Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Twilight.

List of POVs:

Bella – BPOV

Edward – EPOV

Renesmee – NPOV

Jacob – JPOV

Alice – APOV

Jasper – JasPOV

Emmet – EmPOV

Rosalie – RPOV

Harry – HPOV

Ron – RonPOV

Hermione - HerPOV

Sorry about the ending of the last chapter; I didn't mean for it to be a cliffhanger, I just thought it was a good place to lead into the start of this chapter! From the reviews, most of you seem excited that Hagrid's come back into the story, so I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations!! Enjoy!

16. Vampires and Giants

BPOV

The man was huge! Not even Jacob was as tall as him. He had long matted brown hair and a thick beard. His face was covered in bruises and cuts, weeping the unappetising scent we had just followed out of the forest. He was such a sight that I found myself tensing up defensively.

Edward relaxed beside me and smiled. "You must be Professor Hagrid!" he called out, taking my hand and striding forward.

This was Hagrid? Harry, Ron and Hermione's friend? I eyed him doubtfully as we approached.

"Yeah," replied Hagrid, "And yeh are?"

"Edward and Bella Cullen," Edward replied, "Professor Dumbledore invited our family at the start of the year to come stay at Hogwarts and protect the school."

"Protect it, eh?" he said suspiciously, "Yeh look like kids ter me."

"We only look like kids," I explained, "Physically, I'm only eighteen, and Edward appears seventeen. Our family is different. We have certain… skills that Professor Dumbledore finds useful."

"Oh yeah?"

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation inside?" suggested Edward, "Some of your wounds look particularly nasty, and I'm sure you'd like to treat them."

"Good point," Hagrid agreed, holding open his front door. "C'mon in, then."

I entered the small, one room hut and looked around. There was a fireplace in one corner and a table in the middle of the room. A large black dog looked up when we walked in, and whimpered uneasily in instinctive fear.

Hagrid gestured to a couple of chairs. "Make yerselves at home."

"Thankyou," said Edward, sitting down and pulling me into the seat beside him.

Hagrid put a kettle of water over the fire to boil and sat across from us. "So what's yer story?"

"We're vampires," replied Edward without hesitation, shocking me.

"Edward!" I hissed.

"It's okay, Bella. We can trust him."

Hagrid looked intrigued. "Vampires, eh? Never met a vampire before."

I remembered Harry mentioning once that Hagrid had a soft spot for dangerous creatures. It figured that he would find vampires fascinating rather than frightening.

"Well, there's eight in our family," said Edward, "plus a half-vampire and a shapeshifter-werewolf."

We started explaining together about our family's lifestyle, but didn't get far before we were interrupted by a knock on the door. I heard three heartbeats and recognised Harry, Ron, and Hermione's scents. Hagrid beamed and went to let them in. Hermione screamed when she saw Hagrid's battered face. Hagrid hushed them quickly and stood aside so they could enter. They pulled their Invisibility Cloak off and stared, horrified, at their friend.

"It's nuthin', it's nuthin'!" Hagrid assured them hastily, but they didn't buy it.

"I wouldn't say it's nothing," I disagreed. The three kids jumped, only then noticing our presence. "Perhaps you should get our father to have a look at you. Carlisle's a doctor."

"It's nuthin'!" he repeated, "I'm dealin' with it, all righ'?"

He crossed to the table and uncovered a huge, greenish steak. I wrinkled my nose against the smell.

"You're not going to eat that, are you, Hagrid?" asked Ron, "It looks poisonous."

"It's s'posed ter look like that, it's dragon meat," he replied, "An' I didn' get it ter eat." He slapped the steak over the worst of his injuries and sighed in relief. "Tha's better."

"What happened to you?" I asked, watching a line of dark blood that dripped onto the table.

"For the last time, nuthin'!"

Hermione watched me watch the dripping blood. "Does that bother you?" she asked curiously.

"Not really," replied Edward, "No offense, Hagrid, but your blood smells mildly repulsive. I expect it's the giant in you."

