Talons
Lunch was finally over! I practically shoving the boys to get out of their seats to get out of the castle.
"Calm down woman! We're just going to Hagrid's class." Ron whined pulling away from me. I smile brightly at Harry and I could see him laughing.
"Oh, don't get mad at her because she's excited." Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulder pulling me into a half hug, the way an older sibling would to their younger to show affection. "Besides you know how she gets, this is Care of Magical Creatures. She's probably going to be like this for every class."
Harry and Ron laughed together knowing that Harry was probably right. Linking arms with Ron we found Hermione just walking out the doors to the grounds.
"Hermione wait for me!" I yelled running away from the boys, sprinting a short distance till I beside her.
"You doing okay?" I whispered so the boys wouldn't hear.
"I'll be okay, you know I was only sticking up for Harry in class, don't you? The Grim isn't anything to be worried over." She was still miffed at Ron for over reacting and treating Hermione like she was an idiot to this subject.
"I know and I have a feeling I won't be in that class much longer. If it keeps being the way it is, I want no part of it." She nodded in agreement.
"Hey Hermione," Harry called out giving her a small smile. She nodded to him and glared at Ron. Ron retaliated with a glare of his own.
This would take a while for them to cool down. I just know it.
At least we were outside. The rain from yesterday had cleared and the sky was a clear, pale gray, and the grass was springy and damp under my feet.
Walking down to Hagrid's hut that was on the edge of the Forbidden Forest we got first sight of who was going to be in our class. The backs of three familiar people were already in front of us. Didn't know Draco was going to take Care of Magical Creatures.
He didn't seem the type to be all that interested in them. Crabbe and Goyle were there because they did whatever Draco did. It wasn't much of a surprise. Draco was talking rather loudly about a subject making Crabbe and Goyle make stupid noises come out their mouths. Not even laughter. Just random noises like a seal.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were talking about. But I would ignore it because Hagrid was waiting for his class at the door of his hut. He stood in his moleskin overcoat, with Fang the boarhound at his heels.
Fang's head shot up before he bounded my way. I squeak in surprise as I'm tackled to the ground, slobbery decorated my face with each lick he presented to me. I couldn't be mad at him. I guess Fang missed me.
"Fang!" Hagrid yelled, Fang's head shot up giving me time to sit up.
"I missed you too boy," I muttered before planting a kiss on his big nose. He barked loudly scaring someone beside me. I snickered before Harry helped me up.
"Thanks Harry," Fang automatically rolled onto his back expecting his belly to be scratched. Hermione and a few girls made a chorus of 'Awe's' as Fang looked rather adorable.
"I'll give you one later alright buddy?" he rolled onto his front and shook before trotting over to Hagrid again. Harry looked me over before reaching over with some of his robe wiping the slobber off my face and out of my hair.
"Thanks," Harry was laughing the whole time.
"You know you could have just pushed him off, you've done it before."
"So? He's so cute and I missed him!" Ron smiled shaking his head while Hermione helped me pick up my books.
I could hear some of the Slytherin's making fun of me but I didn't pay them any mind.
"Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!" Hagrid called looking excited and nervous at the same time.
I could feel myself bouncing with excitement. I wonder what Hagrid was going to teach us? Was it going to deal with unicorns? Wolves? Wait wolves aren't magical…well they are. Centaurs maybe? Not vampires it's daylight.
I follow Hagrid off around the edge of the trees, we walked for five minutes till we found ourselves outside some of paddock. Unfortunately, nothing was there. I scrunch my brows together. What was going on?
"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" Hagrid called. "That's it, make sure yeh can see, now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books…"
"How?" I jumped at the voice directly behind me. Draco. How did he sneak behind me without me noticing? Oh…I wasn't paying attention because I was excited. Oh well.
"Eh?" Hagrid was confused. I suppose he figured everyone already knew how to open the book.
"How do we open our books?" Draco repeated. He took out his copy of The Monster Book of Monsters, he had his bound shut with a length of rope. Other people took theirs out too; like Harry and myself some had belted their book shut; others had crammed them inside the tight bags or clamped them together with binder clips.
