A/N: I'm going to make this clear. I don't own the Harry Potter series or it's characters. That right goes to JK Rowling
If you haven't yet, read before this story:
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Sorcerer's Stone
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Chamber of Secrets
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Prisoner of Azkaban
Also if you haven't please take part on voting for which story you want me to update next month
Rita Skeeter's Scoop
Fortunately for Harry and Neville, Hermione and Ron quickly reached an unspoken agreement not to discuss their argument, which the idea came from the middle-man agreement Harry Ron and Neville had between each other long before they met Hermione. Harry guessed Tonks or Ginny informed Hermione about it as she seemed well aware of it the first day Ron and Hermione came to agreement.
Hermione's hair went back to its' bushy self again. She used liberal amounts of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion on it for the ball.
"Too bad my grandparents sold the family company after inventing that stuff," Harry said. "My dad probably could of gotten you some for free."
"Your grandparents made Sleekeazy Hair Potion?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. Potion making use to be a thing the Potters were known for. They even used to own a company that sold their potions," Harry explained, looking over to Ron to make sure he wasn't listening. "But before my dad was born my grandparents sold the company after creating Sleekeazy Hair Potion as they hadn't been able to have kids at the time and came to accept it. By the time Dad was born, it was too late to get the company back, but they didn't mind as they were able to double their fortune to raise my dad and get him through Hogwarts."
Hermione nodded as she understood.
When they were clear of Ron, Harry told Neville and Hermione about what Ron overheard Snape's and Karkaroff's conversation.
"It's not that I don't believe him," Harry defended himself. "I just find it odd Karkaroff now wants to run. The first task was weeks ago and he could have run then when I survived it. I don't want to jump into conclusions again only for the real threat to come and bite uslater."
Harry was of course talking about the Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets incidents where they were looking into someone else while the real threat ended up under their noses.
"You're right," Hermione agreed.
They got started on the homework they neglected during the first weeks of the seemed to be feeling rather flat now that Christmas was over-everybody except Harry, that is, who was starting (once again) to feel slightly nervous
With Christmas over, the second task was coming closer. Cedric gave Harry password to the Prefects bathroom, but it still be tricky for him to use it to get the clue. The prefects bathroom was still restricted to prefects and quidditch captains, whether you have the password or not. Harry would have to sneak in there using the cloak of invisibility. At least Cedric's hunt confirmed Harry's speculations, as simple as it was to figure out.
Snow was still thick upon the grounds, and the greenhouses 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 Remus Lupin standing there.
"Uncle moony what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"I, um, subbing for Hagrid," Remus said. "Dumbledore asked me to do this since magical are my specialty as well as dark creatures."
Harry could see where Remus was getting at. Remus had managed to gather some magical creatures to use to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and even reused many for the finals so he did know a thing about caring for magical creatures.
Soft and unpleasant laughter reached Harry's ears. He turned; Draco Malfoy and the rest of Slytherins were joining the class. All of them looked gleefully, and none of them looked surprised to see Remus.
"Anyways, gather around. I got permission from Madame Maxime to use her horses for today's lesson," Remus said. "This will be a good way for you to learn how to care for creatures bigger than yourself."
Remus lead them to the paddock where the Beauxbatons horses were at. Remus had set out buckets, brushes and of corse food for the horses. Harry got the sinking feeling they were also covering Hargid's work in taking care of Beauxbaton's horses too.
"What d'you reckon's wrong with Hagrid?" Ron asked' "You don't think a skrewt-?"
"Oh he hasn't been attacked," said Malfoy softly. "No, he just too ashame to show his big ugly face."
"What d'you mean?" said Harry sharply.
Malfoy put his hand inside the pocket of his robes and pulled out a folded page of newsprint.
"There you go," he said. "Hate to break it to you, Potter..."
He smirked as Harry snatched te pages and unfolded it, and read it, with Ron Seamus Hermione Dean and Neville looking over his shoulder. Harry knew Hermione must be as concern as them if she's not paying attention but right now Harry was concern of a picture of Hagrid looking extremely shifty on the paper.
