Well, I had hoped for a upsurge of views after changing this story to 'T' and adding the previous chapter, and while it did, it wasn't as big as I had hoped. I confess myself, disappointed. Perhapes it has something to do with my writing, or just lack of care on the part of my readers, but what can one do but request, if not demand more Reviews. Personally, I'll stick to requesting for a little longer, as I still have hopes that people do actually still care about this story, and that the massive populatiry spike on my other hasn't driven people away from this story... So come on people, voice an opninion, say something, even its its just 'i like it' or ' 'XYZ' could have been better' its really not that hard to just write a little note after reading a chapter, and its rather annoying to authors when they work really hard on a chapter just to get theur same old usuals reviewing week after week... Which i am thankful for said usuals, but new faces would be nice too! anyway, heres the next chapter...
Chapter Eleven
Aftermaths
Draco knew something was wrong immediately when Harry, Ron and Hermione came in to breakfast on Boxing Day. They were looking around, worried and confused. Draco dashed over to find out what was wrong, ignoring the new glares and hisses of 'traitor' from the Slytherins who had seen him dancing with Ginny the night before.
"…Where could he be?" Hermione was asking Harry and Ron.
"What's wrong?" Draco said, noting the urgency in Harry and Ron's faces.
"Faykan's missing, ever since last night." Harry whispered, still glancing around.
"Well, we shouldn't panic just yet." Hermione said, "He could simply have gone somewhere like the Room of…"
She trailed off as Professor Snape approached them, looking graver than usual, "You four need to come with me," he said. They all gapped at him, the usual sneer on his face was gone, and his eyes had softened somewhat. They followed in worried silence as Snape led the up to the Hospital Wing. Before opening the door he turned to them, speaking in a soft and almost caring voice, "This will come as a shock, but Mr. Undol was assaulted yesterday during the ball."
Hermione gasped, Ron and Harry were shaking with rage. "I must ask you all to not tell anyone else what has happened to him; I worked hard all night to tell just you four. He's still in shock; don't talk to him about what happened, it's been a traumatic experience. He has a long way to go right now until he can return to the general populace of the school, and we still don't know who attacked him."
Professor Snape opened the door and led them into the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey was bustling around the furthest bed, the occupant separated from the rest of the wing by privacy screens. "Potter, a private word if you please," Professor Snape said, leading Harry aside while Draco, Hermione and Ron went behind the screens, to see Faykan lying miserably on the bed while Madam Pomfrey ran her wand over his body.
"Hey there mate, feeling better?" Ron said, in an attempt to lighten the mood. Faykan grimaced as he saw them, and tried to turn away, but Madam Pomfrey held him flat as she put a vial of teal potion to his lips. Resignedly he drank it, shuddering at the taste. Hermione went over to put her hand on Faykan's arm to comfort him, but at her touch he moaned and jerked away. Madam Pomfrey watched them sadly for a few seconds then bustled away, and Draco distinctly heard her stifle a sob of her own. What could have happened to make Pomfrey distressed?
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Harry wondered what Professor Snape wanted with him. Wasn't it more important for him to be with Faykan right now? After they were sufficiently away from the privacy screens, Snape sat down so that he was eye level with Harry, "Potter, I wouldn't tell you this unless it was vitally important. Your friend Undol was not just assaulted physically. The person who attacked him not only attacked his body but placed a dark curse on his mind." Harry's breath caught. Snape placed one hand on his shoulder to calm him, "Listen to me Potter, I need your help. Faykan needs your help. I can only do so much to reverse this curse; I'm asking you to be there for him. It's going to be rocky and he may have many emotion breakdowns, but you need to be his strength when he's at his weakest."
Harry nodded, "Of course Professor."
"You need to understand, Undol is going to be terrified of people for a while, but you must work to get him adjusted to it around them again, this means touching him and helping him in readjusting to other normal interactions at every opportunity, just simple things like a hand on his shoulder or a brief embrace. He'll be less fearful of it if its you around him, because your closest to him."
Harry nodded.
"Finally, I want you to try and get Faykan to tell you who did this to him. He's too fearful right now to voice it. After a while of comfort, he should be more willing."
"I'll try Professor." Harry replied.
