Chapter 14

Three months passed in a flash, and the day of Hagrid's release has come. Hagrid sat in his cell waiting for the Aurors to come and release him. He felt anxious with every passing minute. He feared that they might forget about him. After all, with the Aurors track record, he can't really trust them. As he waited anxiously, he finally heard the sound of foot steps echoing in the hall. Hagrid could've sworn, that he never heard a more beautiful sound.

"Rubeus Hagrid, congratulations, it's time for your release! Please step away from the door!" The Aurors said, while waiting for Hagrid to move away.

Hagrid slowly backed away from the door without making any sudden movement. He feared that they might act rashly and attack him out of fear. As he is a ten foot tall half-giant, and a criminal one at that.

As soon as Hagrid reached the end of his cell, the Aurors unlocked the door.

"Alright! Come out slowly."

Hagrid looked at the door and asked, "How will I leave; the door is too small?

"Don't worry about it! The door will expand on its own."

The Aurors pointed their wands at Hagrid as Hagrid slowly walked out.

"Stop!" The Aurors yelled, before asking, "Who are you? Rubeus Hagrid has dark brown hair not silverish blue!"

"I'm sorry Sir! But my hair changed color on its own. If you can call professor Dumbledore, he can testify on my behalf. I assure you Sir, I'm Rubeus Hagrid. After all, I think I'm the only half giant imprisoned in Azkaban." Hagrid said, as calmly as possible.

Since Hagrid could feel their emotions, he knew that they were afraid of him. He didn't want to tempt their idiocy, so he tried to diffuse their fear by talking calmly and complying with their demands.

"What do you think? Do we call Dumbledore or not? If he really is Hagrid, then calling Dumbledore is a waste of time." The Auror said to his companions.

"Why are you so nervous!? Other then his hair, he looks exactly the same. Now let the boy go before I force you to spend the rest of the week here." An elderly man suddenly interjected, making the Aurors freeze for a second.

"Yes, Captain!" The Aurors screamed while straightening their backs.

"Alright, son, come out." The elderly man said while looking at Hagrid.

Hagrid finally left his cell for the first time in three years. He never knew the importance of freedom until his imprisonment. Furthermore, his happiness increased after hearing that Dumbledore is fine.

Every step that Hagrid took filled him with joy.

"Follow me! And don't make any sudden movements. You and you follow me. As for the rest, make sure to guard the rear." The elderly Auror said before he turned around and started walking.

Hagrid could feel the fear and respect that the Aurors felt. The fear directed at him, and the respect directed at the old man. Curiously, Hagrid couldn't feel the elderly man's emotions.

The Aurors feared that Hagrid might attack them and free the other prisoners. That's why they surrounded him.

Hagrid walked without saying a word, or making any sudden movement. As Hagrid walked, he fell deep in thought. Dumbledore's absence made him question his situation.

'Could it be that Dumbledore is injured, or is he too busy?' Hagrid hopped that it's the latter, not the former. 'Did he defeat Grindelwald, or is the war still raging on? What happened to World War Two? Did it end or not? Did I miscalculate the time line?' As Hagrid started falling into a spiral of endless questions, a rough voice interrupted him.

"Stand down!" The elderly Auror said, while looking at the Aurors.

"Yes, Sir" The Aurors shouted while holstering their wands.

"Alright, young man. You are free to go."

Hagrid could've sworn that he had never heard a sentence that was more beautiful then' You are free to go'.

"Thank you!" Hagrid said while heading out of Azkaban.

"Wait, Where are you going?!" The old man said in surprise.

"I'm going home." Hagrid said in a happy voice.

"That's not what I meant. How are you going to leave Azkaban? You can't apparate. I understand that you are happy to be released, but at the very least think about your situation." The old man said in amusement. "you are exactly as Dumbledore said."

Hagrid looked embarrassed for a moment before hurriedly asking, "How is professor Dumbledore, is he alright? Why isn't he here to meet me?

"He is fine. He asked me to escort you back to Hogwarts. He is very busy right now, so he sent me to accompany you." The old man said.

"Really?!" Hagrid said in excitement.

"Yes. Now, let's depart. Our first stop is Hogsmeade. Oh, right! My name is Lucas Lucklee." Lucas said, while lifting his hand up.

"Ah, It's nice to meet you too, Sir!" Hagrid said, while Shaking Lucas,s hand.

"Oh, my dear boy. The three years here really messed with your mind, didn't they?!" Lucas said in a voice laced with pity.

The pity made Hagrid's heart feel stuffy. He felt uncomfortable all over because he knew that Lucas spoke the truth that he didn't want to face. Jack noticed, since he took over, that his mind is a mess. He would always do things that make no sense, like the outburst he had when he first transmigrated, the idiotic choices he made, and the daily random outburst.

Lucas's words affected Hagrid's mind, finally breaking him out of his shell.

Hagrid started shaking, trying to keep his emotions under control, and after a fierce struggle, he finally managed to clear his mind.

Hagrid struggled for a while before saying, "You're right, they made a mess out of me. However, I'm not that weak. I will heal." Hagrid said, with determination blazing in his eyes.

Lucas looked surprised for a second before laughing out loud. "Hahaha, I like you, kid! You are a bright soul. Alright, I planned to take you to Hogwarts, and let Dumbledore help you, but I changed my mind. Since you're willing to admit that you need help, I will take you to a Mind Healer first. What do you think?"

Hagrid hesitated for a while before saying, "While I appreciate the offer, and I don't want to sound ungrateful, but this is something the I want to do on my own. Otherwise, I will never overcome demons."

In reality, Hagrid didn't want anyone to read his mind, or he might become a wizard's lab rat.

Since Hagrid rejected his generosity, Lucas didn't try to push him.

Lucas just shrugged his shoulders, and extended his hand again before saying, "Grasp it. Don't shake it. We are going to apparate. Oh, Right! Make sure to hold on tight!"

Hagrid grabbed Lucas's hand, and they disappeared in a swirl.