Skuld: making your mind up

Shortly after sunrise several mornings later, Mia sat at the border of the forbidden forest, cross legged her hands on her knees. The morning air was fresh and the smell of dew combined with the mossy dampness of the forest was wonderful.
“A’right Miss? Yer shouldn’t be down ‘ere. Its not safe fer a young lass like yerself.”
Mia stretched herself and inhaled deeply getting one last lung full of the undisturbed morning air.
“Morning Hagrid, I didn’t expect anyone else top be up and about just yet.”
“I’m alas up early, to get a head start like, look in on the animals an that. What are you doin’ down ere all by yerself? The forests dangerous place if yer don’ know it well.”
“Don’t worry about me Hagrid, There’s nothing in there that I worries me. You just have to have the knack.” She grinned at the huge man who was looking at her like she was quite mad.
“You know miss, thas what I alas say! D’you fancy a nice cup of tea? It’s chilly out.”
“Tea would be smashing, thanks. We can have a chat about the acromantula that seems to know you!”
Hagrid blanched for a second, then seeing Mia give him a wink, grinned back at her and led off to his hut.


Curly her feet under her on one of Hagrid’s huge chairs, Mia sipped at the incredibly strong tea which filled a bowl sized mug.
“Hagrid? I hope you don’t think I’m being out of line but you’re not entirely human are you? I was wondering how you came to work here at the school”
“oh well miss, I’m arf giant on me mothers side. An’ well it’s a long story really, but I ad some problems when I was ere at school as a boy and I ad to leave, it was to do with Aragog, but you seem to know bout him already, an since I didna really have anywhere else to go Dumbledore gave me this job.”
“So you attended Hogwarts?”
“Oh yes, an I’ve been ere ever since, that’s quite a while now yer know!” he laughed.
“I thought mixed children weren’t allowed to go to magical school, I’ve never met anyone except yourself though who’d know I suppose.” She looked down at her tea, concentrating on the strong sweet taste.
“You know, miss, I’ve never met anyone else who’d talk to Aragog, nor ‘as been in that close t’forest without getting in all sorts of trouble, except maybe Dumbledore that is, is there summat yer’d like to talk about?”
“No, no, I was just interested, really, and please call me Mia, I don’t really feel like a miss! Its lovely of you to ask though, I really should go, but I’ll remember your offer, and if you ever need any help with anything just give me a shout.”
She jumped down from the chair and hurried off back to the school feeling slightly ruffled.
Hagrid watched her walking off, and patted fang on the head ascent mindedly, “Well, there’s an interesting young woman, fang, very interesting.”