"I know you will Potter, you a good friend to him." Professor Snape said, actually smiling at Harry. Harry edged away slightly, unsure what had come over the Potion Master, and went over to rejoin his friends at Faykan's bedside. Ron and Hermione were discussing the conversation that he and Ron had overheard between Hagrid and Madam Maxime. Faykan was listening, lying curled under the sheets of the hospital bed as Hermione talked. Hermione didn't seem to find the news that Hagrid was a half-giant nearly as shocking as Ron did.
"Well, I thought he must be," she said, shrugging. "I knew he couldn't be pure giant because they're about twenty feet tall. But honestly, all this hysteria about giants. They can't all be horrible... It's the same sort of prejudice that people have toward werewolves... It's just bigotry, isn't it?"
Ron looked as though he would have liked to reply scathingly, but perhaps he didn't want a row in front of Faykan, because he contented himself with shaking his head disbelievingly while Hermione wasn't looking.
Suddenly the Hospital Wing doors opened loudly. Harry saw Faykan cringe and shrink under the covers further as Rita Skeeter's voice called around the room, "Now where is the other Hogwarts champion, I heard a rumor that he was attacked during the Yule Ball, what a story that would make, Triwizard Champion assaulted during international social event. That would be a wonderful title. Now where is the darling boy?" She said without a trace of concern in her voice.
Harry could see her walking toward the privacy screens, the acid green quill in her mouth already, a crooked smile revealing her golden teeth. Luckily, Professor Snape quickly intervened. "The boy in question is not in any shape to speak with you Miss Skeeter; I dare say anyone is fully prepared to listen to your vindictive questioning. Besides, if you even cared what people had to say in your fictions, you'd bother to be more accurate with your quotations."
"Furthermore…" Snape continued, forcing Skeeter back several steps from his menacing glare, "I remember explicitly that Professor Dumbledore banned you from the castle and the grounds, so I suggest you take your henchman and leave before I am forced to take drastic action to enforce the Headmaster's wishes." Harry saw Snape's hand twitch toward his wand. Apparently Skeeter did as well, because she muttered some kind of excuse and fled.
"Wow…" Ron said as Snape returned to his seat on the far side of the room, "That just massively increased my respect for Professor Snape…"
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Albus was concerned. Severus had not been forthcoming on the details surrounding the attack on Faykan Undol. The Potions Master seemed to have developed a trust between himself and they boy, Albus understood, reading between the lines, but Severus had implied that he was not as of yet pressing this trust to their advantage. Perhaps, given this new development, Albus might not have to use his other plans, and could ensure the boy's safety throughout the rest of the tournament.
The other matter that had Albus worried was that his silvery instruments set to monitor Harry had suddenly just… stopped. No spinning, no smoke, nothing. It was as if Harry had ceased to exist. But that was impossible, Albus saw the boy every mealtime, and Alastor would have informed him if anything had changed about Harry, such that would have happened if he was under an illusion or was a polyjuiced spy. Hopefully the instrument was just being confused by the upswing of magic due to their guests, but Albus didn't believe it was the case. And he knew the source, Undol.
Albus stalked through the Hospital Wing doors sometime around midnight, long after Poppy and Severus had gone to sleep in their own quarters. Albus looked around, making sure there were no others in the ward, then cast a silence charm at Poppy's office door, and locked the main doors to the wing. The privacy screens around Undol's bed thoroughly blocked the view of anyone looking, and would not need to be disturbed as Albus attempted to interrogate the boy.
As Albus stepped around the screens, Undol sat up. Clearly he had been lying awake for days, as there were dark circles under his eyes. Albus felt a tiny twinge of regret for what he was about to do, but for the greater good, he must ensure Harry stays under his control, and no others.
"Hello Faykan," Albus said, stepping closer.
The boy stared at him, anger boiling out of the crystal blue eyes, eyes much like Albus' own.
"Go away…" Undol muttered, edging away from Albus, until he was flush against the headboard of his bed.
"I'm sorry Undol, but this must be done…" Albus said, smiling sadly as he raised his wand, "Legilimens!"
