Chapter 13
A couple of days later Harry had a thought and after classes
headed off to Hagrid's by himself. He rapped on the door and
Gretel opened it.
"Oh, hi Harry!" she cooed. "What can I do for you,
dear?"
"I had a question for Hagrid," Harry answered.
"Well, he'll be along in a little while," Gretel
assured. "You come right in, have a seat, and I'll get you
some tea." Harry sat down. He saw movement and at first
couldn't see what it was. But after a few moments he could see
someone standing by the bedroom door, and realized it was Cedric
Diggery who put his finger to his lips, so Harry said nothing. A
few moments later the door opened and Hagrid came in.
"Ah!" he said, "Harry! What can I do for you
today?"
"I was wondering, Hagrid," Harry explained, "if
the magical creatures of the dark forest would be able to help us
if the death eaters attacked."
Hagrid smiled. "Well, let me put it this way, Harry, if any
of them are so stupid as to venture too close to the dark forest
they're going to find themselves in the middle of a hornet's
nest, if you understand my meaning! And if they fly over it
coming in they'd better fly high!"
"Remember," Harry cautioned, "we want prisoners.
We want to get as much information as we can."
"Don't you worry, Harry!" Hagrid assured, "Any
that they capture will be brought right here beside my cottage so
they can be dealt with along with any others taken on this side
of the school."
"Good!" Harry praised, "I'd better get back. Lot
going on!"
"That there is!" Hagrid agreed. Harry made his good
byes and went outside. He stepped into the shadow of the trees
and Cedric appeared. "You can see me, Harry!" he
remarked.
"Yes!" Harry answered "What's going on? What are
you doing here?"
Cedric smiled. "Harry," he teased, "surely you
know what it means when a spirit is hanging around a pregnant
woman!"
Harry's eyes widened. Of course he'd heard the stories. Souls
that were going to be reborn hanging around their mother waiting
for their new body to be ready! "You're going to be Hagrid's
son?" Harry gasped.
"Let's keep this to ourselves, Harry," his friend
continued. "It may make things difficult for father. I mean,
my old father, if he finds out. I think Hagrid and I will get
along just fine, but he doesn't need interference and I'm afraid
my old father would be wanting to get involved too much."
"I understand," Harry assured, "I'll keep it to
myself!"
Harry was headed for his dorm when he saw Professor Potter and
hurried to catch up with him. "Professor!" he called.
Professor Potter stopped and looked back. "There's not much
advice I can give you, Harry," he began before Harry could
even say anything. "You developed the ability to see spirits
when you called your parents to battle Voldemort. Once you turned
it on it can't be turned off. It's not really that bad Harry.
You'll just be aware of a few more things in this world than
other people are aware of. You'll get used to it! In time it will
be second nature. By the way, your father's very proud of you! He
says you've got the Potter spirit!"
Harry smiled. "I've had a question, professor," he
continued, "why do you want me to be a soccer player?"
The professor smiled again. "Perfect cover, Harry! A famous
soccer player, an up and coming minister in a popular religion,
free to travel just about anywhere and whose visits would be
sought by many...couldn't be better, Harry! You use every
opportunity, Harry, that's beneficial to you. You never should
let an opportunity pass, and also, never miss an opportunity to
do a kindness, even if sometimes the people don't really want it.
Sometimes it's just best to do the right thing."
Harry smiled. "You're so much like Dumbledor!" he
remarked.
Professor Potter smiled. "I'll consider that a gracious
compliment Harry!"
Harry continued on. There was a steady stream of dementors
picking up potions and flying them back to the prison. Harry saw
one on the balcony above him, and saw Lucius Malfoy standing
beside her. He looked behind him and saw Draco coming. As soon as
the dementor realized Harry was watching her, she quickly turned
away. Draco came up and noticed Harry's stare.
"I'm getting so I can tell them apart!" Draco remarked.
"That one always seems to be watching me whenever it's here.
It's making me nervous!"
Harry smiled. "Nothing to worry about!" he remarked. He
looked back down the hall but Professor Potter had already
disappeared. Harry decided to come back later. When he did so, a
different dementor was waiting for potions. "Can you answer
a question for me?" Harry asked.
"We are instructed," the dementor answered, in a voice
that made your skin crawl, "to cooperate with you in any
way."
"Do you ever mate outside the circle," Harry asked,
"with magic folk?"
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