A Visit to Hagrids

Months passed by after Craig's death and Oz's daily routine started up again. He would continue his studies although he felt as though he was reaching a peak in all of them now. After which he would spend his afternoons either in the library with everyone else or in the RoR looking into creating his own weapons/artefacts.

Recently Oz had been experimenting with the Basilisk Venom he extracted. He had an idea of creating a smoke bomb that when detonated let out the venom effectively killing everyone in the vicinity. This would be a brutal device in his arsenal and a device that could clear out areas of enemies if he was every surrounded or sieging a building himself. Besides this idea he also had the idea to create a new product that would follow his previous Health Specs. That project though was one he wouldn't be able to fully finalise until he was back in Merlin's hideout after this year.

The aftermath of Craig's death led to a lot of ministry officials entering the school at random times. They would come to question the students as well as the teachers and would almost always spend the majority of their time near Dumbledore's office. Oz imagined that these Ministry officials would be around for a while longer still until near the end of the year when they confirm that the threat had truly been dealt with.

As for the group that was hit hardest by Craig's death, they all seemed to be coping well. Rose had incorporated herself into the group soundly as the others welcomed her with open arms. Daphne and Harry made it their goal to always poke fun at her actual name 'Rosie' which always elicited a response from the little Hufflepuff. Hermione and Luna seemed to take charge in nursing a despondent Cho who was still coping with Craig's death.

After seeing her face on the day after Craig's death Oz realised that her feelings for Craig were probably above that of 'friends'. She herself probably didn't even realise these feelings until Craig had passed, a truly ironic and sad situation. Thanks to Luna and Hermione though, she seemed to be coping well. Oz always noted whenever he'd turn up at the library that each time they all seemed to be getting better and better. Then again, Oz had a theory that they only showed him there 'tough' faces to impress him wherein their actual emotions about the whole situation were still jumbled.

Oz still felt regret over Craig's death however understood that the best thing to do now was to move on and to give Lucius an extra kick in the stomach whenever he has to fight him in the future. The one person Oz felt slight pity for now was Draco as sometimes Oz would catch Harry along with Daphne hatching a plan almost every night to fuck him over in some way or another.

As the seasons slowly changed and the mood of the school lightened after the wake of Craig's death Oz heard news of a certain 'half-giant' finally returning from being placed in Azkaban. Hearing this news, Oz decided to go down and see him as he had some questions for him. Taking himself out of the castle one afternoon, Oz headed down the path of the school towards a familiar looking hut.

.

After some walking Oz found himself in front of the door to Hagrid's hut. From inside he could vaguely hear the panting of a dog and the movement of a man wondering around. Hearing that Hagrid was indeed in, Oz knocked on the door a couple times. After waiting a minute, the door in front of him opened.

"I'm not takin' an- Oz? You're the last person I expected to pay me a visit".

Smiling at Hagrid, Oz took a look at the half-giants face. He was covered in bruises and seemed to still be nursing an injury on his body. Oz looked at the Hagrid in pity as he realised the situation that had probably arose.

'With a death happening at the school and Hagrid the prime suspect it seems the ministry were desperate for him to admit that he was guilty as soon as possible after catching him... He's been treated pretty roughly it would seem'.

"Sorry to disturb you Hagrid. I just thought we could have a chat about some things. I wanted to update you on how Norberta was doing as well and the second I heard you'd been released from that terrible prison I thought this news would at least warm you up".

Hagrid showed Oz a grateful smile that still hid some wariness behind it. He ushered Oz into his hut closing the door behind him. As Oz entered he saw Fang laying down on the floor snoring loudly. Even in his previous life Oz always liked dogs. Taking himself over to Hagrid's table he sat himself down. Hagrid brewed up a cup of coffee for the both of them and sat down opposite Oz.

"So, how's my little Norberta been faring? Is she eatin' well?".

Oz chuckled as he heard Hagrid's 'motherly' nature towards magical creatures kick in.

"She's been doing fine. I left her at my place with a good carer whose trained in looking after dragons like her. The environment there is perfect for her as well. Soon she will be ready to be sent to Romania along with the other dragons to grow even more".

Hagrid sighed in relief as he heard Oz's news about Norberta. Hearing that the little dragon he got was doing well definitely warmed him up after all the stuff he'd been through the past while.