The boy was too weak right now to keep him out. Albus dived into the milky thoughts, grasping and straining to discover who the boy was and what he desired, and ever looking for how to destroy him, if needed. He was almost through the boy's remaining defenses, when a voice sounded from the depths of the boy's mind deep and powerful and very unlike anything Albus had encountered, "You cannot Pass!" Then fire, thoughts of fire surrounded Albus, heating and singeing at his mind, forcing Albus to retreat out of the mind.
He staggered slightly, but recovered, advancing on the boy and grabbing his face, his second mistake. The boy shrieked, screaming like a banshee, and a blast of wandless magic blew Albus across the room, knocking him into the beds across the ward. Albus could hear footsteps running toward the ward, and he quickly disillusioned himself and righted the furniture he had been blown into.
Severus came dashing through the fireplace, stopping by Undol, coaxing him to be calm, that he was there for him and other nonsense to relax the boy. Undol calmed, eventually, and Severus asked, "What was it, did someone come in here?"
"No," Undol said, looking directly at Albus, through the charm, "Just a nightmare…"
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Severus watched over Fay…Undol for the rest of the holiday, working with his Occlumency during the times he had no visitors, which was surprisingly rare. The entirety of Gryffindor house visited him over the next few days, having been told the bare minimum by Potter and his friends to keep them quiet. Even the three Ravenclaws who had found him showed up at one point, and brought with them they boy's wand, saying they had found it near the bathroom Undol was attacked in.
Poppy refused to let anyone actually see Undol, aside from Severus and the boy's closest friends; she was taking no chances that his attacker might return to harm him again. But Undol was doing much better, as much as could be expected at least. He still jumped when most people touched or came near him, but he was speaking again and his night terrors had stopped. He would be able to return to classes when term restarted, and Potter had already promised Severus not to let Undol out of his sight until he was back to normal.
Potter had also promised to bring Undol down to his quarters twice a week and every weekend so Severus could check on him, and to establish a safe place for Undol to be himself again.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell me who attacked you?" Severus asked the boy again the day he was to return to Gryffindor Tower. "Yes Severus," he replied. Undol had taken to calling him by his first name in private. Severus allowed it, feeling that if it made the boy comfortable, he wouldn't stop him. "Alright them," he said, patting Undol's leg. The boy didn't flinch anymore when Severus or Potter touched him, showing resounding trust in them both.
Severus understood how the boy felt. The curse placed in his mind turned all thoughts of joy or happiness in on themselves, blending the world into the darkest images possible. It was like combining the presence of a dementor with the powers of a boggart, and forcing a victim to endure it nonstop. Severus was not worried that Fay…Undol would stay that way for long. The boy was simply too strong, and was overcoming the curse on his own in leaps and bounds. Severus had worked on and seen the boy's mental defenses as they were reconstructed. It was no wonder neither he nor Albus had managed to effectively pull thoughts from him. The boy was a natural at mental magic, utilizing techniques and stratagems that Severus never had dreamed of. He had even copied several that were particularly impressive and incorporated them into his own Occlumency shields. Severus wondered how he had ever not noticed the raw talent the boy had.
He had watched several times as the boy worked on the coursework he and his friends had put off for after the Yule Ball. Undol never seemed to refer to his books for assistance, even for difficult subjects like Potions or Transfiguration. Severus was forced to reevaluate everything he had ever seen or thought about Fay…Undol. What Severus' colleagues had said ever since the first years Undol had come to Hogwarts had been true, if not understatements.
Severus turned as the door to the Hospital Wing opened again, revealing Potter and Weasley. They had come to escort Undol back to Gryffindor Tower as part of his slow reintroduction back into the rest of the student body. As the three boys left, Poppy came over to Severus. "I certainly hope that Mr. Undol doesn't have too difficult of a time readjusting. That boy has spent more time in here than any other student in the past four years…" She said, glancing sadly at the now closed doors.
"I hope whoever did this doesn't try again," Severus replied solemnly
"I hope for their sake they don't, because you might demolish the entire castle in you search for them Severus." Poppy said, attempting to inject some cheerfulness into her voice, but failing. The nurse of Hogwarts had lost much of her happiness during the first war, as she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix, and adding that with the horrors she witnessed children do to each other, Severus was sure she had not been able to muster optimism for a long time. That didn't stop him from smiling malevolently at her comment. He would stop at nothing as it was to catch the person who harmed Faykan Undol, and if they tried a second time, Severus had no idea what his rage would unleash, Albus' wishes or not.
