A present for you.
Hagrid
1st November 1981
“Hagrid, you must take the baby back. He should be with his remaining family.” Albus Dumbledore chided. The half-giant held the baby close to his chest.
“I can’t Albus, ya were not there. I sat all night waiting for those muggles to open the door and take Harry in. The muggle woman opened the door, looked down, shook her head and walked back inside. She left Harry for dead! I will NOT take this baby back to them.” Hagrid's voice boomed in the headmaster’s office. Harry was left in his care while his parents died. “The boy did it. He killed the dark lord. He needs now to be loved and taken care of. He lost so much Albus! I don’t care what I have to do!”
Dumbledore tried to put on his grandfatherly persona with Hagrid, but he wasn’t having it.
“Hagrid, do you think you would be the best choice as a parent for Harry? You don’t use proper magic, you are not married, and the job you have isn’t enough to take care of a baby. Maybe you are right, maybe he needs to be with a wizarding family. There are plenty out there that I would trust.” Hagrid shook his head; he wasn't having it. He may not be married and can’t do proper magic, but he knows he could be the family that this little baby needs.
“Albus, I can do this. I love Harry. I’ve loved him since he was born. I was the one to always watch him while you had his family getting themselves hurt or killed! I know that I’m on that will. You know what, let's go right now to Gringotts.” Hagrid walked towards the floo and grabbed a handful of floo powder.
“I think you are making a mistake, Hagrid. I also don’t think you are on the will either. Why would they put you as his guardian?” Hagrid couldn’t wait to see the look on the old man’s face.
Hagrid walked out of the bank with a big smile on his face, holding his now-adopted son. Albus Dumbledore couldn’t believe Hagrid in the will. Hagrid needed to make a plan now. He had money saved up, and The Potters made it, so he had some money to take care of Harry. He didn’t want to touch that money unless he had to. That was going to be Harry’s money for school, and whatever he wanted to do with it when he became of age.
“Alright Harry, now to start our new lives.” The half-giant looked down in his arms at Harry’s big smile.
25th of December 1981
It was Hagrid’s first Christmas with Harry. The half-giant made sure it was going to be perfect. Hagrid didn’t know what to buy for his new son. He was too little for a pet; he was too little for most toys. When he rescued Harry that night, he noticed that his son’s blanket was ruined.
Hagrid worked every day for weeks. He finally completed it on Christmas Eve. He wrapped it messily in red and green paper with a huge silver bow on top. The half-giant was too excited to sleep. He sat in front of the fire and watched the flames dance.
Some days seemed so long now because he was doing something non-stop. On other days he didn’t want Harry to go to sleep because once he did, Hagrid was alone. Not that he would change his life if he had the chance. For once Hagrid had a purpose and was doing something that made him happy as well as taking care of someone who needed him, someone that he hoped would love him unconditionally.
Hagrid didn’t remember falling asleep, but when he heard Harry’s babbling he stretched the kinks out of his back and went to get his son. When he walked into Harry’s small bedroom, he saw the toddler's hands on the bars of his cot jumping up and down. His raven-colored hair was a mess from sleeping, though his green eyes sparkled with happiness when he saw Hagrid walk closer.
“Ya look happy this mornin’,’ Harry! Ya must know it’s Christmas!” He bent down and picked up the toddler. “How about we get ya a new nappy and then breakfast? After breakfast, we can open ya Christmas present!” Harry did Hagrid’s favorite thing as he snuggled into his chest. His son felt so small in his hands, so fragile.
“I take that as a yes.” The half-giant chuckled.
Hagrid changed and dressed Harry today in his special Christmas jammies. Wasn't any reason to get him properly dressed today when they weren’t going anywhere. Plus Hagrid loved how he looked in the footed jammies.
After a breakfast of hot cereal, which got more on Hagrid than in Harry’s mouth, it was present time.
Hagrid sat Harry on the floor in front of their small Christmas tree. Harry loved watching the fairy lights twinkle.
“Alright Harry, it isn’t much but I hope ya like it!” Hagrid placed the package in front of Harry. His son giggled and tapped the package with his hands. His fingers tried to rip the paper, but it was no good. After a few minutes, Hagrid laughed and helped him pull the paper off the package.
