon." Albus greats.

"Albus, hi, we um wanted to see Hagrid." Hermione explains.

"Yes, I surmised as much." Albus says, his eyes twinkling.

As Harry and Hermione walk in they find Hagrid sitting at the table, looking a lot like a mess.

"Hi, Hagrid." Harry greats.

"Lo," Hagrid greats in a very hoarse voice.

"More tea, I think." Albus says as he closes the door behind Harry, Hermione, Fred and George, and causing a tea tray to appear in midair, "Did you by any chance hear what Hermione was shouting, Hagrid?" Albus asks, "Hermione, Harry, Neville, Fred and George still seem to want to know you, judging by the way they were attempting to break own your door."

"Of course we still want to know you." Harry says, staring at Hagrid, "You don't think anything that Skeeter cow…. Sorry, Professor." He adds quickly, looking at Albus.

"I have gone temporarily deaf and haven't any idea what you said. Harry." Albus says.

"Er-right." Harry says, sheepishly, "I just meant, Hagrid, how could you think we'd care what that, that woman, wrote about you?" Harry asks, causing tears to form in Hagrid's eyes.

"Living proof of what I've been telling you, Hagrid." Albus says, looking at ceiling, "You've heard Remus and Sirius, I've shown you the letters from countless parents who remember you from their won days here, telling me in no uncertain terms that if I sacked you, they would have something to say about it…"

"Not all of 'em." Hagrid says, his voice hoarse, "Not all of 'em wan me ter stay."

"Really, Hagrid, if you are holding out for universal popularity, I'm afraid you will be in this cabin for a very long time." Albus says, peering over his half-moon spectacles, "Not a week has passed since I became headmaster of this school when I haven't had at least one owl complaining about the way I run it. But what should I do? Barricade myself in my study and refuse to talk to anyone?"

"Yeh, yeh're not half-giant." Hagrid says croakily.

"Hagrid look at who I have for relatives! Malfoy's and Black's, so many horrible people." Hermione says.

"And look at mine, look at the Dursley's." Harry adds.

"Excellent points." Albus says, "My own brother, Aberforth, was prosecuted for practicing inappropriate charms on a goat. It was all over the papers, but did Abeforth hide No, he did not! He heled his head up high an went about his business as usual! Of course I'm not entirely sure he can read, so that may not have been bravery." Albus comments, causing Fred and George to have to hold back laughs.

"Come back and teach, Hagrid." Hermione says, quietly, "Please come back, we really miss you." Hermione says, causing Hagrid to gulp a for more tears to leak onto his cheek, as Albus stands up.

"I refuse to accept your resignation, Hagrid, and I expect you back at work on Monday." Albus explains, "You will join me for breakfast at eight-thirty in the Great Hall. No excuses. Good afternoon to you all." Albus says before leaving.

"Great man, Dumbledore, great man."

"Yeah he is." Neville confirms.

"Can I have one of these cakes, Hagrid?" Fred asks curious.

"Help yerself." Hagrid says, wiping his eye on the back of his hand, "Ar, he's righ', o' course yeah're all righ' I bin stupid, my ol' dad woulda bin ashamed o' the way I've bin behaving." Hagrid reveals, "Never shown you a picture of my old dad, have I? Here." Hagrid says before getting up and going over to his dresser where he pulls out a picture that he shows the five teenagers, "Tha was taken jus' after I got inter Hogwarts." Hagrid reveals with a croak, "Dad was dead chuffed, thought migh' not be a wizard, see, 'cos my Mum…. Well, anyway. ''Course, I never was a great shakes at magic really, but at least he never saw me expelled. Died, see, in me second year. Dumbledore was the only one who stuck up for me after Dad went. Got me the gamekeeper job, trusts people, he does. Gives 'em second chances. Tha's what sets him apar' from other heads, see. He'll accept anyone at Hogwarts, s'long as they've got talent. Knows people can turn out okay even if their families weren'. Well, all tha' respectable, but some don understand that. There's some who' always hold it against yeh, there's some who'd even pretend they just had big bones rather than stand up an' say, I am what I am, an I' not ashamed. 'Never be ashamed' my ol' dad used ter say, 'there's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with. An' he was right. I've bin an idiot. I'm not botherin' with her no more, I promise yeh that. Big bones, I'll give her big bones." Hagrid reveals, causing Harry and Hermione to exchange looks as there are a lot of things that they would rather do than admit that they overheard Hagrid and Maxime talking, "Yeh know wha, Harry." Hagrid says, looking up from the photo, "When I firs' met you, you reminded me o' me a bit. Mum an' Dad gone, an' you was feelin' like yeah wouldn' fit in at Hogwarts, remember? Not sure yeh were really up to it, and now look at yeh, Harry! School champion!" he says, looking between Harry and Hermione, "Yeh know what I'd love Harry, Hermione? I'd love yeh ter win, I really would. It'd shoe 'em all, yeh don' have to be pure-blood to do it. Neither of you have ter be ashamed of what yeh are. It'd show 'em Dumbelore's the one who's got it right, lettin' anyone in as long as they can do magic. How are you two doing with that egg?" Hagrid asks curious, it being clear to Hermione that he knows about Remus.

"Good, really good." Harry and Hermione answer together.

"Good! Show 'em, both of you. Beat 'em all." Hagrid says with a smile and for the rest of the afternoon Harry, Hermione, Neville, Fred and George sit with Hagrid, trying to help him feel better.


IMPORTANT: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO tigergirl-moonstar who wrote the smut because I can't write that kind of scene


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PLEASE REVIEW