The Mystery of the Philosopher's Stone.

Chapter 10: Hagrid

When Harry met Ron at lunch after flying class, Ron was amazed. Firstly, he couldn't believe Harry had not been punished and secondly that Harry was now on the Quidditch team.

"First years never get on the House Teams!" Ron said excitedly.

Following lunch was double Herbology with Professor Sprout, a short, stout woman with frizzy grey hair. She taught students about magical plants, their properties and how to care for them. Neville seemed more relaxed in this class and greatly interested in the subject matter. After the class ended and they were walking back to the castle from the Greenhouses where Herbology took place, they saw the big man called Hagrid, the Hogwart's gamekeeper.

"Wait a moment, Potter."

Harry wondered what he had done wrong and was a bit nervous as the giant man approached him. 

However, he was smiling and continued, "Just wanted to introduce myself, Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds here at Hogwart's. I knew your parents well and would like to help you settle in by inviting you to come to tea at my cabin at three o'clock on Friday."

He pointed behind him to a small, round wooden building.

"Bring your two friends, if they would like to come," he said, smiling at Ron and Hermione.

Harry felt that Ron was his friend. He wasn't sure about Hermione, but she just happened to be walking close behind himself and Ron. Harry saw that Hagrid was watching him expectantly. 

He realised he hadn't  answered, so he said quietly, "Thank you, I'd love to come."

Harry was getting used to the routine of Hogwart's days already and enjoying learning about magic. Next day was a little unusual in that one of his classes was Astronomy, which involved studying the night sky through telescopes every Wednesday at Midnight. It was strange to be up when all the rest of the school was supposed to be sleeping. Students were forbidden to roam the school after nine o'clock.

Thursday followed in a blur and suddenly it was Friday morning. At breakfast, Harry suddenly remembered he was supposed to be visiting Hagrid today. He asked Ron if he would like to come and he accepted immediately. Harry wondered whether to mention it to Hermione who was sitting nearby.

As Hagrid had seemed to include her in his invitation, he thought he had better ask her. She also seemed keen to go. So, they agreed to meet outside the front door at two forty-five. Hermione was waiting for Ron and Harry when they stepped out of the front doors.

She seemed nervous, but excited. 

"Hello," Harry said. 

"How have you found the first week at Hogwart's?" he asked trying to put her at ease and find some suitable topic of conversation.

Hermione responded enthusiastically about all the subjects except flying lessons. She always seemed to have her head buried in a book whenever Harry saw her, so he was not surprised that she did not like flying lessons, as no book learning was involved. Hermione chattered all the way to Hagrid's hut and made it easy for Ron and Harry to make conversation by just putting in a 'yes' or 'no' where necessary. When they arrived Harry knocked on the door.

They heard frantic scrabbling and the booming bark of what sounded like some terrifying monster.

Hagrid's voice could be heard shouting, "Back Fang, get back, you dopey dog."

All three stood back anxiously as the door opened. Hagrid was struggling to hold back an enormous black boar hound. Harry, Ron and Hermione edged passed the beast and went inside. There was only one room, with hams and pheasants hanging from the ceiling and other odds and ends.

In the corner was a massive bed covered with a patchwork quilt.

"Make yourselves at home," said Hagrid, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears.

Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

"This is Ron and this is Hermione," Harry said politely.

"Another Weasley, eh?" said Hagrid shrewdly.

"Nice to meet you both," he continued.

He had made tea in a large copper kettle and a plate of rock cakes which almost broke their teeth. Fang, in the meantime, had decided to taste-test Hermione's ears and growing tired of this spent the rest of their visit resting his head on Harry's knees and drooling all over his robes. Harry, Ron and Hermione told Hagrid about their lessons.

When Harry spoke about Snape's lesson he said, "He really seems to hate me."

"Don't worry about it," Hagrid replied, "Snape hardly likes any of the students, except a few in his own House as he is head of Slytherin House."

Hagrid did not meet Harry's eye as he said this and quickly changed the subject.

"How's your brother Charlie?" he asked Ron, "I like him a lot, great with animals."

Ron explained that Charlie was working with dragons in Romania. Their visit lasted about an hour. Harry stood up when he felt his robes were wet with drool. He thanked Hagrid again for the invitation and expressed a hope that they would see Hagrid again around the school. Ron and Hermione echoed his thanks. As they walked back to the castle, they agreed it had been an enjoyable visit. They set out at a brisk pace up the grassy slope, eager for some edible food!