Someone For Hagrid.

Disclaimer.  None but two of the characters found in this story belong to me.  The rest are the property of J.K. Rowling.

A N.  To Anime, thanks so much for the reviews.  I love them.  You see, Harry and Ron and Hermione were dragged thru time back.  It's all in chapter three.  You might try reading that one.  Kays?  Also, to my off the record reviewers, it does get better, but none of your requests will be noted, unless you begin reviewing on the record.  Sorry, but I need something to go by, so that I remember.

Next chapters might be late.  Sorry, but got lots to do.  If you don't likey, contact the evil teachers.  They make the rules, not I.  For now, here is as promised.

Summary.  A week has passed, and we are brought to the time zone of Professor Strout's thoughts.  Hagrid loves Leena, but what will he do when she accepts a kiss---from someone other than Hagrid?  Will she still be someone for Hagrid, even as a friend?  Read on and find out.  For now, as promised, here is chapter five.

Chapter Five.  Scheming Professor.

The snow was deep outside the cabin, as Hagrid chopped at the wood which would burn in his fireplace, and warm his new inhabitant, as well as old Fang and himself.  He had been at it nearly two hours now, and as he had been trying to hurry, he had concentrated hard on the task at hand, rather than trying to sort the things that flew thru his mind.  Leena had kissed him nearly a week previous to the present date in which Hagrid had now been, and though he'd longed for the time to come again, neither had brought the situation about.  Now he stood, having lost track of time as he had thought of this new concept, and held the axe over his head, ready to drive it into the large piece of wood, when the door opened, and a face poked out, smiling at him as he stood.

"Hagrid, won't you come here?  I can't get the stew to cook.  I need help with your stove."  Leena said, as Hagrid dropped the axe.

"Course, Leena."  Hagrid said, as he walked into the house, and smiled at her.

It took only a moment for him to help Leena with the stove, and before long, he was out again, cutting the last of the wood, before making his way into the Forbidden forest, to gather more wood to cut.  As he gathered the wood, and was just ready to bring it from the forest, Hagrid glanced up, and noticed, standing in the window, gazing out at him, Leena Michaels, with a rag in her hand.  Hagrid smiled, and gazed around, as he thought wonderfully of Leena, and how she had been so kind and loving to him, and just as he looked up, he caught sight of a shadow walking slowly toward the door, their arms swinging to their sides, and their eyes downcast, as though on a mission.

            Hagrid stepped back into the woods, and looked around, his eyes half-closed, as he thought of what could be happening to Leena, and how she could again, be brought to the depths of Azkaban.  As he watched, the door opened carefully, and Leena Michaels stood in the doorway, her hair looking splendid as her blue eyes caught the dazzling sunlight and reflected it perfectly.  Her eyes sparkled dangerously well to Hagrid, for she looked on wonderingly, and she seemed to search the eyes of the stranger at the door.  Silently, Hagrid stepped forward, and his eyes opened wide, when he caught sight of Professor Strout, the Potions teacher, standing in the doorway.

            "Professor Strout?  What are you doing here?"  Leena asked, as she stood in the doorway.

            "I wonder, Leena, if we might talk?  I have been meaning to for some time, and I haven't got the urge.  Now we must, though.  May we, Leena?"  Professor Strout asked, as she smiled up at him.

            "Really?  What do you mean to say to me, Professor?"  Leena asked, stepping outside of the cabin, and closing the door behind her.

            "You still call me Professor, Leena.  I am not yours any more.  I am merely a friend who cares for you.  Call me Ignatius, won't you?  It would make me proud to have the famous Leena Michaels call me by my first given name."  Professor Strout said, as he turned to look her in the eyes.

            "I---I---I'm not very famous, Professor.  I am merely a woman, and I am merely a human being.  I am no more than that, I promise you."  Leena said, as her face reddened beneath his stare.

            "Come now, Leena.  You expect me to believe that?  You are the most wanted woman by the Ministry, and you mean to tell me you've forgotten you are more than a mere being?"  Professor Strout asked, as he smiled into her deep, blue eyes.

            "Please Professor?  I need to get supper ready.  Hagrid likes it if I do, and I mean so much to please him, you see.  He is a special Man."  Leena said, as she turned slightly.

            "You try too hard to please that giant oaf, Leena.  You needn't.  He is merely a half-breed, and he will bring you lower than you are already.  Believe me, Leena, I must insist you walk with me.  You will die being a slave to him."  Professor Strout said, his eyes now burning into the shocked face of Leena.

