Old Friend And New Staff (Prof. Hatfield)

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Hagrid stepped away from the Forbidden Forest, his boarhound Sniffer whimpering behind him. Hagrid sighed and looked over at him.

"Oh stop your cryin' now, ya great big coward," he said. "You act just like Fang, you know that? Ya hear so much as a dry branch crack and you get a case of the shivers. You've been in that forest with me a hundred times. You should what to bloody well expect by now. 'Sides we were just checkin' up on the centaurs. With all these dark happenin's, the centaurs always seem to get caught up in it as well." Sniffer gave a low growl followed by another whimper. "Oh calm down now. We'll be back home soon enough and I'll fix us up some dinner."

Hagrid was on his way when he passed the pumpkin patch. Another whine from Sniffer.

"Oh I'll just be a minute," he said. "Your bottomless pit of a stomach can hold out for that long." Hagrid smiled as the patch looked promising for another successful autumn harvest. Hagrid gave a nod, and then turned back to his dog. "Alright then. On our way."

Sniffer happily followed him now, especially with the promise of dinner. He was a coward, but a hungry one.

@ara

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@hagrid

Nicolaiza stood dressed in black tailored robes, polished black boots and black velvet opera gloves in front of an unidentified tree. She was holding a sleek black parasol and a pointed black, feathered hat sat atop her head. To a passerby, she looked as if she were mourning, but in actuality, she herself didn't know what possessed her to have a walk clothed in such a mundane colour - not to mention she was carrying a parasol when she didn't need to do so, having worn a hat already. Still, she stood there passively, as if willing the tree the reveal something to her. Reaching for a piece of parchment in her pocket, she glared at the imposing plant. "Give it to me." she whispered harshly.

The Alchemy professor knew that she looked mad - like a psychopath on the loose. She didn't wear any make-up - and she never does - but the lacy veil that covered her face made it look like she had mascara. The Forbidden Forest was a place that students have always been warned to stay away from, but that was a warning even Del didn't care to heed. She had weaved in and out of the forest numerous times in her earlier days, and didn't bother not making her presence known. Not all creatures were friendly, she also knew that, but at the same time, Del kept in mind that as long as she doesn't disrupt their daily routine, she was safe from all harm. It wasn't like she was off to hunting centaurs and werewolves or giant tarantulas. "I need to brew a potion! Why wouldn't you-"

She heard a twig snap and her instinctive reflexes kicked in, wand out and parasol closed. In her defensive stance, she scanned the area like a hawk, not caring whether her skirts were to be caught up in the pile of fallen autumn leaves. "Show yourself!"  her voice cut through the air, but even the wind didn't mind her. 'I'm getting more and more paranoid,' she thought. 'Really need to take a full night's sleep.' Double-checking her surroundings, she placed her wand back into her pocket and sighed. There was nothing there. Del opened her parasol once more and began to walk away from the place, not caring anymore about the damned tree.

Nicolaiza's pocket watch tick-tocked eerily in the tranquility of the place. She was out of the forest, nearing a familiar trademark. Pausing to look around, she folded her arm cross her chest, the other still holding the umbrella. There in the cabin resided her old friend, Hagrid, but she didn't know whether he was still there. Would he recognise her? Perhaps. She hadn't been in contact with her former friends from Hogwarts. They turned up out of nowhere and paid their pleasantries, but Del found that she couldn't even remember them anymore. Surely Hagrid could remember her. He was like a guardian to her, and a friend - he was one of the few that knew about her being a Seer, from a young age. Walking lightly, she approached the hut, before catching sight of movement. That was when she went to the pumpkin patch, and waved excitedly to dear Hagrid.

"Hagrid!" Del called.

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Hagrid was just about to leave the pumpkin patch when he heard the familiar voice call his name. It was strange. In all the years Hagrid had been groundskeeper at Hogwarts, he had met and befriended hundreds of students. Yet despite that number, he never forgot a face or a name. And he held every single one of them close to his heart. So when he turned to see Nicolaiza Hatfield, he recognized her right away. However, not hearing the news of her position, he was quite puzzled as to why she was there. Still, he smiled at her warmly and approached her, Sniffer trailing behind.

"Hello, Ms. Nicolaiza!" he said. "Been quite a bit since I seen you last. What brings you back to Hogwarts?" He then looked behind her and was surprised again. "Gracious, Ms. Nicolaiza, don't tell me you just came out of the Forbidden Forest too. What the bloody heck were you doin' in there?" Granted, she was no longer a student and wouldn't get into any trouble for being in there. However, Hagrid wasn't worried about the rules. He was worried about the reason behind the rules, and that was of course how dangerous the place was.

