Chapter 398 - Retrial Ⅳ (1/2)

Having been dismissed by the disgruntled chairman of the board, Stephen Flint and Hagrid quickly exited the deliberation chambers. The instant the doors closed behind them; Hagrid pulled the smaller man into a great big hug lifting him off his feet. ”Thank you!” Hagrid bellowed through tears.

Highly uncomfortable at the emotional display of his client and unable to breathe, Stephen hurriedly says, ”Yes, yes. Now put me down.” While his understudy, Amelia Boones hides her smile, but hurriedly steps back at seeing Hagrid take a step towards her.

”Sorry,” Hagrid sniffed as he pulled out a large hankie from his pocket to wipe his eyes. ”I'm jus' so happy!” And blew loudly into it.

Stephen nods his head slowly, before saying, ”Well, my job is done, Hagrid. Would you like some company in purchasing a new wand?”

”I'd forgotten,” Hagrid exclaimed in disbelief as great big teardrops dripped down his face. ”I can 'ave a wand again!”

”Yes, Hagrid,” Stephen patiently said. ”If not, I shall ensure the Ministry of Magic receives the verdict and have the education department owl you the start of the next Adult class schedule. I'm fairly certain that Professor Dumbledore will be fairly accommodating to your needs given the situation.”

”Thank you, again,” Hagrid wailed. ”How ken I ever repay ya, Mr. Flint?”

”There is no need,” Stephen firmly answered. ”It is my job to ensure that justice is served.”

Hagrid beams and says, ”I know that yer Sliva's pa, and yer a good one too.”

”Nonsense,” Stephen flushed at the mention of his daughter. ”I must be off now,” Stephen blustered, before quickly escaping lest he is caught in another hug again.

Quickly following him is his understudy, Amelia Bones, who flashes Hagrid a rare warm smile, before hurrying to catch up with her mentor. Still, Amelia had a bounce in her step, she'd seen justice enacted before her very eyes. And that just made her that much certain of her career choice.

Hagrid waved goodbye, before blowing his nose again and drying his tear-streaked face on his sleeve. He was innocent! And could have a wand again! He could become a Magizoologist or maybe a Magical Creatures Professor like Professor Kettleburn!

With a skip in his step and large goofy grin on his face, Hagrid somehow found himself in Diagon Alley in front of an old shop that has a peeling gold-letter sign that reads, ”Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.” In the dusty window, a single wand is placed on a faded purple cushion to emphasize the shop's single purpose.

Hagrid's eyes fill with tears as he rapidly blinks them again. He'd not been here since he was just a wee lad with his da. His only consolation was that his da had passed away before his wand had been snapped.

Ducking down through the doorway entrance, Hagrid was careful as he stood up. Thankfully the ceiling wasn't low, and he was able to stand upright properly without bumping his head. The shop looked just like he remembered as a lad.

There was the single counter with a bench to rest on, while the rest of the shop is just cluttered with hundreds of thin boxes that almost reach the ceiling. The store is utterly silent and even Hagrid doesn't dare breathe in the dusty air too deeply lest he disturbs the atmosphere.

From the backroom emerges the same pale old figure that he remembered from his youth. With sharp silver eyes that shine like moons inside the gloomy shop, Mr. Ollivander says, ”Rubeus Hagrid, English Oak with a unicorn core. 16 inches. They snapped it half in your third year.”

”Er, yes,” Hagrid said in embarrassment, before quickly saying, ”But Mr. Ollivander, sir, I've been found innocent! I can have a wand now!”

”Oh?” Mr. Ollivander suspiciously said. ”Then who was it that hurt that poor girl?”

”Er, Prefect Riddle, I mean, Tom Riddle, sir,” Hagrid quietly replied.

Ollivander's brows furrow at Hagrid's words, before saying, ”Seems right enough,” before whirling away to the back of the shop.

Hagrid blankly just stares as the minutes trickle by until Ollivander returns. ”It would seem that it's true,” Ollivander murmured, before impatiently adding, ”Now hold out your dominant hand, Hagrid.”

”Yes, sir,” Hagrid obediently said somewhat scared of the smaller, older wizard, who held a long strip of silver tap in his hands.

”Now kneel,” Ollivander snapped. ”I need to measure your raised arm.”

”Yes, sir,” Hagrid obediently said again and did as he was told.