𝐓𝐎𝐗𝐈𝐂 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ─ draco malfoy

06. two sided coin

A M I R A H A Y E S
September 21st, 1994

HAGRID'S HUT LOOKS pitiful beside the castle, but somehow gigantic at the same time. The stone bricks are covered in a mossy blanket, including the unkept shingles on the roof. The only bright attribute it has is the glass pane windows, covered in a black Victorian lattice. Out of these windows spilled a solace amber light. Harry strides towards the door, knocking promptly onto it. Fang lets out a deep bark, most assume he's an aggressive dog, but he's truly a sweetheart. The massive door creaks open and I see Hagrid, pulling Fang away from the door by his collar, making sure to pat his head while doing so.

"I was wondering when you four would come by!" Hagrid says happily, looking at us with a wide grin on his face.

Harry smiles back as he pushes the door open, leading the way in. I follow behind him, hearing the bang of the door shutting behind us. Hagrid finally lets go of Fang, who instantly jumps up onto Harry, clearly excited to see him. I shiver and pull off my coat and mittens, frowning when seeing a small slit torn in the fabric of my coat. It'll have to do until my parents can afford another one. The stone walls glimmer with sunset orange, cast by the large fire on the left side of the room. A cheap wooden table with four mismatched chairs sits adjacent to the fire, sat on top the table are a couple charcoaled sweets and empty tea cups.

"Err-take a seat.. I'll make some tea." Hagrid says as he pulls out a silver kettle.

I sit down in one of the oversized chairs surrounding the table, Hermione and Ron do the same.

"How are you Hagrid?" Hermione asks, rubbing her hands together.

"Good..Nuff about me now..what's t'matter with you guys?" He says warily.

I raise my eyebrows at Hermione, Hagrid couldn't possibly say no to Hermione. Her mouth opens, but no words fall out. She appears to be thinking of the best way to approach the situation. Her mouth parts again.

"Hagrid, do you know anything about the first task of the tournament?" She questions him, saying the words slowly.

"Well..er.. No.. but even if I did..that's private and I wouldn't be allowed to tell yer.. Professor Dumbeldore's orders." He says shakily as he places the cups of tea on the table in front of us, putting his hands on his hips.

Reluctantly, I pick up a cup and take a sip. Earl Grey Tea. If Hagrid doesn't know anything, we've got no hope, nor any chance against the other tri-wizards. In other words, we're fucked. Silence follows for a minute or so, everyone seems hesitant on how to continue. Does Hagrid think Harry and I had put our names into the goblet? I sure hope not.

"Do you suspect we put our names into the goblet?" I ask.

I look at Hagrid, praying for a positive answer or at least an understanding one.

"Well o'course not!" He says, almost sounding offended. Thank Merlin.

I glance over to the left of me, seeing Ron no longer sitting beside me, but is now sitting on the couch near the fire, looking as if he is invested in his own thoughts rather than our conversation. The more silent he is, the more I worry, it's not like him to be so solitary.

"Hagrid, we need your help.. I've checked through a couple articles about the past tournaments and none report anything about the tasks." Hermione says with pleading eyes.

"You've come to the wrong place..err, I have work t'do now, best to head back to the castle b'fore dark." Hagrid says.

I reckon he knows something, but I don't attempt to push it.