@ara

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@hagrid

The little girl inside Nicolaiza rubbled and awakened from a deep sleep. Dropping her parasol into the the ground, she lifted her skirts and ran into Hagrid, shortly afterwards enveloping the giant in a friendly hug. It was funny how childlike it seemed, even to her, but she couldn't contain her laughter. "I thought you weren't here anymore!" Surprise was apparent, but so was relief - Del wasn't one to make friends all the time. Already an adult, but still carrying the long-lost playfulness inside, she showed a side of her the only a few people would be witness to. "I'm the new Alchemy professor, Hagrid - can you believe that?" her eyes were twinkling with delight, and her face de-aged a couple of years with the beautiful, genuine smile that graced it. 

She let go of Hagrid for a bit to look at his boarhound. Del knew that Fang had gotten old enough, but she also felt a pang of sadness at that. Gently, she coaxed the creature as she petted him. "There's nothing wrong with the Forest, Hagrid. A few disputes with centaurs and werewolves and darn old hags might happen but never really a near-death experience." Del was used to heeding warnings, but in general they were imprinted in her mind as guidelines. She cooed at the boarhound when it started licking her hand. "I miss Fang - and Buckbeak, wherever he is. How are things in Hogwarts, Hagrid? I've just arrived, you see - and by train at that. Missus Nott paid me a visit today in my classroom, pity I've yet to finish setting it up."

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Hagrid hugged Nicolaiza in return, gently of course. He loved hugs, but as a half-giant, he always had to be very gentle. He then chuckled when she said she thought he wasn't at Hogwarts anymore.

"Ha!" he said. "You know they can't keep a good groundskeeper down. 'Sides, it's never been hard work. I just take it a bit slower these days."

Hagrid then beamed when Nicolaiza announced she was the new Alchemy professor.

"Is that a fact now?" he said. "Well, it'll certainly be good seein' ya more often again, Ms. Nicolaiza... or should I just call ya Professor Hatfield. I was wonderin' who they were gettin' to replace Professor Winterbane. Quite a few new faces on staff this year, but then again I've seen'em come and go quite a few years now."

Hagrid wished he could say he agreed about the Forbidden Forest, but he knew the place all too well. He had seen terrible things happen there in his time, things he didn't want to remember.

"There's a good bit more to the Forbidden Forest than you might think, Professor," he said. "Some dark secrets that have lied quiet for years, maybe centuries, waitin' to be revealed at any second. And don't forget, it was a favorite meetin' place of the Death-eaters and... you-know-who at one time." Hagrid still didn't want to say the monster's name after all these years.

Hagrid then sighed a bit when Nicolaiza asked about things at Hogwarts.

"Well, wish I could say things have been all pancakes and pumpkin juice, but the Headmistress bein' gone has certainly struck a blow with us and no mistake about that," he said. "But I suppose aside from that, things have run smoothly enough."

Hagrid nodded solemnly in memory of Fang and Buckbeak.

"Aye, they were fine friends," he said. "But ole Sniffer here has proved to be a worthy enough companion... 'cept when I go into the Forest of course. And perhaps you'll meet Boldfeather while you're here. Favors Buckbeak a good bit Boldfeather does."

Hagrid then nodded and chuckled about Miss Nott.

"Miss Daphne likes to make them surprise visits now and again she does," he said. "But she's no one to concern yourself with. She's fair about her job and gets along well enough with most of us. Now Dolores Umbridge, that was another matter entirely."

@ara

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@hagrid

The woman knew that Hagrid could keep up with the work given to him anyway, but she was still concerned. “Yes, but you shouldn’t press yourself too hard. Half of Hogwarts know that it’ll be a complete loss if they don’t have their favourite groundskeeper around.” She removed her hat, hair being caressed by the wind. It was left unadorned as it always has been. “You don’t have to call me Professor, Hagrid - makes me feel so old. Only Del will do, that’s what I’ve gotten accustomed to with you.” Usually, only students called her that - or even formal occasions, which called for formal introductions and formal practices. She didn’t see the need for Hagrid to call her Ms. Nicolaiza or Professor Hatfield or even just plain Professor when she’s known him from the time she’s been a first year at Hogwarts.

“I haven’t been around the ‘new faces’ for now. I’ve just unpacked my bags and sorted out my materials. It’s a sad thing I didn’t meet Professor Winterbane - we could’ve talked over tea.” Nicolaiza did nothing but furrow her brows upon being told that there were dark secrets that laid unmoved in the forest for years. Del knew that she was too fearless for her own good, but couldn’t help but state her observations. “What secrets, Hagrid? The acromantula colony? Herds of unicorns, hippogriffs and thestrals? A pack of wolves? Dear Fluffy, the school Cerberus? Blood-sucking bugbears? Bowtruckles? Trolls? Giants? A blast-ended skrewt? Anything listed on a reference book?” Her mind went on to enlist every single thing that took up residence in the forbidden place. “And the Death Eaters?” She almost wanted to laugh. “Flawed and broken, pathetic little bullies who are all weak-willed. ‘Lord Voldemort’ is none other than a neurotic kid with Daddy issues, Hagrid.” Del scoffed at the matter - it seemed funny to her how a lot of people wanted to mask the happenings of the previous wars.