"Hasn'…hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Hagrid looked so upset.
Everyone shook their heads. I felt horrible I wish I knew how. I would have read in advance. I hated seeing Hagrid upset.
"Yeh've got ter stroke 'em," Hagrid said as though this was the most obvious thing in the world. I mean to him it was. "Look,"
He took Hermione's copy and ripped off the Spellotape that bound it. The book tried to bite, but Hagrid ran a giant forefinger down its spine, the book shivered, and shockingly enough the book then fell open and lay quiet in his hand.
Wow.
"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Draco sneered. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!" I glare directly at him. What was his problem!
"I, I thought they were funny," Hagrid said uncertainly to Hermione.
"Oh, tremendously funny!" Draco spat out hatefully. "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!"
My book was growling in my hands.
"You should have let it eat your hand!" I snapped hatefully.
"It's alright 'Izzy, Righ' then," Hagrid seemed to have lost his thread, "so, so yeh've got yer books an'…an'…now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So, I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on…"
He strode away from us and into the forest, out of sight.
"God, this place is going to the dogs," Draco said loudly. "That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him…"
"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry snapped this time.
"Careful, Potter, there's a Dementor behind you…"
I look down at my still strapped down book and up at Draco. A crazy idea flashes through my brain. Harry as if reading my brain snatches my book out of my hand and shoved his already calm one in my hands.
"Rude!" I whined.
"I know what you were going to do." Harry rolled his eyes at me agitated that I even tried.
"So?" I don't see what the big deal was? Draco was being a prick and if I let my book attack him he wouldn't be as big of one anymore.
"You know it was a bad idea." He just had to be responsible, he just had to be smart and stop me from my fun.
"Don't care it should take his hand!" that or some other limbs. He doesn't need them. Not after Hagrid was nice enough to tell us how to open the books.
Ron leaned over rather close whispering in my ear. "You could totally take him." That made me laugh. Man, Ron might be an idiot sometimes but he was great at cheering me up too.
Looking around you could clearly see that Draco looked uncomfortable at Harry protecting him from anything. Some of his fellow classmates were sniggering behind their hands at Draco being protected by his arch enemy.
"Ooooooooh!" Lavender squealed, pointing toward the opposite side of the paddock.
Trotting toward up were a dozen of the most beautifully bizarre creatures I had ever seen. The bodies, hind legs, and tails of horses, but the front legs, wings, and head of a giant eagles, with cruel, steel colored beaks and large, brilliantly, orange eyes. The talons on their front legs were half a foot long and deadly looking. Each of the creatures had a thick leather collar around its neck, which was attached to a long chain, and the ends of all those were held in the vast hands of Hagrid who came jogging into the paddock behind them.
"Gee up, there!" he roared, shaking the chains and urging the beautiful creatures toward the fence where our class stood. Most of them stepped back. Did I say most? I meant all.
Everyone drew back slightly as Hagrid reached us and tethered the creatures to the fence.
"Hippogriffs!" Hagrid roared happily, waving a hand at them. "Beau'iful, aren' they?"
My shoulders slumped and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. They were magnificent creatures and I felt as though I was in love. Standing there stunningly beautiful. Majestic as an Eagle with the magnificence's of a stallion.
The Hippogriffs gleaming coats, changing smoothly from feather to hair, each of them a different color. Stormy gray, bronze, pinkish roan, gleaming chestnut, and inky black. So, so beautiful.
"So," Hagrid said rubbing his hands together, beaming around at all of us. "if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer…"
He didn't have to tell me twice. I walked to wear Hagrid said it was safe.
Seems like Harry, Ron, and Hermione did as well but they were more nervous than I was.
"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' Hippogriffs is, they're proud," Hagrid started. "Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do."
I nodded listening to his every word. I would make this Hippogriff my friend if I could! I was determined.
"Yeh always wait fer the Hippogriff ter make the firs' move," Hagrid continues. "It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt."
Right. Makes sense. Hagrid knew more about these creatures than I did so I would just have to remember everything he said.
"Right, who wants ter go first?"
