HP and Godric's Vault - Chapter - 44 (Patreon)

One day, while Hermione was lost in a particularly thick tome in the less-frequented sections of the Hogwarts library, she noticed a familiar figure struggling to manage a towering stack of books. Hagrid, the beloved groundskeeper, was precariously balancing an assortment of hefty volumes in his massive arms.

Curiosity piqued, Hermione set her book aside and approached him. "Hagrid! What are you up to?" she asked, her voice brightening as she noticed the sheer number of books he was carrying.

Hagrid turned around, his face breaking into a wide grin. “Oh, ‘ello, Hermione! Just borrowin’ some books from the library,” he said, adjusting the pile in his arms with a grunt. “Thought I’d learn a bit more about… things.”

“What kind of things?” Hermione asked, tilting her head in curiosity. “You’ve seemed particularly cheerful lately. Are you working on something interesting?”

Hagrid’s eyes flickered with a hint of mischief. “Oh, y’know, just stuff around the grounds. Nothin’ special.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes, sensing that Hagrid was being evasive. “It’s not like you to be so secretive. You’ve been acting a bit strange, and I can't help but wonder if it has anything to do with… dragons?”

At the mention of dragons, Hagrid’s demeanor shifted slightly. He looked around as if checking for eavesdroppers. “Dragons? Now, why would I be talkin’ about dragons? Ain’t nothin’ to do with that, I promise you.”

“But Hagrid,” she pressed, a spark of determination in her voice, “you’ve always had a fascination with magical creatures. And you know this part of the library has an entire section on dragons! Surely that’s not just coincidence?”

Hagrid shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks turning a shade of pink. “I just like to read, that’s all! I’ve got a great interest in magical creatures, y’know?” He gave her a warm smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Hermione wasn’t convinced. “Hagrid, if you’re not up to anything, why not just tell me what you’re reading? I’m curious!”

“Ah, well, y’know how it is,” Hagrid replied, waving a hand dismissively. “Books are just books. I’m just doin’ my job, keepin’ the grounds tidy, lookin’ after the creatures, all that.”

Despite his casual tone, Hermione felt a twinge of frustration. “You can’t just ignore that there’s something going on! You’ve been acting differently lately, and I can tell it’s more than just routine groundskeeping.”

Hagrid looked at her, his expression softening. “It’s just—well, some things are better left unsaid, alright? You’ll see when the time’s right.”

Hermione crossed her arms, a mixture of disappointment and intrigue bubbling within her. “But if it’s something exciting, why keep it a secret? You know I’d want to help!”

“Trust me, Hermione. I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Hagrid said earnestly, “but there are some things that require a bit of patience. You’ll know soon enough.”

She huffed, knowing he wouldn’t reveal anything further. “Fine, but you can’t blame me for being curious. Just promise me you’ll be careful, whatever it is.”

Hagrid chuckled softly, a twinkle in his eye. “A promise is a promise, and I’ll be careful, don’t you worry.”

As Hagrid turned to leave, Hermione watched him go, her mind racing with possibilities. What could he be up to? Dragons? Other magical creatures? She knew Hagrid had a good heart, but his secrets only deepened her curiosity. With a sigh, she returned to her book, but her thoughts were filled with wonder about what lay hidden beneath the surface of the castle grounds.

After the latest meeting of the Order of the Stars, Hermione gathered the members in their common room, her excitement barely contained. “You won’t believe what I saw at the library yesterday!” she announced, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Hagrid was borrowing an unusual number of books, and when I asked him about it, he got really secretive. He was acting more cheerful than usual, like all his worries just vanished!”

The other members perked up at her words, exchanging glances filled with intrigue. “You mean the same Hagrid who was fretting about that dark wizard hunting unicorns?” Fred Weasley asked, scratching his head. “That’s odd. He seemed so serious back then.”

Neville nodded, adding, “I noticed it too. He’s been more focused on… something else lately. It’s like he’s got a new purpose.”

Theodore Nott leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like he’s hiding something significant. We should investigate. Maybe it’s something that could benefit us—or at least, give us more information on whatever he’s up to.”

Blaise Zabini smirked. “You’re right, Theo. As Slytherins, we’re good at gathering intel. Besides, Hagrid seems to have taken a liking to us lately. He might let something slip if we approach him the right way.”

