Ch. 172 Happenings before the holidays

The following week saw two interesting bits of news for the residents of Hogwarts: Hagrid had officially returned to the castle and it seems like I was basically being haunted by the Grey Lady now.

I am not kidding, Helena has been following me pretty much everywhere besides the restroom since I cleansed the diadem so it looks like she's haunting me. But it was kind of fun to catch her following a few times by 'accident' so she can quickly try to hide from me looking all flustered. Felt like I was in an anime instead of Harry Potter and it gave me a few chuckles.

And during my haunting, I decided to go welcome Hagrid back from his mission since it has been a while since I saw my large friend. I also want to check if he's alright because he had returned with some injuries in the canon and I wanted to help the man. He couldn't go see Poppy because she just didn't have the raw power to bypass Hagrid's natural resistance to Magic as a half-giant, something shown when he could just tank stunners from half a dozen Aurors in canon, but I have both the power and skills to heal so why not help a friend.

'Wonder if my new stalker is going to follow me outside? It would be difficult for her to hide once i'm out of the castle and it appears she still didn't realize my sensing range is a lot wider than she imagines, probably because I never react to her.' I thought with an amused smile on my face as I walked the path to Hagrid's hut.

Reaching the hut I found out that I wasn't the only visitor today, something I should have guessed knowing them.

*knock knock*

"Who's there?" A cautious sounding Hagrid asked.

"Hagrid open up. I wanted to see how you were doing and give you some papers your substitute left with me." I answered clearly.

The papers thing was true since I was probably one of the people with a very good relationship with Hagrid and I volunteered.

"Oh Aedan, give me a moment." He replied as I heard some stumbling about from behind the door before it opened.

"Damn Hagrid. One of your beasts really gave you a good hit or was it the giants?" I asked as I saw the bruising on his face and the busted lip, making him freeze in place.

"""Giants?!?""" A triple yell rung out from the hut.

"Oh, is that the kids? This'll save me time later when they come to ask me about you." I said as I looked at the now nervous half-giant.

"They shouldn't know, top secret Dumbledore said." The very large man tried to say like this was a big deal.

"Hagrid it's ok. After you left I had a meeting with the Headmaster and the Order in which we agreed it was for the best that the kids close to everything should know things to better prepare themselves for what is to come. I've been training them too, so they can all be safe when the time comes." I reassured the man as he visibly calmed down.

"Oh alright. Come on in then. No point in talking outside." He finally said as he ushered me in.

"Hello to you three as well. I am guessing you snuck out like usual when you heard our jolly not-so-green half-giant returned to the castle." I said in greeting to the golden trio.

"Haha, yeah. We couldn't wait to see Hagrid and ask where he's been all this time." Harry sheepishly admitted straight away since he knew better than try half-baked lies against me.

"But blimey, you went to see giants Hagrid. How are they like?" Asked an astonished Ron.

"I read that they are a rather barbarous race who tend to employ violence to solve all their problems. Goodness, is that what happened to you Hagrid?" Hermione followed up as she suddenly guessed at Hagrid's bruises.

"No no. These are from something else. But ye are right Hermione, Giants do solve a lot using their clubs." Hagrid said as he looked thankful for the concern.

"Yes, Giants are a race that tends to embrace their aggressive side. I am sure you three remember the troll back in your first year yes?" I asked, getting a small shiver from Hermione due to the slightly traumatizing event but they all nod anyway. "Well although many wizards compare the two, the differences make Giants far more dangerous than trolls. For one, Giants can be 1.5 to 2 times bigger than trolls on average, with the great strength that comes with a being of that size. They are also much smarter than trolls, although not at normal human levels, and are capable of crafting their weapons, tools, clothing and sometimes armor. And they also possess a natural resistance to Magic comparable to dragons, thus making them a lot more dangerous."

"Then how do you take one of those big bastards down. Ah, no offense Hagrid." Ron said as he digested the mini lesson.

"Well, if one is alone against a giant then things like stunners and non-lethal spells are completely useless unless you have raw power like mine and Dumbledore. Your best beat would be conjuring weapons to shoot at vulnerable points, creating a trap while buying time, transfigurating the ground to harm it or slow it down. But if you only need to escape it or distract it, one only needs a bit of showy Magic to attract their attention or giving them something else to chase since they have very poor eyesight. The conjunctivitis curse can be rather useful against them as well now that I think about it." I answered in Professor mode, to which the listened to with great interest and Hermione even bringing out a notebook from who knows where in order to write down what I just said.

"But why did you go to the Giants Hagrid? You even missed so much of the school year for it." Harry asked as he looked over to the big man.

