"Hagrid?" Vison looked at the huge figure standing at the door, looking bewildered. He waved him in. "Why are you here? Come in, quickly."
Hagrid didn't stand on ceremony. He walked in, picked a sofa at random, and sat down heavily. The poor sofa creaked and groaned under his weight.
Harry, watching this, looked confused. "You two know each other?"
"Of course, little Harry," Hagrid said as he leaned back, relaxing and making the sofa creak even more. "Professor Vison and I go way back. This year, he'll be at Hogw—"
Cough, cough.
Vison coughed sharply, cutting Hagrid off. He shot him a warning look. "Let's keep some things a surprise, eh?"
Harry blinked, puzzled. He had no idea Vison would be at Hogwarts. Vison figured he'd tell him later, once they reached the castle.
Thankfully, Hagrid caught on quickly and shut his mouth.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, frowning. "Is there something you're not telling me, sir?"
Hagrid cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. "Nothing, Harry. We were just reminiscing. Professor Vison here was also a Hogwarts student once, and I've been Keeper of Keys and Grounds for ages."
Vison couldn't help but sigh. Hagrid wasn't exactly great at keeping secrets.
Harry still looked a bit suspicious but let it go. He was too excited about his Hogwarts letter to worry much.
"Oh, right!" Hagrid suddenly remembered why he was there and changed the subject. "Vison, why does Harry call you teacher?"
"I've lived here for a while," Vison explained. "About half a year ago, I met Harry. He showed interest in Potions, so I gave him some lessons."
Hagrid glanced at Harry, who nodded in agreement. Though Hagrid looked skeptical about Harry being that interested in Potions.
But then, to Vison's surprise, Hagrid's eyes grew misty. He wiped at them, then reached out and affectionately mussed up Harry's already wild hair. "Ah, you like Potions, little Harry? Just like your mum!"
The word mother hit Harry like a thunderclap. Time seemed to slow.
"My mother?" Harry's voice quivered as he snapped out of his daze. He locked eyes with Hagrid. "You knew her?"
Hagrid suddenly looked like he regretted speaking. It wasn't the right time to bring up Harry's parents, but it was too late now.
He looked into Harry's eager eyes and sighed. "Yes, Harry. I knew her. When she was at Hogwarts, I was already working there. She was brilliant at Potions—best in her year, no one could top her."
Harry's heart thumped hard in his chest. This was the first real thing he'd heard about his mother.
Vison glanced over at Lupin, who stood quietly nearby. Lupin's face was tense, and he said nothing, though he probably knew more about Harry's parents than anyone else present.
Harry opened his mouth to ask more, but before he could, there was a loud creak from under Vison's feet.
He looked down to see Torch, the baby dragon, gnawing on a chair leg with its tiny but sharp teeth. Even though they were milk teeth, they left marks.
"Hey! Don't do that, Torch!" Vison scolded, scooping the dragon up and gently but firmly closing its mouth. "You little rascal, you need to learn some manners."
"Wait a minute!" Hagrid's voice boomed through the room. "Is that a DRAGON? Vison, is it really?"
Everyone jumped at Hagrid's shout.
Vison winced. He had completely forgotten that Hagrid, like Professor Kettleburn, was a total dragon fanatic.
Hagrid leapt up, nearly toppling the sofa, and stormed over. Torch froze, wide-eyed at the sight of the giant man.
Hagrid's face was lit up like a child's at Christmas. "Vison, you've got a dragon! I can't believe it!"
"It's a Chinese Fireball," he added, eyes sparkling with recognition.
Vison had to admit, Hagrid's knowledge impressed him. He himself couldn't tell the difference between dragon hatchlings — they all looked like wrinkly black lizards to him.
Seeing Hagrid's barely-contained excitement, Vison instinctively tightened his hold on Torch. Hagrid looked like he might snatch the baby dragon then and there.
"Yes, Hagrid. It's a dragon, but it's just a hatchling," Vison said carefully. "Born not long ago."
Hagrid leaned in, his face full of pure adoration. "I've always dreamed of having a dragon. Look at it! It's so cute!"
"Want to hold him?" Vison offered, unable to refuse Hagrid's childlike excitement.
Hagrid beamed and almost glowed with happiness. "Oh, I've dreamed of this moment!"
His huge hands carefully cradled Torch, whose tiny body was dwarfed completely. At first, Torch struggled, but quickly gave up, realizing escape was impossible.
"Look at him!" Hagrid gushed. "He's not scared of me at all! Have you been feeding him brandy with chicken blood?"
"Of course," Vison nodded, picking up the worn copy of Dragon-Breeding for Pleasure and Profit from the table. "It says so in here."
"I've read that too!" Hagrid nearly shouted in excitement. "Someday, I'll raise a dragon myself."
For the next half-hour, Hagrid was lost in playing with Torch. Harry tried to ask more questions about his parents, but he couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Finally, Hagrid seemed to remember his actual reason for visiting.
"I need to take Harry to Diagon Alley," he said, gently handing Torch back to Vison. "But Harry said he wouldn't go unless you gave permission."
Vison was quietly touched. Harry trusted him that much.
"Of course he can go," Vison said, smiling. He patted Harry on the head. "Hagrid's a good man. Go on, have fun."
Harry's face lit up with excitement, and he turned to Hagrid, ready to head off on his first real adventure.
After they left, Vison realized with a start that he'd forgotten Harry's birthday gift. But he wasn't worried. He could always send it later, by owl, straight to the Dursleys' house.
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