Hermione looked at them, her concern mixing with admiration. “Just be careful. Hagrid has a soft spot for magical creatures, and if it’s something dangerous… well, I don’t want either of you getting into trouble.”

“Don’t worry, Hermione,” Theodore assured her, a glint of mischief in his eye. “We’ll be respectful. Hagrid has warmed up to us since he got to know us better. A little charm and a few clever questions should do the trick.”

The group began to plot how to approach Hagrid. They knew that asking directly might raise suspicion, so they devised a plan to spend time with him under the pretense of wanting to learn more about the grounds and magical creatures.

As the days passed, Hagrid’s cheerful demeanor continued to be evident. He seemed to float through the castle, his laughter echoing in the corridors, and students often caught glimpses of him bustling about, an aura of excitement surrounding him.

Finally, the day came when Theodore and Blaise decided to make their move. Armed with a few questions they thought would pique Hagrid's interest, they approached him in the Great Hall during lunch.

“Hagrid!” Blaise called out, waving him over. Hagrid looked up from his plate, his expression brightening.

“Boys! What brings you over here?” he asked, his voice booming with warmth.

Theodore seized the opportunity. “We were just talking about how fascinating the grounds are. We’d love to learn more about the magical creatures you look after. Maybe you could show us around?”

Hagrid beamed. “Ah, I’d love to! The creatures are just marvelous this time of year! But I’ll warn you, some of ‘em might be a bit… unpredictable.”

“We’re up for a challenge,” Blaise said, grinning. “Especially if it means seeing something extraordinary.”

“Alright, then! Come by the grounds after lunch, and I’ll show you a few things,” Hagrid replied, visibly excited.

Once their plates were cleared, the three of them headed outside. Hagrid led them to a secluded area where the trees grew thick, and the sunlight filtered through the leaves. As they walked, Theodore casually steered the conversation toward dragons.

“Have you ever seen a dragon up close, Hagrid?” he asked innocently. “We hear so much about them, especially in the library.”

Hagrid’s eyes lit up at the mention of dragons, but then he quickly glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening. “Ah, dragons, yes. Fascinating creatures! But they’re dangerous too. You wouldn’t want to go near one without proper precautions, y’know?”

“We know,” Blaise replied, keeping his tone light. “But wouldn’t it be amazing to learn more about them? Like, maybe, what breeds you like to have?”

Hagrid hesitated, his excitement battling with a hint of caution. “Well, let’s just say I’ve had a few encounters with real dragons, but it’s best to keep that to yourself. Not all folks are fond of the idea of dragons, and some folks don’t understand their beauty.”

The two Slytherins nodded, encouraging him to elaborate. Hagrid continued to talk about various magical creatures, weaving in anecdotes about his experiences, but each time the conversation edged closer to dragons, he would divert it back to safer topics.

Undeterred, Theodore decided to switch tactics. “You seem happier than usual, Hagrid. It’s nice to see you in such good spirits. Is there something special going on? Something you’re excited about?”

For a moment, Hagrid’s expression faltered. He seemed to consider their words carefully, as if weighing how much to share. “Well, it’s just—sometimes, y’know, a man finds a purpose in what he loves. And I’ve been working on somethin’ I think will bring a lot of joy to others.”

The two Slytherins exchanged glances, sensing that they were close to uncovering something significant. “Come on, Hagrid. You can trust us,” Theodore encouraged, leaning forward. “What’s the big secret?”

With a sigh, Hagrid hesitated, clearly battling with himself. Then, in a moment of weakness, he let it slip. “Alright, alright! I got a dragon egg!”

The room fell silent as the revelation hung in the air. Theodore’s eyes widened, and Blaise could hardly believe what he had just heard. “A dragon egg? You’re kidding, right?”

“No joke, lads!” Hagrid exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. “I won it in a poker game at Hogshead! Been trying to hatch it myself.”

“A dragon in your hut? Hagrid, that’s insane!” Blaise exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief. “What were you thinking?”

“Hold on! Where did you get it?” Theodore interjected, concerned. “Who did you play poker with?”

