Summary: Two individuals help one another transform from ordinary to extraordinary.

Rated: K

Genre: Friendship

Taming the Lion's Manes

Hagrid trudged through the door of his hut from the frigid winter outside. Fang barely looked up to acknowledge his owner as the giant brushed off the snow from the overly large overcoat he favoured. He shrugged off the wet coat and hung it on the nearby hook beside the fire before kneeling down in front of it to toss a couple of dry logs onto it to keep the cosy space toasty and warm. Hagrid then turned to prepare a kettle when he saw the pile of beauty products laying on the table with an agitated owl perched on the back of the chair. It ruffled its feathers and flapped its wings in place in its impatience for a treat.

"I don' remember orderin' anything," Hagrid grumbled to himself, running a hand over his beard before digging in the pocket of his coat to offer the bird a stale piece of bread.

The owl took off, satisfied with the offering as the giant picked up one of the potions and read its label.

"Sleekeazy's Hair Potion, able teh tame even the wildest o' manes." He turned the container in his hand before setting it down and grabbing the envelope. "Thank yeh fer yer order, Miss Granger. We hope tha' yeh find our product helpful an' useful. If yeh are not completely satisfied, please return for a full refund."

Hagrid let out a deep chuckle as he placed the letter back in its sleeve. "Looks like a bit of a mix up happened, Fang."

The loyal boarhound lifted his head up in hearing his name and tilted it some in confusion.

"Ah, now where's tha' quill again? Gotta tidy up in here; can never find nothin'." The giant bumped into the table, knocking one of the beauty products over as he looked around on the counter for the missing quill.

Fang got up from his cosy bed, stretched, and walked over to the end table beside the bed and nudged the writing materials with his nose and whined quietly to get Hagrid's attention.

"What'd I do without ya, boy?"

He gave the large dog a loving pat on the head before pulling a dog biscuit from a pocket and tossed it on Fang's bed for him. Hagrid put the kettle on the fire before grabbing the parchment, ink, and quill, but before he could inform Hermione that her delivery was sent to him, the frazzled witch stormed into the tiny hut from the snow falling outside.

"Nice to see yeh, Hermione," he greeted, somewhat surprised by her arrival. "Jus' got the kettle on, care for some tea?"

"No, sure. I mean… yes, please?" Hermione shook her head at the misuse of words, slapping a hand over her brow in embarrassment.

She looked quite stressed out, which wasn't completely unusual for the young witch since Hagrid has known her, but this time it was a different sort of stress. He could tell by the way she carried herself and how she didn't seem to want to sit still. She paced around the small space wearing her damp cloak from the unbrushed snow melting into the fabric from the heat of the hut.

"Got a bit of the nerves, do yeh?" Hagrid offered her a chair and offered a cup as she sat down. "Care to talk 'bout it? May help yeh calm down some."

Hagrid pulled the kettle as it started whistling and placed it between them on the table. Hermione took her time prepping her tea, taking a large sip before she absently rubbed at her forehead, flinching some at the motion. "This silly dance has me all nervous, and maybe a little annoyed? I don't know. I don't even think I like to dance, but 'no thank you' didn't come out of my mouth when Krum asked me. He's so... "

She trailed off when she noticed the container of hair product on the floor and then the pile stacked on the table in front of her. She picked up the one off the floor and immediately started reading the label. "Well, at least I won't have to worry about my hair dilemma..."

Hagrid took a sip of his tea, watching her as she read. "Tha' came not long ago. Puzzled lil' owl, it was, bringin' it here. Was 'bout teh send a note lettin' yeh know."

Hermione placed it back in its bag and cupped the warm mug again, taking a long whiff of the steam before flinching again. "I suppose you don't have any headache remedy around? My head has been throbbing for hours while I scramble around preparing for this silly ball. Arguing with Ron certainly hasn't helped at all, and I don't have time to go to the hospital wing..."

"I might have summat." He leaned back in his chair, sliding a few vials aside on a shelf before grabbing one. "Jus' enough there, looks like."

"Thank you." Hermione glanced at the label before taking a sip, grateful for not having to go to the hospital wing.

"I only have two hours to get ready now. I was stressing about not being able to get this stuff in time. Not sure why I am even bothering. It'll be impossible to get myself to look presentable. Kids back in primary—er—muggle school always called me 'Plain Jane' or 'Ugly Duckling,'" she rattled off as she fidgeted with preparing a second cup of tea, rubbing her temple some. Hagrid figured it was a sign that her headache hadn't subsided yet.