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Hermione watched Faykan as they made their way to classes the first day of the new term. The whole school had learned that he had been attacked, and many people were suspicious of the foreign champions, but no one attempted anything as Faykan seemed to be fine, as far as they knew. Ron had told her that Faykan had slept with Harry the previous night, and still flinched away when anyone else came close enough to touch him, but otherwise he was back to normal.
As they hadn't been able to use the Animal Spirit potion after the ball like they planned, Hermione had bottled the potion for Faykan and stored it in the Room of Requirement for them to use when Faykan was up to continue their training sessions.
Snow was still thick upon the grounds, and the greenhouse windows were covered in condensation so thick that they couldn't see out of them in Herbology. Nobody was looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures much in this weather, though as Ron said, the skrewts would probably warm them up nicely, either by chasing them, or blasting off so forcefully that Hagrid's cabin would catch fire. When they arrived at Hagrid's cabin, however, they found an elderly witch with closely cropped gray hair and a very prominent chin standing before his front door.
"Hurry up, now, the bell rang five minutes ago," she barked at them as they struggled toward her through the snow.
"Who're you?" said Ron, staring at her. "Where's Hagrid?"
"My name is Professor Grubbly-Plank," she said briskly. "I am your temporary Care of Magical Creatures teacher."
"Where's Hagrid?" Harry repeated loudly.
"He is indisposed," said Professor Grubbly-Plank shortly.
Soft and unpleasant laughter reached their ears. Hermione saw Faykan shudder and step closer to Harry as Theodore Nott and the rest of the Slytherins joined the class. All of them looked gleeful, and none of them looked surprised to see Professor Grubbly-Plank.
"This way, please," said Professor Grubbly-Plank, and she strode off around the paddock where the Beauxbatons horses were shivering. Harry, Faykan, Ron, and Hermione followed her, looking back over their shoulders at Hagrid's cabin. All the curtains were closed.
"What's wrong with Hagrid?" Harry said again, as they hurried to catch up with Professor Grubbly-Plank.
"Never you mind," she said as though she thought they was being nosy.
"I do mind, though," said Harry hotly. "What's up with him?"
Professor Grubbly-Plank acted as though she couldn't hear him. She led them past the paddock where the huge Beauxbatons horses were standing, huddled against the cold and toward a tree on the edge of the forest, where a large and beautiful unicorn was tethered.
Many of the girls 'Oohed!' at the sight of the unicorn.
"Oh it's so beautiful!" whispered Lavender Brown. "How did she get it? They're supposed to be really hard to catch!"
The unicorn was so brightly white it made the snow all around look gray. It was pawing the ground nervously with its golden hooves and throwing back its horned head. That is, until it caught sight of Faykan, who was still hovering close to Harry. The unicorn then started to move towards the boy, stopping only when its tether went taught. Faykan's eyes were locked with it, and he took a hesitant step toward it
"Boys keep back!" barked Professor Grubbly-Plank, throwing out an arm and catching Faykan hard in the chest, not noticing the unicorn's odd behavior. "They prefer the woman's touch, unicorns. Girls to the front, and approach with care, come on, easy does it..."
Hermione proceeded forward with the Professor and other girls, leaving the boys standing near the paddock fence, watching. Professor Grubbly-Plank was listing off the magical properties of unicorns, many of which Hermione even didn't know. But Hermione was watching the unicorn's face, as it was still looking toward Faykan. Suddenly Hermione was struck with an idea. Casually she moved to pat the unicorn's neck where the tether was tied, and slowly, unnoticed by the other girls swarming the creature, she worked at the knot.
As Professor Grubbly-Plank called over to make sure the boys were paying attention, Hermione got the knot loose. The tether fell was and the unicorn immediately began moving over toward Faykan. The girls all cried out as the unicorn trotted away, and all the boys instinctively backed away, leaving Faykan standing alone near the fence as the unicorn approached him. Everyone, including Professor Grubbly-Plank watched, fascinated as the unicorn walked directly up to Faykan, tears slowly emerging from its shining blue eyes. Faykan was crying as well, and he leaned forward to embrace the unicorn's neck. Silvery white light radiated from the unicorn's horn, expanding until it encompassed both the creature and Faykan, outlining them both in a shining glow. As the glow faded, the unicorn backed away from Faykan, tossing its head slightly, then whinnied, turned, and galloped back into the forest.