Seriously; giant? Were there any mythical creatures that weren't real? Probably not.

Hagrid dropped the steak. "Who told yeh abou' tha'?"

Edward looked abashed. "I read minds. I apologise for intruding on your private thoughts, but these three," he looked pointedly at Harry, Ron and Hermione, "are rather curious as to where you've been the last few months, and what's happened to you. They're worried."

"Did the giants beat you up, Hagrid?" asked Hermione quietly. Hagrid shot her a dark look. "We guessed," she explained.

"It was kind of…obvious," added Ron, and Harry nodded in agreement.

Hagrid's face softened under the steak, but he tried to hide it behind the gruffness of his voice. "Never known kids like you three fer knowin' more'n yeh oughta. An' I'm not complimenting yeh, neither. Nosy, some'd call it. Interferin'."

I couldn't disagree with him on that point. It had only taken, what – a week? – for them to figure out the truth about us. They were very nosy, as far as humans were concerned.

Harry took his resignation as affirmation. "So you have been to look for giants?"

Hagrid served them mugs of tea and sighed. "Can I get yer anything?" he asked Edward and myself.

"No, thankyou," replied Edward politely, "We just hunted."

I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione shudder slightly out of the corner of my eye. "Anyway…" I prompted.

"Yeah, all righ', I have," he confirmed.

"And you found them?" breathed Hermione.

I saw Edward smile to himself. "Obviously," he murmured, and I elbowed him lightly.

"Well they're not that difficult ter find, ter be honest. Pretty big, see."

This time I snickered and Edward rolled his eyes at me.

"Where are they?" asked Ron.

"In the mountains," replied Edward before Hagrid could. I stared at him, and he looked smug.

"You knew about them?" I accused.

"You never asked," he shrugged, and I frowned. He sighed. "I believe Garrett once had an encounter with one. They are dangerous, even to an immortal."

I shivered, not liking the idea of anything being a threat to vampires. The idea seemed so wrong to me, somehow.

Hagrid hesitated again.

"Come on, Hagrid," encouraged Ron eagerly, "tell us what you've been up to! Tell us about being attacked by the giants, and Harry can tell you about being attacked by Dementors."

Hagrid obviously didn't know about this. He choked and spat out his tea in shock, dropping the steak again. "Whadda yeh mean, attacked by Dementors?" he demanded in an impressive growl.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were just as surprised as him. "Didn't you know?"

Hagrid shook his head furiously.

"Tell us about your summer, and I'll tell you about mine," Harry bargained.

"I'm quite interested in hearing both your stories," I added, "I still don't quite understand what a Dementor is, exactly."

"Oh all righ'," Hagrid groaned, and he started to tell his story.

I found myself listening to the tale with eager interest, and Edward was leaning forward in his chair. A few times I wasn't sure what some of the words he used meant – 'Gurg', 'Gubraithian fire' – but Harry and Ron were as oblivious as me, and asked what they were. I was totally absorbed, gasping at the right moments. Edward laughed at me softly when I twisted my face in revulsion at the part about the chief's head being ripped off. I understood his amusement – what kind of a vampire was sickened by a little violence?

After he finished his story, Hermione spoke up tentatively. "Hagrid? Did you…was there any sign of…did you hear anything about your…your…mother while you were there?"

Hagrid was silent for a moment, and Hermione apologised.

"Dead," he replied gruffly, "Died years ago. They told me."

Edward let out a horrified gasp, and I looked at him. "What's wrong?" I whispered.

"Later," he breathed.

Someone rapped at the door suddenly, breaking the silence, and Hermione dropped her mug in fright. I snatched it before it hit the floor, and we all looked at Professor Umbridge's silhouette in the window by the door.

"Get under that Cloak!" hissed Edward to the others, and they retreated to a corner and threw it over themselves.

Hagrid opened the door, looking rather flustered. Professor Umbridge surveyed him with pursed lips, and entered the house without an invitation.

