Someone for Hagrid.
Disclaimer. None but four of the characters belong to me. All others belong to J.K. Rowling. We love her.
A N. Leena isn't all that weird about her looks. She's afraid of Hagrid wanting a Giantess, remember? Also, she is worried he might not like her because she does not look as such. Miscommunication can be a bad thing. Also, thanks for your review, for Chap. Five. I promise, give me time and it might get better.
Author's Note. Would like to thank my three Beta readers, for without their hard work and support, this story could not, and would not exist. Wonderful people, them.
Summary. Hagrid knows Leena is not for him. Leena thinks Hagrid is not for her. What will happen when all stops are pulled out? Will Hagrid and Leena finally be as they wish to be, or will Hagrid and Leena part, as so many friends do? Will professor Strout finally get his wish? It seems so in Chap. 5, so perhaps? Read on, and find out. Welcome for any and all reviews you might wish to submit, hint hint. Anyways, as promised, here is Chapter Six.
Chapter Six. Honesty Under the Circumstance.
The fire crackled, its flame rising in pink and red and orange wisps, as the smoke made it's way up the chimney, and here Leena sat, her sparkling blue eyes traveling with the wisps of smoke, and her hair shining in it's beautiful spread of light. A book lay open on her lap, turned to a page of moving Wizard pictures, and her head was bent low, in obvious concentration. The snow was falling outside, hard enough to be a blizzard, and as she watched the moving pictures of unicorns and dragons, she couldn't help but become fascinated with the quality and strength of their graceful movements.
Outside, a particularly large drift of snow was blown to the cabin, by the strong winds that blew near and around the Castle and it's grounds, and Leena looked up, almost startled by it's dangerous tones. The clock on the wall, which had two hands upon it, had just clicked once, and the hand belonging to Hagrid spun to the small box, which read in red letters, "Hurt!". Leena's face whitened, as she thought of Hagrid, and wondered what had happened to him out in the storm. He could have been anywhere on the grounds, or in the Forbidden forest, and Leena worried greatly, as she closed her book, willing the hand to return to the Alive and well box, or perhaps to the In Professor Dumbledore's Office, box, and when it did not, Leena placed her book upon one of the tables, and pulled her over clothes onto her body, as well as her boots and scarf, to keep warm. Then, having done this, Leena hurried out the door, and began to run across the grounds, looking hard for her large, burly companion.
"Hagrid! Rubeus Hagrid!" Leena cried, as she ran in search of him.
"You won't find him here." A voice said, as someone clomped up behind her.
"Where is he?" Leena asked, as she tried desperately to find him.
"He's gone to do what he does best. Drink himself to death. Old Oaf, that one." The man said, as he walked up beside him.
"Professor Strout, I warned you of saying such things about my friend!" Leena shouted, angry with him, as he expression turned livid.
"Oh, come now, Leena. He is an oaf, no doubt about that. You cannot say he isn't." Professor Strout said, simply.
Leena could not remember what had finally caused what happened next, only that she felt much, much better once she'd done it. With one smooth movement, Leena reached out a hand, and slapped him hard across the face, so that he stepped backward in shock. Never in her entire life, had Leena raised a hand to someone, and now she found she wished to do it over and over again, turning the Professor into a living punching bag.
"You slapped me!" The Professor said, in shock.
"And I'll do it again if you don't leave me be, Professor Strout. I am tired of your kissing me, and your mixed feelings. I am not your toy any more!" Leena said, angrily.
"Leena, you never were my toy, you must believe me!" Professor Strout said, in a feeble attempt to redeem himself for whatever crime he'd committed in her eyes.
"You lie, and I'll have it no longer. I---I mean to go to him, and I mean to get Professor Dumbledore to help me!" Leena said, turning from him, and storming up the grounds, leaving him behind her.
No sooner had Leena reached the castle, when a young, handsome-looking Man approached her, and looked into her eyes. Leena could recognize him instantly, as James Harold Potter, one of the seventh years that went to the school, and she smiled, though she was extremely worried about Hagrid. James could help her, if anyone could, and she meant to ask, for it was him and his three friends, who carried a curious piece of tattered parchment, with all the secrets of the entire school and it's grounds upon it, and of the whereabouts of all the people there on. The Marauders map, as they called it, was activated with the incantation only the four of them knew, and was always wiped clean before they put it away, leaving all teachers and students curious and suspicious of what it really was.
