Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. It's J.K. Rowling's Magical world. I'm just renting residence. Heh.
Chapter Summary: Harry is found.
A/N: Yay for reviews! But I don't really 'need' to say that, as you already know how much I love them. xD So after, what, 24hrs of waiting? Yea, I think that's about right, anyways here is the next chapter. Typed and ready for your enjoyment.
Chapter 6: Returned
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Harry jumped up faster than a flash of lightning, causing 'Amber' to have to unwillingly get up, as well, from her once comfortable position.
"I-I'm s-sowwy…I d-didn't mean…" Harry stuttered as he backed slowly away from the colossal man. Imagine getting hit by one of 'those' hands!
"There, there! No 'arm done!" The man chuckled jovially. Harry, to say the least, was shocked. This man was not angry with him for having 'Amber', or for exiting the castle, or for leaving the hospital wing.
Or maybe...he just doesn't know, Harry thought, deciding that must be the reason.
"Ah, you've found Whitie! I been looking all over for 'er!" The man said thankfully as he easily picked up the creature, who looked much smaller in the man's huge hands.
"Whitie?" Harry repeated doubtfully, an odd look crossing his face, surprising himself with his daring to speak his mind. He had stopped doing that a long time ago.
"Well, yea. Why? You don' like it?" the man inquired, smiling encouragingly.
"I…kinda…well…I named her Amber," Harry muttered looking at his feet as though fascinated by them. The man looked pensive for a few seconds then chuckled.
"Why tha's a great name! I'll call her tha' from now on," he declared smiling through his thick mass of black hair and beard. Harry looked up and smiled timidly; this man liked his opinion and did not get mad that he gave it? Weird…but nice.
"How 'bout we go and get some tea 'eh?" the man asked smiling warmly at Harry. The young boy nodded slowly, realizing for the first time that day how hungry he truly was. The man turned and walked toward a cabin not too far from the lake. Harry followed cautiously behind.
"Would ya mind if I asked your name? I don' think I've seen ya around these parts before," The man inquired when they had finally reached the cabin and he was putting some water to boil for the tea. Amber lay in a dog bed watching the two.
"H-Harry, sir," Harry said nervously, feeling bad that he had not introduced himself earlier.
"Well, Harry, the names Hagrid," Hagrid replied amiably as he finished making the tea and handed Harry a cupful along with a piece of cake he had bought in Hogsmeade a day ago. Harry had never been given cake before; that could not be for him. Dudley was the one who got cake. Harry just sat there as Hagrid sat down across from him and took a sip of his tea. After a few seconds the bearded man noticed the emerald eyed boy was not doing anything.
"Well, aren't ya going to eat any of it?" Hagrid asked surprised. Who did not like cake?
This is really for me to eat? All of it? Harry thought as a small smile graced his lips.
"Go on," Hagrid reassured smiling back. Harry did as he was told, - like he always did – and sipped his tea and ate his piece of cake as Hagrid did the same across from him - although Harry did so much slower than Hagrid did; savoring every taste. It was delicious. Like nothing he had ever had before, for he was never allowed to eat anything that was sweet. He had been able to drink tea, but the cake made it all the better.
Harry was wary of Hagrid still, but Amber was okay with Hagrid, and Harry was going to try and be okay with Hagrid too. Especially since he was so nice.
"She's pretty ain't she? Mix breed, only one of her kind. Not supposed to have her, tell you the truth. But she don' hurt, see, she's as sweet as an angel," Hagrid explained gazing fondly at Amber. Harry nodded his agreement. A few minutes passed in silence as they both finished their teas.
"T-Thank you," Harry said gratefully.
"Anytime."
Harry had a lot of questions, about Amber, about magic, about this school, but decided against voicing them. No matter how much he wanted to be okay with Hagrid, truth was he knew less about him than Padfoot and Moony, which said a lot.
"So…not to be rude or intrudin', but…are you supposed to be out and about on the grounds?" Hagrid inquired curiously once they were done.
"I'm…saposed to be…in the howspital wing. But, I don't know where that is," Harry answered, truthful even though he did not want to be. He did not want to go back.
"That's fine, I can take ya there," Hagrid reassured as he began picking up the dishes. Harry sighed resignedly. He was going back. It was for the best he supposed, but…where would he go from there? Would Padfoot and Moony come back?
Don't get your hopes up, Harry told himself sternly. They have better things to do…
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-15 minutes later-
Hagrid had let Harry say his good-byes to Amber and had then proceeded to walk the curiously sad boy back to the castle and up to the hospital wing. Hagrid had instructed Harry to lie back down and to try to rest. And after doing so, Harry's long day quickly caught up with him and sleep claimed him before Hagrid had even reached the doorway.
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"Hagrid!" Dumbledore greeted as the giant man reached the entrance hall where Sirius, Remus, McGonagall and Pomfrey now irresolutely stood.
"Hello, Professors, Sirius, Remus, Poppy," Hagrid replied with a nod as he reached them, barely noticing the grave looks on their faces.
"Might I ask where you were?" Dumbledore inquired politely, as only he seemed capable of speech.
"Oh, I was just in the hospital wing, returnin' one of Poppy's getaways, sir," Hagrid answered smiling, oblivious to the state they all believed they where in. There was a stunned silence before Sirius and Remus dashed up the many flights of stairs toward the hospital wing.
"That's…very good to hear, Hagrid," Dumbledore said smiling in a relieved and amused way, eyes sparkling once more. Madam Pomfrey quickly followed after the worried men, toward her patient, leaving McGonagall and Dumbledore to deal with Hagrid.
"Albus. Hagrid," McGonagall said looking a great deal calmer, turned, and proceeded back to her office, hoping beyond hope that this did not happen again. It could not be good for her blood pressure.
"Am I missing something here, sir?" Hagrid asked confusedly.
"Ah, Hagrid," Dumbledore sighed, patting the man's arm apologetically. "Come, we have much to discuss," he stated tiredly as he led a bewildered Hagrid to his office.
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A/N: We'll see Amber again later in the story, but not for a good few chapters. Her true role will come much later; she just needed to be introduced early on. Anyway, I'm really glad you all like this story. When I began it I was sure no one would like it, but here you are. –Smiles- Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter and review. That way Chapter 7 can be out by tomorrow as usual.