Late Monday Night - Edge of the Forbidden Forest (open)
Hagrid patrolled in the darkness with Fang at his side and a loaded crossbow in his arms. His thoughts circled his large slow giant's mind, growing blacker and deeper as did the night. It reminded him of four years ago when this same girl went missing and the school was about to be closed. It reminded him of another girl, found dead in a toilet some 50 years ago, when the school was about to be closed, ... and he'd been called on to make the sacrifice and be found guilty of ... incompetence in animal handling ...(Hagrid snorted at this ridiculousness)... so that someone could be blamed and the school could remain open.
Hogwarts had to stay open. Where else could good little British children get their magical education? No finer school in the world!
And it was at least partially his fault. The girl had been alone for long enough for mischief to befall her, while he and all the other teachers and Aurors were supposed to be keeping watch over them. It made him want to go wrestle trolls. It made him want to go kick a centaur. But mostly, it made him want to throttle one Tom Riddle. Hagrid was sure he was behind it, like he was behind all the troubles they'd been having ever since Harry Potter came to Hogwarts. Except for the year Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban. But all the other times in recent history, when strange things began happening at Hogwarts and children were hurt or killed or went missing. It was down to Tom Riddle. Too evil and horrible to even do something as normal and simple as fucking DIE!
He'd been thinking about Max Nott, Theodore's father... and feeling guilty ... as though flushed with warm lusty thoughts, he'd slipped and let down his charge, which was the safety of the children. He wanted to see Max again, wanted to see someone again, but he didn't see how he could leave the school for a whole evening now.
Hagrid grunted at himself as he continued his slow pace around the perimeter of Hogwarts' warded grounds. Fang heaved a sigh. Hagrid's eyes searched the dark night restlessly, and his mind searched his soul just as restlessly for some peace. But there was none to be found.
Hogwarts had to stay open. Where else could good little British children get their magical education? No finer school in the world!
And it was at least partially his fault. The girl had been alone for long enough for mischief to befall her, while he and all the other teachers and Aurors were supposed to be keeping watch over them. It made him want to go wrestle trolls. It made him want to go kick a centaur. But mostly, it made him want to throttle one Tom Riddle. Hagrid was sure he was behind it, like he was behind all the troubles they'd been having ever since Harry Potter came to Hogwarts. Except for the year Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban. But all the other times in recent history, when strange things began happening at Hogwarts and children were hurt or killed or went missing. It was down to Tom Riddle. Too evil and horrible to even do something as normal and simple as fucking DIE!
He'd been thinking about Max Nott, Theodore's father... and feeling guilty ... as though flushed with warm lusty thoughts, he'd slipped and let down his charge, which was the safety of the children. He wanted to see Max again, wanted to see someone again, but he didn't see how he could leave the school for a whole evening now.
Hagrid grunted at himself as he continued his slow pace around the perimeter of Hogwarts' warded grounds. Fang heaved a sigh. Hagrid's eyes searched the dark night restlessly, and his mind searched his soul just as restlessly for some peace. But there was none to be found.