            Hagrid stepped back, his body bumping dangerously into the tree behind him, as he stood, and looked up.  Never in his life, had his intuitions of being a giant oaf been confirmed by anyone, and now he found it hurt and stung like fire to him.  Leena, his favorite person in the entire world, had heard him called the name he had fought his whole life, and as Hagrid leaned heavily against the tree, he felt his heart break beneath his skin and bone, and the very ground beneath his large feet seemed to grow soft.  Surely, now that Leena knew him for what he was, she would not possibly be even his friend, and for this, he found the urge to leave the earth growing with-in him.  Surely, the ground beneath his feet could not possibly hold such a giant as himself, and as the tree seemed to poke into his back, and the air seemed to grow to an icy chill around him, he felt cold trickles fall down the sides of his face, and he knew well, he was crying.

            "Come, Leena.  Let us go to the castle.  I know well, that the food there is splendid, and Hagrid may eat there.  You are not his slave, and Dumbledore may not keep you trapped in there as a slave woman.  You are much too beautiful for such things."  Professor Strout said, as he led Leena by her shoulders, off along the grounds, to the far away castle.

            "You mustn't speak of Hagrid in such a manner, Prof---Ignatius.  I won't stand it.  He is a good creature, and my very good friend.  Do you hear me?"  Leena asked, sternly.

            "Dearest Leena, if you choose to call Hagrid your friend, and if you do not wish me to speak ill of him, then I will not.  My opinion will never change of him, mind you, but I will not speak of him in an ill fashion, if that is your wish.  Please, however, don't part company with me over my stupidity?  My heart should break if you did."  Professor Strout said, as the two of them passed the tree where Hagrid stood, and he was able to catch Hagrid's tearful eyes.

            "I will not part company with you, Prof---Ignatius, as long as you do not speak of Hagrid in the manner you have just done."  Leena said, as she followed the Professor.

            "You have my solemn word, Leena Michaels."  Professor Strout said, winking at Hagrid, just before they turned a corner, and were out of sight.

            Hagrid stood a while after they had gone, before he finally stepped forward, and a moment later, he was running, his legs pumping against the Earth as he did so.  Tears splashed down his face like waves of seawater, and as he found the cabin, he raced thru the door, bulling Fang over as he did so.  Not a sound did he make, until the door was securely closed and locked behind him, and when at last the door locked, he began to sob, his howling pain echoing around the cabin, until Fang began to howl.  Then, when at last he was exhausted with pain, he collapsed onto his bed, and buried his face into the pillow, and here the tears fell silently, until exhaustion and sleep overtook him, and he lost all touch of reality, and was able to sleep.

            It was a splendid night Leena had, as she talked with her old Potions Professor, and when at last the night ended, she and the Professor made their way carefully down to the cabin, talking all the while, of whom she had become as she'd grown up, and what she meant to do with her life.  Leena's ambition had always been to return to Hogwarts, or to a school like it, and teach her favorite subject, which was Herbology.  Charms would have been her second choice, as she now told the Professor, and if she had been given the opportunity, and if all other positions were filled, Leena meant to teach Divination.  This would require much concentration and strength, Leena told the Professor, for not all students would believe in the art of Divination, and if there happened to be one who didn't, Leena told him how she would just die of misery, for she meant to teach a subject all students were interested in.

            "Dearest Leena, why would you think such things?  You are a special girl.  You have many special talents, and you waste them out here in this cabin.  Why do you not come to the school, speak to Dumbledore of your ambitions, and ask him to allow you to teach?  Hagrid substitutes for Amelia Climpet, you know.   You could easily substitute, or even take the lead of Matilda Crump's Divination class, if you wish.  I see no reason why you can't, I mean."  Professor Strout said, as he looked into her eyes.

            "I shall think of it sometime, Professor.  For now, I am happy I am here.  I like where I am, and how I live, thank you very much."  Leena said, as she smiled into the Professor's face.

            "Well, Leena, I would not get used to it, if I were you.  Even the best of us must go on in time.  Memories of childhood cannot live on in you forever."  Professor Strout said, smiling into Leena's hurt face.

            "Perhaps not, Professor, but for now, I revel in  as he had done in previous days, when warm air could be found.  Winter had been hard

for the animal population in the Forbidden forest, and even the centaurs were worried, for the stars had said unkind things to them that year.  Now, as he stood up to clean the wounds of the unicorn, he spotted the two of them approaching around the other side, and he felt his heart sinking inside of him again.  Sensing something wrong, the Unicorn nuzzled him affectionately, and Hagrid gently led her to the back side of the cabin, as not to disturb the two as they approached.  Professor Strout was speaking animatedly to Leena, and as he watched, the Professor laid a hand on her shoulder, and ever-so-gently, he brought her near to him.

