How Hagrid Became A Hero -- VIII

[melaniem68 at yahoo.com]

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No: HPFGUIDX C1138
From: melaniem68
Subject: How Hagrid Became A Hero -- VIII
Reply To: [Yahoo! #1131] Re: How Hagrid Became A Hero -- VII
Date: 4/24/00 6:15 am  (ET)

Hagrid and Charlie looked at each other, aghast. 'Think Norbert can hold
both of us?' Charlie finally asked.

'Yeah, but I don' know 'bout Bill and Ron on the way back,' Hagrid
replied. 'You oughta stay here in case I have trouble, too.'

Charlie nodded reluctantly. 'At least take these.' He took an object off
a shelf and handed it to Hagrid. 'Another of Dad's muggle artifacts,'
he said, in response to Hagrid's questioning look. 'They're called
binoculars. These are amplified to see for miles.' He led Hagrid outside,
and showed him how to look through the binoculars at a distant mountain.

Putting the binoculars to his eyes, Hagrid was astonished to see, quite
clearly, a tiny cottage near the peak.

Charlie reached up and twisted the tubes of the binoculars. 'And, when
you adjust them...'

The walls of the distant house seemed to melt, revealing the family
within. They went about their business, not noticing the transparency
of their house.

'I've never used that feature,' Charlie explained hastily. 'But Dad says
he's caught quite a few wizards red-handed that way. And I thought it
might help you to see what's going on in the prison from far away.'

'Good idea,' said Hagrid. 'Well, I gotta get movin'!'


Maybe Charlie had put a speed spell on Norbert, or maybe the Mediterranian
wind was simply blowing them onward, but the trip to Egypt lasted only
one day. Finally, at sunset, the super-binoculars revealed a flock of
black, red-eyed owls, flying around a large building.

'That must be it!' Hagrid exclaimed, landing behind a sand dune a
safe distance from the prison. Hagrid trained the binoculars toward
the building. Hours later, the lights all switched off, except one
window. Hagrid adjusted the binoculars as Charlie had shown him, and
watched the front wall fade from view. A heavy-set goblin guard waddled
into the lighted room, and settled down before a strange box with moving
pictures eminating from one side.

'Now!' he said, not allowing himself to dwell on the object, he leapt
onto Norbert, and the two charged toward the prison. 'About ten minutes
left to find Bill and Ron and get outa here!' With the magical forcefield
down, Hagrid had no trouble creeping into the row of cells. 'Now to find
'em! Lumos,' he commanded his wand.

'Hagrid? Over here! Hurry!' Hagrid looked toward the voices, to find
two red heads behind a set of iron bars--and a very un-magic looking
lock. Hagrid took out his wand. 'Now, what was that unlocking spell? I'm
rusty.'

'It's Al--.' Bill began.

'Freeze!' A voice came from behind him, cutting bill off. A chill swept
through Hagrid, and he was, literally, unable to move. Ron and Bill
were also frozen in place. 'Turn around nice and slow, now,' the voice
continued. 'No funny stuff.'

Hagrid's body rose a few inches in the air, and rotated without otherwise
moving. He found himself staring, not at the goblin guard, but at...

Your turn Norovelli!