Hagrid scratched his beard again, an air of pride shining through despite their alarm. “The fella who gave it to me was a bit strange, he had a hood on, didn't see his face, but he seemed harmless enough. He asked me about the creatures I’ve raised before and everything. You know, curious-like.”

“What kind of questions?” Theodore pressed, his instincts as a Slytherin kicking in.

“Just the usual—about how I cared for various magical creatures, and if I thought I could handle trainin’ something wild like a dragon,” Hagrid explained, seemingly lost in his memories. “He had a keen interest in knowing how I’d tamed Fluffy.”

"And what did you told him? " Theodore asked concerned.

"I told him, dealing with magical creatures are quite easy if you know how to handle them. Just take Fluffy, he is all angry and ferocious but play him some music he will go to sleep easily " Hagrid replied causally.

Blaise frowned, sharing a look with Theodore. “Hagrid, that doesn’t sound right. What if this stranger has ulterior motives? You can’t just trust everyone.”

Hagrid’s face fell slightly as the reality of their concerns sank in. “You reckon so? I just thought it was all part of the game.”

“Maybe you should keep a low profile about this,” Theodore advised. “If this stranger knows about your background with magical creatures, he might have other plans for you or the egg.”

“Right, right…” Hagrid muttered, his excitement dimmed. “I’ll be careful, lads. Promise.”

After leaving Hagrid’s hut, Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini convened in a quiet corner of the castle, far from prying eyes and ears. The revelations they had just heard weighed heavily on their minds, and they exchanged glances that spoke volumes of their concern.

“The more I think about it, the more it feels like that stranger at Hogshead is connected to the unicorn hunts and is after the Sorcerer's Stone,” Theodore said, pacing slightly. “What are the odds that someone just happens to show up with a dragon egg and starts asking Hagrid about Fluffy? It’s too convenient.”

“Exactly,” Blaise replied, his brow furrowing. “And if this stranger knows about Hagrid’s fascination with dragons, he must have been watching him for some time. It’s like he knew exactly how to get to Hagrid and play on his interests.”

Theodore nodded, piecing together the information like a puzzle. “That makes me wonder: how did he know about Fluffy in the first place? It’s not common knowledge, and I doubt Hagrid goes around boasting about it to everyone.”

“Which means he either has an informant at Hogwarts or he is someone from Hogwarts,” Blaise added, his voice low. “Either way, it’s bad news.”

The two Slytherins exchanged serious looks. They were starting to see a bigger picture, one that painted a dangerous scenario involving the Sorcerer’s Stone. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but they knew they needed more information.

“We have to tell the club members about this,” Theodore decided, his expression resolute. “If this stranger is indeed linked to the dark wizard hunting the unicorns and trying to steal the Stone, we can’t afford to ignore it. We need to warn everyone about what we suspect.”

Blaise agreed, and they quickly made their way back to their club room, where they often gathered with their fellow Order members even after the regular meeting.

When Theodore and Blaise arrived they found some of the club members working on the broomsticks and chatting about various enchantments, the chatter quieted down, and all eyes turned to them. “You won’t believe what we just learned about Hagrid,” Theodore began, his voice drawing everyone’s attention.

“Yeah, it’s serious,” Blaise added, stepping closer to the group. “Hagrid has a dragon egg, and we think the stranger who gave it to him is the same one who’s been hunting unicorns and he is after the Stone.”

“It gets worse,” Theodore continued, his voice low. “This stranger knew about Hagrid’s passion for dragons and even asked about Fluffy, the Cerberus that guards the Sorcerer’s Stone and Hagrid told the secret of how to tame Fluffy to the stranger.

Neville, who had been listening intently, chimed in, “What can we do about it? We can’t just confront Hagrid. He’ll never believe us, and we don’t have proof.”

Blaise nodded, taking a deep breath. “We need to keep a close eye on the Stone and gather more information about this stranger. If we can find out who he is and what he wants, we can figure out how to protect Hagrid and the Stone.”

As they outlined their plan, a sense of purpose filled the room. They were determined to protect Hagrid, Hogwarts, and the Sorcerer’s Stone from whatever dark forces were lurking in the shadows. The adventure ahead promised challenges, but the bonds of friendship and loyalty within the Order of the Stars would guide them through the darkness.