How Hagrid Became a Hero Xii

[voicelady_2000 at yahoo.com]

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No: HPFGUIDX C1149
From: voicelady_2000
Subject: How Hagrid Became a Hero   Xii
Reply To: [Yahoo! #1148] How Hagrid Became a Hero   Xi
Date: 4/25/00 10:41 am  (ET)

"We're going to land!" squealed Hermione. For a tense moment, they all
held their collective breath, hoping that Norbert's strength wouldn't
give out before they touched down. But luck was on their side this
time. They landed on the self-same mountain from which they were trying
to escape. Immediately, Norbert began eating the bushes, grass and leaves
in order to replenish his stamina.

"Hagrid, Bill," Harry asked, "what are we going to do now? I have my
wand. Should I try to cast a spell to find out where we are?"

"We know where we are," answered Ron. "We're on Gringott's prison
mountain."

"No, we're not," said Bill. "This isn't Gringott's prison." Everyone
gaped at him. "I've been thinking a lot about this. Gringott's wouldn't
have tossed me into the clink without listening to an explanation. I've
been working there for a long time. They know me, and they know I would
never do anything to jeopardize my position there. I think someone else -
a not so very nice someone else - has taken me prisoner. And I think he's
neutralized my magic. That's why I was unable to unlock the door." Bill
sighed sadly.

"Harry," Hermione said, "use your wand. Try to do some
magic. Puh-lease! Try anything at all!"

Harry pulled out his wand. He was afraid. He took a deep breath and then
waved his wand while saying, "Vanicioro!" Nothing happened. Nothing at
all. "Oh no..." he said. Ron grew pale, Hermione clutched at her hair,
Bill just looked impossibly sad and Norbert snorted an alarm.

Hagrid turned to Bill. "Bill, did you send an owl to Ron asking him to
come for a visit?"

Bill seemed surprised at the question. "No. I was just happy to see
him. I never thought to ask why he was there."

Hagrid then turned on Harry and Hermione. "'Ow did you know to come here
to help them?"

"Ron sent us an owl," they said.

"No, I didn't!" Ron cried.

"Right then, everyone who got a small black owl with fiery red eyes,
raise yer hands." Everybody raised their arms except Bill. "It seems to
me," Hagrid began, "it seems to me that someone went to a lot of trouble
to get you all together."

"My, my," exclaimed a voice from behind them. Five pairs of eyes swiveled
towards the sound. "So it takes the overgrown idiot among you to begin
sorting thing out." The speaker was the most frightening person they'd
ever seen. He was impossibly tall, with lank, greasy dark hair down to his
shoulders. His skin seemed only to just cover his bones. His fingernails
were sharpened to sharp points. But the worst was his eyes. His eyes
were a fiery red. Just like the evil owl.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Grebon. I'm so happy you've come to
visit me. It's so nice to have guests. Especially the famous Harry Potter
and friends. Having you here will raise my rank among Lord Voldemort's
followers. Once he knows you're here, I shall become more than just a
hanger-on. Oh yes..." his voice trailed off into a hiss.

The group was terrified. "It's time to follow me. We have so much
to do..."

And against their will, they all followed Grebon back to the castle.