The following disclaimer will be given in invisible ink:
Thank you.
Note: Sorry that this update has taken so long, but another fic had gotten into my brain and wouldn't let me go. It's called "We Were There" if anybody's interested. In any case, there'll be only one more update to this story. I won't tell you whose POV it'll be from-it's a surprise! I know, I know…I'm mean. Please review!
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Rubeus Hagrid stepped to the doorway of his hut, stretching his massive arms out towards the sky. It was a ruddy brilliant day, filled with sunlight and birdsong. Even though Hagrid went out in all weather, cold or warm, even he was glad to feel the spring sunshine warming his back through his enormous bush of hair.
Thinking that he wanted to check on his chickens, the massive man began to take giant steps down towards the coop that was just a short walk away. As he strode along, he wondered at the fact that he hadn't seen Harry around lately. What had the little blighter been doing? Even though it wasn't technically Hagrid's responsibility, he felt responsible for Harry and for making sure that the boy was safe. Usually when Harry didn't come around, it was because he was getting into some sort of mischief or trouble. Of course, with as many detentions as he'd been getting from Snape lately, perhaps it was no wonder that Harry hadn't been to see him lately.
After Hagrid had thoroughly checked all of the chickens and fed them, he stood up from his cramped position, stretching his back. Grawp was feeding the thestrals for him today, bless him, so that was one less thing. He was proud of his little brother, he was. Maybe Dumbledore would make him Hagrid's official assistant soon.
As the giant man stood there stretching, movement down by the lake caught his eye. He hurried forward for a minute, afraid that the giant squid was causing problems again. No, the squid was fine. Down there walking around the lake was the boy that Hagrid loved, Harry, and he wasn't alone. Ginny Weasley was on his arm.
Hagrid felt his heart swell for a moment in affection for the boy. His father, James, had always been kind to Hagrid. James had never treated him as if he was subhuman or stupid. He'd always shown Hagrid respect, and had once even brought his owl to Hagrid when it had had a hurt leg. When James had been older, they'd been in the Order of the Phoenix together, and had done some assignments as a team. They'd always worked well together, and Lily had even had Hagrid to dinner a few times-which was always a slightly dangerous thing.
Just before James and Lily had gone into hiding, James had come to visit Hagrid in his very own hut. Hagrid had been pleased and proud that James had taken the time to come to his very own house, treating him like an equal. But this visit had deadly serious.
"Hagrid," James had said, his eyes dark behind his glasses, "I need you to promise me something."
"Anythin'," replied Hagrid without any hesitation. "Yeh know I'd do most anythin' for you and Lily, James."
"I know that, Hagrid, and that's why I'm here. You've been a good friend to Lily and me. You know that we're going into hiding, right?" Hagrid nodded his massive head, his beetle eyes gleaming at James as tears popped into them at the thought. "In case…well, just in case anything happens to Lily and me, I want your promise that you'll look after Harry for us."
"Me?" Hagrid was shocked. "Why would yeh ask me, James? Wouldn't Sirius or Professor Dumbledore be better?"
James shook his head. "Not necessarily better, Hagrid. Harry's future has been provided for, and I know that Albus and Sirius would see to him. What I want is your promise that you'll look after him whenever you get the chance…you know, when he comes to Hogwarts, making sure he doesn't wander into the Forbidden Forest or anything…"
Hagrid nodded. "You can count on me, James. I won't let the little blighter come to 'arm. Yeh've got my word."
Standing up, James shook Hagrid's hand. "Thank you, Hagrid. I trust you."
That had been the last time that Hagrid had ever seen James alive, and Merlin's beard, Hagrid had tried to keep his promise. When he had seen James' dead body in his destroyed house, he had held Harry closer in his arms and said quietly, "I'll keep my promise, James. I'll look after 'im."
Now, as Hagrid watched Harry walking around the lake, he felt a measure of peace in his heart. He hadn't been able to keep Harry out of the Forbidden Forest or out of trouble, but the boy had come out all right in the end. There he was, Quidditch Captain, leader of Dumbledore's Army, and walking around with the best girl Hagrid knew of. Nope, couldn't ask for much more than that. Perhaps he hadn't done much, but Hagrid hoped that what little he'd done had helped Harry a little as he'd grown up.
Suddenly feeling as if he was intruding on something deeply personal, Hagrid veered off towards the Forbidden Forest. Somehow, he really wanted to be with his own family right now, and Grawp was there waiting, just beyond the trees.