CHAPTER EIGHT
“ Cheer up ,” said Ron , “ Snape ’ s always taking points off Fred and George . Can I come and meet Hagrid with you ?”
At five to three they left the castle and made their way across the grounds . Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest . A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door .
When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from inside and several booming barks . Then Hagrid ’ s voice rang out , saying , “ Back , Fang — back .”
Hagrid ’ s big , hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open . “ Hang on ,” he said . “ Back , Fang .” He let them in , struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound .
There was only one room inside . Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling , a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire , and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it .
“ Make yerselves at home ,” said Hagrid , letting go of Fang , who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears . Like Hagrid , Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked .
“ This is Ron ,” Harry told Hagrid , who was pouring boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate .
“ Another Weasley , eh ?” said Hagrid , glancing at Ron ’ s freckles . “ I spent half me life chasin ’ yer twin brothers away from the forest .”
The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke their teeth , but Harry and Ron pretended to be enjoying them as they told Hagrid all about their first lessons . Fang rested his head on Harry ’ s knee and drooled all over his robes .
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