Dumbledore's Giant Mistake
Albus Dumbledore, esccentric Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, has never been afraid to make controversial staff apppointments, writes Rita Skeeter, Speccial Correspondent. In September this year, he hired Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, the notorious jinx-happy ex-Auror, to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, a decision that caused many raised eyebrows at the Ministry of Magic, given Moody's well known habit of attacking anybody who makes a sudden movement in his presence. Mad-Eye Moody, however, looks responsible and kindly when set beside the part human Dumbledore employs to teach Care of Magical Creatures.
Rubeus Hagrid, who admits to being expelled from Hogwarts in his third year, has enjoyed the position of gamekeeper at the school ever since, a job secured for him by Dumbledore. Last year, however, Hagrid used his mysterious influence over the headmaster to secure additional post of Care of Magical Creatures teacher, over the heads of many better qualified candidates.
An alarming larg and ferocious-looking man, Hagrid has been using his newfound authority to testify the students in his care with a succession of horrific creatures. While Dumbledore turns a blind eye, Hagrid has maimed several pupils during a series of lessons that many admit to being 'very frightening.'
"My friend Vincent Crabbe got a bad bite off off a flobber worm, and last year I was attacked by a hippogriff," said Draco Malfoy, a fourth year student. "We all hate Hagrid, but we're just too scared to say anything."
Hagrid has no intention of ceasing his campaign of intimidation, however. In conversation with a Daily Prophet reporter last month, he admitted breeding creatures he had dubbed "Blaast-Ended Skrewts," highly dangerous cross between manticores and fire-crabs. The creation of new breeds of magical creatures is, of course, an activity usually closely observed by the Department for the Regulations of Control of Magical Creatures. Hagrid, however, consider himself to be above such petty restrictions.
"I was just having some fun," he says, before hastily changing subject.
As if this were not enough, the Daily Prophet has now unearthed evidence that Hagrid is not-as he has always pretended-a pure blood wizard. He is not, in fact, even pure human. His mother, we can exclusively reveal, is none other than the giantess Fridwulfa, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Bloodthirsty and brutal, the giants brought themselves to the point of extinction by warring amongst themselves during the last century. The handful that remained joined the ranks of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and were responsible for some of the worst mass Muggles killings of his reign of terror.
While many of the giants who served He-Who -Must-Not-Be-Named were killed by Aurors working against the Dark SIde, Fridwulfa was not among them. It is possible she escaped to one of the giant communities still existing in foreign mountain ranges. If his antics during Care of Magical Creatures lessons are any guide, however, Fridwulfa's son appears to have inherit her brutal nature.
In a bizare twist, Hagrid is reputed to have developed a close friendship with the boy who brought around You-know-Who's fall frompower-thereby driving Hagrid's own mother, like the rest of You-Know-Who's supporters, into hiding. Perhaps Harry Potter is unware of the unpleasant tuth about his large friend-but Ablus Dumbledore surely has a duty to ensure that Harry Potter, along with his fellow students, is warned about the dangers of associating with part giants.
...
Harry finished and noticed his friends were in utter shock.
"I always figured Hagrid was half giant," Hermione said, "It was plainly obvious, but like-I just didn't think it was something to share due ot prejudice."
"How did she know?" Neville said. "He doesn't share that with just anyone."
'He told it to Madame Maxime at the ball," Ron said. "I hover heard them just before I saw Snape and Karkaroff. He told her about his heritage asked her which parent was a giant. But how the heck Skeeter found out."
But that wasn't what was bothering Harry.
"What d'you mean, 'We all hate Hagrid?" Harry spoat at Malfoy. "I save you from that Hippogriff attack last year. You didn't even get a scratch from it. And you-" Harry pointed at Crabbe. "Getting a bad bite off a flobberworm? They haven't even got teeth!"
Crabbe was sniggering, apparently ver pleased with himself.
"Well I think this should put an end to the oaf's teaching career," said Malfoy, his eyes glinting. "Half giant... and there was me thinking he'd just swallowed a bottle of Skele-gro when he was young... none of the mummies and daddies are goign to like this at all... THey'll be worried he'll eat ther kids, ha, ha..."
"That's detention Mr. Malfoy" Remus voice ranged out. Everyone turned to see Remus glaring at Malfoy. "Bad mouthing a Hogwarts staff, even a teacher, is against the rules."