Most of the class backed farther away in answer. Even Harry, Ron, and Hermione had backed away. I look around confused. Just because the Hippogriffs were tossing their heads and flexing their beautiful wings. I mean I don't think they like being tethered but it would be okay. We're with Hagrid.
"Wonderful!"
"Are you nuts?!" Draco called out horrified.
"What?" I call out confused placing my books down on the ground before climbing over the paddock fence.
"They're so pretty!" I could already hear whispers from behind me but I didn't care. I also heard Harry laughing with Ron and Neville a word cute came about I think. Oh well.
"Right then…Let's see how yeh get on with Buckbeak."
Hagrid untied one of the chains and pulled the gray Hippogriff away from its fellows before slipping off the leather collar. The class on the other side of the paddock seemed to be holding their breath. Glancing behind me I saw Draco was very worried.
"Easy now, 'Izzy," Hagrid said quietly. "Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink…Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much…"
I wasn't nervous. I was excited. I kept my eye contact with Buckbeak. I gave a short bow exposing the back of my neck and looked up.
Buckbeak stared at me and didn't move.
"Ah," Hagrid said sounding worried. "Right, back away now, 'Izzy, easy does it…" I started to do as he said when to my amazement Buckbeak bowed! He bowed for me! It was so graceful that he looked even more beautiful if that was even possible.
"Well done, 'Izzy!" Hagrid said ecstatic. "Right, yeh can touch him! Pat his beak, go on!" I walked carefully not to spook him and raised my hand letting Buckbeak watch what I was doing. The feeling was so smooth. I couldn't believe it. I was petting Buckbeak.
Buckbeak seemed to be enjoying this just as much as I was. He closed his eyes lazily enjoying my touch. Pinch me hex me, throw a can at my head I must be dreaming! This was the best experience I've ever had!
The class broke into applause, everyone except Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. Draco seemed relieved and Crabbe and Goyle weren't sure what to do.
"Righ' then, 'Izzy," Hagrid started. "I reckon he migh' let yeh ride him!"
"I can ride him!" I squeaked excitedly. Hagrid nodded looking happier than ever.
"Yeh climb up there, jus' behind the wing joint," Hagrid motioned. I place my foot on the top of Buckbeaks wing and hoisted myself onto his back. Buckbeak stood up. I wobbled grabbing onto his feathers for support.
"Whoa!" Looking up I saw Harry had this charming smile on his face that he was just happy and shook his head.
"an' mind yeh don' pull any of his feathers out, he won' like that…"
"You got it Professor!" The look in his eyes when he was called professor. There was a small tear there and he looked so contempt with everything now. Like nothing would go wrong.
"Go on, then!" Hagrid roared, slapping Buckbeaks hindquarters.
Without warning, twelve foot wings flapped open on both sides of me, I clutch onto Buckbeak around the neck before I was soaring upward. It was amazing. It was incredible! It was nothing like riding a broomstick which I've only done for half a semester.
There were times it was hard to hold on and that I felt like I was going to be tossed off but scratch what I said before because this is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. I feel so alive. Buckbeak was incredible! He flew me once around the paddock and then headed back to the ground; I felt the wind pull my hair up high in the air. The air made some tears leak from my eyes from force.
There was a heavy thud as all four ill-assorted feet hit the ground. I sat there for a minute just absorbing what had happened. I didn't even care as my hair flopped all down my face.
"Good work, 'Izzy!" I blink a few times before a large smile appeared on my face. I pet Buckbeaks feathers happily as I speak up. "Can I go again? That was amazing! Buckbeak you are amazing!" I squealed running my fingers through his feathers affectionately.
Hagrid chuckled and helped me down as the class cheered. "Okay, who else wants a go?"
The rest of the class climbed cautiously into the paddock. Hagrid untied the Hippogriffs one by one, and soon people were bowing nervously, all over the paddock. Neville ran repeatedly backwards from his, which didn't seem to want to bend his knees. Ron, Harry, and Hermione practiced on the chestnut one, while I watched.
Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle had taken over with Buckbeak. I didn't want to leave Buckbeak just yet, I already knew I loved him. I watched as Draco bowed and was amazed that Buckbeak bowed in return.
"I think you have an admirer." Draco spoke up. I look up confused. I was so busy loving on Buckbeak that I didn't realize that he was staring at me.
"Huh?" Draco nodded his head to where Hagrid was and beside him was Fang who was looking in our direction looking unloved and needing affection exactly at that moment.
"Aww Fang," I called out giggling when his tail started to wag.
I pet Buckbeak a few more times before placing a kiss on his beak. He nudged me in the jaw affectionately. "Thank you Buckbeak, you were absolutely amazing." He closed his eyes lazily as Draco placed his hand on his beak.
"If I leave will you be good and not upset him?" I ask Draco and his goons.
"What am I an idiot? I don't need a babysitter." He seemed offended. I roll my eyes.
"Okay but just remember that Buckbeak is a proud creature," I explained crossing my arms. "Don't do anything stupid or bad." Draco rolled his eyes as I walked away.
I just got to Fang when it happened. Draco let out a high-pitched scream of agonizing pain. Quickly spinning around, I watched as Hagrid was wrestling Buckbeak back into his collar as he strained to get at Draco, who was lying curled in the grass, blood blossoming over his robes.
"I'm dying!" He yelled as the class panicked. "I'm dying, look at me! It's killed me!"
"Yer not dyin'!" Hagrid said, he had gone very white. "Someone help me, gotta get him outta here…" Hermione ran to hold open the gate as Hagrid lifted Draco easily. "Lizzy…" Draco moaned. I groan grabbing his stuff as well as mine. "I'll meet you back at the castle."
I ran to catch up with Hagrid. Draco was visibly shaking with pain. There was a long, deep gash on his arm. Blood splattered on the grass with Hagrid. I felt the urge to puke. So much blood. No. I wouldn't get sick. I'm stronger than this!
No matter how many times I told myself it was just blood it didn't help that I was getting the shakes.
Draco had gone pale, clutching his arm to his chest as more blood pooled around his chest. We made it to the hospital wing where Hagrid placed him on a bed and Madam Pomfrey got to work.
Hagrid was nervous. He didn't expect this to happen.
"Hey it's alright," I try to calm him down. Hagrid was worried, he was scared, and he needed to sit down and catch a few deep breaths.
"What do yeh think will happen?" Hagrid whispered. You could hear it in his voice that he was more nervous than how he looked.
I took one of his larger hands in my smaller one and led him to a bed making him sit down.
"Everything will be okay, Madam Pomfrey is an excellent healer. Remember last year when Harry had to regrow his arm? He was better in two days. This is just a cut and it'll be better in a matter of seconds probably."
That seemed to calm him down a bit. He took some deep breaths before standing up feeling better than before but still nervous.
"I'll keep an eye on him if you want?" he nodded
"Thank yeh, 'Izzy." I gave my best smile I could. "You did everything you could and you saved his life. You told everyone the rules and what to do, he must have done something to upset Buckbeak like that." He sighed rubbing his eyes.
"I reckon yer righ'." I nodded a smile on my lips as I watch him walk away. I let out a sigh. One down, one to go.
Walking over to Draco's bed I saw him looking better now. He wasn't as pale and he wasn't in as much pain anymore.
"You don't look so good." I look up confused. He scooched over in his bed for me to sit down. I sat beside him closing my eyes to calm down.
"What…what exactly happened when I was gone in those three seconds?" I asked annoyed.
"Nothing, I was talking to myself. Why are you all pale? The thought of me in pain hurt you so much?" he was being weird. I roll my eyes annoyed.
"No. And for your information it's your stupid blood that's bothering me. I hate blood." He laughed before showing off his bloodied arm to me again. I felt a wave of nausea overtake me as I shot up out of the bed to look anywhere but at him.
I just can't stand it.
"Hey, hey…" he grabbed my hand making me sit down. If he didn't my knees would have given out anyway. I took some deep breaths trying to calm myself.