"Hello, Leena girl. Why are you in the castle alone?" James asked, as his three friends circled him protectively.
"James, I wonder, could you help me please? Hagrid's gone missing, and I know you could help him. Won't you please help me?" Leena asked, somewhat panicked.
"Certainly, Leena woman. Only, you have to kiss me." James teased, as he looked insolently up at her.
"I'll do something to you, James Harold Potter!" Leena said, as she pulled out her wand, and raised it to him.
With a quick incantation, James Potter was raised up off the ground, and flipped upside down, so that his robes flew over his head, and fell to the ground. James floated high, naked as ever he could have been, and passers began to stop, laughing and pointing, as his body spun and floated above them, exposed for all to see. James had pushed Leena farther than she'd ever been pushed to, and as though they knew they'd have to kill her first, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew stepped back, unable to help their friend defend himself against her.
"You will help me, you insolent git, or you'll spin here! Now, I'm going to put you down, and you will help me! All you others, go back to your houses, and leave me with them." Leena shouted, as she used magic to put the robes on the crimson James Potter, and placed him back onto the floor.
As thought Leena had gone mad, the students raced away, and just as the last students were scurrying away, Professor Albus Dumbledore, and a slightly younger Man of handsome complexion and looks appeared, and walked briskly down the hall toward her. Leena quivered slightly, finally feeling the pain of fear crawl up and down her spine, and she worried now, wondering just what sort of trouble she was now in.
"Leena Anne Michaels, I am disappointed in you!" Professor Dumbledore said, as his normally twinkling eyes were filled with fury.
"I am sorry, Professor. Really I am. I just---I just lost my temper, I suppose." Leena said, as she looked up into his disappointed eyes.
"I can't believe you could do that with him like that. It's horrible and wrong of you." The youngest Man beside him said, as she looked down at him.
Leena did not know why the Man before her had mattered to her, but something in his eyes startled her, and she found herself sad to have disappointed this young Man, as well. If Professor Dumbledore's opinion of her mattered so greatly, so did this Man before her, and she longed for the pride to show in his eyes, as it showed in Dumbledore's at times. Not time to worry of that, however, as Hagrid was now hurt, and perhaps dead, and Leena needed the Marauders to help her find him, as they were the only ones who could.
"Won't you help me, Sirius? I know I hurt James, but that had to be done." Leena said, as she attempted to control herself.
"Of course I will, Leena. James can be a git sometimes, even I'll admit that, and you, you aren't usually the angry type. What happened to you, Leena?" Sirius asked, as Dumbledore turned a blind eye to the happenings in front of him.
"Well, I don't really know. Fear I guess." Leena said, sadly.
"Fear can be a horrible weapon, and this is what our young Tom Riddle will use. Never fear, Leena my dearest." Professor Dumbledore said, as he turned to face them.
"Professor, I mean to find Hagrid." Leena said, decidedly, as she looked about.
"Right then. We should begin here." Sirius said, as he tugged Leena into an empty classroom, and pulled from his pocket, a tattered old piece of parchment.
Leena waited in horror, as Sirius spoke the incantation which would enable the usage of the Marauders' map, and all at once, the school grounds came into view, and Leena could see dots traveling all about the school, going all which direction, and she found so many on the map, she was sure she would never find Hagrid among them. Slightly disheartened, Leena stared at the Map, in search of the Man she loved, and all at once, a giant dot came into view, and she caught sight of a welcome name on the dot. Hagrid lay in the snow, not moving, and as Leena stared in shock and horror upon him, she felt her heart drop.
"Hagrid!" She cried, as she raced from the room, forgetting Sirius Black altogether.
"Leena! Leena, wait!" Sirius shouted, as Leena ran down the marble staircase, to the grounds.
Professor Dumbledore was quicker than Leena had been, for as she approached the place where Hagrid lay, she saw him floating in front of Professor Dumbledore, as he floated the half Giant with his wand, up toward the school building, and to the Hospital Wing, where Madam pomphrey could take care of him. Leena hurried to help him float, and as she tried to ease the load from Professor Dumbledore's wand, she found him too heavy for her, and was forced to let him be, and watch in frustration, as Dumbledore's wand did the work for him. Seeing Leena's helplessness, Professor Dumbledore allowed one of Hagrid's hands to fall limp, and Leena hurried to grab it, holding his hand tightly, as though she meant to never let go.