Malfoy turned pink and was about to say more when Remus added, "keep at it Mr. Malfoy and I'll deduct points while at it. Now unless you want more detention. I suggest you pay attention. Madame Maxime made it clear these horses are a handful in taking care of and I won't take to kindly to students invoking these creatures into attacking them because you won't pay attention."
...
Taking care of Beauxbaton's flying horses went better than possible as Remus made sure none of the students got hurt.
Harry didn't mind the idea of Remus subbing. That's part of Remus' job in return for staying at Hogwart. It was the circumstances that upsetted Harry.
"She did this out of retaliation," Harry said. "Percy told me during the ball the Ministry was considering dropping the Daily Prophet from covering the Triwizard Tournament and let the Quibbler cover the whole thing. Ontop of the fact Hagrid wouldn't tell her what she wants to hear, she must have took it out on Hagrid the moment she found out about his heritage."
"But how did she find out?" Hermione asked. "Ron, are you sure you didn't see anyone else."
"No, I miss some snooping witch in the gardens with me," Ron said. "Of course I'm sure. Besides she's not supposed to come to the school anymore."
"Maybe she got an invisibility cloak," Harry said. "They're rare but it's not impossible to get a hold of. Meanwhile we can go down to talk to Hagrid after class."
So that evening after dinner, the four of them left the castle once more and went down through the frozen grounds to Hagrid's cabin. They knocked, and Fang's booming barks answered.
"Hagrid, it's us," Harry shouted, "pounding the door. 'Open up!"
Hagrid didn't answer. They could hear Fang scratching at the door, but it didn't opened. They hammered on it for ten more minutes. Ron even went and bang ed on one of the windows. Bi there was no response.
"Come on Hagrid, you can't seriously think I hate you!" Harry yelled. "You were the one who told me about your heritage! I didn't care back then and I don't care now. Neither does Ron Neville and Hermione!"
But there was no answer.
"Dang it!" Harry screamed.
"What's he avoiding us for?" Hermione said when they had finally given up and were walking back to the school.
"I don't know, but I'm going to talk to dad," Harry said. "He has the most free time during the day since his classes are at night. Hopefully he can help talk some sense into Hagrid."
...
Week pass and there was no sign of Hagrid, not even at the staff table at mealtimes. He wasn't even doing his gamekeeper duty on the grounds, and Remus continued subbing for him. Malfoy was gloating at every possible opportunity.
"Missing your half-breed pal?" he kept whispering to Harry when Remus wasn't listening. "Missing the elephant man?"
Then one day Malfoy pushed just once to far, but instead of jinxing Malfoy, Harry shouted, "Silencio!"
Malfoy found himself unable to speak.
"Much better," Harry said wishing he thought he used the silence charm on Malfoy sooner. It didn't cause physical harm to Malfoy, so the worse Harry could suffer was point deduction. "Maybe now you learn not to go blabbing off lies."
Malfoy turned bright red and opened his mouth to rant but of course he couldn't speak.
There was a Hogsmeade visit halfway through January, Hermione was very surprised Harry was going to go.
"I just thought you take advantage of the prefects and captains being at Hogsmeade to figure out your egg," Hermione said, which was codeword for using the prefects bathroom.
"I know Hermione, but I really want to see if Hagrid gone to Hogsmade." Harry said.
"Fine," Hermione sighed.
Over at the lake where the Durmstrang ship moored in the lake, they saw Viktor Krum emerged onto the deck, dressed in nothing but swimming trunks. He was skinny indeed, but apparently a lot tougher than he looked, because he climbed up onto the side of the ship, stretched out his arms, and dived right into the lake.
"He must have figured out his egg," Harry noted since Krum didn't have his egg with him. "Why else would he be diving right now?"
"Well from what he told me, the lake here is warmer than where he's from," Hermione said "He's really nice, you know. He's not at all like you'd think, coming from Durmstrang. He likes it much better here, he told me. From what he would fit in with the Outcast of Slytherin House."
Ron said nothing. He hadn't mention Viktor Krum since the ball, but Harry had found a miniature arm under his bed on Boxing Day, which had looked very much as though it had been snapped off a small model figure wearing Bulgarian Quidditch Robes.
Harry kept his eyes for a sign of Hagrid all the way down the slushy High Street, and suggested a visit to the Three Broomsticks since Hagrid often drinks there.
The pub was crowded as ever, but one quick around at all the tables told Harry that Hagrid wasn't there. At least no where in public.
