Chapter 192: Hagrid's Hut
"Longbottom..." Sean murmured softly.
"It means to be at the bottom forever. Yet ordinary, mediocre people occasionally achieve greatness."
His eyes shimmered with a light that kept Minerva McGonagall's gaze fixed upon him.
Then, the Professor strode angrily down the corridor: "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle, you had better give me a satisfactory explanation!"
Sean "ran into" Neville around the next corner.
Neville was overwhelmed, both overjoyed by what he had done and mournfully staring at his father's wand, tears streaming down his face.
A handkerchief appeared by his hand. Sean paused, seemingly just passing by with his books. "I think... he is proud of you."
By mid-January, everyone noticed Neville's change. Although he still stuttered, he was applying himself to Defence Against the Dark Arts with unprecedented effort.
The day after Malfoy served detention, the Quidditch pitch remained bleak and rainy.
Sean stood beneath a fir tree, directing small snowdrifts to form miniature snowmen that fought each other with twig weapons. He heard the familiar chime of proficiency gain:
[You have practiced an Advanced Transfiguration to the Expert standard. Proficiency +1000]
Following Professor McGonagall's notes, Sean's Transfiguration was steadily improving. He could now utilize at least five elements for transformation: Fire, Snow, Water, Stone, and Earth. Though only Fire and Snow were mastered, it allowed for more versatile offensive strategies.
Feeling a little fatigued, Sean pulled out a potion, and simultaneously transfigured the flames in a nearby jar into a fire salamander. The salamander hugged the potion bottle, warming it in seconds. Sean drank the potion, watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team practice, much like the other student onlookers.
But his attention was focused on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, from which strange noises occasionally drifted. The weather was cold and damp. The surrounding mountains were grey and covered in ice.
A few minutes later, Sean's posture stiffened. He saw a giant moving towards him, lumbering like a small mountain.
The giant was wrapped in a long moleskin coat, wearing rabbit-fur gloves and enormous beaver-skin boots. He trudged through the mud, step by step.
Sean quickly tucked Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them under his arm. The giant's eyes lit up, and he immediately approached.
"Oh, Sean Green, lad! So glad to see you here," Hagrid boomed.
Sean was momentarily taken aback; he didn't recall ever speaking to Hagrid.
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Professor Minerva McGonagall's mentioned you several times, son. Oh, hope I didn't scare yeh." Hagrid had his hands in his pockets, but when he took them out, he looked awkward, unsure where to put them.
Sean shook his head, indicating he wasn't scared. He realized Professor McGonagall and Hagrid must be close. He remembered Hagrid daring to kiss the Professor when drunk on Halloween.
"Care for a rock cake? Shame, if yeh were at me hut, they'd taste better fresh." Hagrid was nervous, but his confidence returned when he offered the rock cakes.
"Mm." Sean accepted the rock cake, handing Hagrid a finely packaged box labeled [Animal Party Complete Series].
The box was large, yet minuscule in Hagrid's massive hand.
"Oh, oh! Is this..." Hagrid's eyes widened like saucers.
Sean had underestimated the demand for the Animal Party Series, especially with the minimal supply. Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes was sold out. Some wizards were even staging loud protests outside the shop: "My house is overrun with mice after I ran out of Kneazle Biscuits!"
Beneath the fir tree.
Hagrid instantly recognized the full set. This was rare stuff! He'd heard about it too late, and when he rushed to Diagon Alley—ha! All sold out! As Gamekeeper, he couldn't leave Hogwarts for long. He had longed to try transforming into an animal, but hadn't had the chance. Now, he held a whole series.
"This is too much!" He tried to return the gift, but couldn't bring himself to let go.
Seeing his massive frame struggling with awkward indecision would make anyone smile.
"I hope you enjoy it. I have more," Sean said.
"Oh! You must have queued for ages!" Hagrid was deeply touched.
Sean wasn't sure whether to nod or shake his head. He had indeed queued with the Professor, but the biscuits were acquired through other means.
"Would you like to try one? Transfiguration Biscuits cause loss of consciousness. Perhaps I could watch over you." Sean offered, his suggestion genuine, though his purpose was deeper.
"Of course! I'm glad I ran into you, Mr. Green! In exchange, you must take some rock cakes—as many as you want!" Hagrid was ecstatic, beaming like a three-meter-tall child. He pulled Sean towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Sean walked beside Hagrid. Well, not exactly beside; he only reached the height of Hagrid's stomach. Looking up, he couldn't even see Hagrid's chin.
They trudged through the snow to the pumpkin patch, which led to a small wooden cabin. Located on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, it was Hagrid's home as Gamekeeper.
Inside, the single room had smoked hams and pheasants hanging from the ceiling, and a copper kettle boiling over the fire pit. A huge wooden table and chairs dominated the space. Hagrid kept his dog Fang, cooking supplies, and personal belongings here.
Sean had completed the first step of his plan. Now, he just needed to maintain a good relationship with Hagrid and wait for the arrival of the Norwegian Ridgeback.
Once by the fire, Sean instinctively wanted to conjure a fire salamander for warmth or direct a portion of the hearth fire to his feet.
But he suppressed the impulse, watching Hagrid hum cheerfully while packing his rock cakes.
A moment later, Hagrid ate a Kneazle Biscuit.
Sean thought to himself that Hagrid seemed far too trusting. He'd met him only once, yet Hagrid had invited him into his home and left himself vulnerable in animal form under Sean's care.
Hagrid, meanwhile, was delighted to have met McGonagall's generous charge, who had given him the biscuits he coveted.
In short, they both seemed to be misunderstanding each other.
Two minutes passed. Hagrid looked at his hands, then his feet. He hadn't transformed!
(End of Chapter)
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