Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Allison's Point of View.

Once we reached Hagrid's hut, the curtains were still tightly drawn across the windows. Not a single light shone through the cracks.

Honestly, none of us were surprised. But that didn't stop Hermione and me from marching straight up to the front door. I raised my fist and banged loudly against the wood. "Hagrid, we know you're in there!" I yelled. "Nobody cares that your mother was a giantess, now get your ass up and open the door!"

"Allison's right!" Hermione called firmly beside me. "You can't let what that Skeeter woman says get to you! Get out here, you're just being," The door suddenly swung open.

All four of us froze. Standing there was Dumbledore and my dad. Dumbledore looked thoroughly amused, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles, while Dad stood beside him with his arms crossed and a very unimpressed expression directed entirely at me.

"Good afternoon," Dumbledore greeted pleasantly. Hermione immediately flushed. "Ah, we just," "We came to see Hagrid," I finished quickly. Dumbledore nodded knowingly. "Yes, we gathered that."

"One of you could have gone without trying to break the door down," Dad added dryly while giving me a pointed look. I looked away sheepishly.

"Why don't you four come in?" Dumbledore offered warmly. Hermione and I exchanged a glance before she nodded. "Okay." The four of us stepped inside the hut.

The warmth hit us immediately, along with the smell of smoke, tea, and Fang. The first thing I noticed was Hagrid sitting heavily at the table.

Two chairs beside him were pulled out, where Dad and Dumbledore had clearly been sitting before we interrupted them. Hagrid looked awful.

His tangled hair hung around his face in knots, and every bit of skin visible through his beard looked red and blotchy. His eyes were swollen from crying.

"Hi, Hagrid," Harry greeted softly while trying to push Fang off him as the boarhound enthusiastically attempted to lick his face. Hagrid looked up slowly.

"Hello," he muttered weakly. "More tea, I think," Dumbledore announced brightly as he shut the door behind us.

Dad returned to his seat beside Hagrid while the four of us awkwardly sat down nearby.

Dumbledore lowered himself into the chair on Hagrid's other side before pulling out his wand. With a flick, four more teacups appeared neatly on the table.

"Hagrid," Dumbledore said gently, "did you happen to hear what Miss Weasley and Miss Granger were shouting outside?"

"One of them could've done without certain language," Dad added while glancing at me again. I avoided his eyes and quietly took a sip of tea. Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Still, I think their point was rather clear."

He gestured toward us. "It is obvious, by the way they were attempting to break down your front door, that they still very much wish to know you."

"Of course, we still want to know you," Harry said immediately. "You don't think anything that Skeeter cow, sorry, Professor," Harry corrected quickly while glancing at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore waved a hand dismissively. "It's quite all right, Harry. I seem to have temporarily lost my hearing. I haven't the faintest idea what you just said."

Harry and I stared at him for a moment. Dad pinched the bridge of his nose like he was trying not to laugh. Harry finally nodded seriously before turning back toward Hagrid.

"What I mean," Harry continued firmly, "is how could you think we'd care what that woman wrote about you?"

From where I sat, I could see tears gathering in Hagrid's eyes again. "Living proof," Dad said quietly, "of exactly what Albus and I have been trying to explain to you."