translating_wizard
patreon
Chapter 628: Half-Giant
🕑 Added 2019-10-31 19:29:19 +0000 UTCIn the bushes, Hermione pressed Evan under her body, and the two kept this position motionless.
She just pressed on Evan and felt the ups and downs of his breath.
They looked at one another in the eyes inadvertently; and though it was for a brief moment, Hermione was deeply immersed in it.
She only felt dizzy inside her head, and the burning blush became deeper, not only on her cheeks, but also on the ears and neck.
Her body was so fragile and soft, as though she was drunk and had no strength at all.
She was so embarrassed lying on Evan, allowing inexplicable feelings to spread in her body.
The next second, Evan reached around and hugged Hermione.
Hermione trembled for a moment, trying to break away from Evan, but she dared not push. She felt the warmth of his arms and looked at the familiar smile on his lips. Her chaotic heart gradually calmed down, but was still beating fiercely.
She put her face on Evan’s shoulder, her eyes closed tightly, and her long eyelashes moving slightly.
In Evan's arms, Hermione felt both comfort and shyness. If she could, she hoped time would stop at this moment.
She thought of what she had seen Ron and Lavender doing along the way, and the couples hiding in the dark bushes. If Evan was going to do those things next, she didn't know what to do, if she was found out.
Fortunately, Evan did not take any further action besides holding Hermione.
He would have liked to kiss her, but the space in the bushes was too small and the place was too inappropriate.
He heard the footsteps of Fleur and Roger Davies from far to near, and they quietly left after seeing Hagrid and Madame Maxime.
The two of them did not dare to act rashly, and on the other side of the bushes were Hagrid and Madame Maxime.
Evan hugged Hermione tightly, feeling that it was actually quite good.
The conversation outside continued, and after Evan and Hermione calmed down, they gradually heard what they were saying.
"What did you know, Hagrid?" said Madame Maxime, a purr in her low voice.
"I just knew … knew you were like me. … Was it your mother or your father?" said Hagrid.
"I … I don't know what you mean, Hagrid"
"It was my mother," said Hagrid quietly. "She was one of the last ones in Britain. Of course, I can’t remember her too well. She left, you see … when I was about three. At the time, to be honest, she wasn’t really the maternal sort. Well … it’s not in their natures, is it? I don’t know what happened to her … she might be dead for all I know!”
Madame Maxime didn’t say anything, and Evan and Hermione held their breath and listened to Hagrid’s childhood experience.
"My dad was broken-hearted when my mother went. My dad was a tiny little bloke. By the time I was six I could lift him up and put him on top of the dresser if he annoyed me. I used to make him laugh. …"
Hagrid’s deep voice broke when he mentioned his father.
Madame Maxime was listening, motionless, apparently staring at the silvery fountain.
"Dad raised me … but he died, of course, just after I started school. I had to make my own way after that. Dumbledore was a real help, really. He was very kind to me."
Hagrid pulled out a large spotted silk handkerchief and blew his nose heavily.
"So … anyway … enough about me. What about you? Which side you got it on?"
Unexpectedly, Madame Maxime suddenly got to her feet and did not even look at Hagrid.
"It is chilly," she said, but whatever the weather was doing, it was nowhere near as cold as her voice. "I think I will go in now!"
"Eh?!" said Hagrid blankly. "No, don't go! I’ve … I’ve never met another one before!"
"Another what? I don't understand. Make it clear!" said Madame Maxime, her tone icy.
Hearing this, Evan already understood what was going on. It was foolish of Hagrid to put such an important thing in public.
He was going to get into big trouble, and they hadn't even noticed the unprofessional concealment of him and Hermione.
Who could guarantee how many people around here were listening to Hagrid?
Perhaps, Fleur and Roger Davies had not left, and perhaps others were hiding in the surrounding bushes. Before the following day, what Hagrid said would spread throughout the school.
Especially the pervasive Rita Skeeter, she might have become a beetle lurking around.
Evan really wanted to go out and stop Hagrid from saying stupid things, but to no avail.
"Another half-giant, of course!" said Hagrid.
"How dare you!" shrieked Madame Maxime, her voice a little hysterical. "I have never been more insulted in my life! Half-giant? Me? I have … I just have big bones!"
Her voice exploded through the peaceful night air like a foghorn. Evan heard many people in the surrounding bushes and rosebushes rushing out to the direction of the castle. Well, that matter was bound to spread.
Inside the bush, Hermione raised her head and looked at Evan in panic.
She had no idea that Hagrid was actually a half-giant, and the news was so big!
Outside, Madame Maxime stormed away; great multicolored swarms of fairies rose into the air as she passed, angrily pushing aside bushes.
Hagrid was still sitting on the bench, staring after her. Evan and Hermione could even hear him sobbing in a low voice.
Then, after a long time, he stood up and strode away, not back to the castle, but off out into the dark grounds in the direction of his cabin.
A few more minutes later, after the silence around them, Evan and Hermione climbed out of the bushes.
Hermione looked at Evan uneasily with a very serious expression, and she was not at all shy about what had just happened.
"I can't believe it, Hagrid is half-giant," she said. "How could he tell Madame Maxime about this? This is really stupid. There were a lot of people around here just now. Hagrid is completely finished!"
"Let's go back and talk about it, Hermione!" said Evan, looking around.
In the dim light, surrounded by mess, he did not see where Rita Skeeter, transformed into a beetle, was hiding.
Perhaps, she had already left, after getting this shocking news.
Perhaps she hadn’t been here just now, but that didn’t help, and certainly someone else had heard what Hagrid said.