"I can answer for you if you aren't comfortable answering." I said as I gave the man an encouraging look.

"No no, I can say it just fine. This stays between us though." Hagrid said as he declined my offer.

He told about how giants followed Tom back in the first war and that Dumbledore wanted them to be at least neutral this time, but what followed was pretty much the canon except McNair was already dead so they sent some other Death Eater to convince the tribes in Minsk to join their cause. The death eaters succeeded like the original and Hagrid came back with his half-brother.

He didn't tell the trio about that last part, but I knew for sure since I used my network to make sure he would be able to bring him in 'secretly'. I mean honestly, the only way he could have possibly achieved this in the original work was if Dumbledore somehow helped. It's not exactly easy to sneak a freaking giant into an island nation after all. But that did remind me to have my people pay extra attention to the points of entry even in the Muggle world. I want to know the moment a giant enters the country cause those things aren't coming here through Floo, apparition or portkey, so that pretty much leaves boats as the only way to get fully grown giants into England without anyone knowing.

Once that explanation was done, the trio's curiosity was satisfied and I was able to convince them to at least leave for the night so they wouldn't get in nearly as much trouble if they simply got caught wondering, since getting caught after curfew can be quite strict especially with the toad around.

I then proceeded to heal the injuries of the big lug, something he tried to reject because no healer has ever actually been able to properly work on him, but he was quite grateful for it working this time. I even told him that he could always look for me when he gets hurt, because I know he'll get himself hurt when he plays with the big beasties he likes so much.

Now I only had one last thing to do before going back home and that was to have a chat with my new stalker. One who apparently decided to snoop on my visit as soon as I went inside the hut. I can only assume she doesn't think I can sense through walls or something at this rate.

So when I reached my office I simply called out "My lady, could you please come out so we can have a proper conversation."

It took a few moments but she came in through the door, meaning actually through the door without opening it.

"How long have you known?" She cautiously asks as she maintained a calm demeanor.

"Since you started the day after the diadem cleansing." I truthfully answered.

And I kid you not, I actually saw a ghost change color that day due to embarrassment.

"I, well, that is because..." She struggled to answer through her emotions and thoughts going wild to try and find an excuse.

"Helena, it does not bother me in the least. I actually found it somewhat cute that a lady such as yourself could act in such an innocent manner. But I would prefer to be able to talk with you instead of you simply following behind me." I said with a gentle smile as I did my best to calm the ghost in front of me.

"I am sorry for displaying such improper behavior." She finally said as she did a small curtsy, showing her upbringing was still going strong.

"Like I said, it wasn't a bother. I even have a new rumor about being haunted by you now, which gave me a laugh as well." I replied with a bit of a chuckle.

"Nevertheless, I have not exactly shown much in the way of proper behavior since our last meeting and I thought an apology was in order." She stubbornly said as kept her curtsy.

"Alright I understand. Apology accepted Lady Helena. So can we now talk about why you have been following?" I asked as she finally returned to her neutral stance.

"Well, after you were successful in restoring mother's diadem, I became curious as to what you were truly like. Even though I knew of you during your school years, I did not truly pay attention nor try to really learn more about you, thus I resolved myself to rectify that. I also said some rather harsh things to you in a heated moment and did not want to carelessly repeat past mistakes, hence I followed you." She answered eloquently as she basically apologized for what she said last time.

"I didn't mind that as well you know. It wasn't even the first time someone told me something similar. My fiancée was quite antagonistic towards me before we became friends." I said with a smile as i remembered that day in the infirmary.

"She truly said something like that to your face and you are now planning to marry her?" She asked in an incredulous manner.

"Why yes. She is a bright, passionate and determined witch capable of naming every bone in your body as she breaks them and I wouldn't have her be any other way." I answered with a brilliant smile at the thought of my raven haired beauty.

"Then it is too bad I was not able to properly meet her during her time in the castle. I am sure we would have much to discuss." She replied with a small smile.

"I'm sure I can arrange that if you both want to meet someday. But anyway, how goes your observation? I am curious as to what you've decided to think of me." I asked as I move on from my love life.

"Well, I do believe it was inappropriate to simply say you are like my mother." She answered with a bit of a sigh and some melancholy in her eyes. "If you didn't know, my mother was not an affectionate or emotional woman. She was cold, calculating, she never told me she loved me, never told me she liked me. (Guess the Easter egg) She was systematic in everything she did, from learning, to teaching, to working and to life. She would explain everything at the level she believed you should be because that is where she was at the time and never cared much for what others thought.

