Dumbledore's Major Misjudgment
By Special Correspondent, Rita Skeeter
Albus Dumbledore, the famously eccentric Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has always had a taste for hiring controversial teachers. This past September, he appointed Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, a decision that startled many in the Ministry, especially given Moody's well-known tendency to hex anything that moves unexpectedly.
But compared to the half-giant Dumbledore hired to teach Care of Magical Creatures, even Mad-Eye seems like a gentle and reasonable fellow. Hagrid, an enormous and intimidating man, has been abusing his new authority by introducing a string of terrifying creatures into his lessons, putting his students in danger. The Daily Prophet has recently uncovered damning evidence that Hagrid is not, as he has long pretended, a pure-blood wizard. In fact, he's not even fully human. We can exclusively reveal that his mother is none other than the giantess Fridwulfa, whose current whereabouts are unknown.
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On the first day of the new term, the castle grounds lay blanketed in snow. That afternoon was Care of Magical Creatures class.
"Aha!" Draco Malfoy crowed from the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, holding up the paper. "Look at this article! I think that big oaf's finally getting sacked! Who would've thought he's a half-giant?"
Sure enough, Hagrid wasn't there for class that afternoon. In his place was an elderly witch, Professor Grubbly-Plank, the temporary substitute for Care of Magical Creatures.
It was clear that none of the Gryffindors had yet read the Daily Prophet, especially Harry, who kept pestering Professor Grubbly-Plank about Hagrid's whereabouts, until Malfoy tossed him the paper with a mocking grin.
When class ended, Anne was bundled up tightly, only her eyes showing. Her voice came muffled through her scarf:
"That was actually a good lesson. Some of what Professor Grubbly-Plank said about unicorns isn't even in our textbooks."
"But Harry and the others didn't seem too happy," Fanny said as she walked beside Anne. "Honestly though, who would've guessed Hagrid's a half-giant? Giants are supposed to be savage creatures, and they're pretty rare now. But how did Rita Skeeter find out? If Hagrid kept it hidden this long, it must have been a secret. And the Headmaster banned her from the school, how'd she dig up all this?"
"Well, whether Hagrid's a half-giant or not doesn't really matter to me," Anne said thoughtfully. "He's a decent person. I just don't like his teaching methods. As for Rita Skeeter… someone who makes a living exposing other people's secrets must have her ways…"
For the rest of the month, Hagrid didn't return to class. He also didn't appear at the staff table in the Great Hall, nor did he perform his duties as gamekeeper. Professor Grubbly-Plank continued filling in, and Malfoy took every opportunity to gloat.
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By mid-January, the students had their first weekend trip to Hogsmeade.
"One glass of multi-fruit juice and one butterbeer, please," Anne said cheerfully to Madam Rosmerta.
Balancing the drinks, Anne walked to a window-side table, set the butterbeer down in front of Fanny, and sipped her juice as she sat.
They had barely started chatting about the weather and the second task of the Triwizard Tournament when they were called over.
Hermione and Ron arrived with butterbeers in hand. Hermione took the seat next to Anne, while Ron sat beside Fanny.
"Good afternoon," Anne greeted them.
"Not with Harry?" Fanny asked.
Ron pointed to the bar. Harry stood there talking to Ludo Bagman. Anne glanced over and noticed a group of goblins nearby, watching Bagman and Harry with hostile expressions.
"Those goblins don't look very friendly," Hermione remarked.
Anne nodded. "Were they here to see Mr. Bagman?"
"Yes, but then Bagman called Harry over…" Hermione said. "It's strange though, goblins should fall under the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, shouldn't they?"
"Don't look at me," Anne said, shaking her head. "Just because my uncle works in that department doesn't mean I know everything."
Soon after, Bagman hurried out of the pub. Harry returned to the group, looking puzzled. He pulled up a chair from a nearby table and sat facing them.
"What did he want?" Ron asked as soon as Harry sat.
"He offered to help me figure out the clue from the golden egg," Harry said.
Hermione and Fanny looked utterly shocked.
"He shouldn't be doing that!" Hermione exclaimed, and Fanny nodded firmly.