"My hair alone will be a nightmare to tame in such a short time..." she muttered into her mug, seeming to try and keep herself from crying. "And I ordered this dress in a lovely periwinkle, but I barely glanced at the shawl and it looks more like a powder blue. I really hope it is just because of the lighting or that the material is thinner…"

Hagrid waved a hand to get her attention before resting it on her shoulder blade. "Nothin' teh be worried 'bout, Hermione. I'm sure the lad will fancy yeh all the same no matter what color you wear." Hagrid picked up the hair product and noticed the instructions on the side of it this time. "Yeh need to relax an' have some fun with it all, yeh know! Aim fer the moon an' land amongst the stars, or whatever it is tha' you younglings say now."

Hermione looked up at the giant, a small smile forming. "I suppose you're right. I'm overthinking and stressing about frivolous things like a dance. It'll be fine."

"Tha's my girl!" Hagrid boomed out with a laugh before finishing up his tea. "Not sure how much of a help I can be, but if yeh like, I'd sure like to try." Hagrid fiddled with the Sleekeazy's Hair Potion in hand. "I could handle yer hair a bit while you doll yerself up, perhaps?"

The smile only grew at the offer, and Hermione threw her arms around him, joyful for the offer. "You're a great friend, Hagrid. Thank you for listening to me vent and offering to help. I really could use the extra help. Everyone else is so busy getting ready themselves."

"'Course. Anything for the brightest witch of her age teh have a fun-filled night. Knock that Bulgarian kid righ' off his broom once I'm done, yeh will. Maybe I'll give it a try too, eh?" Hagrid said, chuckling to himself.

The witch smiled back at him. "I bet we can make Madame Maxime speechless as well."

So the unlikely duo quickly got to work. Hermione snuck everything into Myrtle's bathroom, knowing it was the only place they would be left alone, while Hagrid got ready at his hut before meeting up with her. Hermione was already dressed in the periwinkle gown she had chosen when Hagrid arrived. He started on her hair while gluing herself to a mirror to do her makeup. Before they both knew it, Hermione was placing a few finishing touches on her hair before she did a little spin in the soft glow of the candlelight.

"How do I look?"

Myrtle had watched in silence at the transformation, but clearly found the need to drop her opinion as soon as the question asked. "Like an ugly duckling hiding in a dress."

"Tha's mighty rude of yeh, Myrtle," Hagrid chastised the ghost.

She shot a glare his way, her glasses somehow glinting with the gesture. "You're one to talk, mountain man. Invading my bathroom like it's a private glamour room for your dancing! You didn't even ask me."

Myrtle disappeared through the wall before Hermione could respond. She looked at Hagrid, giving a light shrug at the sudden interruption.

"I hear ugly ducklin's are really swans when they grow up." He gave her a gentle pat on the back.

"I should thank you. You probably saved me from having a mental breakdown over a dance. So, thank you for everything, Hagrid." Hermione gave Hagrid a gentle hug, careful to not mess up her perfect hairdo.

"No trouble at all, Hermione."

"I still have some Sleekeazy's Hair Potion left. Let's get you ready."

Hagrid had Hermione try the remaining hair product on him, and after a fight with the large hairbrush, a little hair pulling, and a few trimming spells later, she handed the giant a mirror off the wall to show off her handiwork. Although still quite scruffy, the product didn't lie on its taming abilities, managing to even keep Hagrid's mass of hair and beard to look sleek yet natural.

"We clean up well." Hagrid stood at his full height, pulling the large brown dress robes in front of him as he looked in the mirror. "Now, les' get yeh to that dance, eh? Maybe use tha' disillusionment spell? Make an entrance fer yerself." The giant gave her a wink at the suggestion before he gave a little turn of his own. "Better go get meself out there too before this stuff wears off me."

Hermione laughed as the two waved goodbye. Hagrid stole a final glance before opening the door, catching Hermione do one last twirl in front of the mirror before she pulled her wand from the small handbag and cast the spell to make her disappear. He held the door open for several long seconds, whistling quietly to himself before following his now invisible friend out to the main staircase.

If one thing was for certain that night, two unlikely people were transformed for that one special night.

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Monthly Challenges for All

The Houses Competition

Word Count: 1,759

Originally Written: August 2018