"I just… I just can't deal with…blood." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him. His hug was warm, his body was warm. But he smelled of blood, the smell was making it hard to concentrate on him. I clench my eyes tightly to try and concentrate of Draco not his…not his clothes.
Forcing my head up he looked me over. I could practically tell my face was either very pale or green.
"Sorry, I didn't know…" I gave a weak smile.
"It's alright."
"I've never seen you like this before…" He whispered, a small smile gracing his lips.
Oh, great he saw me at my weak point. I try to never let anyone see me look so weak. It's pathetic. I'm pathetic. Scared of a bit of blood? Who's scared of blood?! It's just a liquid in your body that helps the body live. So why am I scared of it?!
I was angry with myself and kept staring at my lap.
"Seriously what did you say to make Buckbeak mad?" I asked changing the subject.
"Nothing bad! I just asked why you liked him so much. I may have called him a great ugly brute…" I gasp smacking him with my book.
"He was beautiful!" Draco laughed through the pain like the idiot he was.
"I told you he was a proud creature! You can't insult them! You can't do anything that might make him angry! Hagrid told us at the beginning of class! I told you not to do anything to make him upset!" I huffed.
It turns out I was pacing back and forth now ranting to him about how stupid he was being.
He just looked rather amused by the whole scene.
"Why? Why can't you just listen to me!" I plopped on my seat holding my head annoyed.
"Why would he want to listen to you?" I groan loudly at the sound of Pansy's voice.
Looking up I saw her glaring at me with as much hatred as she could muster.
"Why are you still here? I think it's obvious you don't belong here. You never have." She snapped her glares have intensified somehow.
"Oh, good lord. I'm going already. Tu es chiante." (you are a pain in the ass) I snapped glaring at the brat who stared confused. She was getting angrier that she didn't know what I was saying too. Draco sniggered behind his hand a smile on his lips when I locked eyes with him.
"You don't have to go," Draco said ignoring Pansy reaching out and holding my hand. I heard her gasp and shriek at the sight.
"It's fine, it seems to me that you're in good hands." I spoke with a roll of my eyes. Pansy wanted to take care of Draco, not some Gryffindor.
"I'll see you later?" he asked hoping the answer would be yes.
"Maybe if you don't have a crowd of admirers." He took that as a yes, I think. He brought my hand to his lips and placed a small kiss. "Jusqu'à la prochaine fois." (till next time)
Taking my hand back I grab my stuff and walk away.
"Honestly Draco she isn't good for you. Can't you see that she's only trying to use you?" Pansy started up again.
"Use me for what? She doesn't want my money or expensive things…." I didn't hear what he said next but at least I know he was sticking up for me.
Harry's POV:
After Lizzy, Hagrid, and Malfoy disappeared the whole class was arguing. I was worried about Lizzy. Ron and Hermione don't know or don't get that Lizzy is terrified of blood. It's like her system shuts down and she just wants to pass out.
"They should sack him straight away!" Pansy spoke in tears. It was so unnerving to deal with her obsession with Malfoy all the time.
"It was Malfoy's fault!" Dean snapped. Crabbe and Goyle flexed their muscles threateningly. It was like Malfoy was the leader of a mob.
"I'm going to see if he's okay!" Pansy shouted. I watched her run up the marble staircase in the deserted entrance hall. Slyhterins were still muttering about Hagrid as they headed away in the direction of their dungeon common room.
Hermione, Ron, and I continued up the stairs to Gryffindor tower.
"You think he'll be all right?" Hermione finally spoke up.
"Course he will. Madam Pomfrey can mend cuts in about a second," I spoke up. I've had far worse injuries in the past two years that Madam Pomfrey has had to fix me up loads of times. The worst was when she had to help me regrow my arm.
I hope nothing happens to Hagrid, he might be strange but he works hard and really cares about the school and its students. Today didn't end well, loads of teachers have probably had their very first class end bad…maybe not like that, but the Care of Magical creatures before Hagrid probably had a bad first class…maybe.
