MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 8

Sunday 8^th September

Saturday went by in a flash. I overslept, due to the lack of sleep on Thursday night for Astronomy catching up with me. I completely missed out on breakfast. By the time I woke up, they had cleared everything away. Jed managed to convince his cousin, Vince, to swipe me a blueberry muffin from the kitchens. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t see inside the kitchens for myself, but Jed and Vince explained to me how the kitchens are supposed to be out-of-bounds for students, so I guess I should count myself lucky that Jed’s cousin was willing to break the rules for me.

As the morning passed by, Jed and I attempted to practise our Defence Against the Dark Arts spell that Professor Quirrell had taught us yesterday. However, after hours of trying to get it to work, we realised that neither of us actually knew any Dark Arts spells to test the shield against. Not only that, but our Defence Against the Darks Arts lessons wasn’t until last period on Tuesday, whereas all of our other classes are before it, so we should really have started with their homework first.

In the afternoon, whilst Jed hung out with the guys, I sat with Josie at the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall. I got a few strange looks from people – mostly glares, but I didn’t care. I wanted to sit with Josie.

I almost forgot to mention that on the weekends, we don’t have to wear our uniforms. I know this probably sounds judgemental, but I kind of liked that we were allowed to wear our own clothes so that I could see what everyone else was wearing. At first, I was a little self-conscious. Having thrown my blue hoodie on over a t-shirt and paired it off with a worn pair of jeans, I was afraid that everyone would think that I was a bit of a slob, but it turns out that a lot of kids were just in jeans and a t-shirt, so it didn’t bother me. I spotted Josie wearing black trousers and a black t-shirt with a pink guitar and bright blue musical notes. I so wanted that t-shirt. It looked so cool compared to my plain, faded hoodie.

Josie and I were trying to help each other out with our History of Magic homework, when the blond haired Ravenclaw guy (whom I have seen Josie with a few times) slid himself down beside Josie and joined us. “Arh,” he said as he tapped her book. “History of Magic. Isn’t Binns a saint?” he said with sarcasm. Josie and I both laughed. “It’s worth studying though,” he told us. “You learn some pretty interesting things.” I smiled and nodded.

“Fabian, this is MJ,” said Josie as she pointed at me.

“Arh, so you’re the famous MJ that I’ve heard so much about,” he said with a laugh. Josie laughed too as she turned towards me.

“Melanie, this is Fabian,” Josie said with a smile. “He’s in Third-Year and has been showing me around.” Stretching across Josie, Fabian held a hand out towards me.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, MJ,” he said as we shook hands. “Any friend of Josie’s is a friend of mine. I’m not prejudice against anyone. I believe everyone’s heart begins pure – it’s just the choices that you make along the way which define you.”

Fabian stayed with us for a bit, while he grabbed some lunch. He tried to give us some pointers about various spells, classes and teachers. I didn’t really get a lot of what he said, but Josie seemed to. She smiled along with him, like I did, anyway. As Fabian announced his departure to go and help one of his friends with their Arithmancy (which sounds a lot like Muggle Maths and although Josie told me that it is similar, apparently it isn’t like it that much at all), he said to Josie, “Catch you later, okay?” with a smile as he scruffed up her hair.

“Hey!” Josie giggled as she tried to push him off and flatten her hair. I have to admit, meeting Fabian was nice. He did seem a little weird, but I’m glad that Josie’s got other friends looking out for her when I’m busy in Slytherin. I liked seeing the two of them interact; it was like a big brother looking out for his little sister – it was sweet.

*

Today was pretty interesting. I got to meet one of Jed’s friends. Well I guess I wouldn’t exactly say friend-friend, more of an acquaintance. It was the really tall guy who I saw in Diagon Alley and who led us to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade train station.

The path that led to Hagrid’s hut was steep. Gripping Josie’s arm I walked backwards for a moment, trying to see whereabouts we had sat at the top of the hill the other day. Turning back around I noticed that the grass seemed to thicken. “I need to warn you both,” Jed said as we neared the hut. “Don’t mention his height – he’s rather sensitive about it.” Josie and I agreed in unison.

Bringing his fist up to the door, Jed gave three big bangs. “Yeh,” came a deep bellow from inside. “Who is it?”

“Hagrid,” Jed called. “It’s Jack Edwards, the Magic Advisor Leonard Edwards’ son. I’ve brought some friends to meet you.” There was a thud from the other side of the door. I grabbed onto the edge of Jed’s jacket. Footsteps. Josie took a step back. Then there was barking.

“Back, Fang – back!” roared a voice from behind the door. Josie squeaked as she clawed her fingers into my elbow. “Back Fang!”

There was clank, followed by a deep scraping – like something being dragged over wood. The latch, I guessed. There was a gruff grunt and then the door swung open. Standing in the frame was that huge man that I recognised. Up close, his dark eyes appeared nearly as big as my fist. His mane of messy brown hair outlined his face enough to make him look like an actual lion. The wind gushed as he swung an arm out, patting Jed on the shoulder. “It’s good t’ see ya Jeddy Bear,” cheered the giant. “Long time no see.” I couldn’t help but snigger. ‘Jeddy Bear?’ Even Josie eased her grip and laughed at my side.

“Hagrid…” muttered Jed as he gripped the back of his neck. “Can the Jeddy Bear stuff… it’s just Jed now, okay?”

“Alright,” chuckled Hagrid. “Alright. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front a ya friends now, would I?” he said noticing the pink increasing on Jed’s cheeks.

“Come in now. Come in,” said the giant as he stepped away from the doorframe. “Make yerselves at home.”

