Hagrid's New Wand
"Come in," Harry gestured to Hagrid with a large smile and stepped aside so that Hagrid could enter.
Hagrid, who as always looked as if he was too big to be allowed, entered Harry's home in Grimmauld Place, London, with a big grin on his face. Hagrid had a big gash on his left eyebrow, which was still bleeding slightly, yet he didn't seem to notice.
In the last year after the war, every month on the 17th, Hagrid, Hermione, Harry, and Ron got together and updated the others on how they were doing. Hagrid had gotten a bit older now, and Hermione suggested getting together more regularly with Harry and Ron now that they were not at Hogwarts anymore. Harry and Ron worked for the Auror department, whereas Hermione had recently started at a special division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
So, when they all sat down— Hermione and Ron had already arrived via floo— Harry poured everyone a cup of tea and small updates of how all the men were doing were exchanged.
When it was Hermione´s turn, the men looked at her with interest.
"My first week as a 'freelance-justice employee' was amazing! I got to do so many things that truly help the common wizarding world! I have submitted a new law proposal about equal rights for native magical creatures that possess a certain level of self-consciousness. I have submitted another for the undoing of harsh punishments without compensation for the wrongfully convicted, and I have done something else that, I think, only concerns the people in this room, and Hagrid, you in particular."
She turned to him and smiled broadly.
"Yer havin' me on the edge of me seat ´ere, Hermione," Hagrid said.
She took from her beaded bag a file in a brown envelope.
"This document, Hagrid, is for you. It says that you were wrongfully convicted of accidentally causing the murder of Moaning Myrtle."
Ron and Harry stared at her and Hagrid just blinked a few times. "How…" he started.
"The first two days, I had gathered all the evidence and documented it carefully to make a case, after which I had sent it to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement head for approval. Kingsley agreed too and that is this signed document, clearing you of all charges."
She handed him the legal paperwork and smiled broadly again.
Hagrid let out a strangled cry and got up to hug Hermione warmly. His beady black eyes filled with tears and he only managed to get out, "Thanks."
Ron and Harry looked very impressed when Hermione continued, "It was Ron and Harry's idea. They said to me once how ridiculous it was that you still didn't have your wand now it was proven that Tom Riddle murdered Moaning Myrtle with the basilisk."
"But…" Harry started.
"Just a second, Harry, which is why," she took out another file, "you also have permission to own and use a wand again."
His bushy beard shook as his whole head moved from side to side.
"No," Hagrid muttered disbelieving.
"Yes."
She handed him the last file and put her hand softly on his shoulder. Hagrid opened it and started reading.
"It's true," Hagrid said, the disbelief still oh-so-audible in his voice.
Hermione smiled one of her largest smiles, a single tear running down her cheek. Harry and Ron looked in awe at Hermione.
"Hermione, that is amazing!" Ron said whilst Harry added, "You deserve it, Hagrid. How do you feel?"
Hagrid's eyes moved from his letters to Hermione, then to Ron, and finally, to Harry. He moved his gigantic hands over the letters again and sighed. "I can't find the words, yeah. I can't believe it. Me dad would be so proud. Also, I can learn more spells that I've always wanted to learn and I can finally use magic to take care of me creatures better! I just can' believe it. Thanks, Hermione, Ron and Harry."
The intense happiness that was visible on his face slowly changed into a discharge of emotions on Hagrid's end and nearly made all of them cry. Ron took a sip of his tea, when Hermione spoke again, "Let's finish our teas because I have one other surprise planned for us."
Hagrid dried his tears with a tiny handkerchief Harry had handed him.
"Nothin' can beat this 'ere, Hermione. Nothin'," Hagrid replied, waving his letters around in the air.
"Well, that's alright, but I hope you will do me the honour of joining me at Ollivander's wand shop. Because this evening I have asked his successor, Thea Bunnings, to open the shop for us especially. So that your new wand can choose you, in private."
This news was enough to make Hagrid cry so loud that Harry was seriously wondering if the silencing spells of his house were going to hold.
Hermione placed her arms around Hagrid and even Harry and Ron teared up quite a bit.
Once everyone's eyes were as dry as they were going to get, they made themselves ready to leave for Diagon Alley. "Thanks, Hermione," Hagrid said once again.
"It's my pleasure. It is the least I can do, given everything you have done for us all at Hogwarts and for me personally too."
Hagrid swallowed loudly and said, "Now, you stop sayin' such nice things. I need to get meself a new wand, but I'll miss the old one though," he tapped the outside of his coat where the pink umbrella with three wandpieces in it was tucked away.
"I did not hear that, Hagrid. I am a ministry official," Hermione said, acting shocked.
All four of them started laughing as they walked to Diagon Alley. Life was good.