"He's a judge! And besides, haven't you already figured it out yourself?" she continued.
"Mostly, yeah," Harry admitted.
"Well, I think Dumbledore would be furious if he found out Bagman's encouraging you to cheat!" Hermione said indignantly.
"Did he offer the same help to Cedric?" Fanny asked.
"No, I asked him," Harry said.
"We don't care if Cedric got help or not," Ron cut in quickly.
Hermione and Fanny shot him identical glares.
"What did those goblins want with Bagman?" Anne asked.
"According to him, they were looking for Mr. Crouch," Harry said. "He's still sick and hasn't returned to work."
"Crouch? Why would goblins be looking for someone from the Department of International Magical Cooperation?" Anne asked, holding her cup thoughtfully.
"Mr. Crouch speaks loads of languages. Maybe they needed a translator," Harry said. "Percy mentioned at the Yule Ball that he's been ill and is handling everything through owl post."
"Percy acts like he's already a senior official in that department," Ron grumbled. "But he's just an intern!"
"Professor Binns said during the Goblin Rebellions lecture that goblins are incredibly clever and very good at outwitting wizards," Hermione added after sipping her butterbeer.
"Her?" Harry suddenly said, looking toward the door.
Rita Skeeter had just entered. She wore a banana-yellow robe, her long nails painted a vivid pink. Behind her followed a plump photographer.
As she passed through the pub with her drink, she chattered cheerfully.
"…He didn't want to talk to us, did he, Bozo? Why do you think that is? Leading a bunch of goblins around for sightseeing, ridiculous. He's a liar, that one. Something's definitely up… This is going to be a big story, Disgraced Former Head of Magical Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman, don't you love that headline, Bozo? We just need the right spin, "
"Trying to ruin someone's life again?" Harry shouted.
Rita and Bozo turned. Her bejeweled eyes widened as she saw who it was.
"Harry!" she said with a bright, sugary smile. "Wonderful! Why don't you come join, "
"I wouldn't come near you if I were riding a ten-foot broomstick!" Harry snapped. "Why did you do that to Hagrid, huh?"
Rita arched a heavily penciled brow.
"Our readers have the right to know the truth, Harry. I'm just doing my job, "
"Who cares if he's a half-giant?" Harry shouted. "There's nothing wrong with him!"
The pub fell silent. Madam Rosmerta stared from behind the bar, pouring honey mead that was now overflowing.
Well, that was impulsive… Anne thought, quietly sipping her juice.
Rita's smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. She reached into her crocodile handbag and pulled out her Quick-Quotes Quill.
"Would you like to tell me more about Hagrid, Harry? The muscle-bound man with a heart of gold? The mystery of your unusual friendship? Do you see him as a father figure?"
Hermione shot to her feet, clenching her butterbeer.
"You nasty woman," she spat. "You don't care about anything except a story! You'd throw anyone under the bus, even Ludo Bagman, "
"Sit down, silly little girl. Don't talk about what you don't understand," Rita snapped, eyes going cold as she turned them on Hermione. "I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your skin crawl… but never mind that, "
"We're leaving," Hermione said firmly.
Harry and Ron stood immediately, Harry glaring furiously at Rita.
Fanny glanced at Anne for her opinion. Anne sighed, pushed aside her half-finished juice, and stood.
They left the pub in silence, under many watching eyes. As they reached the door, Anne glanced back. Rita's quill was already scribbling furiously across a sheet of parchment.
"She's going to go after you next, Hermione," Ron said in a low, worried voice once they were outside.
"Let her try!" Hermione said, shaking with rage. "She called me a silly little girl? Oh, she's going to regret it. First for Harry, now for Hagrid…"
"Don't mess with Rita Skeeter," Ron warned. "Seriously, Hermione. She'll dig up something about you, "
"My parents don't read the Daily Prophet. She's not scaring me off! And Hagrid won't be hiding anymore either. He shouldn't be ashamed of who he is. Now let's go!"
With that, Hermione broke into a run.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and dashed after her.
"Shall we follow?" Fanny asked Anne, clearly eager.
