"Harry, he's back! He's back!" Neville came running into their dorm room excitedly. He, Ron, and Seamus were playing exploding snap on the floor.
"Who's back?" Harry asked, confused.
"Hagrid! I just saw him heading into his hut!" Neville said. Ron and Harry exchanged excited looks before jumping up.
"Can I come with you?" Seamus asked, as the two started for the door.
"Come on!" Harry said excitedly, waving him over.
"W-why didn't we t-think to grab s-sweaters?" Ron's teeth chattered. The weather had turned quickly, the smell of snow in the air.
"We're almost there, I'm sure Hagrid will have the fire lit." Harry said, tightening the strings on his thin sweater. They were soon at Hagrid's door. Seamus reached up and knocked a few times. They barely had to wait as the door opened.
"Not even home twenty minutes and you're already here," Hagrid chuckled. He stepped aside to let them in. The three boys sat in front of the fireplace in the big armchairs.
"Where have you been, Hagrid?" Harry asked, watching the giant brew some tea.
"I had a special assignment I needed to take care of for Dumbledore." Hagrid said. He looked over at the trio and suddenly looked confused: He was surprised to see Seamus Finnegan there. "Where's Hermione? Not that I'm not happy ta see ya, Seamus."
"She's studying, of course." Ron rolled his eyes. "We didn't want to bother her."
"I see." Hagrid placed three huge mugs of tea in front of them. They accepted them gratefully, holding them closely for warmth.
"We've missed you, Hagrid. Care of Magical Creatures have not been the same without you." Seamus said.
"Who has been teachin' me classes?"
"Professor Grubbly-Plank. She's ok, but she's not you." Harry said. In truth, the classes were exactly what he thought a care of magical creatures' class should be. But he wasn't going to admit that to Hagrid.
"We'll, I'm hoping ta be able to return this coming week!' Hagrid said happily. He sat down heavily, pouring himself a bottle of brandy. "So, what's been new since I've been gone."
They explained all about Umbridge's rampage of almost completely shutting down Quidditch, how they only finally just had their first game against the Slytherins – they won miraculously, of course. Harry told Hagrid about the awful punishments Umbridge had made him go through, and even showed him the scars on the back on of his hand. Hagrid growled at that.
"That worthless cow!" Hagrid said angrily. "Aye, I wish there was something we could do to get rid of her."
"You and me both," Harry said.
"We'll, sounds like it's been a pretty hectic school year so far." Hagrid drained half his cup. "Anything else that's been going on? Anything good, at least?"
Ron looked at the two boys, who looked back at him. It suddenly dawned on Harry that Hagrid's didn't know about his and Seamus' relationship yet. "Yeah! Actually, Hagrid, me and Seamus are – we're dating now." Harry knew Hagrid wouldn't care; he took Seamus' hand into his own and smiled.
Hagrid looked taken aback but smiled. "We'll, that's certainly a turn of events! No longer interested in that Chang, eh?"
"Nah…all she wanted to do was talk about Cedric." Harry said. "Why would I want to date someone who just wants to talk about their ex all the time?"
"We'll, good fa you two! I'm happy for ya!" Hagrid smiled kindly at the couple. "How long ya been dating fer?"
Harry and Seamus looked at each other, thinking. "I believe it's been about a month now, right?"
"Sounds about right," Seamus said.
There was a knock on the door just then. The three boys looked at Hagrid, who went to the door and opened it. Their faces dropped as Professor Umbridge stood at the door.
"Ah, so I was correct – you are back." Umbridge pushed her way passed Hagrid and into the hut. Her eyes fell on Ron, and then on Harry and Seamus, who who still holding hands. "And what do you three think you're doing?"
"We're visiting," Harry said stiffly.
"Didn't think that was against the rules," Ron added.
"Ten points from Gryffindor. And if you back talk me again, it will be more." Umbridge said with a smile. "Now, if you three will please leave, I have important matters to discuss with Hagrid."
The boys hesitated before standing up and headed towards the door. Umbridge watched as they made their leave. "Potter, Finnegan – no holding hands."
