Harry Potter and Ron Weasley hurried to Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid… Hermione's hurt here?" Harry shouted, pounding hard on the door.
"She's fine now," Hagrid said as he opened the door and let them in. "Just fainted for a bit, that's all…"
Hagrid looked as scruffy as ever—his matted hair streaked with dried blood; his left eye swollen shut and bruised purple; his face and hands covered in cuts, some still bleeding. Yet he was humming a tune, looking oddly cheerful.
Harry and Ron rushed inside. Hermione Granger was lying on Hagrid's bed—her small figure barely taking up a tenth of it. She seemed to have regained consciousness and was just sitting up.
"Why did you pass out in front of Hagrid's hut?" Ron asked immediately.
"I…" Hermione looked a little dazed. She scratched her head lightly. "Oh, right… I remember now. I came to see Hagrid about something, but when I reached the door, I suddenly felt dizzy—and then I just blacked out…"
"Must've been from not eating enough!" Hagrid said heartily. "I used to be like that when I was little—kept faintin' on the way home 'cause I hadn't eaten!"
As he spoke, he brought over a huge slab of rock cake.
Hermione froze, exchanged a quick look with Harry, then pretended to chew on it with effort.
"Hagrid, you seem awfully happy," Harry said curiously.
It was strange indeed. Given how battered Hagrid looked, Harry couldn't imagine why he'd be in such high spirits—especially with Umbridge always breathing down his neck during Care of Magical Creatures class.
"He called me by name, that sweet Little Grawp…" Hagrid blurted out thoughtlessly. But then his face changed, and he shook his head quickly, looking guilty. "N-nothing…"
Hermione's expression grew serious. She looked straight at him.
"Hagrid, are you hiding something?"
"No! 'Course not!" Hagrid turned away, pretending to busy himself.
"You're keeping something in the Forbidden Forest, aren't you?" Hermione pressed.
"N-no…" Hagrid stammered, shaking his head.
"Yes, you are," Hermione said firmly. "I heard Blaise Zabini talking about it an hour ago."
"Blaise Zabini?" Ron exclaimed. "Isn't he one of Malfoy's lot?"
"That's right," Hermione said. "I overheard Zabini telling Malfoy he'd found out what Hagrid's hiding in the Forbidden Forest. Malfoy told him to keep watch on you and report any movement—then Malfoy would pass it to Umbridge!"
"That little rat!" Hagrid growled, his voice rising. "If I catch him followin' me—"
"Hagrid," Hermione interrupted softly, "whatever you're keeping in the Forbidden Forest, please be careful. Don't give Umbridge any excuse—she'll use any chance she gets to drive you out of Hogwarts!"
"I know… Thanks, Hermione," Hagrid mumbled.
"So what are you really keeping in there?" Ron asked curiously. "Don't tell me it's another giant spider?"
"'Course not…" Hagrid muttered, then quickly changed the subject. "I'll go make you another rock cake, Hermione."
...
"Hagrid's definitely hiding something," Ron said with a snort as they watched him walk away.
"Let him," Harry said calmly. "If Hagrid wants to tell us, he will." He turned to Hermione. "Hermione, has Krum written to you?"
"Yes, I got a letter from Viktor," Hermione nodded. "He said he knows this Christopher Patrick. He's a decent man, very skilled in prophecy—even Professor Stark from Durmstrang spoke highly of him."
Harry and Ron exchanged uneasy glances.
"Viktor also said Patrick's expulsion from Durmstrang had nothing to do with Dark Magic. He's actually a really easygoing person."
"Then why's he hanging around with Malfoy and his gang?" Harry asked, frowning.
"I don't know…" Hermione shook her head. "But Viktor wouldn't lie to me about something like that. So this Patrick…"
Ron reached out a hand.
"Can I see the letter, Hermione?"
"I destroyed it," she said, shaking her head. "I was afraid Umbridge's people might find it."
...
As soon as she finished speaking, Harry suddenly crouched down, clutching his head.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
"My head… it hurts… my scar… it feels like it's splitting open… just like the night I saw Mr. Weasley…" Harry gasped weakly between words.
It felt as if his skull had been cut open, waves of pain slicing through him. He no longer knew where he was—standing, lying down, even who he was.
Wild laughter echoed in his ears. He hadn't felt this happy in ages—elated, thrilled, exultant. Something wonderful had happened—something exhilarating beyond belief!
"Harry! Harry!" Someone slapped him across the face.
The crazed laughter rang on, tangled with a scream of pain. The joy faded, but the laughter wouldn't stop.
Harry Potter finally opened his eyes—only to realize the crazed laughter was coming from his own mouth.
The instant he realized it, the laughter ceased. He lay on the floor, gasping for breath, staring up at the ceiling as his scar throbbed violently.
Hagrid, Hermione, and Ron loomed over him, faces pale with worry. His cheek stung—it looked like Hagrid had just slapped him.
"What happened?" they asked together.
"I… no… You-Know-Who… he's happy… so happy…" Harry said weakly.
At that moment, Hermione suddenly clutched her head and collapsed onto the bed.
"Hermione?" Hagrid and Ron turned toward her. "You've got a headache too?"
"I… I'm fine…" Hermione sat up again, though her expression was strange.
Yes—there were new memories in her mind, memories that weren't hers at all. A very strange feeling indeed…