Couple's Gift
Sanshi's adaptation phase ended on the same day of the festival, and Barnaby held a small additional party at home, away from the castle, with Calcifer, Sanshi, the tomberrys, and other creatures like the Vulpix that was still occasionally roaming the castle.
Lately, he had noticed that Harry and Ron were spending more time with Hermione, expanding what was originally a very tight-knit circle of friends, though he didn't know how this change had developed.
Anyway, better to have more friends, right?
Though they seemed to have some kind of obsession with Uncle Snape…
But not everything had been positive in recent days, as his father confirmed a terrible suspicion they had been having for days.
"Someone is hunting unicorns "Hagrid had an expression mixing anger and sadness while drinking from a mug of hot chocolate to warm up after returning from the Forbidden Forest" This is the third one since the school year started! —he said anxiously.
Unicorns were already scarce in the forest and had no natural predators, so such a death rate was completely alarming. It would take at least fifteen years to recover that loss of population.
"And the centaurs? "Barnaby asked, aware that they lamented the loss of these creatures even more than his father did.
"They've been on alert, but they haven't found the culprit either "the half-giant shook his head.
"Could it be a poacher? "Barnaby suggested" Or a group of them?
"No "Hagrid was sure of his negative response" None of them were missing the horn, mane, or tail.
Barnaby frowned at these details. He was aware of how valuable unicorn products were on the market, which was why he kept some strands his father occasionally collected from bushes, to sell and make some extra money for them.
He did the same with other materials recovered along the way.
After all, even the increased salary granted by the "generous" headmaster of Hogwarts was not enough for their needs. He still remembered the times they had to tighten their belts to make it to the end of the month when he was younger, even if they ate at the castle every day.
"What about you? "Hagrid asked his son, knowing he also had some creatures in the Forbidden Forest, though he didn't know which ones or what they were doing there.
At least they weren't causing problems, so he didn't care too much.
"I'll have to go ask "Barnaby rubbed his chin with his hand while holding a mug of hot chocolate in the other" It's been a few weeks since I went, so I'm not sure and really want to know how they're doing.
Hagrid nodded in understanding, he had seen how busy he was helping several teachers with some projects, so it was natural that he lacked time.
"By the way "Hagrid struggled to contain a smile while curving his amused eyes" Did your girlfriend also send you a Christmas gift?
Barnaby choked on the hot chocolate, coughing hard and receiving pats on the back from a female arm that came out from the shadow of his back.
Hagrid looked at the white and delicate arm curiously, knowing it was a new creature of his son that had decided to stay, like Calcifer did after his son successfully paired him with a flame atronach, although he hadn't seen anything beyond the arms yet.
That's what Barnaby told him, and naturally, he believed his son.
Besides, how many humanoid creatures are there in the magical world? Too many.
"Dad! "Barnaby protested in an odd situation of embarrassment that reflected his true age, instead of his usual mature attitude.
"Oh, come on! "Hagrid couldn't contain his amused smile" It doesn't matter if your girlfriend is a bit older than you, your old father will completely support you! "he assured him" So? "he insisted while bending down a bit with eyes full of desire for gossip.
The young redhead wiped his mouth with a napkin, sighing and slightly regretting having told his father about this matter so early, carried away by the excitement of the moment back then.
"Yes, she did "he confirmed to his father while showing his right wrist, where there was a new silver bracelet that was part of an enchanted pair, a limited edition for couples.
Barnaby was twelve years old when he met her at Hogwarts and they hit it off right away, but she was fifteen and their thoughts were on other things, like studies, so they unconsciously limited themselves to being good friends for three years. It wasn't until last year when both were about to graduate, she because it was her last year and he because he skipped years due to his ability, that they started to realize some feelings between them that were more than friendship.
Barnaby still remembered how nervous he was the day he decided to be honest with her about his feelings, especially insecure about himself due to some things, like his not entirely human ancestry or the fear of ruining things between them.
So, when the other party reciprocated by hugging him with a blushing face, Barnaby simply couldn't contain his happiness and told his father when he returned home.
"It's a shame we couldn't have dinner with both families this Christmas "Hagrid sighed in lamentation.
Barnaby nodded, sharing the disappointment. Since her graduation, they had only been able to see each other a few times in person due to her being in an important period of the job she got, which required at least three years of intense effort, while he and his father had to help with many things at the castle.
From what he knew from her letters, she was also upset about the situation, because leaving aside that they couldn't see each other, she couldn't even have dinner with her own family on Christmas due to a sudden work matter.
"At least I could open her eyes "Barnaby consoled himself with that thought.
She was a little fan of Dumbledore when he met her, but three years was enough time to show her a more objective point of view and make her realize that the headmaster of Hogwarts was not as perfect as people believed, not even close!
And he wasn't that white at the end of the day, more like a gray leaning towards dark.
But still, he wouldn't deny that he missed her a bit…
"Don't worry, I'm sure you and Tonks can work something out "Hagrid sensed that his son's spirits weren't quite right, so he gave him some shoulder pats that could have broken a common person's collarbone and consoled him as best as he could.
"Thanks, Dad "Barnaby smiled, feeling a bit better.