Chapter 29: Fifty Years Ago

The Gryffindors were all excited about the upcoming Quidditch match. It was going to happen the first Saturday after the Easter Holidays.

That Friday, as Chris made her way towards the Great Hall, after a potion class, she remembered that she had left her one book at Transfiguration class. So she ran back to collect it, when she heard Professor McGonagall and Flitwik talking.

"Lockhart aside, I'm really glad that the attacks stopped." said Professor McGonagall. 

"I agree, but do you really think Minerva that the attacker will stop here?" Professor Flitwik said. "I mean..."

"The heir is still not caught. I also fear about that." Professor McGonagall sighed. "But if another attack happens, then Hagrid will be in trouble."

"Dumbledore did saved him last time, didn't he?"

"Oh yes. He did, fifty years ago. I was studying for my N.E.W.T.s at that time, when Hagrid was expelled."

"He did hide some dangerous creatures, though, Minerva, you've to agree, he was really a suspicious one in school."

"Of course he was, his love for dangerous creatures is still there but I know him, Flitwik, he'll never try to harm anyone." Professor McGonagall said confidently.

Chris ducked out of the room, before she could be caught eavesdropping. But now she had a clue: Hagrid.

_________________________________________

Knowing Harry will not believe Chris, about his big best friend, Hagrid getting expelled because of being the heir of Slytherin, Chris decided to check on Hagrid on her own. 

The same Friday afternoon she set off to meet Hagrid, who lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door.

When Chris knocked she heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks. Then Hagrid's voice rang out, saying, "Back, Fang — back. Who's there?"

"It's Chris, Hagrid. Harry's friend." Chris said.

There was few moments of silence, then Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open.

"Chris? What're you doing here..?" Hagrid looked around for any sign of Harry. "... alone?"

"Hagrid, I wanted to talk to you about something." Chris said politely. "Also you asked me to come for tea, didn't you? Said any friend of Harry can visit you."

"O' righ' righ'. C'mon in. Hang on," Hagrid said. "Back, Fang."

He let her in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound.

There was only one room inside. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

"Tea?" Hagrid said, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at Chris and started licking her ears. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked.

"No thanks." Chris said scratching Fang's head affectionately. "So his name is Fang?"

"Yes." Hagrid replied. "Cake?"

Hagrid was clearly confused and uncomfortable. Chris understand this and took the cakes Hagrid was offering. The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke her teeth. 

"Er... Hagrid I know.. it's weird but trust me if it wasn't important, I wouldn't have bothered you." Chris said earnestly. Fang was still drooling all over her robes.

Hagrid nodded.

"You know about the attacks going on in the castle, right?" As Chris said this Hagrid went stiff. Chris continued, "Look, one of my friends have been attacked."

"But I though' the attacks stopped?" Hagrid said, looking concerned.

"No... I mean the first attack. Colin Creevey. He was my friend." Chris sighed, then looked up at Hagrid. "I know he'll be alright. But there are many people in Hogwarts, who are Muggle-borns, Hagrid, I'm a muggle-born. I want this thing to stop. I want to catch that person who's responsible for this. And that's why I need your help."

"Me?" Hagrid choked in her tea. "But what me...?

"Hagrid, I know you were accused for the attacks last time." Hagrid flinched, but Chris went on. "I heard Professor McGonagall talking, she believes you were innocent, Dumbledore believes you're innocent and the way Harry talks about you, I want to believe that too. But for that, please tell me Hagrid, what happened last time? Why did they expel you? Please Hagrid."

Chris took a deep breath after she finished, Hagrid was staring at his jug sized tea cup.

There was almost five minitues of silence.

"Hagrid?" Chris called. 

"I really don't wan' ter talk abou' it." Hagrid said still staring at the cup. "I didn't even tell this to Harry."

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"I'm sorry Hagrid. I didn't mean to blame you or hurt you... I just..."

"I was in third year when this happened. I was caught raising some wolves cub under my beds." Hagrid began. "There mother wasn't taking care of them. They were motherless, I couldn't see that so I took them in but I was caught. Then I met Aragog."

"Aragog?"

"He's a spider... Acromantula. I got him from a traveler. I hid him inside the castle and they thought he attacked those people. He killed the girl." Hagrid choked, he was crying. "But I knew he wasn't. He can't. I never set him free around the castle. But then they all believed that Riddle, that Slytherin Prefect. The perfect student, and I was a boy, who loved dangerous creatures. I told him, it's not Aragog, he even saw Aragog. But they never believed me and Headmaster Dippet, expelled me. Only Dumbledore... only he believed me. He knew I was innocent. He saved me... gave me this job. Great man Dumbledore, great man."

He looked out of the window, still eyes full of tears.

"Did you say Riddle, Hagrid?" Chris asked softly. 

"Ye'h. Tom Riddle." Hagrid suddenly lookied very fierce. "Brilliant boy, they called him. Brilliant."

"Er... Thanks for the cakes Hagrid." Chris said. "I should get going, it's getting dark. Also I'll not tell Harry about this, it's your place to..."

"No. No. You tell him... he should know." Hagrid said, looking still distracted. "He should know. He's just like me... We both feel outsider, both accused for a thing we didn't do. Tell him."

"Alright." Chris opened the door. "Bye Hagrid."

She closed the door behind her and walked straight to the Gryffindor tower. 

The situation wasn't simple, as it looked like. This Riddle was suspicious. It's couldn't be a coincidence that he happened to buy a diary, the same year, he turn in Hagrid. He also sounds smart, which means, he wouldn't have confused Acromantula as a creature, who can Petrify. And his fifty years old Diary doesn't solve anything, it has something to do with this mess.