The weekend arrived with a crisp autumn breeze sweeping through the castle. The enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall reflected a bright, cloud-streaked sky as Harry sat at the Ravenclaw table, enjoying a rare moment of calm.
Breakfast was a lively affair, with students chatting about their plans for the day. The older Ravenclaws discussed upcoming assignments, while the younger students were relieved to have no classes to worry about for the moment.
"I think I'll spend the morning in the library," Hermione announced, buttering a slice of toast. "There's still so much about magical theory I want to understand, and we haven't even started on half of the books I checked out."
Neville, who joined them for breakfast this morning, smiled sheepishly. "I was thinking of practicing some spells in the common room. I still feel like I'm behind everyone else."
Harry swallowed a bite of eggs, considering his plans. "I think I'll explore the castle a bit," he said. "There are still so many places we haven't seen yet."
"Just be careful," Hermione warned. "The staircases can be easy to get turned around on, and there are all sorts of tricky passageways. You don't want to get lost."
"I'll be fine," Harry assured her, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was true. He had, after all, already stumbled into a trick step earlier that week.
After finishing breakfast, they went their separate ways. Hermione toward the library, Neville back toward Gryffindor Tower, and Harry off to wander the halls.
Harry hadn't intended to go outside at first, but his feet carried him through the winding corridors, down the ancient staircases, and out the castle's heavy oak doors.
The fresh air was a welcome relief from the castle's sometimes overwhelming atmosphere. He walked aimlessly, taking in the sprawling green lawns and the vastness of the sky above.
Soon, he found himself heading toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest, its towering trees casting long shadows despite the late morning light. The name itself had an air of mystery, Forbidden Forest, and Harry, who had spent much of his childhood locked away from anything remotely interesting, found himself wondering what exactly was inside.
He had just taken a step closer when a deep, gruff voice called out behind him.
"Oi! What do yeh think yer doin' over there?"
Harry turned sharply to see a towering man striding toward him, his shaggy brown beard nearly covering his entire face. The man's black eyes twinkled with both warmth and disapproval, yet despite his immense frame, there was something unmistakably kind about him.
"S-sorry," Harry said quickly. "I wasn't going in, I was just… looking."
The man came to a stop in front of him, crossing his enormous arms. "That's exactly how yeh end up in trouble, that is," he said, shaking his head. "The forest's got all sorts o' things yeh don't wanna meet, not unless yeh know what yer doin'—an' even then, it ain't smart wanderin' too close."
Harry swallowed, realizing just how reckless he must have seemed. "I didn't mean to—"
The man sighed, then extended a massive hand. "Hagrid. Keeper o' Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. An' you're young Harry aren't yeh"
Harry hesitated before shaking his hand. "How did you know?"
Hagrid let out a chuckle. "Are yeh jokin'? Everyone knows who yeh are. But don't worry, I won't go pesterin' yeh about it like some people might."
Harry felt an unexpected sense of relief at that. "Thanks."
Hagrid clapped a heavy hand on Harry's shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "C'mon, since yer out here anyway, why don't yeh come have a cup o' tea? Better than loiterin' near the forest, that's fer sure."
Harry nodded, and together they walked toward a wooden hut nestled at the edge of the castle grounds, a massive boarhound bounding excitedly around them.
"Oh don't worry about Fang, he's just a big softy," Hagrid said as he opened the door.
Hagrid's hut was small and cozy, filled with the scent of woodsmoke and something slightly… burnt.
Harry stepped inside, glancing around at the odd collection of items: an enormous crossbow, a copper kettle whistling on the fire, and what looked like a collection of mismatched teacups stacked haphazardly on a shelf.
Fang flopped onto the floor with a heavy sigh as Hagrid busied himself with the tea. "Take a seat," he said, setting down a plate of lumpy biscuits. "Rock cake?"
Harry took one hesitantly and bit down, struggling not to wince at how hard it was.
"So," Hagrid said, settling into his chair. "How's Hogwarts been treatin' yeh?"
Harry swallowed his too-dry mouthful of rock cake before answering. "It's… incredible," he admitted. "A bit overwhelming at times, but I like it."
Hagrid beamed. "Knew yeh would. Yer parents—well, they loved it here too."
Harry's fingers tightened slightly around his teacup. "You knew them?"
"'Course I did," Hagrid said, his voice growing softer. "James an' Lily… they were some o' the best. James was always gettin' up to somethin'—mischief-maker, that one—but a good heart. Lily, though… she was sharp as a tack. Kind too. Always lookin' out for people."
Harry sat quietly, absorbing every word.
"Yer mum was brilliant at Charms," Hagrid continued. "Professor Flitwick still talks about her work in class sometimes. An' yer dad? Best Chaser Gryffindor ever had. Drove McGonagall mad, he did, sneakin' off when he shouldn't've."
Harry couldn't help but smile at the image. He had heard others mention their names before, but now, they felt like real people.
"They'd be real proud of yeh, y'know," Hagrid said, his gaze warm. "No doubt about it."
A lump formed in Harry's throat, and he quickly took another sip of tea to push it down.
After a few more stories, some funny, some bittersweet Hagrid suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Ah—before I forget," he muttered, shifting in his seat. "Listen, Harry, yeh might hear some things while yer here… about… well, things yeh shouldn't be worryin' about."
Harry blinked. "Like what?"
Hagrid looked uncomfortable. "Nothin' for yeh to stick yer nose into, that's what. But if yeh ever hear anythin' about… odd goin's-on, just remember, Hogwarts is the safest place yeh could be."
Harry wasn't sure what to make of that, but he nodded anyway.
"Right, well, best get yeh back up to the castle," Hagrid said, standing up. "Yer friends'll be wonderin' where yeh ran off to."
The sun hung lower in the sky by the time Harry made his way back to the castle. He walked up the stone steps, feeling lighter than he had in days.
When he entered the common room, Hermione was sitting by the fireplace, books spread out before them.
"There you are!" Hermione said, setting her book down. "Where did you go?"
"Met Hagrid," Harry said, dropping into a chair beside them.
Hermione's face lit up. "The gamekeeper? What's he like?"
"Brilliant," Harry said, smiling. "He told me stories about my parents."
Hermione's expression softened. "That's wonderful, Harry."
"Yeah," Harry said, staring into the flickering fire.