Tea With a Gentle Giant
“Thank you for helping me, Rubeus,” said a voice muffled by vegetation.
“O’ course, Professor, not a problem.”
Hagrid ripped out another plant, wincing a little as it let out a high pitched squeal. The groundskeeper was helping Professor Pomona Sprout unroot the enchanted weeds near the east wing. It was a hard job. The weeds were fickle-fig vines, very determined to wind their way through the brickwork of the whole castle. The usual weed-killing potions wouldn’t do much so they had to be uprooted and then the proper tonics could be applied.
Already a large pile of dead weeds was behind Hagrid, but the whole side was still pretty much covered. Whenever they removed vines, they came back again, like a multi-headed hydra. On top of this, the dark green vines were thick and strong, calling for giantish strength of which Hagrid had in multitudes. Professor Sprout was more determined than the plants - she, along with Hagrid and Madame Rolanda Hooch (who was on a broomstick, using magic to tear out the plants) were going to get this wall clean before lunch.
“Here's another, Pom!” Rolanda called from above. She levitated a large clump of vines down onto the pile, “I can’t see the seed here - it must be in the ground.”
“Damn.” Pomona got onto her hands and knees, Hagrid stepped back to let her use a locating charm on the ground. The earth gave a little tremble. “The darn thing is relocating again!” She huffed, standing again.
The seed of the fickle-fig vine was the heart; killing it would kill the whole plant, but it was notoriously hard to find since it moved around of its own accord.
“Should I get Fang?” Hagrid asked, ripping another chunk of thick dark green vines out of the wall. “Whoops,” a brick also fell out.
Pomona waved her wand, “ Reparo . Yeah, probably a good idea.”
Hagrid whistled and Fang, the big boarhound, came bounding over from where he was playing with the jumping plant.
“Dig Fang.” Hagrid said. Fang dug, uprooting the plant as he went. Hagrid scratched his head, “Hope he doesn’ reach tha foundations.”
“Ah they’ll hold up.”
The trio kept ripping the vines and throwing them onto the increasing pile of vegetation until Fang gave two barks. They seemed to have come from quite a distance.
“I think he's got somethin’.”
The vines seemed to wilt, a clear sign that the seed had been torn away. A moment later, Fang burst out of the ground, a few metres away, with what looked like a large brown rock in his mouth. It was the seed.
“Good boy, Fang!” Pomona said as he dropped the seed at her feet. “Atta boy!” She placed a stilling spell on the seed, “Thank you Hagrid.”
“Do you want us to take out the rest of the vines?” Rolanda asked.
“That's alright, I’ll just syphon them out with magic. It's easier to fight them by hand when the seed is alive, but now it's gone so I’ll manage.”
Rolanda landed on the ground, throwing more vines onto the pile unceremoniously, “Thank Morgana for that.”
“I’ll let you know when the polish is ready.” The fickle-fig seed could be grinded into a good, lasting wood polish, perfect for the school broomsticks.
“Thank you, Pom.” Rolanda mounted her broom again, “See you both at lunch then.”
Hagrid waved as she zoomed off.
“Thank you Hagrid, you’re free to take the vines for mulching, just make sure to water it with the tonic,” She passed him a jar of green-yellow tonic.
“I’ll be seein’ yeh, Professor.”
He heaved the pile into a wagon and set off in the direction of the vegetable gardens. As he was walking across the lush green grass, soaking in the Spring air, he waved to a group of students. He couldn’t help the pang of jealousy he felt when he saw them laden down with books and parchment and quills. Hogwarts was his home, but it was also an aching reminder of the education he never ended up having. That pain was more of a dull ache these years, that only really came back during the Sorting of each term. Even though he didn’t receive and education, he still got one of sorts since making friends with all the professors would only come with a bit of shared knowledge here and there. Of course, most of it he needed his wand for which was… missing in action.
Hagrid gave a loud, breathy sigh, making Fang whine and nudge his leg.
“‘m all right, boy. Jus’ tried.”
A loud hooting came from above, Hagrid shielded his eyes from the March sun to watch an owl, not one of Hogwarts, those he knew the wing pattern and could identify at a distance, swoop down upon him.
It hooted and came to rest on the groundskeeper’s outstretched arm, sticking out a letter-bound leg.
“Ah, hello Jojo. Yer one of Lupin’s, aren’ yeh?” he gave the owl a stroke and untied the letter. The great barn owl ruffled its feathers and hooted. It didn’t seem to be in a rush. Fang looked up at the owl curiously.
Hagrid wheeled the vines to the compost patch and left them for later, heading towards the Great Hall.
“Hagrid! What did I say about the dog?” a wheezing, nasally voice came out of an alcove. Argus Filch hobbled over, waggling a bony finger. “After what happened last winter–”
“Oh let tha’ go already, Argus,” Hagrid sighed. Last winter, Fang had trekked mud into the Great Hall after following Hagrid around, trying to stop a mudfall on the eastern side of the grounds.
