Harry Potter with Technology System

The Yule Ball was in full swing now. Students filled the dance floor, some moving gracefully, others stumbling through the steps with varying degrees of success. The professors had retreated to their table, except for Dumbledore, who was still enjoying himself with the occasional twirl. McGonagall had finally sat down, looking like she regretted everything. Snape was seated stiffly at the staff table, his expression twisted into a deep scowl. He had a goblet in his hand but hadn't taken a sip, likely regretting his decision to stay at all.

Harry heard Lee Jordan heading toward the twins, talking excitedly about something happening in the garden. “Hagrid and Madame Maxime are out there,” Lee said. “Looks like a bit of a show’s about to start.”

Harry frowned. He knew exactly what that meant—students would gather, laugh, and make a spectacle out of Hagrid. “Don’t turn Hagrid into a joke,” he said, standing up. The girls followed without question as he made his way outside.

The cold night air was crisp, the scent of roses and frost mingling in the garden. Fairy lights floated above the hedges, casting soft glows on the winding paths. As they got closer, Hagrid’s voice carried through the air. Harry waved his wand to isolate him and Madam Maxime so others couldn't hear them.

“Momen’ I saw yeh, I knew,” he was saying, his voice thick with something uncharacteristically soft.

“What did you know, ‘Agrid?” Madame Maxime asked, her tone smooth, interested.

“I jus’ knew... knew you were like me...” Hagrid hesitated before continuing, quieter now. “Was it yer mother or yer father?”

There was a pause.

“I—I don’t know what you mean, ‘Agrid,” Maxime said.

Harry exhaled through his nose. He could already see where this was going.

“It was my mother,” Hagrid said. “One o’ the las’ ones in Britain. ‘Course, I don’ remember her too well. She left when I was about three. Wasn’ really the maternal sort. Well... not in their nature, is it?” He gave a rough chuckle, but it didn’t last. “Dunno what happened to her. Might be dead fer all I know.”

Madame Maxime didn’t say anything. She stood perfectly still, staring at the fountain.

“Me dad raised me,” Hagrid went on. “Tiny bloke, real small. By the time I was six, I could lift him right up onto the dresser if he annoyed me. Used ter make him laugh.” His voice cracked slightly. “Died when I started school. Had ter make me own way after that. Dumbledore helped, though. Always did.”

He sniffed loudly, pulling out a spotted handkerchief and blowing his nose. After a moment, he turned back to Madame Maxime. “Enough about me. What about you? Which side you got it on?”

Madame Maxime stiffened, her entire posture shifting. “It is chilly,” she said, voice clipped. “I think I will go in now.”

Hagrid blinked. “Eh? No, don’ go! I’ve—I’ve never met another one before!”

“Anuzzer what, precisely?” Her voice was like ice.

Harry gritted his teeth. He already knew Hagrid wouldn’t pick up on it in time.

“Another half-giant, o’ course!”

There was a sharp intake of breath. Then—

“’Ow dare you!” Madame Maxime’s voice rang through the garden, loud enough to send a few hidden students scrambling. Fleur and her date practically fell out of a bush.

“I ‘ave nevair been more insulted in my life! ‘Alf-giant? Moi? I ‘ave—I ‘ave big bones!”

She turned sharply, pushing past the hedges, sending a swarm of fairies scattering into the air. Hagrid sat there for a long moment, staring after her. Then, without another word, he stood and walked off—not toward the castle, but toward his hut.

Around them, students glanced over, confused by the scene. Though Harry had silenced Hagrid and Madame Maxime’s conversation, they could still see the moment she gasped, her face twisting with offense before she turned and stormed off. Hagrid remained where he was, shoulders slumping as he watched her disappear.

Harry sighed. “You lot go back. I’ll talk to him.”

Luna stayed put. “I’ll come too.”

Daphne and Tracey exchanged a glance, but neither argued. The group had already drawn enough attention inside the Great Hall, and there was no point in making a scene outside, too.

“Try not to take too long,” Daphne said. “If McGonagall thinks you’ve vanished, she’ll hunt you down.”

Tracey snorted, giving him a lazy wave as the others turned back toward the castle. “Enjoy your heart-to-heart.”

Harry smirked, waving back. He and Luna moved through the garden, to Hagrid’s hut.

When they reached the door, Harry knocked once before pushing it open. “Hagrid?”

Inside, the fireplace crackled, casting flickering shadows across the cluttered room. Hagrid sat hunched at his table, a massive mug in his hands, staring into it like it held the answers to life itself. Fang thumped his tail lazily against the floor but didn’t move from his spot.

Hagrid glanced up, his eyes slightly red. “Oh. hello, Harry. Luna.”

Harry pulled out a chair and sat across from him, leaning back. “So, that went well.”

Hagrid sighed, rubbing a massive hand down his face. “Dunno what I said wrong.”

Luna, who had perched herself on the edge of another chair, tilted her head. “You called her a half-giant.”

Hagrid frowned. “Well, she is, ain’t she?”

Harry tapped his fingers against the table. “And she doesn’t want anyone to know.”

Hagrid let out a deep sigh, his fingers tightening around his mug. “What’s wrong with it? Nothin’ wrong with bein’ a half-giant.”

Luna swung her legs slightly. “That depends on who you ask. Some people don’t want to be labeled.”

Hagrid’s brows furrowed. “But… it’s who we are. Can’t just pretend it ain’t true.”

Harry shook his head. "You know how it is, Hagrid. You’ve seen it firsthand. People are simple creatures. Anything different, anything they don’t understand, they push away. She’s the headmistress of one of the biggest magical schools in Europe. Labels—whether true or false—draw attention she doesn’t want."

Hagrid frowned into his mug, but Harry continued. "She got where she is in a society that doesn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for women in power. You think she’s just going to accept another title that people see as a disadvantage?"

Luna, perched lightly on a chair nearby, swung her legs slightly. "Especially when giants don’t have the best reputation."

Hagrid’s frown deepened. "That ain’t right, though. Nothin’ wrong with bein’ a giant—or part giant."

"Doesn’t matter if it’s right," Harry said. "It’s how people see it. You’re proud of your mum, and that’s fine. But not everyone wants to be defined by something they didn’t choose."

Hagrid let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his face with one massive hand. "Didn’ mean ter insult her. Jus’ thought—maybe she’d understand."

Harry leaned back in his chair. "She probably does. Doesn’t mean she wants to talk about it in the middle of a public event."

Hagrid grunted. He knew Harry was right, but that didn’t make it easier to swallow. He took a long sip from his mug before setting it down with a quiet thud. "Guess I bollocksed it up, then."

"Bit," Harry said.

Luna hummed. "Maybe she’ll cool off after some time. But you should probably avoid bringing it up again."

Hagrid nodded slowly, still looking glum. "S’pose yer right. Just... thought I finally met someone like me, y’know?"

Harry didn’t have much to say to that. He wasn’t about to sit here and pretend he knew what it was like being a half-giant in the wizarding world. But he understood enough to know that feeling alone, feeling like no one else quite got it, wasn’t easy.

Luna, ever perceptive in her own way, tilted her head. "There’s more than one way to share things in common, Hagrid. Maybe she’ll come around later."

Hagrid let out a long breath. "Maybe."

Harry pushed his chair back and stood. "You coming back up, or are you going to sit here all night brooding?"

Hagrid gave him a tired look but snorted. "Gimme a bit."

Harry nodded. That was probably the best they were going to get out of him for now.