Chapter 138
"Today's homework is to briefly explain the basic principles and applications of Transfiguration. If you're interested, you may try it yourselves. That's all for today. Class dismissed."
Professor McGonagall's voice sounded from the front, bringing the lesson to an end.
"Hermione, shall we go to Hagrid's hut later?" Harry asked as he pushed her chair slightly from behind. Hermione was already packing her books, preparing for the afternoon class.
Her spell back then hadn't been powerful—it had been cast by a third-year, and it wasn't meant to cause serious harm. After a short period of rest, she had returned to classes as usual.
"Hagrid's back?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"I don't know," Ron said, shaking his head.
"But Professor Dumbledore mentioned it yesterday. He told us to go—"
"Alright, wait for me. I want to ask Professor McGonagall something first," Hermione said, hurrying toward the front.
Harry and Ron exchanged helpless looks. They had never shared her enthusiasm for academic questions.
"Miss Granger, I don't believe today's lesson should have caused you any difficulty."
Professor McGonagall spoke without looking up as she gathered her materials. Hermione stood in front of her, blocking her path.
"Professor McGonagall, I—"
"I believe I know what you wish to ask," McGonagall interrupted, her tone firm. "Unfortunately, although you've recovered, I cannot return that item to you."
Hermione's face fell. "Why?"
"The Ministry does not permit students your age to use such dangerous devices," McGonagall said, shaking her head. "To be honest, I don't entirely agree with their decision. But even enthusiasm has its limits. One cannot do everything."
She paused, then gently touched Hermione's cheek and unruly hair. Her expression softened.
"Child, don't push yourself so hard. I'll speak to the other teachers. There are some classes you needn't attend at all."
Her tone turned sharp again, clearly thinking of a particular colleague.
"I've only attended one of Professor Trelawney's classes," Hermione said quietly.
For a brief moment, McGonagall looked pleased—then quickly rearranged her face into stern neutrality.
"That's settled. Come to my office later and take back that Invisibility Cloak. I still don't understand why it ended up there."
She nodded once and left the classroom.
Hermione watched her go, feeling both disappointed and oddly relieved. After collecting herself, she returned to Harry and Ron.
"Let's go."
The three left the castle, crossed the Quidditch pitch, and headed toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid's hut stood nearby.
It was noon. Sunlight filtered through the leaves. The ground was still damp from last night's rain, and the air carried the scent of earth and grass. The pumpkins in Hagrid's patch had grown huge and wild, ready for harvest.
"Look—Hagrid's outside!" Ron said.
Harry and Hermione broke into smiles and quickened their pace.
"Hagrid! Where have you been?"
"We've missed you!"
"I thought you'd been arrested—I felt awful about everything!"
They crowded around him, talking all at once. Hagrid's huge face reddened beneath his beard, and he struggled to respond.
"Come inside, children. The sun's strong out here."
An old, calm voice spoke from behind him.
"Professor Dumbledore!" the three said together.
Dumbledore stepped out, smiling, his silver robes patterned with stars and moons.
He pushed open the door, and the five of them entered.
Ron sneezed immediately.
The hut had clearly been empty for some time. Dust coated everything—the hanging pheasants, the big bed, the furniture.
"Er—I just got back. Haven't had time to clean," Hagrid said awkwardly, scratching his hair.
"Scourgify."
"Scourgify."
Hermione cleaned the nearby area, while Dumbledore tidied the entire hut in moments. The room became bright and orderly.
"Ah, there are chairs," Dumbledore observed.
"No need, sir," Harry said, sitting on the large bed. The others joined him.
When Hagrid sat down, the bed creaked dangerously.
"Hagrid, where have you been?" Harry asked.
"My dad said he saw you at the Ministry," Ron added.
Hagrid hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"Harry… I'm leaving Hogwarts."
"What?!" All three jumped up.
"That's impossible!" Hermione stared in disbelief.
"Did Lucius Malfoy cause trouble again? I'll—" Ron began, clenching his fists.
"Professor Dumbledore, you can stop this, can't you?" Harry asked.
"No, no!" Hagrid quickly grabbed Ron and pushed him back down.
"It's not like that."
"It's not polite to discuss someone's father behind their back, Mr. Weasley."
A cold voice came from the doorway.
Draco Malfoy leaned against the wall.
"Hagrid, you don't have much time left."
"Right, I'll be quick," Hagrid said.
Hermione glanced nervously at Dumbledore, who only watched with his usual unreadable smile.
She felt uneasy. No matter his motives, Malfoy had helped save Lupin and Sirius. She couldn't simply ignore that.
"Actually," Dumbledore said gently, "I would very much like my students to get along."
"Get along?" Ron said angrily. Hagrid's eyes were already red.
"I must admit, I share some responsibility in this matter," Dumbledore added.
The three stared at him in shock.
"Listen!" Hagrid's booming voice cut through the room.
He pulled a small grey booklet from his pocket and handed it over.
Hermione read aloud:
"British Ministry of Magic — Special Consultant for the Management and Control of Magical Creatures — Rubeus Hagrid."
All three froze.
Only then did Hermione notice his clothing properly—a Ministry uniform, modified to fit his enormous size.
"Hagrid loves magical creatures," Dumbledore said. "And he has a rare talent for working with them."
They all nodded, remembering Buckbeak, the Acromantulas, and countless others.
"You've heard about the Dementor crisis," Dumbledore continued, glancing briefly at Malfoy.
"I don't see the connection," Harry admitted.
"Azkaban is severely understaffed. Many Aurors were reassigned," Dumbledore explained.
"You mean… magical creatures will guard the prisoners?" Hermione realized.
"Exactly."
"But why keep it secret?" Harry asked.
"Fudge preferred not to admit that he needed a gamekeeper's help," Dumbledore said calmly.
"I thought I was going there for a trial—and Buckbeak's execution," Hagrid admitted, shuddering.
He began recounting stories from his time at the Ministry.
"Hagrid! Didn't you sign a confidentiality agreement?" Hermione whispered urgently.
"Fudge is already preparing to step down," Dumbledore said. "The agreement no longer applies."
"Then you don't have to leave Hogwarts!" Ron said.
"This was my decision," Hagrid replied softly.
"I'm not a good teacher. Some students only pretended to enjoy the lessons for my sake. Others call me a blockhead behind my back."
He wiped his eyes.
"But there… I feel useful. And there are so many wonderful creatures to care for. Some of them are even endangered."
His face lit up as he spoke.
Then the mood dropped again.
"I'll miss you," Harry said quietly.
"Us too," Hermione and Ron added.
"Me too," Hagrid said. Then he smiled mysteriously. "But we'll meet again soon."
"That's enough time," Malfoy said from the door. "If you want to stay here forever, I won't object."
Harry and Ron glared at him.
"And," Dumbledore added thoughtfully, sensing the tension, "Hagrid's appointment was recommended to the Ministry by Draco's father. I acted as intermediary. Draco also spent time helping manage some of the more difficult creatures."
Silence fell.
Harry and Ron froze.
Hermione looked at Malfoy, her expression complicated.
"Professor," Malfoy said calmly, "taking things out of context makes me sound helpful. That doesn't suit a Slytherin."
"Helping others while benefiting oneself," Dumbledore replied, eyes twinkling, "is still worthy of recognition."