Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [64]
A humongous hand was curling around Harry, getting a tighter grip on him every second. Harry tried to struggle free, but it was to no avail, it was too tight. He thought of using his wand, but it was in his pocket, which he was unable to reach. Harry glanced over, and saw that Ron and Hermione were in the giant’s other hand, both trying to free themselves, as Harry was.
When Harry realized he was about twenty-five feet off the ground, he decided that even if he did free himself, he’d be no better off when he collided with the ground.
“WHA’ IS YOU DOIN’!?” yelled the giant, incredibly loud. It was so loud, Harry thought his ears were on fire at first, then he thought that they were going to explode.
“I ASK YOU WHA’ YOU IS DOIN’!” yelled the giant once again. Harry was sure his brain was melting. But suddenly, another voice met his ear,
“Stop! No mom, stop!”
“NO! NOT THIS TIME ‘AGRID!” bellowed the giant. Did she say Hagrid? Harry thought.
“Put them down mom! They’re my friends!” said the voice again. As Harry listened to it this time, it did seem familiar, though he couldn’t really be sure, the ringing in his ears was excruciating.
“BUT-”
“No buts mom!”
“ALL RIGHT!” Harry felt the sensation of going down very swiftly. It was like he was going down on a roller coaster, only faster. Harry thought he was going to scream, but his feet were on the ground before he could. Harry wobbled backwards for a second, and then brushed himself off. He looked over at Ron and Hermione, they were looking just as dazed as him.
“WHY’D YOU TELL ME T’PUT ‘EM DOWN?!” the giant bellowed, only this time it was slightly softer.
“They’re students at this school mum, they’re my friends!” said the voice again. Harry looked over to see who was speaking, and he was surprised to see that it was indeed Hagrid.
“Hagrid,” Harry yelled, “do you know this… this… giant!” Hagrid smiled.
“Well of course I do Harry!” he said. “She’s me mum!” Harry’s jaw dropped. Looking over, he saw Ron and Hermione with the same expression.
“You mean… that… that…” stuttered Ron.
“Yup, that’s Fridwulfa, my mum,” said Hagrid as he walked over to the leg of the giant. When he saw the huge gash in her leg, he gasped.
“Mum! Who did this to you?” he asked. Fridwulfa pointed an extremely large at Harry, and glared at him.
“Him! He did it!” Hagrid looked even more shocked at this than he did when he saw the wound.
“But, mum, this is Harry Potter! He’d never do summat like that!”
“OH YES HE WOULD! ASK HIM!” she yelled. Hagrid turned around.
“Harry, did you… did you…”
“Yes,” said Harry, feeling slightly guilty.
“But, why?” asked Hagrid, looking very sad.
“She had Hermione! I didn’t know what she was going to do with her!” yelled Harry, pointing a finger at Fridwulfa.
“Mum! Did you pick ‘er up?” asked Hagrid, indicating Hermione.
“Well… um…” she didn’t sound nearly as menacing as before, or nearly as loud.
“Mom! How many times have I told you! Humans do NOT like bein’ picked up, ‘specially by giants!”
“Well… I…”
“Mum! I want you to apologize to all of-” said Hagrid, but Harry stopped him.
“It’s okay Hagrid!” said Harry. “I’m sorry… uh… Fridwulfa. I was just scared for Hermione.” Instead of glaring at Harry, Fridwulfa gave him a smile.
“It’s okay Harry,” she said, not nearly as loud as before. “It didn’t really hurt, and I guess I shouldn’t have picked up your friend.” She squatted down as low as she could to try and met Harry’s gaze, but she was still a good ten feet above his head, even when all the way down.
“Well, tha’s good. I’m ‘appy it’s all worked out!” said Hagrid, smiling.
“Uh, Hagrid?” asked Ron timidly. “What is she doing here anyway?”
“Well… I’m not really s’posed to talk about it,” said Hagrid defiantly.
“Oh come on Hagrid! They’ve already seen me!” said Fridwulfa.
“Well, I guess yer right mum,” said Hagrid. He looked at Harry, then Ron, then Hermione, as if checking to make sure there was nothing wrong with them. “O’er th’ summer, I was told