Anne looked at the trio sprinting off, sighed, tightened her hood and scarf, and followed.
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They ran past the gates flanked by winged boars and across the snowy grounds to Hagrid's hut.
The curtains were tightly drawn, but inside they could hear Fang whining.
"Hagrid!" Hermione shouted, pounding the door. "We know you're in there! No one cares that your mother was a giant! Don't let Skeeter win, Hagrid! You're not, "
The door opened. Hermione started to say, "You should've, " and then fell silent.
Because it wasn't Hagrid who had opened the door. It was Albus Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon," he said cheerfully, smiling down at them.
"We, we came to see Hagrid," Hermione said softly.
"I thought you might," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Why don't you come in?"
"Oh… alright," Hermione said. She looked back at Harry and Ron, then spotted Anne and Fanny hurrying over, before stepping inside.
"Professor Dumbledore! Good afternoon!" Anne said as she reached the door. Fanny, equally surprised, gave a polite greeting.
"Good afternoon," Dumbledore replied warmly, stepping aside to let them in.
Hagrid sat at the table, two large mugs in front of him. He looked a mess, his face blotchy, eyes red and swollen, and his hair a tangled, wiry mess.
"Hi, Hagrid," Harry said.
"Hi," Hagrid croaked.
"Let's have more tea," Dumbledore said, pulling out his wand. A tea tray and a plate of cakes floated into the room and settled on the table.
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore asked, "Hagrid, did you hear what Miss Granger was shouting?"
Hermione blushed faintly. Dumbledore smiled and went on, "Judging by the door-pounding, I'd say Hermione, Harry, and Ron still want to be your friends. And so do Anne and Fanny."
He smiled kindly at the two girls.
"Of course we do!" Harry said. "Why would you think we'd care what that, uh, sorry, Professor."
"I must be going deaf," said Dumbledore, looking at the ceiling, "because I didn't hear a thing."
"Well… what I meant is, why would we care what she wrote?" Harry asked.
Tears welled in Hagrid's eyes and dripped into his beard.
"This just proves my point," Dumbledore said. "I've received dozens of letters from parents, many of whom studied here themselves, saying they'd be furious if I dismissed you."
"Not everyone wants me to stay," Hagrid rasped.
"Well, Hagrid, if you're going to wait until everyone agrees, you'll be in this cabin a very long time," Dumbledore said, now with a sharp look from behind his half-moon glasses. "I've received weekly letters criticizing my leadership since I became Headmaster. Should I lock myself away and stop speaking to anyone?"
"But… you're not a half-giant!" Hagrid protested.
"Take a look at my relatives," Harry said, fuming. "The Dursleys!"
"Excellent point!" Dumbledore nodded. "My own brother, Aberforth, was charged for improper charms on a goat. That was all over the papers! But did he hide? No! He held his head high and went about his business. Of course, I'm not sure he can read, so maybe he just wasn't bothered…"
"Please come back to class, Hagrid," Hermione said gently. "We really miss you."
Hagrid tried to stifle a sob. More tears streamed into his tangled beard.
Dumbledore stood. "Both houses have students who support you. I see no reason you should resign, so I'm not accepting your resignation, Hagrid. I expect you back in class Monday morning. Breakfast with me at half-past eight. No excuses. Good afternoon to you all."
He scratched Fang behind the ears and left.
As the door shut, Hagrid buried his face in his huge hands and sobbed. Hermione patted his arm repeatedly, and eventually, Hagrid looked up, eyes red.
"Dumbledore's a great man… a great man…"
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As dusk settled, they emerged from Hagrid's hut.
"Hard to believe Hagrid had such a past…" Fanny murmured. "He's a kind guy, but when he talks too much he gets all confused. Who was he talking about, 'her big bones'? Was there another half-giant?"
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away.
"I think he meant Madame Maxime," Anne said.
"Really?" Fanny asked, and Harry and Ron both gasped.
"How do you know that?" Ron asked.
Anne glanced at their surprised faces and replied casually, "Just a guess. Hagrid was really friendly with her before the ball. For someone as shy as he is to start a conversation, there's probably something they share that others don't. A shared background explains a lot."
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