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Harry was distracted from what Nott had been saying by the unicorn interacting with Faykan, but the memory quickly returned as they passed Hagrid's hut on their way back to the castle for lunch. Professor Grubbly-Plank had dismissed the class early when the unicorn left, seeing as the only subject of her lesson had gone. Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione asked Faykan what the unicorn had done to him, but Faykan's only response was that 'it freed me, and reminded me of the light beyond all darkness.'
"That was a really good lesson," Hermione was saying as they entered the Great Hall. "I didn't know half the things Professor Grubbly-Plank told us about uni…"
"Look at this!" Harry snarled, and he shoved the Daily Prophet article Nott had been gloating about just before the lesson's interruption under Hermione's nose.
Hermione's mouth fell open as she read it. "How did that horrible Skeeter woman find out?"
"No idea," Harry replied angrily.
"Maybe she heard him telling Madame Maxime at the ball," said Hermione quietly.
"We'd have seen her in the garden!" said Ron. "Anyway, she's not supposed to come into school anymore, both Professor Snape and Hagrid said Dumbledore banned her..."
"Maybe she's got an Invisibility Cloak," said Harry, ladling chicken casserole onto his plate and splashing it everywhere in his anger. "Sort of thing she'd do, isn't it, hide in bushes listening to people."
Hermione pointed out that that had been exactly what Harry and Ron had done.
"We weren't trying to hear him!" said Ron indignantly. "We didn't have any choice! The stupid prat, talking about his giantess mother where anyone could have heard him!"
"We've got to go and see him," said Harry. "This evening, after Divination. Tell him we want him back... you do want him back?" he shot at Hermione.
"I… well, I'm not going to pretend it didn't make a nice change, having a proper Care of Magical Creatures lesson for once, but I do want Hagrid back, of course I do!" Hermione added hastily, quailing under Harry's furious stare.
So that evening after dinner, the five of them left the castle once more and went down through the frozen grounds to Hagrid's cabin. They banged and shouted for nearly fifteen minutes, but Hagrid refused to answer.
"What's he avoiding us for?" Ron said when they had finally given up and were walking back to the school. "He surely doesn't think we'd care about him being half-giant?"
But it seemed that Hagrid did care. They didn't see a sign of him all week. He didn't appear at the staff table at mealtimes, they didn't see him going about his gamekeeper duties on the grounds, and Professor Grubbly-Plank continued to take the Care of Magical Creatures classes. Malfoy was gloating at every possible opportunity.
"Missing your half-breed pal?" he kept whispering to Harry whenever there was a teacher around, so that he was safe from Harry's retaliation. "Missing the elephant-man?" Harry noticed that Faykan shuddered somewhat whenever Nott came near, and Harry suspicions grew when Nott smirked at his best friend almost knowingly. Harry decided that Professor Snape would want to know his evidence, and he might help with their problem with Hagrid.
"I'm sorry Potter, but I'm afraid I alone cannot help you persuade Hagrid into returning to work," Snape said during one of his check-up visits on Faykan. "Mainly due to the fact that Hagrid, however much he trusts me via the Headmaster, isn't close enough to value my opinion." Harry sighed, out of ideas to get Hagrid back.