"Masen, Swan! What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"We thought we would introduce ourselves to Professor Hagrid," replied Edward smoothly, "But we really ought to be getting back. Let's go, Bella. Thankyou for the tea, sir," he added, nodding at the mugs still on the table.

We squeezed past them and left. As soon as the door was shut behind us, Edward took my hand and started running back to the castle with me. We headed straight for the common room and sat in front of the fire. The bottoms of our cloaks were wet with snow, so we let them thaw out in the heat to appear more human.

"What was that about before?" I asked him, "When he said about his mother?"

Edward gritted his teeth together. "That wasn't all he found out about her. She found a new mate when she stayed there, and now Hagrid has a brother. He brought him back with him."

I gasped. "You mean there's a giant hiding in the forest?"

Edward nodded. "Oh well, it's not our problem. We should tell the others, however. Emmett won't be happy if the creature starts scaring off prey."

I smiled fondly. That would be what Emmett would worry about. "What about Harry, Ron and Hermione?"

"Hagrid will tell them eventually. Like I said, it's none of our business."

I sighed and leaned into his chest. "What a horrible day," I muttered.

Edward wrapped his arms around me and smiled. "Well I am very content to end it like this, with you in my arms."

I kissed his nose. "I agree with you completely."

On Monday morning a notice had appeared on the wall in the common room.

By order of the Hogwarts High Inquisitor, all students are to refrain from displaying affection to each other. This may include holding hands with the opposite gender, hugging, kissing and any other action meant to show affection. Any student caught displaying affection will receive a month of detentions. Signed Dolores Jane Umbridge.

I hissed out loud as I read through the notice. "She can't do this!" I growled, "Why would she?"

Edward stroked my arm gently to soothe me, but his face was tense. "I'm so sorry, Bella, this is my fault. I told her she couldn't take anything from me, but apparently, she can. I never would've expected her to use you to punish me, but when she saw us together…" he trailed off, shaking his head in anger.

"Well, we'll just have to not get caught," I said, determined, "She can't watch us all the time!"

"She has spies," Edward replied, "She has the Slytherins wrapped around her fat little fingers."

I growled deep in my chest. Edward hugged me close and kissed the top of my head. "The Gryffindors won't betray us. We have every night and early morning to spend together. This," he pressed his lips to my forehead roughly, "will have to do for now."

Just walking down to the Great Hall for "breakfast" was hell for me. We walked as close together as possible without actually touching, and I had to settle for the back of his hand brushing against mine every now and then.

The rest of our family were sitting awkwardly at their house tables, unable to cuddle up to their partners under Professor Umbridge's watchful eye. Emmett and Rose were furious, of course. I could almost hear them fuming and was surprised I didn't see steam pouring from their ears. Theirs was the most physical relationship out of us all, and not touching was especially difficult for them.

The new rule only applied to students, so I couldn't help throwing envious glances at Carlisle and Esme at the staff table.

We all met at lunchtime to discuss the turn of events. Rosalie had to blame someone, of course.

"Thanks a lot, Edward!" she hissed, "This is all your fault! You idiot!"

Edward ducked his head. "I know, Rose. I'm sorry. I never expected…"

"How could you not expect this? You can read minds, can't you?" she spat.

"Rosalie," I warned, "Please don't talk to Edward like that!"

"The hell I won't! He's always ruining everything for the rest of us! The damn fool!"

I crouched protectively in front of my husband and pulled my lips back from my teeth. Rosalie hissed back.

"That's enough!" ordered Carlisle, "Bella, control yourself! Rose, apologise to your brother!"

I straightened up and settled for glaring at my sister. "Sorry," I muttered.

Rosalie scowled. "I'm very sorry for speaking to you like that, Edward. Please forgive me," she said grudgingly.

"Of course, Rose," replied Edward, "I understand."

"We're all frustrated," grumbled Jasper, staring down at Alice ruefully.