Stepping inside, this small, little hut showed a huge comparison to inside the castle. In the far corner lay a bed covered with rags. In front of that was a splintered, wooden table, filled with chipped cups, saucers and plates. Straight ahead was a small cooker – the front greased and charcoal stained. I forced myself the biggest smile that I could manage. I didn’t mean to pity him; it was just that, well he didn’t seem to be treated very fairly. A huge man squished up in this old cubbyhole, whilst everyone else was given the luxury of the castle.

“Hagrid, I’d like you to meet MJ,” Jed announced as he pointed at me. “And Josie,” he said poking a thumb in Josie’s direction.

“Pleasure to meet yer both,” grinned the giant. “Now, I’ll j’st put the kettle on. Would you like tea?”

“Yeh, please,” said Jed as he sat himself down on a chair at the table.

“‘N’ what about you girls?” asked Hagrid.

Smiling Josie shook her head and said, “I’m fine thank you,” as she perched on the seat next to Jed. Hagrid shrugged as he turned to me.

“Yes please,” I said nodding, whilst I dropped into the seat next to Josie.

While the kettle boiled on the stove, Hagrid placed a plate full of little rock cakes in front of us. “Help yerselves,” he said as he walked back to the kettle. “Fang” he sighed, kicking his boot at the rug. I actually had to double take. I know when we knocked on the door, we heard a fierce dog, but when we came inside one was nowhere to be seen. Well, curled up in a ball on the rug at the giant’s feet was a big, brown dog. My forced smile grew excited as the dog stirred. “Yerh can’t sleep, yer big lump,” joked the giant. “We gots company.” Upon hearing the word ‘company’ Fang seemed to spring to life. He bounced up from off the rug and bounded towards me. Throwing himself at my chest, Fang licked my face. I laughed.

“Well it’s nice to meet you too, Fang,” I smiled at him, as I scratched under his chin.

“Aye, a lass that’s good wiv animals. You’ll do good in Care fer Magical Creatures in yer third year,” said Hagrid. I couldn’t help but beam at this. “That is if yer pick it.”

Whilst I played with Fang, I heard Hagrid and Jed having a rather interesting conversation. “So Jed, me boy,” said the giant as he brought over our drinks. “Has yur father ‘eard anymore ‘bout legalising dragons as pets?” he said with a laugh as he plonked himself down on the chair between Jed and me.

After taking a sip of his tea, Jed laughed back, “Sorry Hagrid. He doesn’t think so.” At this the giant’s smile drained from his face. “But,” Jed added with enthusiasm. “If he finds out, then you’ll be the first to know.”

“At a boy,” smiled Hagrid, as he raised his cup to Jed’s. The two clonked cups and the giant chugged his back. Taking a look at me, Hagrid said, “If yous must know, I love animals, me.” He said this with such a warming smile that I felt my eyes tingle a little. “I love all creatures. Always willin’ to give ‘em a home – ‘specially when no one else will give ‘em a second look.”

Having been staring at the table the entire time, Josie looked up. She smiled at Hagrid and even gave a little nervous giggle when he grinned back at her. Taking another gulp of tea, Hagrid slammed his cup down on the table. “Merlin’s beard,” he whispered as he stared at Josie. I watched as her eyes widened. “You look familiar, my dear,” he said leaning forwards. Prodding his elbows on the table, Hagrid rested his chin on his fists and gazed at Josie. Seeing him stare, she shot her eyes down on the table. “It’s the eyes, isn’t it?” said Hagrid. “Those grey eyes…” He leant back in his chair and examined her more.

This was interesting. I had assumed that Josie was Muggle-born, like me, but I guess I was wrong. I pushed Fang away, as he slobbered in my ear, not wanting to miss anything. I looked from Josie to Hagrid, then to Jed, whose eyes widened – I think he was just as intrigued as I was.

Swinging his arm across his chest, Hagrid clicked his fingers. “Do I know your mother?” asked Hagrid, as he scrunched his mouth up to the right. The pink left Josie’s cheeks. We all stared at her waiting for an answer. “Maybe your father then?” Still Josie said nothing. She just stared down at the table.

“José…” I whispered, tilting my head towards her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sure I must,” Hagrid insisted. “‘ow’s about a clue?”

“No,” exclaimed Josie, refusing to break her stare with the table. Her hands, in her lap, were clenched tight and they shook as her stare hardened.

“Okay…” said Hagrid with a hum. “Then I suppose I’ll ‘ave t’ guess then.”

“No,” Josie cried. “You don’t know them,” she said teary-eyed. Looking up, Josie glared at Hagrid. “You don’t know them, okay?” Hagrid’s eyes widened as he looked from Jed to me. I shrugged at them. I was just as surprised as they were – probably more so.

Seeing the colour rush back into Josie’s cheeks, I knew I needed to create a distraction for her. Something… anything, to get her mind (and everyone else’s) off what just happened. Fang flopped a paw on my shoulder and pressed his cold, wet nose against my cheek. “Say Hagrid,” I said in the jolliest tone I could muster. “What sort of breed is Fang?”

“Argh, now I’m glad ya asked,” said Hagrid with a smile as he turned himself around to face me more. He held out his hand and Fang leapt towards him. “He’s a black boarhound – not many a his kind left now, ya know.”

“Yer Hagrid,” added Jed, trying to make the conversation more, well I guess the work would be conversational. “Tell ‘em about how you rescued Fang as a pup.”

I wanted to listen to Hagrid’s story, I really did, but as he went on all I could think about was Josie. I’d never seen her act like that before. Okay, we’d only known each other a week, but… that was so out of character. I wanted to put a hand out and comfort her, but I told myself the best thing to do was to leave her be. ‘She’ll tell you when the time’s right,’ I convinced myself. Although how long that may be, I’m scared to think. Even when we were ready to leave Josie still wouldn’t say anything. She just kept her head down and never made eye contact. I’m so glad that we have Herbology second lesson tomorrow, so that we can see if she’s okay.

- Josie -