An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jul 21, 2022 8:24:38 GMT 10
After Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arthur had run to his dorm to enjoy a cookie from the care package his uncles gave him. Thankfully, they weren't too stale just yet. He usually forgot he had them until it was too late. Upon seeing his pet Gimus in the room, he decided that she should enjoy the slowly warming weather. It was nice and sunny out, after all.
Taking care to keep Autumn balanced on his shoulder, Arthur had spent some time wandering around the grounds of Hogwarts. Sometimes he missed being home, but not today. Well, not too much, anyways. He spotted Hagrid's Hut out of the corner of his eye and decided to check in to see how he was doing. And maybe ask a few questions about Gimus care.
Politely, he knocked at the door, lightly petting Autumn as he waited to see if Hagrid would answer or if he was a bit busy at the moment.
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on Jul 21, 2022 9:43:56 GMT 10
Jax walked along the forest path after class. It was nice, to feel the early spring sun on his skin as he strolled towards Hagrids hut. Jax was glad to have put winter behind him, saying good riddance to the bitter cold and snow that plagued his days and made his fingers go numb before he'd received his christmas gift from his father.
Now he could look forward to spring and then the approach of summer, though summer brought with it the promise of exams. He didn't think himself ready at all to sit his OWLs, and as a result a constant feeling of panic had nestled itself deep within his chest.
He didn't have time to panic. Everything would be fine, he just needed to study.
Approaching Hagrid's door, he realized that another student was already there. A Hufflepuff boy, who Jax smiled at upon reaching the door.
"Did you knock already?" he asked, staring at the Gimus that was perched on the Hufflepuff's shoulder. Maybe the creature was enjoying the sunshine too?
It took a while to get an answer, then the door opened to reveal Hagrid looking as if he'd just come inside -- a few twigs in his wild hair. Had he come in through the backdoor?
Fang was by his side, though wasn't too interested in the students and wandered to get a drink from his water bowl.
'Hello,' Hagrid greeted the students, though he seemed rather intrigued or surprised to have Jaxen on his doorstep. 'How can I help yeh?'
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on Jul 22, 2022 6:45:27 GMT 10
Jaxen took a small step back when the door opened and had to crane his neck a little to look Hagrid in the eyes, making sure to smile at the friendly groundskeeper.
"Good morning, Hagrid" he greeted, eyes flicking down to look past the large man to the equally large dog whose gentle lapping at his water bowl had attracted his attention. "Just a quick visit from myself, I'm afraid... I need a garden pot and someone said you might have one spare?"
"Um..." Jax held up a finger to tell the groundskeeper to hold on a second and then began to rifle around in his bag for a few fleeting moments. Pulling out a small paper bag containing a handful of pieces of the apple fudge his grandparents had sent them over Christmas "It's not much, but my grandparents sent us some treats for Christmas... Too much for us to eat really, and I thought you might like some?"
The thought hadn't really occurred to him until the long walk over to Hagrid's home, when he realized how isolated it was from the rest of the castle. Did Hagrid even have anyone who sent him Christmas presents? That wasn't a very nice thought, and he knew Ezzie would approve of him sharing some of their Christmas gifts with a man as kind as Hagrid.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jul 22, 2022 9:01:20 GMT 10
"Hm?" Arthur said, not realizing that the older boy had approached until he had already asked the question. "Oh, yes. I already knocked."
He and the other boy seemed to wait for a little while, until Hagrid appeared. He was somewhat disheveled, which made Arthur worry a little bit. Hopefully he was okay! Or maybe Arthur had interrupted him. That might've been worse. Still, Hagrid seemed to be in a good mood.
He waited for the older boy to finish talking, and then added on his reason for visiting. "I just wanted to check in and hang out a little."
Hagrid was quiet for a moment, at Jaxen's offer. His face seemed flushed and his eyes watery, as he tried to work out how to respond to that show of kindness.
'Yeh too kind,' he said, sniffling a little as he graciously accepted the gift. 'S'pose I shouldn't be surprised. Like father, like son, eh?' Hagrid enjoyed the fudge.
