His Goodwitch

Chapter 14: Detention, dragons, unicorns and centaurs oh my!

Third Person Point of view

The following night, once everyone had gone to bed, the foursome made their way to Hagrid's hut under the invisibility cloak thankfully they didn't see anyone. "Ouch Ron, that was my foot" complained Hermione just as they reached Hagrid's door prompting a mumbled sorry from Ron. After they knocked on the door, Hagrid answered the door clad in an apron and oven mittens covering his hands. Hagrid could not see anyone, so he instructed "who's there, show yourselves". At this Harry pulled the cloak off of them to reveal the four friends standing at his doorstep. "Oh 'ello 'Arry, I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude you lot but I'm in no mood to entertain today" said Hagrid closing the door again. Just before the door was fully closed Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lizzie chanted "We know about the Philosopher's stone" causing Hagrid to say "oh" and let them in.

Inside Hagrid's cosy cabin, sat a large bed in the corner by the back door draped with what looks like a homemade patchwork quilt, a large polished round wooden table sat by the window with large chairs, a couch was placed along the wall just past the entry way near the table and a large dogs bed lay next to Hagrid's bed, obviously for his boarhound Fang. The kitchen area was simple, a few simple cabinets and shelves with a sink and large fireplace sat in the middle along the opposite wall to the couch with a large cauldron of sorts hanging above it. Thick table cloth curtains hung by the windows currently drawn. Due to the fire and being late spring/early summer the cabin was sweltering hot.

Once they had settled down, Hagrid busied himself making tea for everyone. So you've figured it out have ya" enquired Hagrid as he poured the boiling tea into the mugs. "Yeah, Hermione and I read about it in two books, one of which I got for Christmas" explained Lizzie. "We reckon Snape's going to try and steal it" added Harry quickly after taking a sip of his tea. "You're still going on 'bout that are ya, I thought I told you. You're wrong, Snape's one of the teachers protecting the stone. He's not about to steal it" emphasized Hagrid taking a swig from his own mug. "One of the teachers" Harry commented confusedly, "Of course, there are other things protecting the stone aren't there" said Hermione suddenly before Lizzie finished her sentence "like spells and enchantments".

Hagrid nodded knowingly "Yer right, the stone's very well protected. No one is going to get past Fluffy. No one knows 'cept me and Dumbledore" Hagrid says proudly. "What else is protecting the stone" Harry asked with curiosity in his voice. "Galloping gargoyles Harry, I can't tell you that and even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you it would be worth more than my job" exclaimed Hagrid. "It's okay Hagrid, we understand if you can't tell us what the other challenges are. However, by any chance do you know who else is involved in protecting it?" asked Lizzie soothingly trying to appease Hagrid. "Hmm, let me think. Dumbledore recruited myself, Snape, Professor McGonagal, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick and Professor Quirrell" Hagrid muttered to himself before blanching and scolding himself "I should not have told you that" repeatedly.

"Hagrid can't we open a window or something? It's boiling" exclaimed Harry while both Lizzie and Hermione subtly fanned themselves with their hands in a vain attempt to cool down from the sweltering heat inside Hagrid's cabin. "Afraid not 'Arry" apologised Hagrid looking apologetic yet an excited gleam could be seen in Hagrid's dark warm eyes.

Before anything else could be said on the subject a faint tapping could be heard coming from the fire place which made Hagrid promptly drop his tea cup which almost smashed but was just saved by Lizzie who managed to catch it, preventing breakage, chipping or spillage. Quickly jumping to his feet Hagrid hastily shoved his oven mittens on again while approaching the fire. He seemed to bend down as if picking something up but they couldn't see what it was around his huge form for a moment. When Hagrid turned around, it could be seen that Hagrid had some sort of egg of sorts where the faint tapping was coming from. Once Hagrid had joined them at the table again and the egg was sitting in front of them Harry ventured to ask "Uh Hagrid, what is that"? While the four were looking at the egg like object, the tapping became more frequent. "I know what that is, it's a dragon egg. Hagrid, how on earth did you manage to get it" Ron said in an awed voice. "I won it, off a fella I met at the pub the other night. Seemed rather desperate to get rid of it in my opinion" Hagrid said.