“The headmaster–”
“Go on, go tell Dumbledore, doubt he cares.” Hagrid gave Fang a scratch behind the ears as master and dog left Filch to his wheezing and hissing (although that latter part was mostly Mrs Norris, his cat). Filch wasn’t going to go to Professor Dumbledore - the headmaster was rather fond of Fang in any case.
Hagrid opened the letter as he headed to his seat at the long table. It read, in Sirius’s handwriting;
Dear Hagrid,
How's Hogwarts? I hear there's been a decrease in students since the war, is that still the case or have some come back from hiding?
I have a favour to ask you; would you mind Iris and Harry this full? I would ask Molly and Arthur but they’re off visiting family in Scotland. I know you’re probably busy being groundskeeper and all, but if you ask Dumbledore, I’m sure he could give you the day off. You deserve it after all, no one takes care of the grounds half as well or thoroughly as you do.
I know this is a bit late notice, so, sorry for that.
Anyway, let me know. No worries if you can’t, Remus and I just trust you more than any muggle or wixen babysitter.
Send your reply with Jojourn,
Sirius
“Looks like we’re goin’ to have company, Fangy-boy!” Hagrid beamed, rummaging his pockets for a fresh piece of parchment and a quill.
The next day, just after lunch, Sirius met Hagrid at the Three Broomsticks, holding Iris and Harry’s hand. Sirius had bags under his eyes and two over his arm - one was red and the other was purple.
“Sirius! Good teh see yeh.”
“Good to see you too,” Sirius smiled, “Thanks for taking them.” He looked down at Iris and Harry, “You remember him, pups?”
“His name is… Hagrid?” Iris said. She was wearing a flower pattern dress and Iris with her black hair in a bundled braid.
“Yeh, tha’s me alright.” He bobbed down, smiling at them, “Yeh two are goin’ teh be stayin’ with me for tonight.”
Harry babbled, “Too-nigh!” Harry James Potter had black unruly hair, bright green eyes and a lightning shaped sc–
Hagrid squinted, “Wha? Wheres ‘is scar?”
“Remus and I thought it’d be best to use glamour to cover it up. Just so he doesn’t attract any attention.”
Hagrid nodded, “Prolly for the best, eh? Those kids will eat him alive otherwise.” Sirius made a face of alarm, Hagrid laughed, “Only jokin’!” Iris grinned which made Hagrid smile a little brighter, “Don’ worry, Sirius, I’ll take good care of ‘em.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Sirius said genuinely, handing the bags to Hagrid, “Have fun you two, I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
“You and Moony?” Iris asked seriously.
“Yes love, me and Moony.”
There were hugs and kisses and finally, Hagrid was off towards Hogwarts, little Harry in one arm and Iris holding his other hand.
“Yeh’ll love Hogwarts, yeh’ll see. Jus’ tha best place for anyone really.”
“The school? That Reemy and Siri went to?”
“Yep, tha’s the one!”
All day, Harry and Iris followed Hagrid around on his chores. Iris was determined to help and Harry was determined to put everything in his mouth. Hagrid was having fun showing someone his work, even if it was mostly just six-year old Iris and a laughing Harry. Not many people took an interest in his work, so it was nice to have a change.
Hagrid patiently explained why he was turning the fickle-fig vines into mulch and how it’ll help the plants grow better and stronger. When they moved on to the lake, to deal with some shore critters, Hagrid showed Iris how to catch the red-crabs that were killin’ all the good shoreline weeds. He also showed Harry not to put the crabs into his mouth. They delivered the crabs over to the house-elves in the kitchen who promised a hearty crab-stew and ooh-ed and aww-ed over baby Harry.
Next, they went to the Quidditch Pitch where Rolanda had asked Hagrid to deal with some common moles disturbing the dirt.
“Thanks for this, Ruby.” Madame Hooch said, her yellow, hawk-like eyes scanning the lumpy grass, “Can’t have uneven turf.”
“But Quidditch is a flying game, why does there have to be grass?” Iris asked, watching the ground as something wriggled underneath.
“It's for safety, kiddo. Much softer landing than stone and better kick off than anything softer like hay.” Madame Hooch spotted a small mound spitting dirt, “There! That's one!”
Hagrid bumbled over and scooped up the dirt easily. He shook his hands a bit, dirt flying everywhere, to find a brown, hairy mole sniffing his hand, seemingly trying to dig its way out.
“‘ere, Iris, can yeh put ‘im in the crate?” he passed the wriggly mole over to Iris who plopped him into a straw-lined crate.
As the groundskeeper worked to collect up the moles, Rolanda repaired the dirt, evening out the lumps and mole-hills.