"That was a really bad thing to happen in Hagrid's first class, though, wasn't it?" Ron said looking worried like the rest of us. "Trust Malfoy to mess things up for him…"
We walked into the common room to find Fred and George talking amongst themselves. One of the twin's heads shot up looking us over before looking back to the other.
"What?" Hermione and Ron looked my way.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned softly.
"Is something wrong?"
Those two tend to forget about whatever fight they have and seem concerned with me. It's sweet and all but it's weird sometimes.
Shaking off whatever weird feeling overcame me I spoke up nodding my head over to the twins. "Fred…or George just stared us over before going back to whatever they were doing."
Ron rolled his eyes glaring over at his brothers.
"What you upset that we aren't Lizzy?"
"Maybe, what can I say?" one started smirking at the annoyance from the younger Weasley.
"You just don't give us the joys like she does." The other finished.
I smiled, they loved messing with him. It was funny the way they always messed with him, they really did.
"Oh, shove off it." Ron snapped.
"Why? You jealous that we spend so much time with Lizzybear?" Fred smiled mischievously at Georges comment.
"No! But she's off in the hospital wing with that git Malfoy." Fred and George's expressions changed into worry.
"What happened to Lizzy?"
"Is she okay?"
"Did something happen to her?"
I spoke up this time walking over to the table to place my books down. "She's okay, Malfoy's the one who's hurt. She just brought him his books, though she's probably not going to be in the best condition when she gets back."
The two relaxed tremendously.
"Don't scare us like that!" Fred finished breathlessly.
I knew Fred still liked Lizzy, but over the summer Lizzy started not liking anyone except her books. She didn't seem like she liked anyone, she seemed like she gave up on crushes in general I think. She didn't really talk about it like she used to.
"Hey guys," Lizzy called out from behind us. Looking her over I noticed how pale she was. She was trying to act fine, act normal.
"Are you okay? Did that git hurt you?" Fred asked pulling my younger sister into a bone crushing hug. George joined in making it a group hug.
Lizzy just stared wide eyed at this.
"What's going on and what did you two do?" she questioned reaching her arms up to wrap them around both boy's shoulders in an awkward hug.
"Nothing really, they jumped to conclusions." I shrugged.
"We thought Black got ahold of you…"
Normal POV:
Both Harry and Elizabeth raised a brow at that. Why did they think Sirius Black would have gotten them while they were here at Hogwarts? Hogwarts was the safest place on earth.
"Both of you?" Both Fred and George nodded, hugging their third-year friend tighter.
"Can't…breathe…" Elizabeth gasped squirming between the two boys, desperately trying to get free. Reaching for anything or anyone to pull her free from the tight grasps of Fred and George Weasley.
Ron reached out along with Harry, grasping onto Elizabeth's hands and pulling with all their might. After a bit the twins released Elizabeth letting her barrel forward into Harry and Ron. The force surprised them all knocking them to the floor.
"I'll get you for that!" Elizabeth vowed from the floor.
Fred and George laughed sitting on the sofa again to get back to their homework.
"L-Lizzy?" Neville's voice called from the entrance of the dormitory.
"Hey Neville, what's up? Slytherin's bugging you again?" he shook his head no, he looked positively stricken with fear.
"N-no. P-Professor S-S-Snape wants to m-meet with y-you." He stuttered out.
Shrugging her shoulders Elizabeth got up from the floor walking to the entrance passing the nervous boy as she spoke.
"Alrighty, boys I'll see you all at dinner. Save me a seat!" she called as she ran out the door.
Neville shivered walking to the boys plopping down on the couch to calm himself down. He could never understand why she wasn't worried about being near Professor Snape. He was absolutely terrifying. Cruel and full of hate.
Neville wished he could be as brave as Elizabeth. He wished he wasn't a coward. He didn't want to be a coward. He was lucky to have both Harry and Elizabeth as his friends.
"I don't know what's wrong with her head but Lizzy absolutely loves Snape." Harry commented on the floor beside Ron.
"Very strange girl indeed." Fred and George agreed.
Ron leaned on his fist confused. "I wonder what Snape wants with her anyway?"
"Probably to help out again, like last year." Harry suggested.