Clearly affected by the gift, and needing a moment to gather his wits about him again, he went to get the garden pot. After filling it with fresh soil, he heavily placed it into Jaxen's arms.
'There yeh go,' Hagrid said, then gave Arthur a warm smile. 'Yeh more than welcome. I'll put on a spot oh tea, eh? Yeh welcome to stay too, Jaxen,' he extended the offer.
Though no hard feelings if Jaxen, as he'd mentioned, was only there for a short moment and probably had other things to tend to. O.W.L students were always a busy bunch.
Hagrid headed into the hut, where Fang had relocated to his comfy doggy bed, and started preparing some tea at the fireplace.
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on Jul 24, 2022 10:06:27 GMT 10
Jax hadn't expected Hagrid to get quite so choked up at his offer of such a small gift, it took him aback slightly. Obviously it had meant a lot to the groundskeeper and Jaxen made a mental note to bring him small gifts in future as well, it felt good to bring joy to other people, even in the form of simple gifts like the one he had brought Hagrid.
He smiled when the groundskeeper mentioned his father, though hadn't been expecting it. So Hagrid had known his dad? And he obviously thought highly of him, practically stating that Marcus had been a kind man when he had been alive... That was comforting to hear, especially with all the mystery surrounding his death and the uncertainty that he felt about his uncle and what had happened during that fateful day when both had lost their lives.
"Thank you Hagrid, I'll definitely drop by sometime in future" he agreed, though was already turning to leave. Clutching the pot Hagrid had given him to his chest firmly, as if afraid he might drop it. "But I have a lot to do, OWLs are coming up y'know?" Hagrid would understand, some of the fifth year class were in a right panic about their approaching exams.
With a final wave to Hagrid and the boy who'd stayed to keep him company, Jaxen hurried off back towards the castle.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jul 25, 2022 5:57:38 GMT 10
Arthur watched as Hagrid gave the boy, Jaxen, a pot filled with soil. He remembered when Hagrid had done the same for him, and was glad that there were more people gardening at Hogwarts. He only hoped that there was enough room for him to be able to plant his own plants later in the day. Or maybe tomorrow, he hadn't decided yet.
"Oh, that sounds great, Hagrid!" Arthur grinned at the idea of a cuppa. He hoped Autumn wouldn't be too freaked out about Fang. He knew in the past she was a little bit uncomfortable with the big dog, but Arthur knew that Fang couldn't do too much harm.
He waved goodbye to Jaxen, though he still barely knew who he was. Arthur was just glad that he had some time before his own OWLs. He couldn't imagine how stressed the fifth years must be now that it was beginning to warm up and the year was coming closer and closer to the end.
"So, how have you been?" Arthur asked Hagrid, curious to hear. Hagrid probably did so many interesting things, since he didn't have to go to class. Also because he was an adult and allowed to do interesting things, but Arthur bet that it helped to have more free time.
Hagrid fussed with the tea, then poured them each a large mug of the steaming beverage that had a slight lemongrass scent to it. He didn't have any biscuits to go with, and made a mental note to bake something soon in case students decided to venture his way for more than garden pots or pumpkin tips.
'Not been too bad, meself. Was a busy morning though,' Hagrid answered, sitting heavily in his own armchair across from the table between him and Arthur. 'Centaurs were in a mood earlier. Seems something's been stirring in the forest lately. Has them on edge, no doubt.'
Fang dozed in his bed, not the least bit aware of Autumn. 'How about yehself?' Hagrid asked Arthur, pausing to sip his tea. 'Yeh got class this afternoon or more free time? Yeh in 4th year, right? Never made it that far meself, but I do pity those facing O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts soon.'
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jul 26, 2022 10:38:56 GMT 10
Arthur took a seat and then inhaled the smell of the tea. It was quite pleasant. It was nice to have some time to talk.
"Really?" Arthur was surprised to hear about the forest. He tried to stay away from it, mostly because as far as he knew it was against the rules to go in it without permission or a Professor, but it was a bit worrying. What could scare things that already lived in the Forbidden Forest? "I hope nothing is going too badly."