            "Professor?  Are you not performing an act of misconduct?"  Leena asked, as she looked up into his eyes.

            "Dearest Leena, I am conducting myself rather well, in my opinion.  I do promise you that much."  The Professor said, as he smiled, and leaned down to place a kiss on Leena's pearly white face.

            "I hardly believe that, Professor."  Leena said, as she smiled, and drew away from him.

            "And why do you say such a thing, Leena Michaels?"  Professor Strout asked, as he took one of her hands, and kissed it.

            "You know well, Professor.  I have told you time and again, even when I was young, that I was not, and could not be kissed by you.  Not ever."  Leena said, as she smiled, and then looked seriously at the Professor.

            The professor smiled, and stepped back, apparently seeing his errors at last, and looked to the skies with rolling eyes.  It was apparent that he had been hoping against hope that Leena might kiss him back, and at the same moment, it was apparent to him how respect for the girl was needed to be shown at the moment.  Leena had drawn away from him, and now he felt hurt and confused, wondering if maybe he hadn't gone wrong somewhere with that girl.  At last, determined he would have her, the Professor placed his charmed smile back on his face, and looked into her eyes.

            "You must come out on the boat with me tomorrow, Leena.  I shall die of loneliness if you do not."  The professor said, as he turned to look her in the eyes.

            "I shall, Professor, but never shall I kiss or love you."  Leena said, as she turned away.

            The Unicorn Hagrid had been neglecting gave a definite snort then, and Hagrid looked up with mortified eyes, trying to understand what had happened with-in the last ten minutes.  Leena had gracefully refused Professor Strout, try as he might to have her, and had defended Hagrid as he had not been defended before.  Then, as though he were thinking of it for the first time, Hagrid hurried to finish the wounds of the Unicorn, and helped her to stand, using his pink Umbrella to heal the wounds with the healing charms he'd learned.  Then, having completed his task, Hagrid made his way into the cabin, and took his heavy over clothes off, hanging them over the hooks above the fire as he did so.

            "Leena, won't ye come here?"  He asked, as he looked around the room.

            "Yes, Hagrid?"  Leena asked, as she walked to the side of Hagrid.

            "Leena, I jus' wanted to tell ye that, well---"  Hagrid began, as a knock sounded at the door.

            Leena looked up, and walked to the side of the cabin, where she would be out of sight.  As soon as she'd turned the corner, Hagrid opened the door, to see Professor Dumbledore standing just outside.  His long beard was white with snow, and his eyes shown brightly behind his half-mooned spectacles, as he smiled and looked over them at Hagrid.

            "I wish you to come to the Castle, and to my office, if you do not mind much, Rubeus?  I have things I wish to tell you."  Professor Dumbledore said, as he smiled at Hagrid.

Hagrid looked at Professor Dumbledore, and tried to keep the disappointment from his voice.  It seemed as though each time he had something important he meant to tell Leena Michaels, Professor Dumbledore seemed to come, wishing to speak to him in his office, of the many things Professor Dumbledore felt was important to tell him.         Though there were times when Hagrid did not fully agree to the amount of importance of Dumbledore's talks to him, he nevertheless would listen carefully, and attempt to put the talks into his heart, in case he needed to use them later.  Now, with a look of distinct wonder plastered onto his bearded face, Professor Dumbledore's large, burly companion followed him from the small cabin, and accross the grounds.

            Leena looked after Hagrid, as he walked away with Professor Dumbledore, and a distant look came to her pretty blue eyes.  She had been thinking of him---perhaps in ways she shouldn't have, and Leena found these thoughts frightened her, as well as brought a smile of happiness to her eyes.  Rubeus Hagrid had been a good, kind friend of hers since her early school years at Hogwarts, and Leena found herself yearning for him, not just as a friend, but also as a companion.  Leena smiled, thinking hard of what could have possibly been, between the two of them, and as she thought of her kind friend, a tear fell down the sides of her face.  Hagrid was half giant, and as much as Leena may have wished Hagrid could feel in his heart for her, she felt he couldn't possibly feel for her, as she felt for him.

            There were many people in the world that Hagrid could have chosen to take, and Leena was almost positive she was not one of the people.  For one thing, she was smaller than him, and much too different.  Though she loved him, there was no possible way, Leena felt, that he could ever love her in return, nor would he wish to, in her opinion.  Not only would Leena be too unique for him, but there was probably some other giantess he meant to court and marry, and Leena could feel the beginnings of jealousy creeping in on her, clouding her judgment.  Also, if Hagrid should choose a wife, he should choose someone with much greater looks than she possessed, and Leena found herself looking into the mirror beside the window, with sad, angry eyes.