"You'll all have to just deal with it, I'm afraid," said Esme sympathetically, "I know it's hard for all of you, but you'll manage."

No one could agree with her.

"At least we don't have to worry about Jacob and Renesmee behaving inappropriately," Edward assured me later, "There's always a bright side."

I laughed. "There is that."

On Tuesday morning the entire family had their first lesson with Hagrid. We headed down to his hut full of anticipation. Alice was annoyed that she couldn't see what the half-giant had planned for the lesson, and we teased her for it.

Hagrid was waiting for the class by the forest edge, covered in fresh bruises and carrying a cow's carcass over his shoulder. "We're workin' in here today!" he announced brightly, "Bit more sheltered. Anyway, they prefer the dark."

The class muttered nervously, and I heard panic in some of their voices. Hagrid didn't seem to notice.

When the whole class was present, he started leading us into the forest. Our family strode ahead of the group eagerly, skipping over fallen logs and tree roots that others tripped on. After about ten minutes hiking at an agonisingly slow human pace, we stopped in a dark clearing and Hagrid dropped the carcass on the ground.

"Now, they'll be attracted by the smell o' the meat," he explained.

"I don't see why," muttered Jasper quietly. I knew what he meant. The cow wasn't fresh and stank.

Hagrid threw back his head and cried out like a bird's mating call. He repeated it a few times, until finally one of the horrible winged horses appeared between a couple of trees. Only three other people were watching it, I noticed, and everyone else was staring blankly past it.

Another of the creatures joined the first, and they began eating the cow carcass together.

"Now," said Hagrid, "Put yer hands up, who can see 'em?"

My family all raised their hands, as did Harry, Neville and a Slytherin boy whose name I didn't know.

"Ahh," breathed Edward from beside me, "I see."

"Excuse me," sneered Draco, "but what exactly are we supposed to be seeing?"

"Thestrals," replied Hagrid.

This didn't mean anything to me, but Hermione seemed to understand.

"Righ'," he continued, "now, who can tell me why some o' yeh can see 'em an' some can't?

Hermione's hand shot into the air at once. Hagrid nodded at her, and she replied, "The only people who can see Thestrals are people who have seen death."

That would explain why the vampires could see them, and I'd heard that Harry had watched a classmate die the previous year, so he could obviously see them too. I shuddered as I remembered the death I'd witnessed with perfect recall.

"Ten points ter Gryffindor," grinned Hagrid, "Now, Thestrals…"

I had been too intrigued by the Thestrals to hear the new heartbeat approach the class from behind.

"Hem, hem!"

I groaned and looked at her. There goes the good lesson!

***

Hermione was shaking with fury as we headed to our next classes. She cursed Umbridge's name repetitively and ranted for a good five minutes.

"Who have you seen die?" Harry asked the rest of us, inconspicuously changing the subject.

I was hoping he wouldn't ask that. He seemed to realise his own mistake when we all stared at him.

"I have caused the deaths of hundreds of humans," admitted Edward, "I still remember every one of them."

"As have I," shuddered Jasper.

"I wasn't very controlled in the beginning," muttered Alice, "I wish I had belonged to this family when I first awoke."

"I've slipped up a couple of times," added Emmett, "No one's perfect."

"I watched my fiancé die," growled Rosalie, "And good riddance! I recall his screams perfectly."

Harry, Ron and Hermione shivered.

"I watched my mother die," whispered Renesmee, "seconds after I was born. I was there when her heart stopped beating."

I hugged her tightly. "I'm fine now."

"I was also present when Bella died," said Jacob, "I've gotta admit, Edward, that I've never been more grateful than when you sort of saved her."

It was my turn to confess. "I slipped up once. I was still new to this life, and someone started bleeding in front of me. She was so young…maybe twenty or so…"

"I'm sorry," mumbled Harry, "I shouldn't have asked."

"It's okay," Edward assured him, "If anything, we should be the ones apologising. We've probably traumatised you by answering."

Hermione giggled nervously. "Maybe just a little."