Several hours later, Hagrid woke with a start. Something had startled him, though his foggy mind couldn't immediately grasp what it was. He shook his head violently as though that would dissipate the fog faster. His head snapped up as he realized something. Harry!
When he had fallen asleep, the room had been brightly lit with sunlight streaming through a window, but now he could see only darkness outside. Struggling to his feet, he stumbled over to the crib, grasping the side. As dark as it was, Hagrid could definitely see that Harry wasn't in the crib. "'Arry!" he shouted. He launched himself across the room and yanked open the door...only to find Elizabeth standing there looking rather alarmed. Hagrid started stumbling over his words, trying to make her understand that Harry was gone. She held up her hands to silence him.
"Ssssh, Hagrid! You'll wake the neighbors. Harry is perfectly fine." That simple declaration stopped him right in the middle of his rambling, his mouth hanging open in mid-word. "He's playing in the lounge. You were both sleeping soundly when I came home, though Harry woke up about an hour later. From what I understand from Albus, you had a very long night last night and I suspect another long one tonight. I figured you could use the rest."
He nodded, still trying to convince his rapidly beating heart that Harry was safe, though he wouldn't entirely accept it until he actually saw the boy with his own eyes. Trying not to offend Elizabeth by pushing past her to run check on Harry, he tried to casually slide pas her, deflecting any anxiousness by asking for the time. The darkness had him worried. Dumbledore was expecting him tonight and he wanted to make sure he wouldn't be late.
"It's half-past eight."
He whipped around to look at her, hoping she was playing a cruel joke. If he didn't leave immediately, they would arrive late. The darkness of the hallway prevented him from getting a good look at her, but he suspected she was telling the truth. She had no reason to lie.
They arrived in the lounge and Hagrid was happy to see Harry was playing with some simple Muggle toys (blocks that weren't imbued with magical power to move of their own volition). Harry looked up at their entrance and waved one chubby fist at Hagrid before going back to playing. Hagrid was also surprised to see the sofa was back in one piece again. He turned to Elizabeth, but she must have suspected the question was coming. "Not to worry! Nothing a good wand wave couldn't fix. The kitchen is back to normal as well." She sighed and looked over at Harry. "He's been amusing himself with those blocks for the last couple of hours. Sometimes I think those Muggles may be on to something in some of their contraptions." She shook her head and continued, "I shall miss him. He's such a sweet little boy. I expect he's going to have a hard life, being raised as an orphan. But, perhaps not." She turned back to Hagrid. "The news has spread throughout the wizarding world. Everyone knows You-Know-Who has been defeated and his downfall came about in the Potter home. Albus placed me in the strictest confidence with the arrangements today, but Harry's survival has still circulated around Britain. He's already famous and his fame will only continue to grow."
Hagrid was glad for the little bit of information she provided. With such events as had transpired in the last twenty-four hours, the Daily Prophet article from only a few hours earlier was already old news. The only mention Harry had had in the article was that his body hadn't been found in the house with his parents'. He nodded at her, grateful for the news. "We'd bes' be goin'," he said, "Gotta schedule to keep." He bent over to pick Harry up, but Harry was quite reluctant to go anywhere and he squirmed his way out of Hagrid's grasp. Hagrid was prevented from trying again when Elizabeth laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Let him play for a few minutes more while I pack you both a little something for the journey. He's already had some supper, but I suspect a small treat or two might keep him manageable while you transport him to your destination. It'll only take a few minutes." Refusing to listen to any protests, she bustled into a back room and Hagrid was left alone with Harry once again. Harry was pointedly ignoring Hagrid now, as if by refusing to acknowledge his presence he might be left alone to continue playing. There was nothing for Hagrid to do except wait. He had no belongings to collect or things to put in order, so he leaned against the wall in the sitting room, his eyes fixed upon the pile of Daily Prophets he had rifled through earlier. What would tomorrow's headlines bring? Would he even be in a position to read them?
Elizabeth came back into the room, a small knapsack tucked under arm as her hands busily prepared a bottle of warm milk for Harry. She quickly handed the knapsack to Hagrid who stuffed it into one of his many pockets. She picked Harry up and, unlike when Hagrid had attempted to do so, he came to her readily, probably owing to the bottle she had in her hands. Instead of passing him off to Hagrid, she sat down on the repaired sofa and started feeding him his milk. "I have no idea how you would feed him on that motorbike of yours, so it's best not to try. It'll only take a few minutes and hopefully he'll fall asleep while on the road."
Ten minutes later, Hagrid was sitting astride the motorbike, a drowsy Harry carefully bundled up in some blankets and arranged in the sling around his chest. He thanked Elizabeth again and then brought the engine roaring to life. The sudden noise startled Harry and he started whimpering against Hagrid's chest. Elizabeth reached out to gently rub the child's back, quietly reassuring him with her soothing voice. He quieted back down, but his eyes were wide and alert, as if he knew that, by being out of doors again, they were once again in possible danger. Elizabeth stepped back and motioned for them to go on. Hagrid could see a sparkle in her eye, a tear she was trying to keep in check. He didn't blame her for he also had a heartfelt fondness for the young orphan himself. It was going to be hard saying goodbye. He wasn't going to try and fool himself; he knew he would have to say goodbye to Harry before the night was over. Hagrid pulled away from the sidewalk and took up a position coasting down the middle of the road. He would have to wait until he was out of the city before he attempted to take to the skies.