"Maybe…maybe he's going to kill her and use her in a potion." Ron, Harry, and the twins laughed at that. Neville didn't think that was funny. Snape was scary and probably would if pushed to his limit.
"Don't worry, Lizzy can take care of herself. Besides, Snape likes Lizzy he wouldn't do anything to her." Harry told Neville when he saw the look on his face.
Around dinnertime Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the first to reach the Great Hall, Elizabeth still wasn't back yet and the three of them were hoping to see Hagrid but he wasn't there.
"They wouldn't fire him, would they?" Hermione asked anxiously, not touching her steak and kidney pudding.
"They'd better not," Ron spoke, he wasn't eating either.
Harry was watching the Slytherin table. A large group including Crabbe and Goyle were huddled together, deep in conversation. Harry was pretty sure they were cooking up their own version of how Malfoy had been injured.
"Well, you can't say it wasn't an interesting first day back," Ron said gloomily.
Elizabeth walked in the great hall looking at the front for Hagrid only to frown seeing he wasn't there.
"Lizzy!" Ron called over spotting his best mates sister. He watched her make a bee line to the free spot beside him, plopping beside him with a tired look on her face.
"What happened with Snape?" Ron asked. Hermione looked up interested. She didn't know Elizabeth had left to see Professor Snape today.
"Well once I got to his classroom he looked rather miffed because a first year made the worst decision in not following the rules. Causing a huge explosion of potion everywhere." Hermione gasped horrified.
"No one was hurt but he asked if I could help clean up again after lessons and of course I agreed. I can't say no to Professor Snape. Anyway, it took me about three hours to finish cleaning up."
Harry nodded in understanding.
"Why don't you just magic the mess up." Ron asked bewildered. They were wizards. They should be able to magic the messes away. Not scrub by hand.
"It would only take a matter of minutes that way. Professor Snape doesn't like that. He likes the room being cleaned by hand. It gets everything clean a lot better than using our magic for it." She answered with a shrug.
"So, he left it all to you?" Harry asked annoyed already staring at Professor Snape at the front of the Great Hall.
"No, he helped. He's not cruel. But halfway through it he got called to Dumbledore's office so I said I'd take care of the rest and after I finished I ended up cleaning the class a bit more and here I am." Elizabeth answered with a smile.
Ron and Harry shook their heads at Elizabeth. Hermione on the other hand was very pleased that she was helping him. Professor Snape was Hermione's favorite teacher but he did need help and she was glad that someone was willing to help him every now and then.
After dinner, the four walked up to the crowded Gryffindor common room and tried to do the homework Professor McGonagall had assigned them, all four of them did their best to do the homework but would break off and glance out the tower window.
"There's a light on in Hagrid's window," Harry said suddenly.
Ron looked at his watch.
"If we hurried, we could go down and see him. It's still quite early…"
"I don't know," Hermione said slowly, both Harry and Elizabeth saw Hermione glance at the two with worried glances.
"We're allowed to walk across the grounds." Harry said pointedly. "Sirius Black hasn't got past the Dementors yet, has he?"
That shut her up. The four of them put their things away and headed out of the portrait hole, glad to meet no one on their way out the front doors, as they weren't entire sure they were supposed to be out.
The grass was still wet and looked almost black in the twilight. When they reached Hagrid's hut, they knocked, and a voice growled, "C'min."
Hagrid was sitting in his shirtsleeves at his scrubbed wooden table; his boarhound, Fang, had his head in Hagrid's lap. One look told them that Hagrid had been drinking a lot; there was a pewter tankard almost as a bucket in front of him, and he seemed to be having difficulty getting them into focus.
"'Spect it's a record," he said thickly, when he recognized them. "Don' reckon they've ever had a teacher who lasted on'y a day before."
"You haven't been fired, Hagrid!" Hermione gasped.
"Not yet," Hagrid said miserably, taking a huge gulp of whatever was in the tankard. "But's only a matter o' time, I'n't, after Malfoy…"
"Hagrid, I swear you aren't the only teacher who's had bad stuff happen to them. You can't control the creatures. You did your best and you told everyone what to do and what not to do." Elizabeth spoke from beside him after walking forward to his table and grasping onto one of his larger hands in her smaller ones.