The two looked at her and glared before letting each other go. Harry didn't want to do or say anything that would jeopardize losing more points.
They made their way back to the castle, their heads bent against the wind. "What do you think she's talking to him about?" Seamus asked, as they finally entered the warm hallway.
"No idea. But she better let him continue teaching," Harry said. "I like Grubbly-Plank, but I need Hagrid back."
"I can't see why she would. One, he's our professor. And two, she doesn't have that authority. Only Dumbledore does." They continued bad-mouthing Umbridge all the way back to the common room.
Later that night, Harry found himself and Seamus behind one of the broom cupboards, having met up after Quidditch practice. They were kissing passionately, their hands roaming around each other's bodies. Harry's breath caught in his throat as Seamus moved down to his neck, sucking on the skin. Harry ran his hand through Seamus' hair.
"Shay," Harry gasped breathlessly. "W-we should get back to the common room…before we get in trouble."
Seamus chuckled into Harry's neck and continued. Harry didn't want him to stop, and he could feel his heart pounding faster as Seamus went in deeper. There was a sudden sound of a door slamming and Seamus and Harry jumped apart nervously. They looked around, but there was no one. They looked at each other and started laughing. Taking each other by the hand, they headed back to the castle.
"Where have you two been?" Ron asked as the two boys walked through the portrait hole.
"Just walking around the grounds," Harry said, joining the others by the fireside.
"Really? Are you sure about that?" Dean asked, raising his eyebrows and smiling.
"Yeah, why?" Seamus asked. Ron cleared his throat and pointed to the side of Harry's neck. Seamus turned Harry's head and found a sizable hickey just below Harry's jawline.
"What is it?" Harry asked, confused.
"Damn! I didn't think I went hard!" Seamus said, turning slightly pink.
"What is it?" Harry asked again.
"Looks like Seamus gave you a little love bite," Hermione giggled. Harry also turned pink, his hand immediately flying to his neck.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Harry." Dean said, watching them in amusement. The two boys stared at the floor, smiling from ear to ear.
Later that night, on their way down to dinner, they were surprised to find Hagrid standing in the doorway to the castle, staring out into the grounds. The group went up to the giant. "Hagrid? Everything ok?" Harry asked.
Hagrid didn't say anything but continued staring off into the distance. Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged looks.
"Hagrid?" Hermione called once more, reaching out for his elbow, the highest part she could reach. Hagrid looked down at her and jumped a little, as if just seeing her for the first time.
"Oh, Hermione! There you are!" Hagrid said, sounding falsely happy.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked once more.
"Umbridge is coming," Seamus whispered in Harry's ear, his eyes turned towards the dining hall.
"And what are you four doing? Head to dinner or your dorms right now." Umbridge said, glaring at them.
"We just wanted to talk to Professor Hagrid," Hermione started. Hagrid burst into tears just then and made his way out of the castle.
"Hagrid? Hagrid, wait!" Harry called, starting to go after him, but Seamus grabbed him by the back of his sweater.
"It's best if you leave him alone," Umbridge said. Harry didn't like how happy she sounded. "And there's no need to call him 'professor' anymore." And with that, she turned away, leaving the friends looking dumbfounded.
"No…no no no," Harry's heart dropped as his hands flew to his head.
"There has to be a mistake!" Hermione said, watching as Umbridge turned into the dining hall.
"There's no way he could have been fired!" Ron said, still watching the front doors, as if Hagrid was suddenly going to pop back up.
"And for what? He hasn't been here to have done anything wrong!' Seamus said as they made their way to the dining hall. "Hagrid said he was on a special mission for Dumbledore. Surely, he told Umbridge that?"
They looked up at the teacher table: Dumbledore and McGonagall were in deep conversation…they looked troubled, that was for sure. Umbridge was sitting there, a wide smile on her ugly face, eating as if there wasn't a care in the world. Hagrid's seat was, of course, empty. They took a seat at the end of the table, feeling completely miserable.