Chapter 28: A Workday
The arrival of a workday is always painful, and getting through it is always a trial.
For Lyra, if her job was only to be a consultant, it would actually be quite interesting, especially when Mr. Scrimgeour wasn't around. But unfortunately, Mr. Gester Parkinson more than made up for that shortcoming.
"Miss Hamil, is this a Dark artifact?"
Lyra pressed her lips together as she looked at the ashtray he was holding up.
"Do you think someone might be hiding a magical creature under the sofa?"
Probably not... Lyra watched Parkinson lift the sofa cushion with his wand and kept her distance.
"Is it possible a Dark wizard is hiding in the flowerpot?"
I... really don't think that's likely.
The operation with Mr. Parkinson pretty much went like this. But after a while, Lyra got used to it. Mr. Parkinson's words were like the wind.
In one ear, and out the other a second later.
...It had to be said, after listening for a while, it almost started to sound like white noise... just like the sound of rain.
Lyra sank deeper into the bathtub, tomorrow was the last day.
According to Mr. White Noise... they were supposed to be inspecting Knockturn Alley? After tomorrow, this whole thing would be over... and she could get back to her research on Magic Formations.
Lyra buried her face in the water and blew a few bubbles. Her pointed ears swayed gently with the ripples, and her soaking silver hair fanned out on the water's surface.
Speaking of, Mr. Lupin came back yesterday. He dragged his exhausted body over to say hello. For some reason, his face was deathly pale...
Maybe Dumbledore is conducting some kind of unspeakable experiment... Lyra speculated. It could even be human experimentation.
Don't worry, Mr. Lupin. As soon as I defeat Dumbledore, I'll come and save you... Wait, I should really stop saying things like that.
It was as if Dumbledore had some spell on him; every time she even thought about defeating him, he would suddenly appear... though, if he appeared right now...
Lyra dunked her face back under the water. That would probably be grounds to send him to Azkaban, right?
Wait... what am I thinking!
"Good morning, Miss Hamil!" Mr. Parkinson's voice rang out before she even reached the Ministry office door. He, who was usually so bright and cheerful, didn't seem very happy today.
"Ah, Miss Hamil, I just feel so sad knowing I won't see you after today," he said, shaking his head. "I've really enjoyed our time working together."
Why don't I feel that way at all... Lyra, hiding behind her mask, instinctively quickened her pace. Mr. Parkinson stuck right behind her.
"I'm sure you feel the same way, right?" Parkinson continued, talking to himself. "We're such a perfect team at work."
"If you ever get tired of being a professor, you must come and join us at the Auror Office..."
Don't worry. That will never happen.
"Oh, right. Today we're off to check Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. That old coot is definitely hiding a lot of Dark artifacts. We'll be counting on you."
Hiding a lot of Dark artifacts?
Hearing this, Lyra's mood soured even more. She thought back to what Dumbledore had said when he'd tricked her into this consultant gig... rarely seen formations... mechanisms and artifacts passed down through the ages...
Lyra could only say that Dumbledore was a cunning old liar. In all their inspections, aside from a few simple Dark artifacts, she hadn't seen a single formation mechanism like the one at the Rosier's.
And she'd been tricked into working... with Aurors...
"Oof!"
Lyra clutched her head and stumbled back, instinctively looking up.
"Ah?!" Her eyes met a high wall—or rather, a person who was a high wall. He also seemed stunned at being bumped, his eyes peering out from under a mass of tangled hair, looking a bit surprised.
"G-G-G-Giant?!" Lyra stammered, scrambling back to stand behind Parkinson.
"Ah, Hagrid?" Parkinson, however, seemed to recognize the man. He smiled and waved.
"Gester?" The giant, Hagrid, also seemed to recognize Parkinson. He let out a booming laugh and immediately pulled Mr. Parkinson into a crushing hug.
Is... is this some kind of giant's attack... Lyra watched Parkinson being squeezed and instinctively reached for her wand.
"It's... been too long," Mr. Parkinson managed to get out, his voice strained from the hug. "Not since Hogwarts."
Hogwarts? Lyra froze and quickly put her wand away. This giant... is a Hogwarts professor?
Miss Lovegood... did you never suspect Dumbledore was building a giant army?
"Ah, perfect. Miss Hamil, you can meet Hagrid," Parkinson said, as if just remembering. He turned his head slightly toward Lyra. "Hagrid is the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. You'll be colleagues."
"Colleague?" Hagrid and Lyra muttered at the same time. But while Hagrid just looked confused, Lyra was terrified.
She was already scared enough of people and wizards, but now there was such a... big... colleague. Hagrid alone was more intimidating than three Muggles.
"Isn't Lockhart a man?" Hagrid mumbled, looking at Lyra, then his face lit up. "Are you Miss Hamilton?"
"Eek!" Lyra instinctively shook her head. She hadn't forgotten that she was supposed to be using an alias in front of the Aurors, even if she didn't know why.
And Dumbledore, why would you tell something like that to someone with such a big mouth!
"Hagrid, you must have misheard," Parkinson said, not seeming to catch on. "This is Miss Hamil."
"Lyra Hamil. Not from that Hamilton family."
"Ah!" Hagrid also seemed to realize. He scratched his head, embarrassed. "Right, right, right. Miss Hamil! Miss Hamil!" He beamed an enthusiastic smile and strode over to Lyra.
"Ngh!" As Hagrid approached, Lyra shot back, pressing herself into the corner of the wall. The giant towered over her by nearly two meters. His shadow alone was enough to completely envelop her. She had to crane her neck just to see his face.
His massive size terrified Lyra. She stood frozen, biting her lip, unable to say a word. Is he... is he going to 'hug' me, too? Or... have I made him angry? Am I... going to be eaten?
And as he got closer, she could smell him. The scent of a stranger made her ears tremble beneath her hood.
Hagrid, however, didn't notice. He continued in his booming voice, which made Lyra's whole body shake, "Pleasure ter meet yeh, Miss Hamil." Then he gave a sincere smile.
But Lyra, who had her eyes squeezed shut in terror behind her mask, didn't see it.
"Don't mind her, Hagrid. Miss Hamil isn't much of a talker." It was Parkinson who stepped in. For the first time, Lyra was thanking Merlin that she had run into Mr. Parkinson this morning.
He walked over to Hagrid and shrugged. "Besides, we're on our way to the Ministry for work. Maybe you two can chat some other time."
"Ah, right, right." Hagrid nodded, as if just remembering. "I've got ter get some things in... Diagon Alley."
"Well, see yeh 'round, Gester. And you too, Miss Hamilton... er, Hamil!"
Lyra stood frozen in place, watching the giant walk away with heavy steps. It wasn't until he had completely disappeared around the corner that she let out a shaky breath.
Thank goodness I wore the mask... Otherwise, I really might have cried in front of Mr. Parkinson...
I'm sorry, Mr. Hagrid... I didn't... didn't mean to be so scared... Feeling rude, Lyra quickly apologized to Hagrid in her head.
I just hope he won't eat me for being impolite.