The only time she did something for others is when she and my uncles and aunt built Hogwarts to help teach future generations. Even then her reasoning was because she believed that this was the soundest methodology available from her calculations to make sure Magic continues to improve, not because she truly cared about children being hunted down and burnt at the stake.

But you are not like her. You actually remind me more of uncle Godric when you teach your classes since he always believed that books can only do so much and that without training your body you were a sitting duck. But then you also reminded me of aunty Helga when you try to help everyone equally and even treat the house elves well. All this even when you clearly have a mind rivaling mother without the advantage of the Diadem. All you were missing was some more cunning like uncle Salazar and I would have thought you were the spirit of Hogwarts come to life."

"That is high praise coming from you my lady, but I can assure that I do have quite a bit of cunning and ambition. The ambition is actually help this country be a great place to live in for all races and standing, while also having Hogwarts truly become the best place to learn Magic once again. While my cunning is to be used against my enemies and those who stand in my way." I replied with a bit of a savage smile on my face making my guest quite surprised.

"Oh my, it does seem like I was mistaken about you not having any of uncle Salazar in you. But I must ask, who do you consider your enemy?" She seriously asked.

"Tom Riddle and his ilk. Their stupidity has been slowly rotting the very core of our society and it is time to prune them." I coldly answer as I eyes flash with power for a moment. "Also, I do not blame you for the Horcrux. Although Tom's ideals are completely hopeless, he was nothing if not clever, manipulative and driven. He would have done anything to find your mother's diadem in order to fulfill his psychological need to feel superior to the founders. He even worked in a pawn shop for some time before he got his hands of Helga Hufflepuff's cup."

"He turned aunty Helga's cup into one of those abominations?!" Helena hissed in anger at the revelation.

"And Salazar Slytherin's locket as well." I added in.

"He dares besmirch not only mother's legacy but theirs as well." She said in a cold rage, showing just how pissed she was.

"Yes. Luckily he was not able to get his hands on Godric Gryffindor's sword or he would have completed his twisted needs." I decided to say in order to placate her slightly.

"Like that cowardly slime could ever summon uncle's sword. It would sooner chop him in half than be held by him." She snorted as she dismissed the possibility of him ever getting the sword when even goblins haven't been able to force that thing to return to them.

"True, but please do not anger yourself too much because of a snake like him. All horcruxes are going to be taken care of within the next two and a half years, you have my word on that, and then Tom Riddle shall truly die." I assured her as I basically told her the maximum amount of time to end him.

"Good. I believe a man of your caliber will not speak idle words." She responded with a firm nod.

"I don't. But if it is alright with you my lady, I would like to return to the original reason for our talk." I said as I steered the conversation away from Riddle.

"Yes, we should take care of our own situation first before speaking of others." She agreed as she cooled down significantly.

"Alright. So my preferred solution is that we become friends and you can simply approach me whenever I am not teaching. I think it would be quite enlightening to be able to talk to a woman of your calibre. We can discuss Magic, life/death, general happenings, you know things peers do with one another." I suggest with a smile on my face.

"What?" She simply asked with a really confused look on her face like what I just said didn't compute.

"What's there to be confused about?" I asked in response as I wasn't sure what the problem was.

"You want to be friends with me?" She incredulously asked as she looked at me weirdly.

"Yes. What's so wrong about that?" I responded with a raised eyebrow.

"I am a ghost." She stated like that was a completely valid response.

"So?" I shot back as I looked at her weirdly now.

"What kind of person wants to be friends with a ghost?" She then asked with a slightly higher tone of voice this time.

"Me. I don't really care where someone is from or what they are as long as I want to be friends with them then the offer is there." I replied simply as I looked straight into her eyes.

"Why would you even want to be my friend? I am not smart like mother, I can be cold and even gloomy, I am not sociable like Nick and I am certain you could have more fun with the other people you know." She explained as if comparing herself to others would stop me.

"Why should I care about who you're not? I want to be friends with the woman who did not even let death stop her from improving herself. I want to be friends with the woman cares so much for those she loves that she has stopped herself from moving to show her regret. I want to befriend the person who would help others from behind the scenes while not expecting any recognition. So do not degrade yourself in front of me Helena. I asked you to be my friend because of who you are, that's all." I passionately countered as I pushed my point across so the woman can understand.

(Do not judge me. From my understanding of her character she should have a sort of inferiority complex, hence she doubts herself. So a very direct approach is needed.)

"Are you sure?" She asked with some warmth in her eyes.

"Yes. Helena will you be my friend?" I simply ask.

"I would be honored." She softly answered with a warm and gentle smile spreading on her face.