Chapter 233: Hagrids Secret (1/2)

”Was it necessary to go out this early?” Ron said yawning. ”It's not even four yet.”

”It is four, Ron,” said Ginny.

Chris was going to meet Hagrid with Colin, Ginny, Ron, Harry and Hermione. They decided that the dawn will be the right time before Umbridge wakes up. They made their way to Hagrid's hut and knocked few times. Hagrid looked absolutely alert when threw open the door. But then he looked surprised to see them.

”Harry? Chris? What're y'all doin' here?”

Chris quickly explained Firenze's message and Hagrid gazed at them for a moment through his puffy, blackened eyes, apparently taken aback. Then he seemed to pull himself together.

”Nice bloke, Firenze,” he said gruffly, ”but he don' know what he's talkin' abou' on this. The attemp's comin' on fine.”

”Hagrid, what're you up to?” asked Harry seriously. ”Because you've got to be careful, Umbridge has already sacked Trelawney and if you ask me, she's on a roll. If you're doing anything you shouldn't be —”

”There's things more importan' than keepin' a job,” said Hagrid, though his hands shook slightly as he said this. ”Don' worry abou' me.”

”Then tell us what is it,” Chris said crossing her arms over chest. ”Aren't we your friends? So why not tell us?”

”Yeh can' —”

”Hagrid, this is serious,” said Hermione sternly. ”Umbridge is already on you, Fudge is under the Imperious Curse, she can do worse than just —”

”She can put you in Azkaban,” said Ron.

Hagrid shivered.

”Yes, Hagrid what if she sacks you and sends you to Azkaban for — whatever you are doing,” said Ginny.

”I'll be able ter help Dumbledore once I'm outta here, I can be useful ter the Order. An' you lot'll have Grubbly-Plank, yeh'll — yeh'll get through yer exams fine . .” said Hagrid, looking close to tears.

”You know Hagrid, it's still dangerous,” said Colin.

”Please tell us what are you up to,” said Harry. ”We promise we will help you to sort it out.”

Hearing this Hagrid burst into tears and all of them turned to Harry.

”We promise?” Ginny whispered glaring at him.

But before Harry could say anything Hagrid mopped his face with his enormous spotted handkerchief and said, ”Alrigh', y'all are righ', I should tell someone before it's too late.”

And without saying anything else Hagrid picked up his crossbow and set off towards the forbidden forest. After exchanging a few curious looks among them Chris and the rest followed.

”Hagrid, why are you armed?” said Harry after a moment.

”Jus' a precaution,” said Hagrid, shrugging his massive shoulders.

At this Hermione, Colin and Ron slowed down a little.

”Hagrid, how far are we going?” asked Ginny.

”A little deeper inter the fores',” said Hagrid. ”Though now it doesn't matter. I need ter be armed all the time.”

”Why?” asked Chris curiously.

”'Cause the other centaurs are good an' riled at me, tha's why,” said Hagrid quietly, glancing around. ”They used ter be — well, yeh couldn' call 'em friendly — but we got on all righ'. Kept 'emselves to 'emselves, bu' always turned up if I wanted a word. Not anymore . . .”

He sighed deeply.

”Firenze said that they're angry because he went to work for Dumbledore?” said Chris. ”And you helped him, is this because of it?”