"Come on, I know one other place Hagrid might be," Harry said. "Its not as popular as the three broomsticks so its a good place for someone to go to if they want to be alone."
"Doesn't he ever go into the office?" Hermione whispered suddenly.
She pointed into the mirror behind the bar, and Harry saw Ludo Bagman reflected there, sitting in a shadowy corner with a bunch of goblins. Bagman was talking very fast in a low voice to the goblins all of whom had their arms crossed and were looking rather menacing.
It was indeed odd, Harry thought, that Bagman was here at the Three Broomsticks on a weekend when there was no Triwizard event, and therefore no judging to be done or representative needed. He watched Bagman in the mirror. He was looking strained again, quite as strained as he had that night in the forest before the Dark Mark had appeared.
"Come on, we can check this place out then head back to to the school and get the clue," Harry offered/
But before they could leave they heard Bagman say brusquely to the gobins, "In a moment, in a moment." Bagman hurried through the pub toward Harry, his boyish grin back in place.
"Harry!" he said. "How are you? Been hoping to run into you! Everything going all right?"
"Fine, thanks," said Harry.
"Wonder if I could have a quick, private word, Harry," said Bagman eagerly. "You couldn't give us a moment, you three could you?"
"Er-okay," said Ron, and he, Neville, and Hermione went off to find a table to wait for Harry.
Bagman led Harry along the bar to the furthest from Madam Romerta.
"Well, I just thought I'd congratulate you again on your splendid performance against that Horntail, Harry," said Bagman. "Really superb."
"Thanks," said Harry, but he knew this couldn't be all that Bagman wanted to say, because he could have congratulate Harry in front of his friends. Bagman didn't seem in any particular rush to spill the beans though. Harry saw him glance into the mirror over the bar at the goblins, who were all watching him and Harry in silence through their dark, slanting eyes.
"Absolute nightmare," said Bagman to Harry in an undertone, noticing Harry watching the goblins too. "Their English isn't too good, it's like being back with all the Bulgarians at the Quidditch World Cup... but at least they used sign language another human could recognize. This lot keep gabbling in Gobbledegook... and I only know one word of Gobbledegook. Bladvak. It means 'pickax.' I don't like to use it in case they think I'm threatening them."
Bagman gave a short, booming laugh
They must not work for the British Branch of Gringotts, Harry thought as he know those Goblins do speak English real well. Still Harry can tell the goblins were watching Bagman very closely as though making sure he don't run off. "What do they want?" Harry asked.
"Er-well..." said Bagman, looking suddenly nervous. "They... er... they're looking for Barty Crouch."
"What happened to Mr. Crouch?" Harry asked.
"Er... as a matter of fact, I've no idea," said Bagman. "He sort of... stopped coming to work. Been absent for a couple of weeks now. Young Percy, his assistant, says he's ill. Apparently he's just been sending instructions in by owl. But would you mind not mentioning that to anyone, Harry? Because Rita Skeeter's still poking around everywhere she can, more now than ever."
I noticed, Harry thought to himself.
"She's really sore about Quibbler taking over covering the Triwizard Tournament. She might work up Barty's illness by saying he gone missing like Bertha Jorkins." Ludo Bagman finished.
"Have you heard anything about Bertha Jorkins?" Harry asked.
"No," said Bagman, looking strained again, "I've got people looking, of course..."
About time, thought Harry.
"And it's all very strange. She definitely arrived in Albania, because she met her second cousin there. And then she left the cousin's house to go south and see an aunt... and she seems to have vanished without a trace en route. Blowed if I can see where she's got to... she doesn't seem the type to elope, for instance... but still... What are we doing, talking about goblins and Bertha Jorkins? I really wanted to ask you"-he lowered his voice-"how are you getting on with your golden egg?"
"Good," Harry said which was only half lie.
Bagman didn't seem to believe him.
"Listen Harry," he said (still in a very low voice, "I feel very bad about this... you were thrown into this tournament, you didn't volunteer for it. Then Rita Skeeter makes your dad look like a raging lunatic on the Daily Prophet...so if..." his voice was so quiet now Harry had to lean closer to listen "if I can help at all... a prod in the right direction... I've taken a liking to you...the way you got past that dragon!... well, just say the word."