"How come it took them so long to get you out of Azkaban Hagrid? Lucius was caught the night of the murder and I imagine you only got sent off a bit before that?".

Hagrid sighed as he placed a piece of cold meat to his bruise on his face.

"You're not stupid Oz so I imagine you know tha' Lucius has connection in the ministry. He pulled all sorts of tricks to delay his trial meaning my stay in Azkaban was prolonged. He even managed to get someone in to interrogate and well... 'kindly' coax a confession out of me but I refused to give one. It took Dumbledore coming into the ministry with more proof for me to finally be released. That Lucius still managed to weasel his way outta a proper punishment though... Damn ministry really is corrupt".

Looking at Hagrid Oz simply smiled in response as he imagine that situation to be the case. As he looked at that Half-giant he felt regret at the fact that he was blamed for opening the chamber of secrets all those years ago. Oz saw wasted potential in this man.

'I've always placed a lot of importance on physique. If magic is held within us then the stronger the body the more magic it can hold. Hagrid's half-giant physique was probably a perfect container of magic and if he could have learnt everything he could in Hogwarts there's a chance he could have become a truly incredible wizard. Maybe Riddle targeted him for more reasons than just 'he had a pet that could be substituted for the Basilisk''.

"That does sound like something Lucius would do... You've truly been put through a lot".

"Ah, It's alright. I've taken worse beatens from creatures in the past believe me!".

Oz smiled as the direction of the conversation was heading somewhere he wanted.

"I actually took magical care of creatures this year as an elective Hagrid. After taking in Norberta I saw it as a given to look into ways of caring for other creatures as well as her".

Hagrid looked at Oz with increased respect as he heard Oz's choice in electives. He smiled as he started to talk back.

"Magical creatures are such precious things. Since I was a wee lad I've collected and took care of many different beasts. Maybe because of my giant blood within me I feel a sort of affinity to them hahaha".

"I did hear you were half-giant... Do giants still reside in the wizarding world?"

Hagrid seemed to bite his lip a bit before continuing. His passion for magical beasts getting the better of his judgement.

"Well of course they do. I've only ever heard of one community of them though. They are situated in Belarus, to the mountains northeast of Minsk. Dumbledore has had me visit them on occasions with gifts trying to sow a good relationship with them. He'd always tell me they would be important asset to us in the future if they allied with us... Although im unsure as to why he feels the need to ally with them".

Hearing this from Hagrid, Oz realised that maybe Dumbledore's attempts at growing the 'Order of the Phoenix' were actually still ongoing even throughout the time it was disbanded. He definitely foresaw the return of Voldemort eventually after all, he just didn't know in which form. His attempts at reaching the giants will probably increase after this year considering Oz gave him the information about horcruxes.

'So the giants reside in Belarus... Another place for me next year it seems'.

Oz and Hagrid continued to chat for a while longer about various magical creatures. Oz's extensive knowledge bounced off of Hagrid's first hand knowledge improving both of their insights on the subject. As the night started to arise Hagrid looked out the window of his hut.

"Blimey is that the time?! It seems you should start to head back to the castle now Oz. Wouldn't want you getting in trouble".

After this long chat with Oz, Hagrid's opinion of the boy had improved a lot. When he first met him alongside Harry in the Leaky Cauldron he was wary of him. He knew he had good intentions when he exposed what those damn Dursleys did to the boy however his own senses told him the boy was more than meets the eye. After having this chat though he felt that the boy meant well deep down.

"Thank you for your time Hagrid. When I've taken Norberta back to Romania, I'll send you a letter to let you know".

"That'd be great! When are you planning on sending her back?".

"Next year... You see I'm talking to Albus about taking a year off from school. He's apparently been getting push back from the board of governors and they want me to do my OWLs early to show my 'integrity'. I think that they'll be easy enough though...".

Hagrid's eyebrows rose as he heard Oz wasn't planning on returning to Hogwarts next year. Hearing the Dumbledore gave the okay though he didn't challenge it at all. Ushering Oz out his door he gave a small wave as he closed his hut. Oz looked up the path to the castle before turning his head to the forest nearby. He cloaked himself as he headed in the direction of the forest.

'Seeing as though you gave me valuable information I'll be gentle in gathering materials from your pet...'.