When all the paper was gone, Harry squealed and pulled the blanket to his face. Hagrid felt tears burn his eyes. He hoped Harry would recognize the pieces of his old blanket quilted in with the new.
“I can tell ya like it, Harry! I’m so glad! I know ya just a wee one and I don’t expect ya to call me Da, but just know I love ya like ya were my own. I will always be there for ya, no matter what.” Hagrid rambled on; he wasn't sure why it wasn’t like Harry would understand just yet, but he will never let Harry think he isn’t loved.
Harry pulled the blanket from his face and toddled over to the half-giant dragging the blanket. Hagrid pulled him up and placed him on his lap. The toddler cuddled into him with his blanket.
Hagrid sighed and placed a kiss on his hair.
“Dada.” Harry whispered. Hagrid didn’t think he heard him right. Harry wouldn’t call him dad this early; James hasn’t been gone that long. Hagrid couldn’t make himself care as selfish as that seems.
———-
1985
“Daddy! Wake up!!!!” A small body slammed into him. Hagrid groaned as he opened his eyes. His son's face was right in front of his.
“I’m up, what's wrong?” Hagrid sat up and placed his son on his lap. Harry never woke before the sun was up. He loved to sleep in.
“The Zoo opens today Daddy!” The almost 6-year-old yelled. Hagrid knew Harry would be excited, but he didn’t think that he would have to deal with his excitement this early. Hagrid pushed the fringe out of his son’s face.
“Yes, it does, but ya up before the sun. We need to have plenty of rest so we can make the opening the best. How about ya lay down with me and we take a wee nap before we get ready for the day?” Hagrid wanted a few more hours of sleep. He had a late night last night making last-minute preparations.
Harry furrowed his brows as he thought about it. Then he nodded. “Okay Daddy, just for a bit.” Hagrid sighed and placed his son next to him in bed. They both snuggled in and closed their eyes.
“Daddy.” His son’s soft voice said.
“Yes, Harry.”
“I love you.”
“I love ya too.”
———
1991
Hagrid cried as he dropped his son off at the train. He couldn’t believe that Harry was old enough to go to school. Ilvermorny differed from Hogwarts, but he liked that. It was quiet that night until Harry’s beautiful white owl flew into his room.
“Hedwig, you have a letter for me already.” Hagrid took the letter from the bird and gave her a treat before she flew back to Harry. He would send his son a letter first thing in the morning.
Dear Dad!
How are you? I am good! I miss you, Fang, and all the others already! There are a lot of kids here but they seem to be alright. I got sorted in my house. I am a Pukwudgie. They are the heart of the school! I knew I would be a Pukwudgie!
I have made no friends yet, but that is okay. Hedwig likes it in the owlery. There are so many beautiful owls, I will take a picture of them for you. My roommates mostly have owls, but one boy has a snake. Her name is Sahira, but the boy calls her Apollo. He thinks she is a boy. I don’t know why she doesn’t just tell him. Have you ever heard of a snake breed that can talk to humans? Please let me know!
It’s almost lights out. I gotta go!
Make sure you give Fang extra cuddles tonight for me. I love you Dad.
Love your son,
Harry
PS Thank you for sending the photo album and my blanket.
Hagrid smiled a watery smile. Harry didn’t want to bring his blanket; he was too big for it. Hagrid slipped it in the trunk right before they left their home.
——-
2002 (present-day)
Mr. Harry James Potter Hagrid,
We would like to congratulate you for completing your Mastery in Magical Creature Studies. You are the youngest wizard to complete this mastery. Your paper on Opaleyes will be published in the Magical Creature Studies Journal.
Hagrid read the letter aloud to his nervous son. He couldn’t finish the letter because his son jumped into his arms.
“Dad, I did it! I have a mastery!” Hagrid squeezed him tight. He was so glad that he could do all the things that Hagrid didn’t have time to do.
“Ya did it, Harry! I knew ya could! We need to celebrate!” Harry nodded and jumped up.
“Celebratory lunch and then to get a new friend for the zoo!” Of course, his son would want something new for the zoo. He actually planned for it. The only thing he didn’t know was what type of creature it would be.
It was a cute Hippogriff he named Puddlefoot.