Harry stared up into Bagman's round, rosy face and his wide baby-blue eyes.
"I'm fine. Thanks. I don't want to get you into any trouble-with you and Mr. Crouch suppose to be representing the Ministry as judges and all." Harry said. "Besides, as you said, with Skeeter lurking around, taking out frustrations on the Ministry, it would look bad for you if she finds out you're helping me or any of the champions cheat."
"Oh, well, yeah, I see what you mean," Bagman said. "That would look very bad indeed."
At that moment Fred and George turned up much to Harry's relief.
"Hello, Mr. Bagman," said Fred brightly. "Can we buy you a drink?"
"Er... no," said Bagman, "No, thank you boys..."
Fred and George looked quite disappointed as Bagman, who was surveying Harry as though he had high hopes for him.
"Well, I must dash," he said. "Nice seeing you all. Good luck, Harry."
He hurried out of the pub. The goblins all slid out of their chairs and exited after him. Ron Neville and Hermione rejoined Harry.
"What did he want?" Ron said.
Hary told them what Bagman told him.
"He shouldn't be doing that!" said Hermione, looking very shocked. "He's one of the judges."
"That's why I told him he's better backing off on the idea,' Harry said. "I even used Rita Skeeter as a warning. I'm sure if he had succeeded in helping me, she would find out."
"Those goblins didn't look very friendly," Neville said. "What are they doing here?"
"Looking for Crouch, but from what Bagman said, I don't think they're from Gringotts-at least not the British branch," Harry said. "That or he was lying about them not speaking English very well."
"Why would they be looking for Mr. Crouch. They normally deal with the Department for Regulation and Control for Magical Creatures."
"Mr. Diggory's department," Harry remembered. "That is odd."
"Maybe they need an interpreter," Neville said. "Percy did say Crouch speak multiple languages and it would make sense if they're from a different branch of Gringotts."
"Worrying about poor ickle goblins now, are you?" Ron asked Hermione. "Thinking of campaigning for Goblins next?"
"Ha, ha, ha," said Hermione sarcastically, "I gave up on the idea of helping Goblins long ago. Haven't you been listening to what Professor Binns has been telling us about the goblin rebellions?"
"No," said Ron and Neville.
"Here and there," Harry admitted. "I just read the rest of it from A History of Magic to fill in anything I miss." Harry was of course referring to the book assigned for the class since year one.
"Well, they're quite capable of dealing with wizards," said Hermione. "They're very clever. They're not like house-elves , who never stick up for themselves, or misunderstood like werewolves."
"Uh-oh," said Ron, staring at the door.
Rita Skeeter had just entered. SHe was wearing banana-yellow robes today, her long nails were painted shocking pink, and she was accompanied by her paunchy photographer. She bought drinks, and she and the photographer made their way through the crowds to a nearby table Harry Ron Neville and Hermione glared as she approached. SHe was talking fast and looking very satisfied about something.
"...didn't seem very keen to talk to us, did he, Bozo? Now, why would that be, do you think? And what's he doing with that pack of goblins in tow anyway? Showing them the sights... what nonsense... he was always a bad liar. Reckon something's up? Think we should do a bit of digging? 'Disgraced Ex-Head of Magical Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman...' Snappy start to a sentence, Bozo, we just need to find a story to fit it-"
"Trying to ruin someone else's life?" said Harry loudly.
A few people looked around. Rita Skeeter's eyes widened behind her jeweled spectacles as she saw who had spoken.
"Harry!" she said, beaming. 'HOw lovely! WHy don't you come and join-?"
"I ignored you after what you said about my dad, but you crossed the line with your article on Hagrid," Harry said. "Hagrid isn't dangerous or a threat. You're just taking advantage of giants reputation to get revenge for losing the chance to cover the Triwizard Tournament. I didn't read any interviews from any of the Gryffindors Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws that also took Care of Magical Creatures. You only stuck for the Slytherins who are notorious for doing what they can to get what they want. For someone up to making people look bad you didn't seem to care about who your sources were."
The whole pub had gone very quiet. Madame Rosmerta was staring over from behind the bar, apparently oblivious to the fact that the flagon she was filling with mead was overflowing.