Arthur took a sip of his tea and then smiled when Hagrid asked him about himself. "More class, I think. But I like Care of Magical Creatures, so it won't be too bad." He shuddered at the mention of O.W.Ls. "I'm glad I have another year."
He paused and seemed to ponder his next words carefully. "I hope it's not too rude for me to ask, Hagrid, but why didn't you get to fourth year?"
Post by Thorne Perry on Jul 26, 2022 21:59:52 GMT 10
He'd wanted to try growing things for a while; this mission for Snape added some extra motivation! Thorne padded through the forest, careful to stay on the path as he appreciated the familiar sensation of being surrounded by so many trees. He liked trees - they were soothing, in their own way. Full of old, ancient potential.
Soon, though, Hagrid's cottage came into view. Having fully learned his lesson from the Snape's Office debacle (even though Hagrid always seemed so much nicer) Thorne knocked on the door.
Orla felt light and happy as she strode towards her destination, the bustle of potions fading and the task from Snape at the forefront of her mind. She felt sharp and focused, like she did during classes, and the persistant anxiety that often annoyed her during free time was minimal, all because she had a purpose.
The path ahead sloped to the left, and when she turned the corner she saw Hagrid's hut, a place she had shamefully not visited yet. From the stories she'd heard (or overheard), Orla was certain Hagrid was her type of person and would know the vast grounds of Hogwarts better than anyone. She should have come much sooner than this, but better late than never, right?
It seemed that another student felt the same - up ahead, a familiar boy knocked on the huge wooden door. Orla jogged up to join him, smiling in greeting.
"Hullo," she began, before pointing to herself with the scroll that Snape had given her. "Orla, 'member? You made it down from that tree then?"
Waving her wand?! That is what she had missed, and it was stuck on her like that stuff muggles used to stick things together. Oh dear, what was that called? Glue! Yes, she remembered some of her muggle friends telling about such stuff when she was younger. How could she have forgotten that? It was disturbing to her that she could forget such an important element.
'You are a first year, Janet, do not forget that,' she mentally said to herself as she walked the forest path, headed to the hut belonging to Hagrid. The man was very interesting, indeed, towering over everyone in his path.
As she realized she arrived, she noticed another student, one whom she recognized from class. Oh, what was her name... Orla? Yes, she was a Slytherin. Upon further investigation, she saw Thorne, another Hufflepuff. This made her smile, as they were in the same house and she felt comfortable around those in her house.
"Good Afternoon," Janet's voice was one that was born from the British Elite, but her smile was one of genuine pleasure. "Are we all here to see Mr. Hargrid today?"
'Professor Fairburn's lucky to have yeh,' Hagrid answered Arthur, fond of the Care of Magical Creatures professor as she really knew her stuff and did a lot of great work for misunderstood beasts. Arthur was certainly just as lucky. 'Speaking of, yeh best be off.'
He quickly stood, noticing the time. It was afternoon already? He didn't want to keep Arthur from class or risk making him late. Luckily, the Hufflepuff was already right near where he needed to go.
'I was expelled, see. In me 2nd year,' Hagrid added, in answer to the other question. 'Then got me job here, courtesy of Dumbledore.' He avoided eye contact and clearly didn't want to elaborate on why.
Fang barked before opening his eyes, as there was a sudden knock at the door -- and someone greeting him from outside. Hagrid tied up after the tea, then went to answer -- leaving space for Arthur to slip out whenever he was ready to head off to class.
'Hello there.' He chuckled, seeing the group of 1st years waiting on his doorstep. 'How can I help yeh?
Orla was beginning to feel like she attracted other first years like a magnet; they were quickly joined by another Hufflepuff who said hello very politely. Orla made to reply, but there was a booming boof from behind the door and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
She looked up, and up, and up, into the smiling face of Hagrid as he opened the door and greeted them. Her lips pursed to whistle appreciatively, like she would for a particularly tall tree, before she remembered herself.
"Hello Hagrid! I'm Orla Fallwater, and I was wondering if you could spare a garden pot?"
02 | 
19 | 
20
February
