Chapter 736 - Frost Moon Ⅲ (2/2)
Pointedly ignoring the fact that Fang is slobbering all over her boot, Rowan glances around the cabin that is much neater and now houses a bookcase full of books. ”And how has your tutelage under Professor Kettleburn been going Hagrid?”
”Real good!” Hagrid replied as he returned from the stove with a piping hot kettle, teacup, plates, and a plate full of rock-hard cookies. ”Professor Kettleburn reckons that I'm nearly as good as Mister Newt Scamander when it comes to taming beasties. Olympe is so proud, and she's even gonna come down to meet m' mum and family for Christmas! It'll be right nice. I got it all planned out! It's just, well-.”
Rowan arched her brow a bit in surprise at suddenly seeing Hagrid lose some of the wind in his sails as he rather quietly pours her tea a cup of tea and a rock-hard raisin cookie. ”Hagrid, you seemed quite excited up until just a moment ago,” Rowan paused to take a sip of her tea to only make a face at the strong taste. Carefully setting the tea aside she grabs the raisin cookie to attempt to break into pieces to feed Fang residing underneath the table.
”So, what is really bothering you, Hagrid?” Rowan asked as she was unable to even make a dent into the rock-hard cookie. ”You have a family now and a girlfriend, a sweetheart if you prefer.”
Hagrid flushes pink rather shyly causing Rowan to let out a huff, and then frown at finding that she can't even break off a piece of the rock-hard cookie. Giving up, she drops the cookie onto the floor and kicks it underneath the table to Fang, who happily chews on the rock-hard raisin cookie. At least, someone would be able to enjoy it, if it not, Hagrid's cookies would make excellent weapons.
”Well, ya see 'ere, Rowan,” Hagrid muttered in embarrassment. ”What if Olympe is embarrassed by m' family. Mum's, a giantess, and I got a stepda' now, and a full giant liddle brother. We're not the fanciest folk, and Olympe, she's real pretty and brilliant! I don't want 'er to be embarrassed dat's all.”
”What is there to be embarrassed about, Hagrid?” Rowan pointedly retorted with an arched brow. ”So, what if you're a half-giant. Look at Severus and I, we're half-bloods even if we're the descendants of the three founders of Hogwarts. There will still always be those who will frown at us for being less than purebloods. If we defined ourselves by their standards, well, we would never have any right to be happy much less exist.”
”I guess,” Hagrid uncertainly replied not sounding very confident.
Seeing Hagrid's still gloomy expression, Rowan ventures to say, ”Hagrid forgive me if I am speaking out of turn here, but I sense that you are worried that if you remain at Hogwarts with your family that you fear that Madam Maxime will think that you are choosing your family over her?” Hagrid flushes terribly and pales rather ghastly, all at the same time in reply.
”Well, the solution is rather simple, Hagrid,” Rowan matter-of-factly stated. ”If Madam Maxime should worry about your priorities explain to her that you will remain at Hogwarts until you finish your mastery with Professor Kettleburn in Care of Magical Creatures. In the meanwhile, during the winter holidays ask her to marry you, but with the condition that the wedding will be held after the completion of your mastery. You will single-handedly quell her fears in this manner and leave you plenty of time for any future decision-making.”
”Marriage!” Hagrid gasped as he flushed bright red with a rather goofy expression on his face as he imagined a white wedding with his Olympe.
”Mm, yes,” Rowan muttered with a bit of sarcasm. ”And I might even suggest Hagrid that you become a Professor at Beauxbaton's remain close to Madam Maxime. Besides, I can certain that you can take your family with you, if not at least be nearer to them when they decide to relocate in the future.”
Hagrid's excitement dies down at Rowan's logical statement. ”But I don't want them to go away, Rowan,” he quietly rumbled. ”And I don't want to leave Hogwarts. It's been my home for so many years!”
Rowan stares at Hagrid silently for a moment, before her expression softens saying, ”Hagrid, the people that we love and cherish at some point will all leave us. But that does not mean that is the end only the beginning of something new. As long as you remain near and dear to them, Hagrid, you will not have lost anything, but gained that much more.”
”And as for Hogwarts,” Rowan sighs softly. ”Home is where the heart is Hagrid. And if Olympe is where your heart is then don't be afraid to follow it. Besides I am certain that you have more than ample opportunities to regularly visit Hogwarts especially during the summer months, and I am certain that Professor Kettleburn will expect it.”
”Yeah!” Hagrid excitedly said with a loud sniff. ”Dat's exactly what I'll do, Rowan!” He eagerly leaped from his chair with joy and wiped the moisture from his eyes, before grabbing Rowan from her chair. Greatly startled, Rowan was crushed into Hagrid's muscular c.h.e.s.t unable to breathe and swung in a dizzying circle. At this rate, she really was going to throw up!