In the shadows of the trees, Professor Strout watched, anger clouding his vision, as he saw Leena holding the hand of the giant Oaf. Leena---his beautiful Love, needn't hold the hand of such a crazed Man, and as he watched, jealousy clouded his vision, and he found himself wishing death on the Giant Oaf, though he was sure the idiot was already dead. Professor Strout had given him the drink which would kill him, and as Hagrid was drunk when he took the potion, Professor Strout was sure he could not be blamed for the death of the Giant idiot. After all, the staff and students would believe he'd drunk himself to death, as he had nearly done once before, and he was sure of this, for Professor Strout had a good name, which could not be destroyed, nor could it be deterred. He watched Leena now, as he had not watched her before, and a harsh pang of jealousy came into his heart. Leena was his, and if Professor Strout could not have her, nobody would.
Professor Dumbledore and Leena hurried Hagrid up to the Hospital Wing, and as they entered, their shoes and robe cuffs covered in snow, Madam Pomphrey met them at the door. Seeing Hagrid trailing ahead of Professor Dumbledore, and his hand held by the beautiful Leena Michaels, her heart melted, and tears came to the young nurse's eyes. Silently, for her throat was choked up, Madam Pomphrey pointed to a close bed, and Professor Dumbledore allowed Hagrid to fall gently onto the bed, where Madam Pomphrey covered him gently. As Hagrid lay, with Leena holding tightly to his hand, Professor Dumbledore looked expectantly at Madam Pomphrey, expecting an answer to his question.
"Professor Dumbledore, I believe this Man's drank himself nearly to death this time. He's done it once before, if you recall." Madam Pomphrey said, looking rather perplexed, as she tried to understand.
"My young Rubeus is not like that, Poppy. I tell you, something else has happened." Professor Dumbledore said, as Leena's eyes filled with tears.
"Professor, what else could Hagrid do but drink himself to death? You and I both know why he would." Madam Pomphrey said, as she began to administer the potion to him.
"Don't!" Professor Dumbledore said, as he magickd the potion from Madam Pomphrey hand.
"professor Dumbledore!" Madam Pomphrey said, as she tried to catch the potion.
"Poppy, I do beg your pardon, and ask that you monitor before you administrate Hagrid with your potions. I wish to be sure he has what you say he does." Professor Dumbledore said, as he looked at the still form of Hagrid.
"I shall, Professor, I shall." Poppy said, as she looked at Hagrid once again.
Though Poppy was not sure why Professor Dumbledore had the actions he did, she was sure he had good reason to think whatever he had, though she did not know in the least what the reasoning could be. She had known Professor Dumbledore was a strange Man, and for this, she loved the man greatly. She seemed to be the only one who knew what lay behind Professor Dumbledore's madness, and who though there was sanity, however, she did not mind this in the least. Though mad at times, Professor Dumbledore brought light to the school, and it's many occupants, and it was this, in Poppy Pomphrey opinion, which made him her favorite Professor in the entire school.
Feeling at last that she had stalled long enough, thinking of Professor Dumbledore, Poppy began to look Hagrid over, ignoring the younger woman who held his hand, and when at last she could find what had happened, she could not help but gasp in horror. Rubeus Hagrid had been poisoned---put to sleep by an unidentified potion, and as Poppy looked at Professor Dumbledore, she knew she had failed to hide the worried expression which had found her face. As she looked over him, tears forming in her usually calm eyes, Professor Dumbledore stood, and walked to her side. Gently, he laid a hand on her shoulder, and drew her close to him, much as a father might hold his daughter to him, and Poppy could not help but close her eyes, as she found comfort in his arms. Professor Dumbledore, in Poppy's opinion, was the only man she had ever felt safe with before, and as she relaxed in his arms, she found herself enjoying the comfort he offered her.
"What is it, Poppy?" Professor Dumbledore asked, as Leena's face grew frightful and she bent her head down.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, he has been poisoned! Somebody has given him sleeping potions in his drink!" Poppy whaled, unable to hold in her tears.
