"You're huge!" I exclaimed as I pulled my cart to a halt, the wheels squeaking in protest against the abrupt stop. Standing before me was a towering man, easily at least 8 feet tall, with a wild mane of hair that cascaded down his shoulders. His cheeks were a rosy pink, giving him a cheerful appearance, and he was clad in a long, trench-like coat that seemed to swallow him whole. A twinkle of amusement sparkled in his eyes as he took in my astonishment, prompting me to reconsider how to express my surprise without stumbling over my words.
"I'm sorry; I usually speak before I think things through." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. But to my surprise, he let out a hearty laugh that echoed throughout the train station. The sound was warm and genuine, instantly easing the tension and transforming my awkwardness into a moment of shared humor. I could sense the ice beginning to break between us, leaving a much brighter first impression than I had anticipated.
"Stop yer worrin', I actually find er to be a compliment." He beamed with pride, his chest puffed out and a wide smile lighting up his face as he rested his strong fists on his hips, exuding an air of confidence and accomplishment.
"Really?" I let out a soft laugh, the sound bubbling up from my chest as a mix of surprise and amusement dances in my eyes.
"I'm a Half-Giant." The realization settled in like a heavy stone. I grasped the concept that no human is born towering at eight feet tall; it's a rarity that seems plucked from the pages of a fantastical tale.
"Are you the man, my dad told me about?" I ask promptly as he started to walk along the train station, now realizing we never introduced our selves.
"Where er my manners! Rebeus Hagrid at yer service, Hogwarts Groundskeeper. Yer dad, that one. Best Auror I ever came across!" I smiled to myself, feeling a mix of pride and curiousity, before I looked back up at him.
"Well, I'm—"
He interjected with a knowing grin, "No need; I already know a lot about ye, Diana." His interruption felt like a warm breeze, easing the pressure of having to introduce myself.
"You do?" I replied, my voice tinged with surprise, probably sounding like a broken record with all the questions racing through my mind.
"Of course, I do! You've came a long way from Americer'." The journey was draining, filled with the tension of my dad's anxious musings about running late and my mom's endless chatter, expressing her bittersweet excitement about how "her baby is going to be so far away." It was hard to ignore the underlying concern that loomed over us—my parents were still fervently searching for Apollo. Despite the heaviness in my heart, I knew I had to push those feelings aside; he would want me to embrace this new school with hope and anticipation.
"Well we better hurry, Sortin' Ceremony's already startin'!" He lifted his pocket watch, its gleaming surface catching under the dappled moonlight, and scrutinized the hands with a discerning eye. As we stepped outside the train station, which was tucked away among the towering trees of the woods, a thick veil of silence enveloped us. The air was still, and the only sounds were the faint rustling of leaves. However, the absence of any signs of life beyond the station seemed to weigh heavily on Hagrid, his brow furrowing with concern as he scanned the dimly lit path ahead.
"We're gonna have ter go the inconvienient way, the flying carriage isn't here!" He flicked his umbrella, that had slipped past my notice until now. For a moment, everything felt still, as if time itself held its breath. Then, from somewhere distant, I heard a deep, rumbling sound echoing through the sky. My eyes darted around, searching for the source, and that's when I spotted it—a sleek, flying vehicle gliding high above. It was difficult to ascertain its shape from such a distance, but as it descended gracefully, my heart raced with curiosity. The vehicle landed softly right in front of me, revealing itself to be a striking pale blue motorcycle, its metallic surface glinting in the light. Strangely, it had an additional seat attached to the side?
