𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

thirty-four || Year 5 ✔️

Later, the fire crackles as Hagrid places a kettle over it.

"Oh Hagrid, what happened?" asked Hermione, worriedly.

"I told yer, it's nothin'. Want a cuppa?" offered Hagrid, changing the conversation quickly.

"Nothing?" repeated Ron. "Would you say that if one of us turned up with a pound of mince instead of a face?"

Hagrid grimaces, and limps over to his chair, winces as he clutches his ribs. There's obviously something wrong with him. He settles back in his chair, he slaps a green dragon steak over his eye.

"Hagrid...it's us." said Harry, softly.

Hagrid hesitates, and he looks around warily then leans in and speaks to them in a low voice. "Now this is all top secret, mind yeh...but Dumbledore sent me ter parley with the giants."

"Giants!" exclaimed Hermione and Amelia in shock.

Hagrid shushes them nervously and Amelia whispers: "you found them?"

"They're not that difficult ter find, ter be honest." replies Hagrid. "Pretty big, see. Live deep in the mountains...went over a ridge one nigh' an' There they was...like watchin' bits o' the mountain movin'"

"And they did this to you?" asked Harry.

Hagrid hesitates, "Not Exactly...I mean, in a manner o' speakin'..." he sighs. "Long story."

The Quartet exchange confused looks.

"Anyhow I tried to convince 'em ter joint the cause—but I wasn't the only one trying to win 'em over..." sighed the half-giant.

"Death Eaters?" questioned Ron.

Hagrid nods grimly. "Tryin to persuade 'em to join You-Know-Who."

"And...? Did they?" pushed Harry.

"Don' know. I gave 'em Dumbledores message." shrugged Hagrid. "I 'spect some 'o them'll remember his friendly to 'em...I 'spect. Oh all right yeh can have it, yeh dozy dog."

Fang, who has been whimpering plaintively, now leaps up as Hagrid tosses him the steak, attacks it with relish. Hagrid rises, goes to the window. Subdued: "it's changin' out there. Jus' like last time..." he turns to the Quartet. "The storm's comin', Harry. And we all best best be ready when she does."

/*

Amelia reads the Daily Prophet, frowning. A headline screaming: MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN. Amelia looks at the photo of fudge.

"We have confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of Yes tidal evening; the Muggle Prime Minister has been alerted to the danger..." read Amelia.

Amelia turns the page and sees Fudge's face, looking very terrified. "We strongly suspect this breakout was engineered by a man with personal escaping Azkaban: notorious mass-murderer Sirius Black, cousin to escapee Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Bloody hell..." muttered Amelia. Amelia puts down the paper and sighs, Neville, who's in front of Amelia, looks dazed. He turns to Hermione and the boys, Amelia following his gaze.

"Dumbledore warmed Fudge this could happen." stated Hermione. "He's going to get us all killed, guess he's to scared to face the truth."

Amelia nods at her statement.

"Harry?" called a familiar voice of Seamus. Amelia turns to listen and finds a nervous looming Seamus.