Amelia Potter and the Chamber of Secrets PART 1

39

'I was lookin' fer a Flesh-Eatin' Slug Repellent,' growled Hagrid. 'They're ruinin' the school cabbages. Yer not on yer own?'

'I'm staying with the Weasleys but we got separated,' Harry explained. 'I've got to go and find them ...'

They set off together down the street.

'How come yeh never wrote back ter me?' said Hagrid, as Harry jogged alongside him (he had to take three steps to every stride of Hagrid's enormous boots). Harry explained all about Dobby and the Dursleys.

'Ruddy Muggles,' growled Hagrid. 'If I'd've known –'

'Harry! Harry! Over here!'

Harry looked up and saw Hermione Granger standing at the top of the white flight of steps to Gringotts. She ran down to meet them, her bushy brown hair flying behind her.

'What happened to your glasses? Hello, Hagrid ... Oh, it's wonderful to see you two again ... Are you coming into Gringotts, Harry?'

'As soon as I've found the Weasleys,' said Harry.

'Yeh won't have long ter wait,' grinned Hagrid.

Harry and Hermione looked around; sprinting up the crowded street were Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ameia, and Mr Weasley.

'Harry,' Mr Weasley panted. 'We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far ...' He mopped his glistening bald patch. 'Molly's frantic – she's coming now.'

'Where did you come out?' Ron asked.

'Knockturn Alley,' said Hagrid grimly.

'Where?' asked Amelia.

'Brilliant!' said Fred and George together.

'We've never been allowed in,' said Ron enviously.

'I should ruddy well think not,' growled Hagrid.

'I still don't understand.'

Mrs Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other. 'Oh, Harry – oh, my dear – you could have been anywhere –' Gasping for breath she pulled a large clothes brush out of her bag and began sweeping off the soot Hagrid hadn't managed to beat away. Mr Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of his wand and returned them, good as new.

'Hagrid, how is the egg?' asked Amelia facing Hagrid.

'Er doing fine. Should hatch soon,' 

'Well, gotta be off,' said Hagrid, who was having his hand wrung by Mrs Weasley ('Knockturn Alley! If you hadn't found him, Hagrid!'). 'See yer at Hogwarts!' And he strode away, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street.