Chapter 112: The Walk Back
The moment the door clicked shut behind Umbridge, the tension in the hut didn't break; it shifted. Hagrid remained still, a mountain of simmering anger, staring at the closed door as if he could set it on fire with his gaze.
"She's a piece of work, that one," he finally growled, his voice thick with disgust. "Sent by Fudge to be his eyes and ears. A bloody nuisance."
Under the cloak, they waited. Elian kept a firm grip on Harry's arm, stopping him from throwing it off. "Not yet," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "She might be waiting just outside."
He felt Hermione stiffen again beside him. Her ear, visible just below the edge of the shimmering fabric, was glowing a deep, embarrassed crimson. If they emerged now, her flustered state would be a dead giveaway to everyone. He gave her a slight, reassuring squeeze where his hand still rested on her arm, a silent signal to compose herself.
Hagrid, playing his part, sighed loudly and stomped over to his armchair, making a show of settling back in. He waited a full two minutes, the silence punctuated only by Fang's whines, before he heaved himself up again. He yanked the door open and stuck his head out, looking left and right into the dark, frosty night.
"She's gone," he announced, turning back inside. "Back to the castle, no doubt. So that's the Ministry's watchdog, is it?"
"Yes," Harry said, finally throwing off the cloak and gulping in the cooler air of the room. Ron followed, wiping his sweaty forehead. "She tried to sack Professor Trelawney. Would have, if Dumbledore hadn't stopped her."
"Trelawney?" Hagrid boomed, outraged. "She's a Hogwarts professor! That… that foul, interfering harpy!"
"Hagrid, you have to be careful," Harry implored, his worry cutting through his own relief. "She's looking for any excuse to get rid of Dumbledore's supporters. What are you planning for our next Care of Magical Creatures class?"
A familiar, mischievous light sparked in Hagrid's eyes. "Ah, now that's a surprise! Got somethin' special planned. Been savin' it."
"A surprise?" Ron echoed, his voice tinged with dread. "Hagrid… surprises from you usually involve things with too many teeth or a tendency to explode."
"Nothin' like that!" Hagrid said, though his grin was a touch too wide to be reassuring. "It'll be educational! An experience you won't forget!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a look of profound mutual apprehension. Hagrid's idea of an 'unforgettable experience' had, in the past, involved Skrewts and Hypogriffs.
Throughout this exchange, Hermione was unusually silent. She had extracted herself from Elian's proximity the moment the cloak was off, but she remained perched on the edge of the sofa, her face still flushed, intently studying a loose thread on her robe. She didn't offer a single piece of cautionary advice, didn't debate the merits of Hagrid's 'surprise'. Elian, sitting a polite distance away, watched her with faint, amused understanding.
After a while, Hagrid clapped his hands together. "Right! It's gettin' late. You lot best be headin' back. Don't want the prefects gettin' in trouble, do we?" He nodded at Ron and Hermione. "Congratulations on that, by the way. Well deserved."
Ron puffed out his chest. Hermione managed a tiny, strangled "thank you" without looking up.
As they filed out into the cold night, Hagrid caught Elian by the arm, holding him back for a moment while the others started up the path.
"Elian," Hagrid said, his voice low and earnest, all earlier bluster gone. "I'll talk to Dumbledore. About the giants. But listen to me, lad… as someone who's been there. Drop the idea. Please. They're not like us. They're cruel, and simple, and their idea of a discussion is who can swing a bigger rock. I only made it out because my mother was one of them. You… you'd be a snack."
The concern in the half-giant's eyes was genuine and touching. "Dumbledore said we're to help you if you ask. And I will. But I'm askin' you to think twice. It's a suicide mission."
Elian met Hagrid's worried gaze. "I appreciate it, Hagrid. Truly. But I need to know where they are. The decision, and the risk, will be mine."
Hagrid sighed, a great heaving breath that fogged in the air between them. He looked like he wanted to argue more, but finally just gave a resigned nod. "I'll get word to Dumbledore. Soon."
Elian clapped the giant man on his enormous forearm in thanks, then turned and jogged to catch up with the others.
The walk back to the castle was quiet at first, the enormity of the giant conversation and the close call with Umbridge hanging over them. Then Ron, ever oblivious to certain subtleties, broke the silence.
"You were quiet back there, Hermione," he said, peering at her in the moonlight. "You alright? You've been acting weird since we got out from under the cloak."
Hermione jumped slightly. "Have I? No, I'm fine. Just… thinking."
"You have," Harry agreed, a small smile playing on his lips. "You didn't even tell Hagrid his surprise was probably a terrible idea."
"It is probably a terrible idea," Hermione muttered, but without her usual fiery conviction. She kept her eyes fixed on the lit windows of the castle ahead.
Elian, walking just behind her, let out a soft, involuntary chuckle.
Hermione whirled around, her embarrassment momentarily overridden by indignation. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Elian said, his smile widening. "Nothing at all."
With a huff that was half-exasperation, half-relief, Hermione turned and made a show of swatting at his arm. "You're impossible!" she declared, but there was no real anger in it. She then broke into a run, not away from him, but towards the castle, as if fleeing the confusing cocktail of feelings.
Elian laughed aloud this time and gave chase, their footsteps crunching in the frosty grass.
Ron watched them go, scratching his head. "What was that about?"
Harry smirked, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Come on, Ron. Even you can't be that thick. It's a bit obvious, isn't it?"
Ron's eyes went wide with dawning, horrified comprehension. "You mean… Hermione and… Elian? But… but…" He thought of Lavender Brown and his own chaotic feelings, and his face turned a shade to rival Hermione's earlier blush. "Oh. Oh."
Harry just laughed and started walking, leaving a spluttering Ron to catch up as the lights of Hogwarts beckoned them safely home.
(End of Chapter)
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