The afternoon sun stretched warm and golden across the grounds of Hogwarts, melting gently into the edges of the Forbidden Forest while soft spring wind stirred the grass in long shimmering waves. The scent of damp earth, pine, and wildflowers lingered in the air after several bright days of clear weather, and somewhere in the distance the Black Lake reflected the sky like polished silver-blue glass. Hagrid’s hut sat near the forest edge exactly as it always had—crooked chimney puffing lazy smoke into the air, pumpkins beginning to sprout beside the garden patch, Fang snoring loudly beneath the windowsill without a care in the world. Mira could hear chickens clucking faintly nearby and the heavy rustle of enormous paws shifting inside her sanctuary suitcase. Draco stood beside her with his hands tucked into the pockets of his robes, pale hair moving slightly in the breeze while he watched her carefully from the corner of his eye. He already knew what she planned to do today. Remembering the look on Dumbledore’s face when he entrusted Fluffy to Mira’s care, Draco still found himself quietly astonished by how naturally impossible things seemed to gather around her like stars caught in orbit. Mira rested one hand against the silver latch of the suitcase and inhaled slowly, her teal eyes reflecting the warm afternoon light while she silently hoped Hagrid would truly understand why Dumbledore had made this choice.
Hagrid emerged from his hut carrying a large wooden bucket in one hand and nearly stopped dead in the middle of the garden path when he saw them standing there. His beard shifted in the breeze as surprise spread openly across his face, quickly followed by immediate delight the moment he spotted Mira.
“Well now!” he boomed warmly, his entire expression brightening at once. “Didn’ expect ter see yeh two down here today.” Fang immediately bounded forward with clumsy enthusiasm, barking loudly while circling Draco first before nudging affectionately against Mira’s robes.
Draco sighed dramatically but still bent down to scratch the boarhound behind the ears, muttering something under his breath about “becoming far too tolerant of oversized creatures.”
Hagrid laughed deeply at that, the sound warm and booming enough to make nearby birds scatter from the trees. Mira smiled softly, though there was still a quiet nervousness beneath it that Draco noticed immediately. Hagrid’s gaze shifted between them curiously before landing on the sanctuary suitcase in Mira’s hands, and the half-giant’s thick brows slowly lifted as realization began creeping across his face. “Mira…” he said carefully, voice softer now. “What’ve yeh got there?”
Mira lowered the suitcase gently onto the grass while the wind moved softly through her silver-white hair, and for one small moment she found herself thinking about how strange this year had become. Forgotten civilizations. Ancient artifacts. Prophecies. Healing cures. The Ashkeepers. The Vaelori. Somehow, through all of it, one of the things that made her most nervous was showing Hagrid that Fluffy was safe and loved. Perhaps because she knew how deeply Hagrid cared for creatures others feared. Perhaps because she understood what it meant to entrust something vulnerable to another person and hope they would protect it gently.
“Professor Dumbledore entrusted Fluffy to me,” she explained quietly. “After everything with the Stone.” Hagrid froze completely at that. Not angry. Not upset. Simply stunned enough that even Fang stopped wagging for a second as though sensing the emotional shift in the air. Draco leaned casually against the fence nearby, though inwardly he watched Hagrid carefully, already preparing himself in case the gamekeeper reacted badly. But then Mira added softly, “I wanted you to know he’s safe,” and something in Hagrid’s expression melted instantly into understanding.
Hagrid set the wooden bucket down so quickly that water sloshed over the edges into the grass, and his huge hands trembled faintly beneath his coat as emotion crossed his face without restraint.
“Yeh brought Fluffy ter see me?” he asked, almost disbelievingly, and Mira nodded with a small smile before kneeling beside the suitcase latch. The sanctuary enchantments shimmered softly as she opened it, warm golden light spilling outward across the grass like sunlight pouring through an open doorway. Draco instinctively stepped aside as the ground gave a heavy rumble beneath them. Then came the enormous paws. One massive clawed foot pressed carefully against the earth, followed by another—and another—until Fluffy the Cerberus emerged fully from the suitcase with all three gigantic heads blinking sleepily in the afternoon light. The effect was immediate. Fang yelped once in shock before hiding behind Hagrid’s legs while birds exploded from the nearby trees in alarm. But Hagrid—Hagrid’s entire face crumpled into overwhelming joy. “FLUFFY!” he roared happily, voice echoing across the grounds while all three heads of the massive dog snapped toward him instantly. The Cerberus let out a booming bark of recognition so loud it shook leaves loose from nearby branches before barreling forward with enough force to nearly flatten Hagrid against the pumpkin patch.
What followed was less a reunion and more complete chaos wrapped in affection. One of Fluffy’s heads licked Hagrid’s face enthusiastically while another shoved against his shoulder hard enough to nearly knock him sideways, and the third whined loudly like an oversized puppy finally finding its favorite person again. Hagrid laughed so hard tears immediately gathered in his eyes, his enormous hands rubbing against Fluffy’s thick fur while the Cerberus practically climbed over him in excitement. Mira felt warmth spread through her chest watching the scene unfold, because there was something deeply comforting about seeing such a feared creature behave with such obvious love. Draco crossed his arms nearby, though even he could not quite suppress the faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He remembered hearing terrifying rumors about Fluffy before arriving at Hogwarts—the monstrous three-headed beast guarding forbidden corridors—and yet now the creature was rolling partly onto its back so Hagrid could scratch behind all three ears simultaneously.
“Missed yeh too, didn’ yeh?” Hagrid murmured emotionally into the nearest furry head while Fluffy made an enormous, pleased rumbling sound that vibrated through the ground itself. Mira realized quietly that Hagrid had probably worried constantly about what would happen to Fluffy after the Stone was gone. Whether someone dangerous might try using him again. Whether he would be hidden away somewhere lonely and forgotten. But now, watching Hagrid’s expression soften with visible relief, she knew he understood exactly why Dumbledore had entrusted Fluffy to her.
After several long minutes, Hagrid finally managed to stand again while Fluffy settled contentedly across the grass beside him like a gigantic living hill of black fur and heavy paws. The late afternoon sunlight painted warm gold across the Cerberus’s coat while all three heads watched Mira calmly, completely trusting. Hagrid wiped at his eyes quickly beneath his beard before looking toward her with unmistakable gratitude shining openly across his face.
“Professor Dumbledore made the right choice,” he said quietly, voice thick with emotion despite his attempt to sound casual. “Yeh take care o’ creatures proper-like. Not jus’ feedin’ an’ shelter neither.”
Mira blinked slightly at that while Draco glanced toward her knowingly, because he understood exactly what Hagrid meant. Mira didn’t see magical creatures as dangerous things to control. She saw living beings who deserved understanding. It was why dragons trusted her. Why the merfolk welcomed her. Why ancient magic responded to her so naturally. Hagrid looked toward Fluffy again, one massive hand resting against the Cerberus’s fur.
“Fluffy’ll be happy with yeh,” he said firmly. “I know he will.”
And hearing those words from someone who loved creatures as fiercely as Hagrid did somehow mattered more to Mira than almost any official approval she had received all year.
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and then Add to home screen.