The interrogation of Hagrid

The following morning, Harry had recounted in detail his interview from the previous day to his two friends, who were both fascinated and vexed to have been sidelined.

But this story doesn't match at all with what we know. Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? asked Jenny.

Sure and certain, Riddle was a Muggle-born orphan. He cannot be the father of You-Know-Who, because it is not his name on the grave, but he cannot be anything else, because he had no family. And he is much too young to be the grandfather of you know who. And yet, they have a family connection. Harry summarized awkwardly.

And if it was him, you know who? Asked Lucas

That would mean he was over 60 brooms the day he attacked my parents. That's old to be the best of the wizard fighters, replied Jenny.

That doesn't mean anything, look at Dumbledore. He's over 100 years old and still the most powerful wizard in the world. Lucas countered.

Yes, well, Dumbledore, it's obvious at first glance that he's not very young anymore. And I'm not sure he would still be able to hold his own in a duel. And then he described Riddle as a saint. Honestly, do you think that resembles You-Know-Who? And then how could he have started the extermination of Muggle-borns if he was a Muggle-born? Harry declared.

Maybe he didn't care about racial purity and just wanted power. Maybe that's why he put so much effort into hiding his origins? Lucas insisted against the other two.

Still, I find it hard to associate the paragon of virtue he described to me with a bloodthirsty madman. And then the Dark Lord only appeared 30 years after Jedusor left Hogwarts. There would have been plenty of people who would have recognized him and knew his origins. He could never have fooled the purebloods. Said Harry

Anyway, Dippet must be wrong about something. It's just too inconsistent. Not to mention this petrification story supposedly caused by Grindelwald's supporters. If that were the case, how do you explain it happening again today? Jenny continued.

Do you think he lied to me? I swear he seemed sincere. And then what interest would he have had in doing that? He's dead, he fears nothing anymore. Asked Harry

I don't know. What if we went to see Hagrid? Maybe he has another version. I would be surprised if he sang the praises of Riddle. Maybe he saw a dark side of Riddle that he wanted to hide? Maybe he has information and that's why Riddle falsely accused him to keep him quiet? suggested Jenny.

I don't really want to bother Hagrid with this. I doubt he wants to talk about it. Declared Harry

Harry, it's no longer just about satisfying our curiosity. It's aboutdiscover who is really responsible for these attacks and stop them before there is a death. Jenny replied

Anyway, with the new security measures, we won't be able to go see him.

Harry, do you think all three of us would fit under your cloak? Jenny asked.

The following night Harry, Jenny, and Lucas, huddled under the invisibility cloak, silently advanced towards Hagrid's hut.

Once they arrived, they knocked on the door and it was a visibly frightened Hagrid who opened it.

Hagrid, it's me Harry.

Harry! Where are you?

Harry removed his invisibility cloak.

Where did you get that? It's a magnificent cloak. Declared Hagrid.

We would like to know too, but he refuses to tell us. Declared Lucas.

I already told you, it's a gift from Santa Claus. Why do you refuse to believe me?

And you are? asked Hagrid to interrupt the beginning of an argument between the three friends.

Lucas and Jenny introduced themselves, and Hagrid invited them in before serving them tea and some rock-hard biscuits. Then he asked them:

Well, I am delighted by your visit, but why did you break the curfew to come see me?

We wanted to ask you some questions, sir. Declared Jenny, wriggling.

No mister between us. Just call me Hagrid. What do you want to know?

Well! It's a bit delicate. We discovered that a long time ago you were falsely accused of opening the Chamber of Secrets and we wanted to know what really happened?

Hagrid's expression clouded, but he told them word for word the same story as Professor Dippet.

So Aragog was guilty? Asked Harry once Hagrid had finished speaking.

Of course not, he would never have done that.

The 3 children looked at Hagrid with skepticism. They had looked up what an Acromantula was in the library and the descriptions had sent shivers down their spines.

And anyway, when I wasn't with him, Aragog was magically locked in a classroom. He could never have escaped to go attack Mimi. Moreover, at the time of the attack, I was brushing his hair. Ah! I remember, the little rascal had just hadHis first hairs and he always managed to convince me to skip classes to take care of them.

So why did Riddle accuse you? Asked Harry.

He didn't know it at that moment. He was so furious about Mimi's death that he attacked Aragog before I could explain to him. Apparently, her death affected him a lot. Yet, I didn't feel like they were very close.

And then, how did he react? I'm sure he behaved like a real bastard and stuck to his story at all costs to get the reward? Asked Lucas, concerned about defending his theory.

Well, there you are completely wrong. Riddle was not like that at all. On the contrary, he quickly recognized his mistake and did everything to fix it. When it became clear that I was innocent, few had the courage to admit their mistakes. Even my friends from Gryffindor turned their backs on me after that. But he apologized and stayed by my side. He spent a lot of time preparing my defense and at the trial his plea was so impressive that I thought I was going to be acquitted. I must say he was so eloquent. I believe that, in this area, he surpassed Dumbledore himself. In any case, he helped me much more than my court-appointed lawyer. I still remember him. He was an arrogant pureblood who despised me because of (...). Anyway, he despised me and did nothing to help me. In any case, I think it wouldn’t have made any difference. The jury didn’t care much about whether I was innocent. In the end, I was sentenced to several years in Azkaban prison. Fortunately, a few days after the trial ended, Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald and used his fame to have my sentence commuted to a simple expulsion from Hogwarts.

So actually, you became friends with Jedusor

No, not really. When I was still at Hogwarts and the Gryffindors turned their backs on me, he offered me to join a little secret club he had created. But I refused. The solitude weighed on me, but I wouldn't have belonged there. It was a club full of pure-bloods with huge prejudices. And then I don't know, I was always uncomfortable in Tom's presence. Probably because he was an intellectual who didn't like to get his hands dirty. And then he kept asking me questions about giants and how to talk to them. What did I know? It wasn't because (…)

But he was interrupted by knocks on the door.