“Much easier to do this sort of thing without the moles interfering.” She muttered, then loudly to Hagrid, “What are you planning to do with them, Rubes?”
“Ah, I’ll drop ‘em off at the forest, prolly best to keep ‘em out of harms way.”
“Good idea.”
In a half hour, they had four moles in the crate, Harry squealing with delight as he rehomed another wriggling mole, making it five.
“I think thats all.” Rolanda said, sighing. “Good riddance.”
Hagrid had business to attend to in the Forbidden Forest so he placed Iris and Harry in the care of Madame Pomfrey who helped to bathe and dress the kids. Hagrid returned, after also getting refreshed, and they headed to his hut for dinner. Dinner, thankfully, was served by one of the Hogwarts house elves, Gabbi, who doted on little Harry and fussed over Iris, braiding her hair into intricate swirls.
“Thank yeh, Gabbi,” Hagrid said after cleaning off another plate of desert - rhubarb pie.
“Anything else I can do for you, Mister Hagrid?” Gabbi asked.
“Nah, tha’s alright. Thanks fer tha meal.”
Gabbi beamed at the praise, waved her hand and the dishes disappeared. She gave a low curtsey before disappearing herself with a pop.
With the two little ones almost nodding off, Hagrid made up his squashy couch into a bed for them and sat on the floor, opening a big, brown leather bound book.
“This ‘ere are some pictures of the old Order.”
“Who?” Asked Iris, peeping over his shoulder.
“The Order of the Phoenix - people who fought on Dumbledore’s side durin’ the war.” He opened a page to where members of the order waved and smiled up at them. “Tha there is Lily and James Potter. Harry’s mum and dad.”
Hagrid and Iris looked over to Harry who was already sound asleep in the couch-bed.
“They were killed, weren’t they? Like my mum and dad.” Iris said quietly and solemnly - Hagrid’s big heart almost broke for the poor girl. Six years old and she’d seen enough horrors already.
“Yes. They were.” Hagrid cleared his throat, trying to stop the tears forming in his eyes, “They died nobly. With honour. Like yer parents too.”
“Really?” Iris asked sleepily.
“I’m willin’ to bet on it.”
The next day, after bacon and eggs, provided by Gabbi the house-elf, Hagrid (with Iris and Harry in tow) set out to deal with a fallen tree just inside the tree-line of the Forbidden Forest. As Hagrid heaved the tree out into the open to deal with it, Iris crept towards the Forest.
“Don’ be going too far in, hey missy?” Hagrid called, huffing and puffing with the tree.
“Ok Hagrid.” Iris called back. She glanced over to Harry who was napping with Fang on the grass.
Hagrid turned his back to the kids, trying to manoeuvre the tree around the roots, taking out his axe to deal with some of the branches, “'s a pity it fell. A good oak, a bloody old one too, eh, Harry? Oh- ah, I guess I shouldn’ swear, hey?” He looked around to Harry who was snoring with Fang curled around him. Hagrid smiled at the peaceful sight. Then hs heart jumped - Iris was gone.
“Where the–” He squinted into the forest and saw a little figure just a little inside of the Forest. A large dark shape was approaching her. “Good Merlin!” Hagrid dashed off towards her, cursing himself, “Yeh big oaf Hagrid, don’ yeh know not to turn yer back on kids?” He slowed, calling out, “Iris! Where the blazes do yeh think yer goin’?”
Then he saw the dark shape in front of her, with its muzzle lowered. It was an inky black male thestral. Thestrals had the shape of a horse with reptilian skin; they were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white, gazing down at Iris who reached out her hand curiously. Wings sprouted from each wither — vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats. This thestral, Gorne, was one of the bigger males. Although the thestrals were quite used to Hagrid and students, Hagrid didn’t trust them alone.
“Leave ‘er alone, will yeh, Gorne?” Hagrid said, stopping just behind Iris. He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, “Yeh know what this is, missy?”
“A horse?”
“Heh, not quite. Gorney here is a thestral he can only be seen by those who…” Hagrid trailed off, wondering whether it was appropriate to tell her, “... those who have seen death.”
Iris nodded, petting the creature softly.
“Alright… let's leave Gorne to his herd, ey?” Hagrid guided iris out of the forest and back into the sun where Harry and Fang were still napping.
“Can Harry see them?”
“I wouldn’ think so.” Hagrid scratched his head, Harry was only one when his parents died, “He's too little.”
Iris seemed to accept this, thinking it over in her head.
“Come on, it's time teh get yeh to Sirius.” Hagrid checked his pocket watch, it was almost the arranged pick up time. “Let's get yeh home.”
“Home.” Iris said, gazing up at the giant castle with all its turrets and towers, its sloping walls and grey stone. She tore her eyes away and turned back to Harry, “Time to go home, Harry.”