Chapter 16: Rubeus Hagrid
When Russell finally understood the real reason the Addams family had insisted on accompanying him to the station, his chest tightened with a quiet sense of gratitude.
So that's why… they wanted to protect me in their own way.
He smiled faintly. "Maybe it's just because we get along really well," he said vaguely. He couldn't exactly admit that their daughter might have developed… an interest in him.
George shrugged, clearly noticing Russell didn't want to elaborate. "Fair enough — mystery solved. Curiosity satisfied." He winked at Fred.
Fred caught the cue instantly. The twins leaned forward in unison, flanking Cedric like a pair of mischievous lions closing in on a deer. Each threw an arm around his shoulders.
The mood shifted instantly.
Russell blinked, half amused, half confused. So the show begins.
He chuckled inwardly — I came all the way to Britain and still get to watch street theater. Well… technically it's an English drama now.
"Cedric…" Fred began ominously.
Cedric frowned. "What are you two planning?"
"Simple," George said with mock gravity. "Hand over your homework."
A few moments later, Cedric sighed in defeat as the Weasley twins strutted triumphantly out of the compartment, waving his parchment like a banner of victory.
"They actually get good marks," Cedric muttered in exasperation. "I don't even know why they bother copying me."
Russell smiled sympathetically. "Maybe they just enjoy the thrill of the chase."
---
A soft "meow" broke the silence.
The fluffy Kneazle, Ice Cream, finally woke from its nap. With feline grace, it padded over to Russell, then fixed its golden eyes on Cedric's owl, who was perched nervously near the window.
The owl immediately puffed up, feathers flaring like a hedgehog, ready to defend its dignity.
But before it could move, Ice Cream leapt gracefully onto the table, flicked its tail, and gave the owl a single, disdainful look — the kind only cats and aristocrats can master — before casually nibbling on a biscuit.
Pathetic creature, Ice Cream thought smugly, crunching away. I was only teasing you, and you still panicked.
Russell smothered a laugh, while Cedric stared helplessly at his traumatized owl.
---
Time passed quickly. The train rattled steadily along, and outside the windows the golden light of sunset began to stretch across the fields.
At one point, a trolley witch passed by, her cart piled high with wizarding sweets. Since Russell had shared his Muggle snacks earlier, Cedric insisted on returning the favor — he bought an armful of magical treats and split them between them.
Russell tried a few Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, which he quickly decided were equal parts game and punishment.
"It's like playing the lottery with your tongue," he joked, popping another into his mouth.
Cedric wasn't so lucky — his face contorted instantly as he bit into one.
"What—" he gagged, "—was that supposed to be?"
Russell peeked at the label and burst out laughing. "Booger flavor."
Cedric grabbed a napkin, coughing and groaning while Russell laughed so hard he nearly spilled his butterbeer.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Russell grinned. "Consider it your second initiation ceremony."
Cedric wiped his mouth and managed a lopsided smile. "If that's the kind of magic waiting for me this term, Merlin help us all."
To Russell, the Chocolate Frogs were honestly overrated.
Sure, the packaging was cute — but in terms of taste? It was just… ordinary chocolate. The real selling point wasn't the candy at all, but the collectible wizard cards tucked inside — the wizarding world's version of Muggle "Water Margin" trading cards from those cheap noodle snacks.
His card featured Morgana — or rather, Morgan le Fay, as she was better known in legend — a formidable dark witch from the Middle Ages. She was King Arthur's half-sister and Merlin's eternal rival. Like her brother, she was a ruler in her own right, the Queen of Avalon. Master of dark magic, skilled healer, and even an Animagus who could transform into a bird — Morgana was as brilliant as she was dangerous.
Cedric leaned over curiously and gave a small laugh. "Morgana again? You've got my luck. I've drawn her at least half a dozen times. Though," he added, puffing out his chest a bit, "I have completed two full sets of Chocolate Frog cards."
Russell shook his head in amusement. "Congratulations. You're a collector now."
