A/N: Thank you so much to my beta ClassyIsMyMiddleName! Classy, you're amazing :D
Thank you to everybody who reviewed and/or story alerted Wizard Protection Program - it means so much to me!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harry Potter.
Late evening, October 31, 1981
Rubeus Hagrid was sitting on his patched and fraying sofa, his dog Fang resting its head heavily on his lap. He was living in his childhood home that he inherited from his father. It was an enormous house, for his father had originally built it to accommodate Hagrid's mother, a 30-foot tall giant. The house was fairly old and all the furniture was heavily worn, as Hagrid's family had lived in it for nearly 55 years. Scattered across the oak floors were numerous plump dog beds covered in Fang's dark fur. This house strongly resembled Hagrid's hut at Hogwarts, but it was much larger and Hagrid felt more at home living in it. After all, he had grown up here.
Hagrid was holding an official looking letter in his hand. He had read its contents so many times, that he had it memorized. He could hardly believe it when the letter was delivered that morning with the daily owl post. Hagrid had made the decision before term started, to resign from his grounds keeping duties at Hogwarts. It was a difficult decision, but as he had worked there for nearly 40 years now, he decided it was time to look for a different job, preferably one with higher wages. He was hoping to work with dragons and since there were not many dragon sanctuaries near London, he had applied to various locations across Europe. Hagrid had been denied from most positions, partly because he was half-giant, but mostly because he had been expelled from school in his 3rd year.
But now, he held in his hand an acceptance letter requesting that he come and work in Romania to help care for the baby dragons. Hagrid had been considering the offer all day, and had finally decided to take the position. The pay was considerably higher than at Hogwarts due to the danger aspect of working with dragons; they would provide him food and lodging large enough for a half-giant and he could also bring his family and any pets he had. Not that he had any human family members to take with him, but he had his Fang who was now drooling all over the leg of Hagrid's trousers.
"Wheh do yeh say, eh Fang? Want ter go live in Romania?" Hagrid asked the massive dog, as he fondly rubbed Fang's neck. The only reply he received was a loud, drawn-out snore, and another round of slobber that dribbled down his leg. Hagrid chuckled, and gently moved Fang's head aside, casting a quick "scourgify" charm at his leg with the tattered, pink umbrella that had been leaning against the sofa. He got up from the couch, and made his way over to the enormous fireplace.
Hagrid reached the fireplace, and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder. He tossed the dusty particles into the flames and called out, "Romanian Dragon Sanctuary!"
Coughing and sputtering, he stuck his head into the bright green fire that arose from the grate. Hagrid instantly became dizzy, like his head was spinning around and around, detached from his body. When his head finally cleared, it was all he could do not to empty the contents of his stomach onto the plush, navy blue carpet visible before him.
"And who might you be?" asked a friendly looking woman who was wearing jeans and a dark blue t-shirt with the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary logo on it, her light brown hair pulled up into a neat ponytail. She strode to the fireplace and started to crouch down beside it, however she observed how unnaturally green Hagrid's face was and hastily backed up a few steps.
"Sorry, ma'am, the name's Rubeus Hagrid. M'just Floo callin' teh accep' the job offerin'." Hagrid said, trying hard to compose himself as he noticed the woman's obvious retreat. He knew he must look a mess, for partial Floo travel never did any good for his stomach.
"Oh, of course! I've been expecting your floo call. Are you feeling alright?" Hagrid's face was slowly returning back to its normal color, and she now felt it was safe to approach him.
"Erm…wull…yeh see…m'fine…" Hagrid replied, his face now turning a shade of red. The woman knelt down beside the fireplace, her large hazel eyes sparkling.
"Oh don't you worry, it's nothing to be embarrassed about! Partial Floo travel has never been my favorite pastime either," the woman admitted, a light, tinkling laugh in her voice. "My name is Ileana Ciora, by the way, I'm the new manager of the Sanctuary and your head is currently sticking out of the Floo in my office. The previous manager's décor taste was ghastly, and I'm just about done remodeling it. I do hope it looks alright."
Hagrid craned his neck to peer around the spacious office, wincing as he felt his neck crack. The previous night, Fang decided that his many other beds were insufficient and had clambered in with Hagrid. In the morning, Hagrid awoke to find himself on the floor, with Fang comfortably stretched out on the bed. Hagrid really didn't mind as it tended to happen a lot, although it did make his neck awfully sore. It was with some difficulty that he looked around the room.
The office was decorated in the official colors of the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary: pumpkin orange and navy blue. Looking further into the room, he saw that the circular, navy blue carpet had the orange RDS logo on it (a baby dragon snuggled up against its mother, who was breathing out a fiery RDS every few seconds). There were two orange and blue banners hanging from the ceiling, and the walls were adorned with many orange shelves that hosted several books on dragons. In the corner, a dark blue dresser hung slightly ajar, allowing Hagrid to see an assortment of orange and navy wizard robes, many of which were slightly singed. The desk that stood in the center of the room was neat and tidy, with many orange and blue RDS leaflets and brochures atop it. Displayed on the desk was a picture of a smiling boy, about 8 or 9 years old, riding a broomstick. Hagrid presumed it was Ileana's son, for the boy had light brown hair and hazel eyes to match her own. Before he could comment on the photo, however, Ileana's voice cut through his thoughts.
"What do you think of it? I mean, I'm usually not one for looks…but well, it's just that this is the main office and a lot of people do tend to come here… of course, it isn't completely finished, I still need to add some chairs and such but on the whole, I think it looks okay…"
"It looks great," Hagrid said, earnestly.
"Oh, thank you! And forgive me, I do tend to ramble a tad," she confessed, her face flushing.
"No, no, yer fine," Hagrid assured her with a smile.