If you are found here, you will be in trouble. Hide quickly. In the corner, there. Hagrid ordered them.

Hagrid quickly checked that they were well hidden, then he grabbed his crossbow and went to open the door.

Good evening, Hagrid.

It was Dumbledore. He entered, his face serious, followed by a strange-looking man, short, stout, with disheveled gray hair and an anxious expression. The man wore mismatched clothes thatformed a curious mix: pinstripe suit, red tie, long black cape, and purple boots with pointed tips. He held a green bowler hat under his arm.

Hagrid had turned pale and his face was covered in sweat. He dropped into a chair and alternately looked at Dumbledore and this strange man.

Nasty business, Hagrid, he said, enunciating each syllable. Very nasty business. I had to intervene. Two attacks on Muggle-born children, while the memory of last year's deaths is still fresh. Things have gone far enough. The ministry must act.

I never... said Hagrid, looking at Dumbledore imploringly. You know well, professor, that I never...

Cornelius, I would like it to be very clear that Hagrid has my full confidence, said Dumbledore, frowning.

Listen, Albus, replied Cornelius, uneasy. Hagrid's background does not work in his favor. The ministry has to do something. The members of the school board have consulted.

Once again, Cornelius, I repeat that removing Hagrid will make absolutely no difference, Dumbledore continued.

Her eyes shone with a blazing light that Harry had never seen in her before.

Put yourself in my place, said Cornelius nervously fiddling with his hat. Everyone is watching me. I have to be seen taking action. If it turns out that Hagrid is not guilty, he will return home and it will no longer be talked about. But I have to take him. I wouldn't be doing my duty if...

Take me? said Hagrid, who had started to tremble. Take me where?

For a short time only, said Cornelius, avoiding his gaze. It's not a punishment, Hagrid, just a precaution at most. If we find another culprit, you will be released with all our apologies...

You're not going to take me to Azkaban? Roared Hagrid.

Before Cornelius had time to answer, someone knocked on the door again.

It was Dumbledore who went to open the door. Jenny then let out an exclamation that earned her an elbow in the ribs. A man with blond eyes, a disdainful look, and an aristocratic demeanor had just entered the cabin. Given the resemblance to his son, the visitor's identity was obvious. It was Lucius Malfoy. The father of Draco Malfoy and probably an accomplice in the murder of Jenny's father (and countless other people). He wore a cold and satisfied smile. Fang began to growl.

You are already here, Fudge, said Mr. Malfoy approvingly, very good, very good...

What are you doing here? Hagrid exclaimed furiously. Get out of my house!

My Dear Sir, rest assured that I take no pleasure in being in your... uh... what do you call this? A house? Malfoy replied with a disdainful look around him. I simply stopped by the school where I was told the headmaster was here.

And what exactly do you want from me, Lucius? asked Dumbledore. His tone was polite, but the blazing light still shone in his blue eyes.

I am sorry for you, Dumbledore, replied Mr. Malfoy in a nonchalant tone, taking a scroll of parchment from his pocket, but the Hogwarts board of governors feels that it is time for you to step down. I have here an order of suspension concerning you. You will find the twelve required signatures there. We have deemed that you are no longer up to the task, I am sorry. Hogwarts cannot afford to lose so many students each year.

Wait, wait, Lucius, said Cornelius, looking frantic. Dumbledore suspended? No, no, that's the last thing to do...

The appointment or suspension of the director is the decision of the board of directors and not the minister of magic, replied Mr. Malfoy in a soft voice. And since Dumbledore has been unable to put an end to these attacks...

Let's see, Lucius, if Dumbledore can't put an end to it, who then will be able to? said Fudge.

You could see beads of sweat appearing on his upper lip.

We shall see, declared Mr. Malfoy with a wicked smile. But the twelve council members have voted...

Hagrid jumped to his feet. His shaggy head almost touched the ceiling.

And what were your arguments to convince them? He roared. Threats? Blackmail?

My dear Hagrid, said Mr. Malfoy, your hot temper will one day get you into serious trouble. I advise you not to shout like that when dealing with the guards of Azkaban. They would not like it at all.

You can't dismiss Dumbledore! He shouted so loudly that Crockdur went to hide in his basket, trembling. If he leaves, the Muggle-born children are doomed! Next time, there will be deaths!

Calm yourself, Hagrid, said Dumbledore sharply. He turned to Lucius Malfoy.

If the board of directors wants me to leave, Lucius, I will go, of course.

But... stammered Fudge.

No! Roared Hagrid.

Dumbledore's blue gaze fixed on Lucius Malfoy's cold, gray eyes.

However, Dumbledore resumed, speaking very slowly as if he wanted to ensure that not a word of what he was going to say was lost, you will find that I will truly have left the school only when there is no one left to remain loyal to me. You will also find that at Hogwarts, help will always be given to those who ask for it.

For a moment, Harry was almost certain that Dumbledore's eyes had turned toward the corner of the cabin where he was hiding with Jenny and Lucas.

These are admirable sentiments, declared Malfoy, bowing. We will all miss your... uh... very personal way of running things, Albus, and I just hope that your successor will be able to prevent... uh... "next time, there will be deaths...".

He stepped towards the door, opened it, and bowed, gesturing for Dumbledore to exit. Fudge, who was still fiddling with his hat, waited for Hagrid to pass in front of him.

Here I come, said Hagrid, putting on his coat. But just as he was about to step through the door behind Fudge, he paused and said in a loud voice:

Someone will need to feed Crockdur while I'm not there. The door slammed and Lucas removed the invisibility cloak.

Crockdur then began to whine while scratching at the door.