Renewed Beginnings

"If this ruddy weather keeps up, we'll have ter switch ter usin' sleds insteada carriages ter carry tha studen's over from Hogwarts! Rosmerta, how 'bout a cup'o that mulled mead, thatta girl." The booming voice, and blast of cold air from the door, announced the arrival of Hagrid in The Three Broomsticks. At that particular moment, however, he looked more like a small mountain, due to the fact that every part of his massive form was covered in a light dusting of snow.

Many heads in the bar turned to watch as, after collecting his drink, Hagrid turned and made his way over to a table where sat a strikingly beautiful lady. They were more than a little surprised when he sat down at the table with her. Not only did she not object, she greeted him warmly like an old friend.

"Hagrid, how are you?" said Catherine Flaherty, with a warm smile. "I was so pleased to receive your invitation to visit. Of course, the added gift of the charmed origami crane was a nice touch, as well. I do hope you had someone perform the charm for you," she said, with a warning glint in her eyes.

Hagrid said nothing, preferring instead to take this time to admire her beauty uninterrupted. Even though she was now in her late fifties, Catherine was still amazingly beautiful. Her hair was the color of rich golden amber, and if there was any gray, it was not yet noticeable. Her eyes, even after these many years, still retained a youthful glint within their aqua depths. As for her voice, with its sultry tones and slight hint of a Devon accent that reminded him of home, he felt as though he could listen to it until the end of his days. Hagrid shook himself out of his reverie as he realized Catherine was talking once more, and seemed to be expecting him to answer some question she had asked.

"Well, Hagrid? You haven't answered me. So was it Harry or Ron or Hermione who charmed that origami crane for you? They're in what now? Fourth year? Fifth year? Surely capable of a simple charm such as that, from what you've told me." Catherine drew a breath, and looked at Hagrid expectantly. She had obviously been talking for a while and, from her expression, these weren't the only questions she had asked.

Hagrid took a long drink from his mug, stalling for time, his face slightly flushed. He fiddled with his napkin for a minute, trying to collect his thoughts. When he finally spoke, his face flushed even redder than before.

"Yeah, I let Hermione do tha charm on the crane for me. Figured it would prob'ly las' longer if she did it than if I tried ter do it mesself. But, actually, Cath'rine...er...um...I have a confession to make. I was...well...sorta hopin' that...well, mebbe once yeh got here...um...mebbe yeh'd be willin' ter do more than jes' visit. I was...er, well...kinda hopin' yeh'd mebbe stay around fer a while. Yeh know, so we could catch up an' all, an' mebbe..." his voice trailed off, his face blood red once more.

Catherine didn't say anything for a few moments. Hagrid, mistaking her silence, started to speak again in a rush, his face flaming.

"I'm sorry, Cath'rine. I shouldn'ta said anythin'. I jes' thought...I mean...we've always been sech good frien's and all an' I jes' thought...well..."

Catherine reached out and put a hand over one of his to stop him. "Hagrid, it's all right. I'd love to stay. I'm only sorry neither of us had the courage to say anything sooner."

She looked up into his eyes and gave him one of her sweetest smiles, and her eyes held the promise of many more yet to come.