It threw her off her edge when Hagrid said that Hogwarts’s Headmistress had gone missing - matters like that weren’t quick to reach Durmstrang. “Professor McGonagall? Since when, Hagrid?” Her eyes widened in horror at she clutched her chest to calm her frightened heart fraught with worry. Professor McGonagall was one of her favourite mentors back when she was studying at this place. How could such a terrible thing occur?

The surprise didn’t die down even when Hagrid introduced her to Sniffer. She kept on petting the creature and caressing him behind the ears to shake off the worry. “Yes, I’ll be pleased to meet him - or her. You’re coming with us, aren’t you, Sniffer darling?” She said to Hagrid in a low voice then, jokingly, “Tell me this one’s not a bloody coward.”

“Ah, now Umbridge - someone who makes such a colour turn rigid and cold.” Del wanted to add that it was disgusting as well but went against that. “My batch was very lucky not to have undergone her tyranny."

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Hagrid laughed off the advice about pressing himself too hard.

"Not like I have any better things to do," he said. "Now retirement... that's a scary word. I like workin' here, and the students and staff... well they're very much my life." Hagrid then just nodded when Nicolaiza asked him to call her Del. He was so used to calling all the teachers "Professor" and saving the first names or nicknames for the students. But he would grant her request.

"Good man Professor Winterbane was," said Hagrid. "I'm sure you'll fill his shoes nicely though. You always were a clever lass."

Hagrid was surprised at how she described Voldemort and the Death-Eaters... and a bit upset. None of them were to be underestimated.

"I lost many good friends because of that lot," he said with the utmost serious tone. "And I pray to Merlin nothin' like them ever shows its face again. Dark magic users are never to be underestimated, Prof.. Miss Del. Remember that, especially in times like these."

Hagrid turned quickly to her when she asked about McGonagall.

"Haven't you heard?" he asked. "Happened just a few weeks ago. Some nasty buggers struck the castle and took off with her. Now the Ministry is gonna have Aurors walkin' the grounds here soon."

Hagrid then chuckled when it was asked is Sniffer was a coward.

"'Fraid so," he said. "Just like old Fang. But Merlins knows I love the big oaf anyway." Sniffer whimpered a bit, but enjoyed Nicolaiza's attention.

Hagrid then nodded about Umbridge.

"Anyone who ain't ever met that woman is lucky," he said. "She was taken off to Azkaban and who knows if she's even still breathin' these days. Here's hopin' maybe she wised up a bit and realized the error of her ways to avoid a one way trip to Tartarus."

@ara

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@hagrid

Nicolaiza nodded her head in agreement to what Hagrid had said. “I’ve never thought of you as someone who ought to retire. You shouldn’t need to worry, Hagrid - you’ve been here for so long a lot of people view you already as a part of the school.” For Del, it was near to impossible to see Hagrid the groundskeeper step down from his job. She was certain that it would be hard to pull him away from it in the future, considering that even his residence was inside the school vicinity. “‘Sides, who’ll replace you if you retire? Just... look after yourself, alright?” she finished with a smile.

She never thought of herself as someone clever enough, in fact, whenever she looks back at it, Del always felt like she had gone straight into the pages of a book. Her foster fathers have been with her every step of the way and she owed them a lot for that. “I hope so.” She couldn’t tell whether she would be a better professor than Winterbane or not, but it wasn’t all about the competition - the kids have to learn something from her, else she’d be damned to oblivion if they don’t. She hadn’t had much experience with the students of Hogwarts - back in Durmstrang everything had the tendency to turn into a competition. Not that she didn’t count in the petty house rivalries, but instead, back there, they were fiercer - not little crybabies who whine for their mothers. How metaphoric that sounded - she hoped that they will live up to her expectations, it wasn’t barbaric, but just the same as every other professor’s hopes in the given class.

Del sighed and didn’t push Hagrid further. She knew that it would hurt him should she decide to start on that - instead, she kept silent and answered a handpicked reply: “Alright. I’ll agree with that. We lost a good bunch of Wizarding folk back in the previous wars.”