"However, your information concerning Nott is very interesting. Unfortunately without an actual statement or accusation from Undol, it will be useless." Snape shot a glance at Faykan, who was inspecting the Professor's large collection of rare potion ingredients. "Potter, you need to get him to confirm it, find somewhere he'll relax fully, he trusts you more than me, and do whatever it takes to get him to tell you the identity of his attacker. I'll see what I can do about Hagrid. Perhaps take Undol to the prefect's bathroom, it's warm and comfortable there; you could tell him that you want to work out the egg clue under the hot water. The password is 'pine fresh'…"
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There was a Hogsmeade visit halfway through January. Hermione was surprised that Harry and Faykan were going to go. Draco would have cared as well, but he was distracted currently, by several things. One was Blaise and the boy's constant questions about Faykan, many which Draco had no answers for. During the Christmas holiday he had spoken to Harry, Ron, and Hermione about how odd it was for Faykan to have so many secrets, but they seemed to not be concerned with it as much as Faykan's condition. Draco attributed it to Gryffindor blind trust and moral concern for the injured, but regardless it made his efforts to learn more of their friend's past nearly impossible…
But the more pressing matter to Draco were the pair of letters that came to him after term resumed, one from each of his parents. The first to arrive was from Lucius, saying in no uncertain terms that he was disappointed and angry that Draco was spending too much time with Mudbloods and blood traitors. He continued to say that Draco was forbidden to associate with the enemies of the Dark Lord, and that as the heir of the Malfoy line, he had better start acting like the proud pureblood he was born to be. Draco could read between the lines for what they were. You have embarrassed me in front of the other Death Eaters, and you will cease to be such a disappointing child, its time to grow up and prepare to take the Dark Mark.
Draco had no doubts as to who had finally ratted out his friendship with the Gryffindors, Nott and Parkinson. The pompous Slytherin's fathers would do nothing to usurp Lucius' position as the leader of the group of Death Eaters who were still out of Azkaban.
The second letter had come a day later, from his mother. Draco had expected a 'do as your father tells you' type message, so he was surprised when he opened it:
My Dearest Draco,
I have heard what you father has commanded you to do for the sake of his reputation. I am not going to admonish you for being friends with you cousin Harry Potter or his friends, muggle born, blood traitors or otherwise. You are quickly becoming a man my dearest dragon. And as such you need to make your own choices. Do not allow the loyalties of your father pervert the way you think. Be friends with those you wish to, date and love whoever makes you happy. Your father and I were forcefully married for political gain. This is not the fate I wish for you my son, which is why I fought to dissuade you father pledging you to the Parkinson girl. The only advice I can give is to follow your own heart, and I will support any decision you choose to make, including those that oppose Lucius.
Your loving mother,
Narcissa Black Malfoy.
Draco's head swam with indecision. On the one hand, he had craved his father's affection for his whole life, but on the other, his friends trusted and cared about him. Draco decided to ask the only other adult whose opinion he could trust, his godfather, Professor Snape.
As the four Gryffindors left the castle to walk down to the village, Draco crossed the entrance hall and descended to the dungeons. He arrived at Snape's privet rooms sooner than he realized, and stopped as he heard raised voices from inside. Draco could not make out the words, so he waited patiently until the door burst open, and Karkaroff stormed out and away, not even noticing Draco. But Professor Snape did, "Mr. Malfoy," he said coolly as Karkaroff disappeared around a corner, "what can I do for you?"
"May I come in sir?" Draco asked hesitantly. His godfather didn't look like he wanted visitors right now, but he nodded, standing aside and letting Draco enter. Draco settled onto the couch in front of the rarely used fireplace, and waited for Severus to sit in his preferred armchair. "What's on your mind Draco?" he asked, revealing the calm warmth that had sprung up after Faykan was assaulted.
Draco showed him both letters, unable to trust his voice right now. The Potion Master read them over quickly, and then just sat there, absorbing the information passively for several moments. Draco mustered what strength he could, and finally spoke, in a rather strained voice, "What should I do Sir?"
His godfather watched him for several seconds before speaking, "I cannot make this decision for you Draco. You must be the one to choose your path now. But I will say that I hold to the same promise that you mother does. No matter your choice, as long as it is indeed your choice, I will support it in any way I can."
Draco sighed resignedly. This was not what he had wanted to hear, yet still reassuring the both his godfather and mother would help him in whatsoever decision he made concerning his life.
"Thank you Sir. I'm going to go and… think things over for a while." Draco said absently, standing and excusing himself. He decided to return to his dormitory to weigh out his options. Hopefully Nott had gone to Hogsmeade and wouldn't be there to disturb him.
