970 Felicitations Ⅱ

After a stretch of silence, Rowan tentatively asked, "So how did it go with Olympe?"

A wide, goofy lovestruck smile appears on Hagrid's face. "I still can't believe Olympe said YES," he lovingly whispered. "We talked all night about getting married once my apprenticeship's done." His rosy face wilted, and his face became more hesitant. "We talked about my moving to Beauxbatons to teach since Olympe can't leave with her being the Headmistress and all."

"Hagrid that is fantastic," Rowan sincerely said. "I am certain that your mother and her family will return to Europe once this is all over. She will probably want to settle down in a mountain range and be near you. It will be good for the two of you."

"You think?" Hagrid nervously said, before his face became gloomy again. "I jus' don't want to disappoint Professor Kettleburn after everything he's done for me. And there's my responsibilities as caretakers and Aragog…."

Rowan winced slightly at the mention of the giant ancient spider, an Acromantuala. "Professor Kettleburn, I am certain will not mind. He only granted you the position of assistant professor to train you up. And as for the responsibilities of being a caretaker, there was someone before you, Hagrid, and there will surely also be someone after you. Change can be absolutely terrifying Hagrid, but it is also a good thing."

"Yeah, you're right," Hagrid perked up at the words. "Ah, before I forget!"

Hagrid abruptly rose from the table and hurried over to the drawer and pulled out a jewelry box. "Mr. Greengrass was right helpful and all with the goblins and selling the jewels. I already sent his family a gift, but I'd like to say thank you to you too, Rowan. You've always been there looking out for me in the good and the bad."

"Hagrid, you shouldn't have," Rowan protested as Hagrid shoved the jewelry box towards her.

"It's the least I can do," Hagrid gratefully said with moisture in his eyes. "You've always been there for me, Rowan. You've been a right good friend. And if not for you, I wouldn't have ever gotten my wand back." He sniffed and dried his eyes with a silk hankie.

"There, there now, Hagrid, it's alright. I am happy to accept to your gift, there is no need to cry," Rowan softly said as Hagrid rather loudly blew his nose sounding more like an elephant trumpeting.

Under Hagrid's watery gaze, Rowan opened the jewelry box. Inside was a silver knotted garnet heart pendant. There is a pair of matching silver tear dropped shaped garnet earrings. The jewel set is elegant and tasteful. By the cut of the jewels, she could tell that the gift is expensive.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Rowan sincerely said knowing that Hagrid had made a genuine effort with his gift.

With a beaming watery smile, Hagrid says, "Tis all my pleasure, Rowan!" He sniffed again and blew his nose rather loudly again.

Rowan makes a wary face and changes the subject. "Have you been pestered lately by reporters, Hagrid?"

"Yes!" Hagrid blurted out in shock. "How did ya know, Rowan? I haven't even told Professor Kettleburn?"

"Sylvia made a passing comment on her father had been questioned by reporters at the Ministry of Magic having represented your claim of innocence before the Hogwarts Board," Rowan made a face. "In particular, Mr. Flint has been pestered by Rita Skeeter from the Daily Prophet."

Hagrid blanched and said, "Not, Mr. Flint! He's a good one alright! He represented me without so much as taking a single galleon. I don't want to bring no trouble to Mr. Flint!"

"Silvia's father can more than take care of himself, Hagrid, don't you worry," Rowan rather drily said as her eyes moved towards the potted plant at the end of the cabin. She thought she had a buzzing sound just now if she was not mistaken.

Without moving her gaze from the potted plant, Rowan asks, "Is there anything else the reporters have been asking you about?"

"Well, most of it is about my expulsion," Hagrid confessed, "But they've also been asking about my mum and da."

"Your mother and father?" Rowan startled pulling her gaze from the potted plant.

"Mm, poor Mr. and Mrs. Colgate passed away in one of the giant skirmishes," Hagrid sadly sniffed. "Mrs. Colgate was right nice. She often took care of me when my Da couldn't and especially after Da passed away. And even after my expulsion every Christmas she always sent me a tin of Christmas cookies and a small gift on my birthday."

"I am so sorry, Hagrid," Rowan sympathetically said as excited buzzing pulled her attention back to the plant in the corner of the room. Her midnight indigo-colored eyes narrowed dangerously behind her spectacles.

"Thank you, Rowan, that means a lot to me," Hagrid said as he dabbed at his eyes. "Mum said that she right would avenge Mrs. Colgate too. She said Mrs. Colgate was good and had even given her food on her way here."

"Is that so?" Rowan said as she took her empty teacup and wordlessly transfigured it into a glass jar. She wordlessly cast another spell or two on the jar to reinforce it.

Hagrid tearfully sighed before finding Rowan silently creeping forward. He blinked in surprise but decided not to say anything until he heard a loud buzzing sound. Abruptly, Rowan slapped the glass jar shut around an angry buzzing jeweled beetle.

"That's strange," Hagrid commented leaning closer to study the buzzing beetle. "Normally, they die out in the winter. This one must have snuck in and been living in the plant all winter long."

"Yes, beetles are sneaky and treacherous, little things," Rowan darkly said as the angry buzzing beetle abruptly stopped moving as if it understood her words.

"I best be heading back, Hagrid," Rowan said as she slipped the glass jar into her robes. "And once again, Congratulations on your Engagement!"

"Thank you, Rowan!" Hagrid happily smiled again tears all forgotten.

Much more a gentleman now, Hagrid made sure to escort Rowan to the door before she braced herself against the frosty wind and returned to Hogwarts. Hagrid happily enjoyed the rest of his evening reading by the fire, while Fang dozed at his feet.

Hagrid was a simple man in many manners. He truly didn't desire for much, but he enjoyed the company of a friend more than anything else. Maybe, that is why he got along with beasties the best since he had been alone for a long time since his Da passed away before his third year at Hogwarts. However, he was no longer alone, and he never would be alone again. And that was the best gift that Hagrid could ever have had.