"Well, anyways, to business now. First, do you know when you're planning on arriving here? We'd love for you to be here as soon as possible, but come anytime within the next month that's convenient for you."
"Alrigh', mos' likely I'll be comin' round nex' week, tha' okay?"
"Certainly, although we'll have your living quarters set up by tomorrow in case you decide to drop by early. On that note, are you bringing anybody with you? We're happy to accommodate anyone," she said with a smile.
"I'll jus' be bringin' Fang, me dog," Hagrid informed her.
"Excellent, I look forward to meeting Fang," Ileana summoned a file and scribbled a small note. "Also, you'll need to have a job interview but we can take care of all that when you get here. Not to worry, it's just a formality, you already have the job," she hastily added when she saw a slightly concerned look flicker over Hagrid's face. "We look forward to your arrival, Mr. Hagrid."
"Aw please, none o' thah," Hagrid said, blushing. "Jus' call me Hagrid, everyone does."
"Alright, Hagrid then. I'll see you soon!" she said warmly.
"G'bye," Hagrid replied. He mentally braced himself, before yanking his head out of the fireplace.
Hagrid crouched on his hands and knees in front of his fireplace. He wasn't as dizzy as before, but it still took a few moments for him to be able to think clearly. Once the nausea passed, Hagrid slowly stood up and trudged back to his sofa to where Fang was still sound asleep. He collapsed tiredly on his comfortable sofa, and lovingly stroked Fang's head. He had just leaned his head back and closed his eyes planning to rest for a few minutes, when he heard an urgent voice beckoning him from the fireplace. Hagrid grudgingly opened his eyes, and saw the head of Albus Dumbledore protruding from the flames of the fireplace. Hagrid arose from the couch, and made his way back to the fireplace to converse with Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore! It's good teh see yeh…" Hagrid's greeting was cut short as he noticed how heavily distraught Dumbledore's face was.
"Hagrid, I take it you have not heard yet about James and Lily," Dumbledore's voice was quiet and mournful.
"No! Wha' happen'd Dumbledore? What's wrong?" Hagrid worriedly searched Dumbledore's face, as if that would give him the answers.
"Hagrid, they… they were… they're dead…," Dumbledore tried to break the news to Hagrid gently, for the half-giant tended to have little control over his emotions, but there really is no easy way to bring news of a murder.
"Dead?" Hagrid asked, hoarsely, and in shock. "Wha' are yeh on abou' Dumbledore? I dropped roun' for tea jus' yesterday! They looked fine…" his face clouded over as realization hit him. "Ah no, Dumbledore, please no."
"I am afraid so, Hagrid. Voldemort murdered them not yet an hour ago," Dumbledore said, softly.
Hagrid visibly shuddered at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"An'… and their son? Little Harry James… what happened to him? Is he…?" he couldn't finish his sentence, his eyes brimming with tears.
"No Hagrid, Harry survived. As of yet, I do not know how. It is quite evident that Voldemort attempted to kill Harry as well. But…he failed."
"Whah?" Hagrid looked at him in disbelief. He was, of course, relieved that Harry did not die, however it was unheard of for Voldemort to fail at anything. "Whah happened to You-Know-Who, then? I'll b-bet he's pretty m-mad," Hagrid said, his voice quivering as giant teardrops began rolling down his cheeks.
"That is the other thing. Voldemort appears to have vanished. The Minister is trying to convince everybody that Voldemort is dead. I, however, highly doubt that this is true. But enough of that for now, there will be plenty of time for discussion later. Hagrid, I need you to…" Hagrid's loud sobs overpowered Dumbledore's quiet voice. "Hagrid, please, I do not mean to be insensitive, but I need a favor of you and time is of the essence."
Hagrid looked up at this, his eyes red and puffy, and his thick beard wet with tears.
"A-anythin' Dumbledore, w-wha' is it?" Hagrid barely managed to get out, his shoulders shaking as he attempted to quiet himself.
"I have just managed to persuade the Minister to allow Harry to be placed in the care of his muggle relatives – Lily's sister. I need you to collect Harry from Godric's Hollow, and meet me at his aunt's house in Little Whinging. It is not the most ideal place for Harry, but it is the safest and that is what matters most at the moment. I would take him myself, but I must attend to an urgent meeting. Many Order members are frantic, and it would be best to quell any rumors before they start," Dumbledore reached his hand through the fire and handed a scrap of parchment to Hagrid, with the Dursleys' address printed on it. "I cannot thank you enough, Hagrid. Shall we meet in Little Whinging at say, midnight?"
"Y-yes, o' course," Hagrid began to calm down, as he became aware of the seriousness of his task.
"Oh, and Hagrid? Try not to lose Harry in the Floo. As I recall, he is a rather squirmy infant."
"Whah? Oh, no no, I'm not takin' him through the Floo! Yeh know how much I hate it. And besides, where do yeh expect me to Floo to? I don't reckon the muggles will appreciate me destroying their fireplace with me size an' all," Hagrid firmly shook his head. "No, I'll be takin' him in the flyin' motorbike young Sirius Black lent me a month back."
"Are you sure this is wise, Hagrid? If you fly him there it will take you near an hour, not to mention the risks of taking an infant on a flying motorbike. What if you crash?"
"With all due respect Dumbledore, sir, yer jus' gonna have teh believe me tha' this is the safest way for Harry ter travel," Hagrid shifted uncomfortably, but stood his ground. "As fer the travel time, yeh said ter meet yeh at midnight and it's still over an hour 'til."
"Alright, Hagrid. Just be careful and know that I am placing an enormous amount of my trust in you, Hagrid."
"I won't disappoint yeh, Dumbledore," Hagrid said solemnly, looking deep into Dumbledore's bright blue eyes.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter :) Let me know what you think and leave a review!