"Sleeping Potions? Can you make him well again, Poppy?" Professor Dumbledore asked, as he stroked her hair gently.
"I can. It will be a long night, but I may make him well." Poppy said, as she looked at the Man in the bed.
"You are looking as though you're not sure." Professor Dumbledore said, as he smiled at her.
"Professor, he has to want to get well, in order for this to work." Poppy said, as she looked into the Professor's eyes.
"Get well? Why should he wish to get well, in order to do so?" Professor Dumbledore asked, as he looked at Hagrid.
"Professor Dumbledore, this is a different kind of potion. You see, it feeds off of someone's emotions. If Hagrid chooses not to get well, it's a death wish for the young soul. If Hagrid is sad, or hasn't a reason to live, then he shall die. If he chooses to live, only then, will the effects wear off, and he shall get better again." Poppy said, looking down at Hagrid.
"And, if he does not wish to get well?" Professor Dumbledore asked, not sure what to think of the subject.
"Then, as I have once told you, he shall die." Poppy said, looking utterly stupefied.
"He must live, Poppy!" Professor Dumbledore said, sadly.
"And he may, Albus. The life he lives shall either be short or long. It shall all depend on the quality of which he likes to live. If he hasn't got a reason in his mind of doing so, he shall die, Albus, and there is nothing I can do about it." Poppy said, as she strode into her office, and closed the door behind her.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, do you think he'll be all right?" Leena asked, as she smiled up at him, her eyes filled with a deep sadness Professor Dumbledore could not describe.
"It is up to him, Leena my dear. I trust Rubeus will do what is in his heart to do. Not to worry, dear one. He is a strong man, and it is in his hands, whether or not he lives or dies. Trust in his opinion, Leena woman. You have grown up, and you are well for it. I cannot tell you whether or not he will live, nor could I pretend to know. Trust in him, Leena. We all must do so on this particular occations." Professor Dumbledore answered, his eyes downcast, and his face looking as though he had aged a hundred year4s, at this particular moment.
Rain was falling now, stiff and cold outside, as though 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 that 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.
Hagrid lay in the bed, the covers falling silently down his body, to reveal his upper torso, and ever so gently, Leena reached up, and pulled the blanket over him, her eyes flooding with her long awaited tears. Hagrid was still, his body warm from the heated blankets, and now he stirred, his head turning slightly, until his face was close to hers.
"One wish, Leena my dear. I only had one wish, and I will die before I'll ever have it." Hagrid whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
"Hagrid!" Leena said, as she looked into his eyes.
"Leena?" Hagrid asked, as he opened his eyes in confusion.
"Oh, Hagrid, you're alive! You're alive!" Leena cried, as she threw herself atop of him.
"Aye! Would ye have me otherwise?" Hagrid asked, hugging her close.
"Oh, Hagrid, I'm so sorry. I never meant---" Leena began, as her voice trailed away.
"Never meant what, Leena?" Hagrid asked, his gruff voice suddenly gentle, as her tears fell upon his face.
"I---I never meant to hurt you. It's just---I---I can't do it, Hagrid. I can't do it anymore. I care about you, Hagrid. I always did, and you were always so sweet and kind and---oh, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before!" Leena cried, as Hagrid's face turned to one of confusion.
"Leena my girl, what are you tryin' to tell me? I am not understandin' ye in the least!" Hagrid cried, confused at her antics toward him.
Leena looked at him a moment, her eyes sparkling, then she sat beside him again, her hair falling like a sheet of rain upon him. Hagrid fought for control of himself, unsure of this new feeling he now felt, as he tried to overcome the sudden urge to take her into his arms and never let her go. Leena had rarely been so close to him, ever since her seventh year as a student at Hogwarts, and now he felt as he had felt so long ago, as though his insides must certainly be falling out of him. Never had he felt as he now did, except when Leena was near, and Hagrid looked at the ceiling of the infirmary, wondering why it was he felt as he always did around her, and not with anyone else. Leena was still looking into his face, her eyes worried and wondering, when suddenly, as though he had lost control altogether, Hagrid reached up, and hugged her tightly, taking care to know the amount of strength he showed, as not to squish her.
"Oh, Hagrid." Leena said, her voice filled with a kindness he'd never heard from anyone else.