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Albus sighed as he softly argued and struggled to persuade Hagrid into returning to work. He had affirmed that despite what people were clamoring for, he would not be dismissing Hagrid from the staff, and neither would he lose his teaching position. Albus knew that Hagrid was a gentle soul, and would never intentionally put anyone in harm's way, especially those he cared about, such as the students of Hogwarts.
But Hagrid was also stubborn. He absolutely refused to even leave his cabin, stating flatly that no one wanted him to stay, and that he should just leave Hogwarts completely. Albus was about to question where Hagrid thought he would be able to go, when someone starting pounding on the door, and shouted, "Hagrid! 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 do this to you! Hagrid, get out here, you're just being…"
Albus stepped over and opened the door. Miss Granger was revealed, with Harry, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Undol right behind her. Miss Granger looked furious about something, and started saying, "About t…!" as the door was opened, but stopped as she found herself face-to-face, not with Hagrid, but with Albus.
"Good afternoon," Albus said pleasantly, smiling down grandfatherly at them all.
"We, err… we wanted to see Hagrid," said Miss Granger in a rather small voice.
"Yes, I surmised as much," Albus responded, allowing his eyes to 'twinkle' in their usual fashion as he used legilimency on them all, with the exception of Undol. . "Why don't you come in?" he said after gleaning their intentions. They would be most helpful in returning Hagrid to work.
"Oh... um... okay," said Miss Granger.
Albus stood aside as the four Gryffindors entered into the cabin; as Hagrid's boarhound, Fang, launched himself upon Harry to try and lick his ears, Albus studied Undol's face. He was still looking strained and weary, if you looked closely enough. But parts of the boy's inner strength had returned, probably assisted by the encounter with the unicorn that Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank had told Albus about.
"Hi, Hagrid," said Harry after he had fended off the boarhound.
Hagrid looked up. "'Lo," he said in a very hoarse voice.
"More tea, I think," Albus said, closing the door behind the students, drew out his wand, and twiddling it; conjuring a tea tray in midair along with a plate of cakes. Albus levitated the tray onto the table, and everybody sat down. There was a slight pause, and then Albus said, "Did you by any chance hear what Miss Granger was shouting, Hagrid?" Hermione went slightly pink, but Albus smiled at her and continued, "Hermione, Harry, Faykan, and Ron still seem to want to know you, judging by the way they were attempting to break down the door."
"Of course we still want to know you!" Harry said, staring at Hagrid. "You don't think anything that Skeeter cow… sorry, Professor," he added quickly, looking at Albus.
"I have gone temporarily deaf and haven't any idea what you said. Harry," he said, twiddling his thumbs and staring at the ceiling.
"Err… right," said Harry sheepishly. "I just meant, Hagrid, how could you think we'd care what that… woman, wrote about you?"
Two fat tears leaked out of Hagrid's beetle black eyes and fell slowly into his tangled beard.
"Living proof of what I've been telling you, Hagrid," Albus said, still looking carefully up at the ceiling. "I have shown you the letters from the countless parents who remember you from their own 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," said Hagrid hoarsely. "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 sighed, looking down to peer sternly 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 anybody?"
Undol sniggered slightly, but Albus chose to ignore him.
"Yeh… yeh're not half-giant!" said Hagrid croakily.
"Hagrid, look what I've got for relatives!" Harry said furiously. "Look at the Dursleys!"
"An excellent point," Albus stated. "My own brother, Aberforth, was prosecuted for practicing inappropriate charms on a goat. It was all over the papers, but did Aberforth hide? No, he did not! He held his head high and went about his business as usual! Of course, I'm not entirely sure he can read, so that may not have been bravery..."
"Come back and teach, Hagrid," said Miss Granger quietly, "please come back, we really miss you."
Hagrid gulped. More tears leaked out down his cheeks and into his tangled beard. Albus stood up, lowering his ultimatum. "I refuse to accept your resignation, Hagrid, and I expect you back at work on Monday," he said. "You will join me for breakfast at eight thirty in the Great Hall. No excuses. Good afternoon to you all."
Albus then left the cabin, pausing only to scratch Fang's ears. When the door had shut behind him, Albus smiled. Hagrid would return, Harry wouldn't rest until his friends were happy and whole, even to the detriment of himself. It was one of the qualities that would make him the perfect tool against Voldemort's inevitable return.