Running her fingers through her hair, she bit the inside of her cheek and looked at Hagrid sadly. “My trip to Hogwarts was quite uneventful - I haven’t checked the Prophet for days. It saddens me.” Why does it seem like all the good people get hit straight in the eye? It was common knowledge for her that the professor must’ve fought back, but was outnumbered. Putting her hands down to her sides, she clenched them. They would have to pay. “And now we’re all left hoping are we?”

The grimness of the situation lessened a bit with the coming of Nicolaiza’s laughter, prompted by Sniffer who started licking her face. “You’re Hagrid’s new companion eh, Sniffy? You don’t have to be afraid - I’m sure that Hagrid’s here to keep you safe.” she patted his head, kind eyes connecting with hers. “Oh, Fang…”

She turned back to Hagrid to finish the discussion about Dolores.

“Azcaban… well, she deserved it, didn’t she? Never heard of someone repenting lately but we can only wait and find out - if she ever gets out of there."

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Hagrid chuckled again about the idea of retirement, but it warmed his heart that Del was so concerned about him.

"Ah, don't worry none about me, Miss Del," he said. "I'm a Half-Giant after all. Got a good many years left. And believe me I stay plenty fit workin' about these grounds."

Hagrid was not one to hold a grudge. He hoped his grave tone didn't throw Del out of sorts a bit. Nor the grave news about Minerva.

"Hope's always existed at Hogwarts," said Hagrid. "Professor Dumbledore taught it to us, as did Professor McGonagall. And as Harry once told me, the difference between us and them in a fight is we go somethin' worth fightin' for. Never will forget that sayin'."

Sniffer seemed like a lover, not a fighter for sure as he ate up the attention from Del.

"Don't go on with him too much now," joked Hagrid. "More'an likely he'll end up followin' you around everywhere when he sees ya."

Hagrid shook his head about Umbridge getting out of Azkaban.

"Nope, life sentence I'm afraid, given how her crimes against Half-Bloods and Muggle-borns stacked up," he said. "That and the terrible things she did here all them years ago. Hard to have mercy on a soul like hers, but reckon everyone's got some goodness down in'em somewhere."

@ara

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@hagrid

“Can’t remove it from myself,” Nicolaiza laughed. “I find myself high-strung and quick to worry nowadays.”

How badly she wanted to believe the same thing about hope, if only she hadn’t been witness to more gruesome things than one. Dumbledore is a figure that Del treated with respect, but still it was hard to hold the same philosophy as the dead man. Now Professor McGonagall is a completely different thing - held the same beliefs but knew there were far more possibilities available. Hatfield knew that she will remain neutral wherever she went, but times like these keep on throwing her off-balance - she couldn’t bear the thought of Hagrid and the others fighting for the light but losing it. Wars happen, people die - the saddest, cruelest thing about it are the memories they leave behind. “Ah, yes. I shall keep that in mind.” Truth is, her mind was far off - into the Void, because it had always been like that. Looking into the future and seeing things that were about to happen frightens Del, even as an adult. It was like a boggart she never learned to counteract on.

“I always have time for you, alright, Sniffy? Maybe next time I’ll bring you a treat.” If one of her students caught her now Nicolaiza was certain that they’ll be surprised at how affectionate their stereotypical cold-hearted professor was. “That’s not really a bad thing isn’t it? Who’s a good dog Sniffy? Who’s a good dog? You are!” The former Slytherin was reduced to an excitable first year.

“And about Umbridge - that's actually good for her. I never was a fan of blood supremacy but she took it to the next level as You-Know-Who.” she was careful not to mention the Dark Lord’s name no more - Hagrid might become upset, and she didn't want that. “If there was anything good in that black heart…” she paused, “It might’ve long been twisted with the beliefs she’s held."

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Hagrid truly did appreciate Del's concern. Hagrid had been fortunate through the years to more than just the looney old Half-Giant Groundskeeper living in the shack in the back of the school. He had been friend to many of the students, and family to others. Always made him feel sorry for the former Caretaker Filch who didn't receive such love. Then again, what did that old grump do to earn it?

He smiled and nodded at Del when she promised to keep his saying about hope in mind. Hope was something that he felt never became cliche or went out of style. Hope was needed not just in the darkest of days, but all the time.

Hagrid then shook his head and chuckled when Del showed Sniffer so much love.

"You're gonna spoil him rotten," he laughed. Sniffer didn't argue of course. He was practically in Paradise at the attention.

Hagrid couldn't help but agree with Del about Umbridge. She was vile, and not even the kindest and most forgiving of hearts could ignore that.

"Well, like I said, Miss Daphne Nott's a pussycat compared to her," he assured her again. "Mostly lets us all go about our business when she comes here. She might like you a good bit seein' you were in Slytherin and Head Girl and all."

@ara