Setting Hagrid Straight

Once we made our way across the grounds we found a sort of run-down wood and stone shack on the edge of the forbidden forest. The moss on the side of the stone paired with the light of a small wood fire inside made for a nice aesthetic.

Outside the door, there is a metal leash, large muddy boots, and a crossbow resting against the hut. The door itself is a well-made plank door that appears to have had a lot of love and fine craftsmanship put into it.

'Wonder what the bow is for?' I think to myself as Harry steps past me with a pip in his step.

As Harry knocks on the door we hear Hagrid's voice inside "Down Fang, back up."

The door slowly swings open revealing Hagrid standing in the doorway holding a big black dog by the collar. "Come on in boys." He holds the door open for Ron and Harry but starts to close it as I am walking in. I grab the door as he is closing it and shove it open knocking Hagrid back a little.

"Ah, sorry dint' see ye' ther' Mr. Black," he says with an 'oopsie' smile. I just ignore it and step passed him inside petting the big dog as I do. The hut is pretty small, only the size of a large living room. There is an open fireplace on one wall with a copper kettle in it with a large bed to one side.

"Make yer' selves at home" Hagrid let go of Fang who just leaps on Ron and started licking his face covering it in slobber. Hagrid walks over to the kettle and started to prepare tea for all of us.

"This is Ron." he pointed at the slobber covered Ron, "And this is Soren." I give a silent nod and a cutesy smile.

"Another Weasley aye. I was fond of yer' brother Charlie, talented with animals that one. Spent most of me life chasin' him away from the forest." He looks reminiscently at the fire as he stokes the flames.

They all begin talking about Filch. Harry and Ron had already gotten in trouble with him on the very first day. Not that I'm surprised, although they weren't bad, they were not good at rules.

"Filch's cat Mrs. Norris is the real annoyin' on ye hear' she'll give you a good follo' for hours if she thinks yer' up to no good. In my opinion, I ought tah introduce her tah, Fang"

At this point, it is obvious that Hagrid is leaving me out of the conversation on purpose. After getting bored of listening I decide to find out why.

I cut Hagrid off from his rant about cats being boring and ask politely "Hagrid, why do you dislike me?"

Hagrid freezes but eventually sighs and replies "Boy, ya' know yer' father?"

I nod "Indeed I know him quite well, I also know you quite well."

Hagrid looks surprised "Well yer' father and I aren't on the best of terms," He avoids eye contact as he puts the tea in the kettle.

I start to get a little angry "Hagrid, it's "weren't" now, my father has passed away. Also YOU, better than anyone know that you shouldn't trust the ministry to get the right man for the crime. Voldemort had a lot more control over the ministry than you would think."

Ron flinches and Harry seems surprised that I used You-Know-Whos real name. Hagrid doesn't seem bothered and appears to be thinking.

"Do you think it mere coincidence that he offered his memories at the risk of brain damage and was declined? Do you think it is a coincidence that there was no trial for the crime? Do you think it is a coincidence that he was ruled insane at the moment of his capture?" I grip my wand as I push back the darkness gathering in my mind.

Hagrid looks a little ashamed "I'm sorry for yer loss. But ther' is no way yer' father is innocent considerin he was the only one who knew, the truth bearer en' all that." Harry and Ron seem confused about everything at this point.

"What if I told you Peter Pettigrew was the true secret bearer and Sirius was just the decoy? That is why Sirius tried to kill Pettigrew, muggles got in between them and died as a result."

Hagrid looks taken aback by my statement. While both Ron and Harry look as if they on a different planet, unaware of what we are talking about.

We are talking about the fact Sirius was falsely imprisoned for giving the Potter's whereabouts to Voldemort. When it actually was Pettigrew who betrayed them. He faked his death and hid in his animagus for these 10 years.

"What do ya mean tried? He slaughtered him! Only left a finger behind." I question with a raised eyebrow as I begin to calm down.

"Do you know of any spells that would leave a finger left. Any spell that would kill someone like that would not destroy everything but leave behind a finger." Although this is new information I got from learning Pettigrew was still alive, I am not wrong in my words. There is almost no way to leave just a finger behind.

Hagrid seems to fall into deep thought, rare for the oaf. "I need tah talk tah Dumbledore about this. If what yer' sayin is true… I'm sure Dumbledore will become very busy."

We both had not mentioned the Potter's once, as to not tip off Harry. When we were done yelling at each other Harry interjects.

"I forgot Hermione mentioned it on the train as well, what was your father locked up for?" at this question Ron's ears visibly perked up.

"He was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, they say he killed 13 muggles and his friend with only a single curse. Although he was talented I can assure the number of people capable of killing that many with only one spell can be counted on one hand and he wasn't on that list... since he was only 21 at the time."

I turn to Hagrid with a stern face "He's not the only one who knows what it is like to be framed for something he didn't do."

"Hagrid?" Ron and Harry ask in unison.

"It's not somethin' I am proud of, I don' wanna talk about it, sorry boys." he honestly looks like he would cry if he continued.

Ron and Harry seem to get it and only nod. After that Ron notices the newspaper sitting on the center wood table.

'GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST'.

'Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown.

Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had been emptied the same day.'

Harry's brows raise as he reads the article "Hagrid, this break-in happened the day we went, it must have been happening while we were there! It's even the same vault you pulled from!"

"Dint' hear o' it." Hagrid looks skittish at the mention of the break-in. He obviously knows more than what he is saying but we don't push it.

As we are leaving Hagrid doesn't look that good, his face is pale. 'Maybe I was a bit too hard on him?' I feel kind of bad. I know Hagrid is a really nice guy and is only mad for James and Lily's sake. But the fact that Sirius was so hated by everyone for the sacrifice he made that no one knew about just made me so angry.

As we are walking back I confronted Harry about what had happened between him and Neville in potions.

"I was zoning out, I was thinking about what I said to Snape. How it made me seem no better than Dudley, making fun of Snape for his childhood struggles." Harry looks conflicted saying this. He is obviously regretful causing me to sigh.

'At least he isn't a bad kid.' I put my hand on his shoulder. "Just be sure to apologize to Neville when he gets out of the infirmary."

Harry just nods while looking down in thought.