Chapter 49: Partings

At Hagrid's hut, Claire found the giant groundskeeper looking around his garden.

"What's wrong, Hagrid?" Claire asked. "Did Fang run away?"

Solemnly, Hagrid nodded. "The lil' rascal slipped through me fingers and now I don' know where he is. But I should've been looking fer you, Claire! I've seen many students throughout me years as a groundskeeper, though very few have left the impression yeh have."

"That's so sweet, Hagrid," Claire said. "I was actually coming over to say goodbye to you."

Hagrid's eyes got misty. "Oh, I promised I wouldn't cry. I'm gonna miss yeh!"

"Don't cry! Try to remember the good times we've had together."

While Hagrid dried his eyes, Claire and him walked around the garden recalling their various interactions from Hagrid saving Claire and Rowan from the Devil's Snare plant during Claire's first year at Hogwarts to Hagrid's dating advice.

"If it hadn't been for your advice, I might not have gone out with Barnaby," Claire said.

"He's a good lad, Claire, even if he is a Slytherin," Hagrid replied. "Are yeh two thinkin' of gettin' married?"

Claire blushed at the thought. "We…haven't decided that far ahead."

"Oh! Sorry I assumed."

"No, it's okay, Hagrid."

"Yeh've grown so much since yer first year!"

"And I have you to partially thank for that."

Then Claire embraced Hagrid, who hugged her tightly. A moment later, the patter of tiny feet drew their attention to the scarecrow in the garden. From behind it emerged Fang.

"So that's where yeh ran off to, yeh little rascal!" Hagrid said as he scooped up Fang in his big arms. Then he looked back at Claire. "It was nice seeing yeh again, Claire, but don't think this'll be the last time we see each other! Just remember: you're always home at Hogwarts."


The following day, Claire and the other Seventh-Years were escorted onto the Training Grounds to celebrate their graduation. All their professors were gathered there with tables full of food and refreshments. So Claire took the time to speak to the professors who meant the most to her, including Professor Flitwick, McGonagall, and Kettleburn.

"You've been an exceptional student and a joy to teach," McGonagall said.

"Don't forget to stop by and visit the creatures on the Reserve!" Kettleburn said. "They'll definitely miss you."

"Goodbye, Miss Krystal," Flitwick said, shaking Claire's hand. "May others recognize your talent beyond these walls."

"I predict great things will happen to you outside of Hogwarts," Professor Trelawney interjected.

"Claire, do you have a moment?" Ben said.

"Yes, what is it?" Claire asked.

Ben sighed and said, "I want to thank you, for being my first friend here. You protected me when I was scared, and even put up with me when I was being reckless. Though I can't imagine it was easy dealing with me."

"Actually, it was the opposite. Sure, there were moments when I wasn't happy with your decisions. But I'm glad to see the man you've become, and happy to have been on this journey with you."

With tears in his eyes, Ben hugged Claire and the two stood that way for a while.

"You've spent all this time taking care of me, and now it's time to take care of yourself," Ben said. "Especially since I'll be going away soon."

"Going away?" Claire flinched in surprise as she broke from Ben's embrace. "Where?"

"To the United States," Ben replied. "I have a job there at MACUSA, where I'll be training to be an Obliviator."

"Blimey! You mean...the Magical Congress of the United States of America?" When Ben nodded, Claire almost lost her balance. "That's…impressive! Congratulations!"

"I know, so I thought it would be best to say my final goodbye before the afterparty at the Three Broomsticks. But I'll be sure to write, and definitely see you if I'm visiting."

From the corner of Claire's eye, she thought she saw something move. But when she looked to where the movement was, there was nothing visible. Yet she couldn't shake off the feeling of being followed, even during the afterparty at the Three Broomsticks with her friends.

"So will you miss Hogwarts?" Liz asked Claire.

Claire was so distracted looking around for whatever was following her that she didn't hear Liz. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Are you going to miss Hogwarts?" Liz repeated.

"Yeah, I think so. All of our friends are here, and now that some of them are going to faraway places…I'm not sure if I'll ever see them again."

"You know we don't have to be at Hogwarts to see them in the future."

"Maybe, though it depends on what everyone else's future plans are."

Liz shrugged, and so Claire went around. She learned Talbott was thinking of becoming a Hit Wizard, Corey was going to work in his family's antique shop, and Andre would be working at Gladrags where Claire bought her school robes from. As for Tonks, she was going to be working as an Auror under Mad-Eye Moody's tutelage while Victor was considering an invitation to join the Vampire Society. Then Badeea was planning to continue her artwork while working in her uncle's tea shop to cover her living expenses, Chiara was off to St. Mungo's to be a Healer, Penny would be making potions at the Apothecary, Jae got a job as a Cake Charmer, meaning he would be baking magical cakes, and Tulip was going to be inventing new items for Zonko's. Yet Merula didn't have anything lined up, except for some job interviews.

"Wow, it seems like everyone's got their dream job," Claire remarked. "I wish I had one."

Just then, Moody suddenly walked into the Three Broomsticks.

"Congratulations on graduating from Hogwarts, Claire," Moody said.

"Glad you could make it," Claire smiled, hiding her unease.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," replied Moody. "But I also wanted to speak to you about something in private."

Then just like the first time she met him, Moody took Claire by the hand and they Apparated away together.

To be continued…