            "Oh, God, let him find someone.  Let him be happy, and I shall make him happy, by taking a wizard, and bothering him not with my worries and small loves."  Leena said, as tears slid down the sides of her face.

            Just outside the cabin, a look of pure smugness came over the face of Professor Strout, as he thought of the chances he'd laid out before him.  Leena Michaels, in all her glory and beauty, had chosen to go with a wizard, rather than the giant oaf, and now she could be his, as Professor Strout had so long ago began to wish and dream.  Leena, who had been so far from his grasp during her school years, had, by some heavenly circumstance, been thrust back into his reach, and he meant to have her, as Rubeus Hagrid never would.  Their was one thing, Professor Strout knew, that he could always laugh at.  There was one girl in the world that Professor Dumbledore's young pet would never, and could never touch.

            Silently, Professor Strout made his way to the doorway, and knocked, sure now, that he would finally be able to have the kiss he was meant to have, and stand beside the girl he had longed after for twenty-three years.  Now he would share with her, the goodness of himself, and the beauty of his love, and Rubeus Hagrid, though he may be stupid and crazed at times, would only keep that Leena girl as his friend, as it should have been long ago.  Professor Strout was confident now, as he'd never been before, and he was sure, as he held onto the knob of the door, that Leena would finally accept him.  He knew she was frightened of him at times, but that could change in time, and Professor Strout had all the time in the world, after he'd heard what Leena Michaels had seen thru his window.  At last, Leena opened he door, and smiled, as she saw Professor Strout standing just outside.  How he'd shined, as he never had before, and Leena found herself looking into his face, unable to look away.

            "Leena, I wonder if I might have a moment?"  Professor Strout asked, as he looked into her shining face.

                        "Professor Strout, what are you doing here?"  Leena asked, as she opened the door wider.

            "Leena Michaels, our school days are over.  I am no longer your professor.  My feelings are no longer needed to be hidden from you, my love."  Professor Strout said, as he placed his arms about Leena, and drew her nearer to him.

            "Whatever do you mean, Professor?"  Leena asked, looking into his eyes.

            Professor Strout did not answer, and instead, he took Leena against him gently, his lips meeting her own in a passionate kiss which sent Leena's mind spinning.  Leena's mind was not the only mind spinning, however, as from close beside the cabin, another pair of eyes caught the passionate kiss passed between the professor and Leena Michaels.  Without a word or sound, Hagrid turned, and was gone thru the forest, and to the very heart, where he broke into great sobs, and landed hard upon the frozen forest floor.  What kind of giant oaf was he, anyhow, to think Leena Michaels could ever care for him?  He had cared for her, and still did, with a passion too great for his own comfort, and now he knew she could not feel the same for him.  He had seen the kiss which passed between Leena Michaels and the professor a moment before, and now he felt ashamed, for he had been a fool to think Leena Michaels could ever care for a half-giant such as himself.  Leena, who was so beautiful, and so charming, had now received what she'd deserved.  A pure-blood wizard who could treat her as he could never.  This pure-blood could make her his dream, and his beautiful queen, and Hagrid knew this was what she deserved.  She would never belong to Hagrid, and as he came to the full realization of this, he felt the rest of his heart sink into his legs, as he sobbed bitterly into the Earth.

            There you are, folks, and now for the dreaded Chapter Spoiler.

            Rain was falling now, stiff and cold outside, as thought the whole world must cry for what had happened.  Hagrid, who had been Dumbledore's greatest friend and loyalist companion, had finally drank himself nearly to death, and now he found himself angry, not for what had happened to Hagrid, but for what he'd done to cause it.  If only he had not interrupted---if only he'd known!

            "Professor Dumbledore, I wonder if I might have a moment alone with Hagrid?"  Leena asked, as she looked up from Hagrid's bedside, where she'd been holding the hand of Hagrid in hers.

            "All right.  I shall go to my office, and I shall work."  Professor Dumbledore said, as he walked out of the infirmary, and closed the door softly behind him.

            "Hagrid, I'm so sorry.  I should have told you when you were well, and I didn't!  I should have let you know, and if you didn't feel that way, at least you would have told me.  Oh, Hagrid, it's too late now.  You've left me, and I didn't even get to tell you how much you mean to me.  Oh, Dear Hagrid, how I dreamed you'd love me, and I know hat will never happen!  You've left me, and I should have known you would.  Everyone I have ever loved is gone now---including you!" She said, as tears slid down her eyes and face.