The reminder prompted him to change into his Hogwarts robes early. His heart began to pound a little faster — they were nearly there.
---
The train slowed, then came to a gradual stop. Steam hissed from beneath the wheels, and the excited chatter of first-years filled the air. Russell followed the crowd, stepping down onto a small, dark platform.
A sharp chill swept across him. The wind howled through the trees.
The night sky was a deep indigo, with a scattering of faint stars. A clear night, Russell thought absently. That means tomorrow will be sunny.
He looked around. Most of the students nearby were new like him — wide-eyed and nervous, clutching trunks and cages. The older students already knew the way and were quickly disappearing down the platform, calling to friends as they went.
"See you at the castle, Russell! And thanks for the snacks!" Cedric waved before melting into the crowd.
Russell waved back — just as a booming voice rolled across the platform, cutting through the noise like thunder.
"Firs'-years! Over here! Come along now!"
Heads turned in unison.
At the far end of the platform stood a giant of a man holding a lantern aloft, his silhouette towering above the students like a mountain. The flame from the lantern flickered across a broad, bearded face and a coat the size of a tent.
Russell's eyes widened. So that's Hagrid.
Even from a distance, he could tell — this man's physique wasn't just imposing; it was inhuman. Half-giant blood, no doubt. Based on what his "status panel" told him, Russell estimated his own Constitution at level 2 — roughly what an average adult Muggle might have was level 3.
Which meant Hagrid's was probably at seven or higher.
Russell inhaled sharply. Gandalf was right — wizards should invest in Constitution. If Hagrid had joined the Fellowship, the trip to Mordor would've been over by lunch.
---
The lost, milling first-years immediately gravitated toward the source of the voice. Hagrid raised the lantern higher and gestured for them to follow.
"Don' push, don' push! Line up now, that's it — all o' yeh, behind me!"
The path sloped steeply downward, narrow and slick with mud. The ground squelched beneath their shoes as they descended toward the lake. The dense trees on either side swallowed the moonlight, plunging the group into near-total darkness. The only sound was the soft murmur of robes brushing together — and Hagrid's heavy, steady footsteps leading the way.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, until suddenly Hagrid came to an abrupt halt.
A small boy, walking too close behind him, didn't notice in time — and ran face-first into the back of Hagrid's leg.
There was a dull thud. The boy yelped, clutching his forehead. "Ow!" He stumbled backward, dazed, as if he'd headbutted a brick wall.
Luckily, Russell reacted fast — he grabbed the boy by the shoulders before he could fall.
"You okay?" he asked.
Hagrid turned around, looking guilty. "Blimey, sorry there, kiddo! Yeh all right?" He crouched slightly — though even crouched, he loomed over them — and gave the boy a quick inspection before sighing in relief. "Good, good… can't have yeh breakin' somethin'. Professor Dumbledore'd have my hide if I lost one o' yeh before term even started."
He straightened up again, smiling, his lantern casting a golden glow over his wild beard.
"Now then," he said warmly, pointing ahead. "Just 'round this bend — that's yer first look at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Finest school o' magic in Britain — maybe the world."
His voice softened a little, almost wistful. For a fleeting moment, Russell saw something like sorrow flicker across the half-giant's eyes.
Hagrid had once been a student here too — until fate, and a grave misunderstanding, had cut that short. Dumbledore's mercy had allowed him to stay, to care for the grounds and creatures of the castle he still loved with all his heart.
He didn't want these children to make the same mistakes he had.
---
The group rounded the bend — and gasps rippled through the crowd.
Before them stretched a vast, black lake, its surface smooth as glass beneath the moonlight. On the far shore, high upon the cliffs, stood a magnificent castle, its many towers glowing with warm golden light, reflected in the still waters below.
Ancient. Majestic. Mysterious.
For Russell, it was like stepping into a dream — one he'd been waiting his whole life to enter.
So this is Hogwarts, he thought. The beginning of everything.