Rita Skeeter's smile flickered very slightly, but she hitched it back almost at once, she snapped open her crocodile-skin handbag, and pulled out her Quick-QUotes Quill and siad, 'How about giving me an interview about Hagrid and Slytherin House, Harry? Maybe there's a reason you trust a half-giatn over Slytherins. Perhaps you blame Slytherin House for what happened to your mother? Sympathize with Hagrid because he's motherless like you?"
Hermione stopped Harry and stepped up.
"You horrible woman," she said, through gritted teeth. "You don't care, do you? Harry's right. You rather get answers from the worse people to get the story you want than get the truth."
"SIt down, you silly girl. And don't talk about things you don't understand," said Rita SKeeter coldly, her eyes hardening as they fell on Hermione. "I know things that would make your hair curl... not that it needs it-" she added eyeing Hermione's bushy hair.
Harry was about to lunge, but to his surprise it was Hermione that held him back. "C'mon, Harry-Ron-Neville..."
They left, many people were still staring at them as they went. Harry glanced back as they reached the door. Rita SKeeter's Quick-Quotes Quill was out, it was zooming backward and forward over a piece of parchment on the table.
"She'll be after you next, Hermione," said Ron in a low and worried voice as they walked quickly back up the street.
"Let her try!" said Hermione defiantly, she was shaking with as much rage as Harry. "I'll show her! SIlly little girl, am I? Oh, I'll get her back for this. First Harry and his dad, then Hagrid... Harry where's this place you think Hagrid is at?"
"Forget it! Seeing Rita made me realize Hagrid wouldn't risk leaving the castle at all," Harry said. "Rita isn't forbidden from visiting Hogsmade, if she was we wouldn't have seen her."
"Well come on then," Hermione said. "We're going to drag Hagrid out of hiding! Not when he shouldn't have to hide!"
Harry was with Hermione on that as they trudged back up to the castle to Hagrid's Cabin.
The curtains were still drawn, and they could hear Fang barking as they approached.
"Someone else is here," Harry noted several foot prints heading to the cabin.
"I don't care!" Hermione said as she stormed up to the front door and started pourding. "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-"
The door opened. Hermione said, "About t-" and then stopped suddenly, because she had found herself face-to-face with Albus Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon," he said pleasantly, smiling down at them.
"We-er-we wanted to see Hagrid," said Hermione in a rather small voice.
"Yes, I surmised as much. Hagrid been on many concern minds today," Dumbledore said. 'Why don't you four come in?"
"Oh... um... okay,"
She, Ron, Harry and Nevill went intot the cabin. Fang launched himself upon Harry the moment he entered, barking madly and trying to lick his ears. Harry fended off Fang and looked around
Hagrid was sitting at his table, with James Remus and even Sirius there enjoying mugs of tea. Hagrid looked a real mess. His face was blotchy, his eyes swollen, and he had gone to the other extreme where his hair was concerned; far from trying to make it behave, it now looked like a wig of tangled wire.
"Dad, Uncle Padfoot, Uncle Moony, What are you guys doing here?" Harry asked.
"Same thing as you from what Hermione yelled," James said. "Trying to encourage Hagrid out of hiding."
'Today was my day off so I thought I help out," Sirius added.
"More tea, I think," Dumbledore, closing the door behind Harry, Ron, and Hermione, drawing out his wand, and twiddling it; a revolving tea tray appeared in midair along with a plate of cakes. Dumbledore magicked the tray anto the table and everyone manage to find a seat. There was a slight pause, and then Dumbledore said, 'Did you by any chance hear what Miss Granger was shouting Hagrid?"
Hermione went slightly pink, but Dumbledore smiled at her and continued. "Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Neville still seem to care about you, just as James Remus and Sirius does."
"Of course they do," James stated. "Harry knew Hagrid's heritage for years, and he didn't care. Why should Ron Neville and Hermione think otherwise? It's the same for us."
"Hagrid, we care about you. We don't care who your mother is. We care about you," Harry said. "That skeeter woman was just taking out her anger on anyone she chose. Both Percy and Mr. Bagman told me so. If it weren't you, it be someone else."
Harry glanced at his uncle Moony as he said that. Remus nodded knowing what Harry was thinking about. Rita could have found out Remus was a werewolf if she kept digging. It was just by chance she got wind of Hagrid's heritage first.