"I can't let go, Leena. Don't ask me to do it. Please, I'll be beggin' it of ye!" Hagrid cried, as Madam Pomphrey's door slid silently open.
"Oh, Hagrid, I won't. I'll never ask it of you!" Leena cried, as fresh tears of joy rolled down her face.
Madam Pomphrey stared out the door, unnoticed by the two in her midst, as she watched their antics. She had always felt a certain love for Hagrid and Leena, and the thought of the two them together was something she could only have wished for. She had known long ago the two of them loved each other deeply, and had nearly lost hope of their being close, when the dreaded Professor Strout had come into the picture, loving Leena as it had never been his place to love her. Further, she had stressed Hagrid's death, when he had nearly drunk himself to death with grief, when Leena had tried to return Professor Strout's affections, in order to try and please Hagrid. It had been entirely too difficult of a mess, and Madam Pomphrey was pleased to have it end, as she did not particularly care for Professor Strout.
Madam Pomphrey backed into her classroom, and closed the door softly behind her, as she reached up to wipe the single tear that had appeared on her crimson face. She had always been a hopeless romantic, as long as Poppy could remember, and once in a great while, one such story or setting would bring tears of joy to her eyes, as she saw yet another couple find each other in the big world around them. Poppy had never longed for love before, and as she watched the two outside her office only a moment before, she felt herself fall slightly, wondering why this was so. A love in Poppy's life had never been one of her great issues or wants, and now Poppy wondered if, perhaps, she'd been wrong all along. If someone was in the world for poppy pomphrey, who was she to argue, and further more, if that someone loved her enough, why should poppy not wish to love them in return? She guessed she would wait an see, as so many others around her did, and whatever must come of it would as sure as Poppy could have ever known it would.
Outside in the infirmary, Leena held tightly to Hagrid, almost clinging to him, as she talked softly to him, and told him of her long suppressed feelings. Hagrid, having spent half of his life in confusion as to the way she felt for him, now believed he had died for sure and gone to some kind of heaven. Either that, or he had found heaven on Earth, as some might find when in love, and for this, Hagrid could not have been any happier. Never had he been as happy and thrilled, as he now was, and as he held Leena close, he wished he could stay in this moment forever, and love, as he never had before. He wished he could live with her in a life he could only dream of living, and now he could almost feel the dream in his grasp, as he loved the woman he was born to love.
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Good enough? Well, I promise, it'll get better. You get two in depth details of two separate people. Dumbledore, and Madam Pomphrey. More to come on Leena and Hagrid, aren't they so cute?
And now, the dreaded spoiler.
It was as though someone had turned the light in the room to a blazing brightness, as Dumbledore muttered the spell that he had meant to cast upon Hagrid. It had been a complex spell, Hagrid could remember, and it had had to be a certain time of day, as Dumbledore was not quite sure it would be affective for the wish he meant to grant for the dear young man. All his life, Hagrid had wished, and as he had never hoped to be granted the wish he so desired, Dumbledore had come to him as s surprise visitor, and now Hagrid could feel the effects of the spell, as he fell to the ground.
"Hagrid? Are you all right?" Professor Dumbledore asked, kneeling beside him, and gently taking his head into his lap.
"Thank ye, Professor. Thank ye for bein' the father I never had." Hagrid muttered, as tears of happiness filled his eyes.
"You have three days, Hagrid. Enjoy them. Your services will not be required at Hogwarts for the duration of your days as you now are. Go home, and rest easy." Professor Dumbledore said, as he helped Hagrid to stand on his trembling legs.
I shall, Professor, and thank ye again." Hagrid said, as he left the office, closing the door behind him.
Professor Dumbledore watched him leave, his eyes white with the concentration it had taken for him to cast the spell, and when Hagrid had finally gone, Professor Dumbledore sat heavily down in his chair, and lay his head in his hands. Never in his entire life had he felt so tired and exhausted, as he now felt, and he knew he would lose himself in it, as he was no longer as young as he once was. It had been no secret to Professor Dumbledore that he was growing old, and like it as people may, he meant to enjoy it, even as the pains I his hands were growing steady by the day, and eventually his back would bend, as those in his family did, and he would become the old hunchback he had known he would. For now he was still quite young, and he meant to enjoy it, for this would not last forever.
