𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

Chapter 16

Later in the night Hagrid is in his hut and makes tea when it knocks. He points his crossbow at the door.

They look at him shocked while he looks sheeply and apologetic to Sereia and Ron. They smile at him reassuringly.

Hagrid: Who's there?
He slowly opens the door and sees no one. He looks around.
Hagrid: Hello? Hello?
He looks down when he notice a shimmer and sees Sereia and Ron pulling the invisibility cloak off of them. He lowers the crossbow. They look at it shocked.
Ron: What's that for?
Hagrid: Oh, nothing. I was expecting, uh...It doesn't matter. Come on in. I just made a pot of tea.
They walk in and close the door. At the table Hagrid pours them a glass of tea. His hand shakes a little making the tea spill. They look worried.
Sereia: Hagrid, are you okay?
He looks at her and nods.
Hagrid: I'm fine. I'm all right.
He puts the jug down.
Sereia: Did you hear about Hermione?
Hagrid: Oh, yeah. I heard about that, all right.
She nods and looks hesitantly.
Sereia: Look, we have to ask you something.
She looks at Ron.
Sereia: Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?
He sighs
Hagrid: What you have to understand about that is-
It knocks and he looks at it sharply. Fang barks. Sereia and Ron look between the door and Hagrid scared.
Hagrid: Quick, under the cloak.
They quickly go to the other side of the hut.
Hagrid: Don't say a word. Be quiet, both of you.
Ron pulls the cloak over them. Hagrid takes his crossbow and opens the door. In front of the door stand Dumbledore and a man.

Fudge and Lucius turn to them but they ignore them.

Hagrid: Oh.
He lowers the crossbow.
Hagrid: Professor Dumbledore, sir.
Dumbledore: Good evening, Hagrid. I wonder...
He turns to the man behind him before looking back at Hagrid.
Dumbledore: ...could we...?
Hagrid: Of course. Come in. Come in.
Hagrid walks in and they walk after him. Under the cloak Sereia looks confused while Ron looks shocked.
Ron: That's dad's boss. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.
They watch them.
Fudge: Bad business, Hagrid, very bad business. Had to come.  Three attacks on Muggle-borns. Things have gone far enough. The Ministry's got to act.
Sereia and Ron look at Hagrid.
Hagrid: But I never-
He looks at Dumbledore.
Hagrid: You know I never, Professor.
Dumbledore looks at Fudge.
Dumbledore: I want it understood, Cornelius...that Hagrid...has my full confidence.
Fudge sighs.
Fudge: Albus, look, Hagrid's record is against him. I've got to take him.
Hagrid: Take me? Take me where? Not Azkaban Prison.

They gasp and looks between them.

Sereia and Ron look at each other shocked.
Fudge: I'm afraid we have no choice, Hagrid.
They all look to the door when it opens and in the doorway stands Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius: Already here, Fudge? Good.
He walks in. Hagrid glares at him.
Hagrid: What are you doing here? Get out of my house!
Sereia and Ron look between them.
Lucius: Believe me...I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your...
He walks to Sereia and Ron and they walk back. He stops and looks disgusted.
Lucius: You call this a house? Hm. No.
He turns to them.
Lucius: I simply called up the school and was told the headmaster was here.
Dumbledore: And what exactly is it that you want with me?
Lucius: The other governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside.
Hagrid looks at Dumbledore who nods at Lucius.
Lucius: This is an order of suspension.
He takes out a rolled up paper and walks to them. Fudge goes to take it from him, Dumbledore stops him.
Lucius: You'll find all 12 signatures on it.
Dumbledore takes it from him.
Lucius: I'm afraid we feel you've rather lost your touch.
Dumbledore looks at him confused over his glasses.
Lucius: Well, what, with all these attacks...
He turns and walks back in Sereia and Ron's direction.
Lucius: ...there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts. I can only imagine what an awful loss that would be to the school.
Sereia and Ron look at him suspicious.
Hagrid: You can't take Professor Dumbledore away. Take him away and the Muggle-borns won't stand a chance.

"Yeah!" "Exactly!" Many say while glaring at Lucius who looks at them unbothered

He looks back to Lucius.
Hagrid: You mark my words, there'll be killings next!
Lucius: You think so?
Dumbledore: Calm yourself, Hagrid.
He looks to Lucius.
Dumbledore: If the governors desire my removal I will, of course, step aside. However...
He walks to Lucius.
Dumbledore: ...you will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts...to those who...ask for it.
He nods at Sereia and Ron behind Lucius. They look at him confused and shocked.

Sereia and Tom roll their eyes at him. "How did you know, they're where there?" ask a first year. Dumbledore smiles at him knowingly but doesn't say anything. Sereia sneers at him.

Lucius looks around behind him before looking at him weirdly.
Lucius: Admirable sentiments. Shall we?
He walks to the door and opens it. Dumbledore smiles at Sereia before walking out. Lucius nods at Fudge.
Lucius: Fudge.
He walks out. Fudge turns to Hagrid.
Fudge: Come, Hagrid. Well?
They look at him. He clears his throat.
Hagrid: If, uh...
He slightly turns to Sereia and Ron.
Hagrid: If anybody was looking for some stuff then all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders.
He nods to himself.
Hagrid: Yep. That would lead them right. That's all I have to say.
He walks to the door and picks up his coat.
Hagrid: Oh, and someone will need to feed Fang while I'm away.
He walks out and Fudge looks around before walking to the door while looking at Fang.
Fudge: Good Boy.
He walks out and closes the door. They take the cloak off.
Ron: Hagrid's right. With Dumbledore gone, there'll be an attack a day.
Sereia looks to the window behind him.
Sereia: Look.
They go to the window and see spiders crawl out the window.
Sereia: Come on.
She picks up a lamp from the shelf and turns to Fang.
Sereia: Come on, Fang.

They lean forward excitedly