"Living proof of what I've been telling you, Hagrid," said Dumbledore. "It don't matter if it's the currents students, or those that already left Hogwarts as students. I have even show you the letters from 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."
"Those people are idiots," James said. "They're taking Skeeter's word and some bad reputation giants have over Dumbledore's own judgment. Remus is more dangerous once a month without his potion than you ever be and he's working here."
"Not only that but Dumbledore was the one who told my parents I could attend Hogwarts despite my condition," Remus admitted. "My parents didn't think I would be accepted because of the reputation werewolves have and were ecstatic to learn I could become a student."
"And neither of you proven me wrong not to trust you," Dumbledore finished referring to Hagrid and Remus.
"Come back and teach, Hagrid," said Hermione quietly, "please come back, we really miss you."
Hagrid gulped. More tears leaked out down his cheeks into his tangled beard.
Dumbledore stood up. "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."
Dumbledore left the cabin, pausing only to scratch Fang's ears. When the door had shut behind him, Hagrid began to sob into his dustbin-lid sized hands. Hermione joined Remus in patting his arm ,and at last Hagrid looked up, his eyes very red indeed, and said. "Great man, Dumbledore... great man..."
"That we can agree on," Sirius said.
"Can I have one of those cakes, Hagrid?" Ron asked.
"Help yerself," said Hagrid, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand. "Ar, he's right, o' course-yeh're all righ'... I bin stupid... my ol' dad woulda bin ashamed o' the way I've bin behavin'..." More tears leaked out, but he wiped them away more forcefully, and said, "I never you you three a picture of my old dad, have I Ron Neville and Hermione? I know Harry seen it, but not you thrree. Here..."
Hagrid got up and went over to his dresser, opened a drawer, and pulled out a picture of a short wizard with Hagrid's crinkled black eyes, beaming as he sat on top of Hagrid's shoulder. Hagrid was a good seven or eight teet tall, judging by the apple tree beside him, but his face was beardless, young, round, and smooth-he looked hardly older than eleven.
"Tha' was taken just after I got inter Hogwarts," Hagrid croaked. "Dad was dead chuffed...thought I mihg' not be a wizard, see, 'cos me mom,,, I was much like you Neville, never was great shakes at magic, really... but at least dad never saw me me expelled."
"He died in your second year," Harry remembered.
Hagrid nodded. "Dumbledore was the one who stuck up for me after Dad went. Got me the gamekeeper job... trust people, he does. Gives 'em second chances... tha' what sets him apar'from other Heads, see. He'll accept anyone at Hogwarts, s'long as they gots enough magic. Knows people can turn out okay even if their families weren'... well.. All tha' respectable. But some don' understand that. There's wone who;'d always hold it against yeh... there's some who'd even pretend they just had big bones rather than stand up an' say-I am what I am, an' I'm not ashamed. That's why I respect what yer trying to do for all magican creatures with yer S.P.M.W. even if I don't agree what yer trying to do for House Elves Hermione. 'Never be ashamed,' my ol' dad used ter say, 'There's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with.' An' He was right. I've bin an idiot. I'm not botherin with her no more, I promise yeh that. Big bones... I'll give her big bones."
Harry Neville and Hermione looked at Ron confused, hoping Ron can explain but he was as confused as them.
"You'll show her," James said patting Hagrid on the back. "And we'll show Skeeter you can't mess with a friend of the Marauders much less one of us and get away with it."
"Dang right!" Sirius agreed.
Under normal circumstances, Harry be worried for the idiot who made his dad mad enough to refer himself Sirius and Remus as Marauders as that means payback was coming, but Rita SKeeter deserved it.
"Meanwhile you four," James turned to Harry and his friends. "You can show your support for Hagrid by keep doing what you been doing. Sticking up for him. Remus told me about that silencing charm you put on Malfoy, Harry. Good thinking."
"You saw that?" Harry asked looking at Remus.
"I didn't have to. Hard to notice Malfoy suddenly going silent," Remus said. "There was no physical harm done."
"How are you doin' with that egg, Harry?" Hagrid
"Great," Harry said not wanting to admit he held off an opportunity to find out the clue to search for Hagrid. "Really great."
"Tha's my boy... you show 'em, Harry, you show 'em. Beat 'em all."
That is as soon as I get that egg underwater so I can listen to it, Harry thought. Time to use Cedric's advice.