Hagrid's Hidden Request

Hagrid's Hidden Request

An owl letter arrived from Hogwarts to Harry and Ginny's home. It had "Urgent" written on it in bold lettering. Harry opened it. The news was not good. Hagrid was very ill and not expected to live much longer. This information hit Harry hard in the wind. Although he, Ginny and the kids had not paid him a visit in a while, he had just assumed that his dear friend would always be there. He thought it would be almost unforgiveable of Hagrid to die, because he just wasn't suppose to die. Ginny was beside him when he opened the letter. She saw sadness displayed on his face and readily assessed that something was not right. After he told her what it was about, she entered her own realm of despondency. After some moments of time had passed, she collected herself and took a deep breath and began to make their traveling plans. Harry gently placed his hand on her arm and told her that letter also expressed with conviction that he was to come alone. This brought about a sense of bewilderment to both of them. However, given his approach to life, he would be determined to follow this instruction even with some hesitation. There must be a good reason for this amendment in the letter.

As the days aged, Harry found himself on the Hogwarts Express. There were not many students on the train, so he had little difficulty finding a compartment to be alone in. He laid his head back, stretched his legs and pulled the curtains back to his memories of the many times that he and Ron and Hermione made this journey to the castle that was to become such a central part of his life. It seemed like the moment they stepped onto the grounds, trouble became their constant companion. However, he could not deny that the adventures they had together were outstanding. Ron had become his very best friend. Ron's family became his family, especially Ginny. When he and Ron would stray off course, Hermione would put them back in the right direction. He hadn't thought too much of Hermione over the course of time. With she being married to Ron and him to Ginny, plus kids there was little time to spend with each other. Nevertheless, they were still very close. After a while, he fell asleep. Before he could count on how many times Hermione tried to convince he and Ron to help her discover how they could help Gilderoy Lockhart find out who he was, Hogwarts had arrive.

Harry stepped off the train. For a few moments there was some sadness. Many times when after he exited the train, there would be a giant waving at him, greeting him with massive hugs. That giant was not there, only an older Professor McGonagall. She approached Harry, held out her hand to shake his hand. To his surprise her hand shake had power in it. She may have had a fragile appearance, but her strong spirit was evident. She guided Harry to his place of stay in the castle. Immediately after, they made their journey to Hagrid's house. According to the Professor, Hagrid, knowing the end was coming, wanted to spend his last days in his home with his faithful companion, Fang.

When they arrived at the entrance of the hut, she padded Harry on his shoulder and left him there to be alone with Hagrid. He slowly walked in and there was Fang sitting on the floor next to a very thin, fragile looking skeleton that had once been a bundle of great energy. A thought from yesteryear came across his mind, the first time he met Hagrid. This giant and his calling card knocking down this heavy bared door. Now Harry thought he couldn't turn a door knob. He moved forward. Fang recognizing him gave him a sloppy lick up and down his face. Harry scratched him behind his ears and gave him a hug. He pulled one of the "Lighter" chairs over to where Hagrid was lying down. Hagrid's eyes slowly opened. When they focused on Harry he produced a weak, but broad grin. Harry gripped his hand and told him it was good to see him. To Harry it looked as if Hagrid was just barely holding on. Harry remained silent to give Hagrid time to talk. He then whispered that he wanted Harry to keep a promise to him. Harry replied that he would. Then to Harry's great surprise Hagrid asked him to watch over Hermione and protect her forever. For a moment Harry thought Hagrid meant Ginny. He thought that in his delirium Hagrid may have forgotten that he was married to Ginny. Hagrid again told him to protect Hermione, and then added that she loves him so deeply. For a moment he reflected that although he and Hermione cared for each other a great deal, she was Ron's and Ginny his. Hagrid released his grip from Harry's hand and reached into a pocket and produced a letter. He gave it to Harry to read.

It was a letter written to Hagrid from Hermione. The letter stated that even though she loved Ron, her heart belonged to Harry. She wrote that she had always loved Harry and always would. She said that when she saw the way their lives were going she decided to make the best of situations and go along with the plotted courses. After all she wrote she did have feelings for Ron just not as deep as they were for Harry. She also wrote that she was jealous of Ginny, but loved her like a sister. She mentioned the time that she, Ron and Harry were searching for the horcruxes and how after Ron left they were alone. The night they danced and she had to call on every ounce of her being to keep herself from completely throwing herself at him. She desperately wanted to kiss him and make herself available to him to do whatever pleased him. Anything he desired.

Harry sat back in his chair and tried to process this revelation. He was numb. He didn't know how to react. These were power filled words and if released could have the potential to destroy lives. Hermione must have thought the risk of exposure was worth it. Sometimes a person has to let things out or that person will go nuts. While Harry was deep in thought, Hagrid stirred. The noise brought Harry back to reality. From a weakening voice Hagrid bid Harry to move closer. He told Harry that this situation was now in his hands and that he should do what he thought was best. He told Harry that he, Harry, Hermione, and Professor McGonagall were the only ones who knew about this declaration. Professor McGonagall read it to him.

Hagrid continued to mumble on and then clearly told Harry to take care of Hermione. Hagrid's head turned to his side and began the greatest adventure in life, death. Tears formed in Harry's eyes, thinking that his big, gentle friend was not going to be around anymore. Fang began to lick Hagrid's face trying to wake him. This action put another cover of sadness over Harry. Harry had to now try and balance his great grief with the tremendous information he held in his hand. After some time Harry stood up from his chair. He patted Fang's head and began to look about Hagrid's house. He took most of the objects in along with their memories. His eyes rested upon the hearth with a fire burning. He slowly walked to the hearth and tossed the letter in and watched it be consumed by the flames. The secret would be his forever and that he would indeed take care of Hermione.

He then walked to the door and slowly opened it. He stepped out into a breezy day with a deep blue sky. A day Hagrid would have loved, he thought. Professor McGonagall returned. She and Harry walked together. He told her all that had happened. She told him that the secrets contained within it would always remain with her. She told him funeral arrangements would be made and also assured him that Fang would be well cared for. They hugged each other. He told her that he decided to return to his home and his Ginny rather than stay the night. He would keep in touch.