"First years! Over here! First Years! Hey there Harry, who's this then? How was yer train ride? First Years!"
"Hi Hagrid! The Express was amazing! This is Ron Weasley and we met on the train. Did you know that Ron has five older brothers, and one sister who will be coming next year? Seven kids, Hagrid! can you imagine? Hey Hagrid, do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Harry, what did we decide about you having sweets? First Years!" Hagrid chuckled. The morning after their impromptu reminiscing, Harry and Hagrid had eaten breakfast together before taking Harry home to his relatives, and Hagrid had been shocked to discover that muggles didn't have butterbeer! Upon this discovery, Hagrid was delighted to have the honor of buying Harry is first (albeit very weak) alcoholic beverage.
Hagrid had then proceeded to spend the next three and a half hours keeping an eye on the incredibly hyper-active preteen wizard in the London underground. He had decided to take the long route to Privet Drive, as he didn't think leaving the Harry at the Dursleys in such a state would be beneficial to any parties involved.
"Not to partake in candy except for on special occasions, but Hagrid, this is a special occasion! It's not everyday that you get to start being a wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry now is it? and I shared with Ron here." Harry indicated his bemused looking companion. "Plus it was educational. A valuable insight into a new and wonderful culture. Did you know that the chocolate hops! And gives you collector's cards!"
"Alrigh' Everyone here? Follow me!" After a headcount, and double checking, just to be sure, Hagrid led the first years down the path the boats, careful to not outpace the little tykes. "Now, where were we?" He said, looking down at Harry and Ron, the former having no problem keeping up, despite his small stature, jumping up and down.
"Ron Weasley, candy, seven kids, siblings... c'mon Hagrid, pay attention." Harry's palpable excitement took any bite from his words.
"Righ', right'" Hagrid chuckled. "My little half-brother Grawp. He's from my Mom's side. Wer still waitin on a growth spur' for him. He's only 17 feet, don't want him being teased for being a runt, righ'" Harry nodded his head vigorously, understanding completely. Ron looked quite confused.
Their conversation was put on hold as they reached the boats, and Hagrid directed the children, "no mor'n four to a boat". Hagrid was filled with a strange pride as Harry raced to get the closest boat to Hagrid's, dragging Ron with him. They were joined by another pair of kids, a rather despondent looking brown-haired boy, and a young lady with wonder filled eyes, and hair nearly as wild as Hagrid's own.
With one final head count, Hagrid sat himself, only to leap back up with a yelp, as a loudly protesting toad leapt out from under him, somehow conveying a look of being utterly harassed.
"Trevor!" Harry's companion cried with glee, lunging forward to grab to toad from a startled Hagrid. Harry and Ron laughed, along with the girl, who was congratulating the embarrassed boy, hugging his toad to his chest. Checking the bench one more time, to the children's amusement, Hagrid finally settled into his boat, and with one loud clap, started them moving.
As the boats began moving, Harry went back to his earlier conversation, "So Ron and I had a, er... couple chocolate frogs, and they come with cards, and I got one fo Dumbledore! He looks just like Gandalf and... Oh. My. G-I mean Merlin's Beard!" here he glanced at Ron, who nodded his approval at the correction, "was Gandalf an actual Wizard! Just like Merlin! What about Gimly? Sauron!? The Hobbits? Dwarves... oh right we saw dwarves at the inn, didn't, and of course there are goblins..."
At this point, Hagrid could no longer contain his laughter, and the resulting belly laugh once again threatened to capsize another poor vessel. After a couple minutes, He looked up, wiping the tears from his eyes, and taking deep, gasping breaths, only to start anew as he saw the young girl summarily addressing every individual point Harry had brought up, to a startled trio of boys. Finally calming, Hagrid looked around at all young faces, each one filled with dreams and possibilities.
This duty, more than any of his many others, including caring for the Threshal herd and patrolling the Forbidden Forest, was by far Hagrid's favorite. He would never forget the first time he had done this, after completing his apprenticeship under old Elfric Terre, who had been looking to retire. Mr. Terre had been doubtful of the 'uppity half-breed' at first glance, but it hadn't taken very long for Mr. Terre to overcome his own prejudices, especially once he had discovered just how useful a motivated, passionate attitude could be combined with a back that could literally uproot trees. To this day, the retiree still sent Hagrid a Yule letter every year, thanking him for the pheasant Hagrid sent him each Autumn.
That night, after the first time he had give those first years their tour, Hagrid had had difficulty describing it to Professor Dumbledore. "It was the most incredible thin', sir." He fumbled his words, as Professor Dumbledore urged him to continue. "Ther faces, professer, I can' even describe it. Ah, I wish yah coulda just been ther!" Dumbledores ever-present grin had nearly split his face, and his eyes were twinkling like stars as he had exclaimed, "Why of course! You're a Genius, Hagrid!"
A thoroughly flushed Hagrid had been informed of the purpose and usage of a pensieve, and after some impromptu spell modification and a great deal of overpowering to overcome his half-giant physiology, Dumbledore had extracted the memory in question, and they had begun one of their favorite traditions. Other teachers quickly caught on, and began sharing some of their own favorite memories.
Not many knew that the Hogwarts traditional Graduation Memory Projection, nor the deeply treasured, individualized Memory Photo Albums each graduate received, began only in the past three generations. Many had been utterly bewildered by the naming of the associated spell Professor Dumbledore had especially created to facilitate the compilation process, 'Demi-Gigantus Photomemoriobilius'. Certainly, no one realized what effect a casual conversation between a junior groundskeeper and a school headmaster would have on their society.
As the group rounded the last bend, after ducking their heads under the trailing vines (Hagrid wondered why he bothered, considering he could fit comfortably enough), Hagrid paid special attention to the widening of Harry's eyes, and his slack-jawed look of wonder, mirrored on every face.
Hogwarts was always an impressive sight, but on the first of September, she literally glowed. Every stone polished, every candle lit. From the four tallest parapets flew the banners of the individual houses, freshly mended and dyed. On either side of the massive oaken great doors hung the tapestries, depicting the Hogwarts Coat d'Armes. Across the lit drawbridge, the carriages delivering the upper years could be seen entering the castle.
Alumni from every House and generation universally agreed there was something special about Hogwarts. It was more than just a school. Young witches and wizards entered, full of dreams and possibilities. Seven years later they left, having been shaped by their experiences, and guided by their professors and peers on their way to greater things. The halls were filled with struggles and triumphs, camaraderie and rivalry, growth and discoveries. Every single person who left the halls of Hogwarts, from Dumbledore to the Marauders to the Dark Lord, felt a deep, lasting connection to their Alma Mater. Every. Single. One.
Taking a good look over his shoulder, Hagrid turn backed to meet the eyes of his favorite charge. "Yer righ' about one thin' Harry: Yeh only star' Hogwarts once!"