Hagrid brushed her off, Elizabeth felt horrible she wished she could do something to make him feel better. He shouldn't feel this way. Things happen.
"How is he?" Ron asked now that everyone was sitting down. "It wasn't serious, was it?"
"Madam Pomfrey fixed him best she could," Hagrid say dully, "but he's sayin' it's still agony…covered in bandages…moanin'…"
"Still?!" Elizabeth gasped out annoyed.
"Wen' back to check…" Hagrid answered looking down at Fang sadly.
"He's faking it," Harry said at once. "Madam Pomfrey can mend anything. She regrew half my bones last year. Trust Malfoy to milk it for all it's worth."
"School goy'nors have bin told, o' course," Hagrid said miserably. "They reckon I started too big. Shoulda left Hippogriffs fer later…one flobberworms or summat…jus' thought it'd make a good firs' lesson's all my fault…"
"It's all Malfoy's fault, Hagrid!" Hermione said earnestly.
"We're witnesses," Harry said.
"It was an amazing first lesson. Didn't you see how everyone got excited to learn how to be near the Hippogriffs after the example?"
"You said Hippogriffs attack if you insult them. It's Malfoy's problem that he wasn't listening. We'll tell Dumbledore what really happened." Harry finished.
"Yeah, don't worry, Hagrid, we'll back you up," Ron said determinedly.
"We'll always back you up Hagrid, you're by far the most amazing Professor Hogwarts has ever had, and you're our friend. We'll do what we can to help." Elizabeth squeezed his hand as she spoke. She wanted him happy. A sad Hagrid was horrible to see and always broke her heart.
Tears leaked out of the crinkled corners of Hagrid's beetle black eyes. He grabbed both Harry and Elizabeth and pulled them into a bone breaking hug, since they were the closest to him. She didn't mind the hug all that much. She hugged him back almost as tightly as he had hugged them.
"I think you've had enough to drink, Hagrid," Hermione said firmly. She took the tankard from the table and went outside to empty it.
"Ah, maybe she's right," Hagrid said letting go of Harry and Elizabeth. Harry staggered away rubbing his ribs in pain. Elizabeth stayed close rubbing her ribs a bit in case he wanted another hug, or needed some more help with something.
Hagrid heaved himself out of his chair and followed Hermione unsteadily outside. There was a loud splash.
"What's he done?" Harry asked nervously as Hermione came back in with the empty tankard.
"Stuck his head in the water barrel," Hermione said while putting the tankard away.
Hagrid came back in, his long hair and beard sopping wet, wiping the water out of his eyes.
"That's better," he said, shaking his head like a dog and drenched them all. "Listen, it was good of yeh ter come and see me, I really…"
Hagrid stopped dead, staring at Harry and Elizabeth as though he'd only just realized they were there.
"WHAT D'YEH THINK YOU'RE DOIN', EH?" he roared, so suddenly the four students jumped a foot in the air. "YEH'RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN' AROUND AFTER DARK, HARRY! 'IZZY! AN, YOU TWO! LETTIN THEM!"
Hagrid strode over to Harry and Elizabeth, grabbed their arms and pulled them to the door.
"C'mon!" Hagrid said angrily. "I'm takin' yer all back up ter school an' don' let me catch yeh walkin' down ter see me after dark again. I'm not worth that!"
Elizabeth laughed a little bit at this.
"Hagrid, I think we all agree that we'd do anything for you." Elizabeth smiled shifting her arm so that he was holding her hand instead.
"She's right, Hagrid." Ron spoke up from behind.
Hagrid didn't speak and both Harry and Elizabeth couldn't see his face all that well but felt him loosen his grip on them. They knew he was content. That he was happy to have them as his friends.
Woow it's been too long since I wrote this. I hope you like this chapter. I worked extra hard to make it sound good. If you don't like it, I'm sorry. I'll be sure to update when I can. I have so many ideas for this story and the rest. I'll see you guys later!