https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-574-Hagrid-s-Makeover-Operation-2/13685732/
Chapter 573: Hagrid's Makeover Operation
【By special correspondent Rita Skeeter:
Recently, two tourists discovered a bizarrely deceased body at the edge of Glenarve Forest. The corpse was emaciated, shriveled, with missing teeth and the appearance of a hundred-year-old Muggle elder. Forensic analysis confirmed the identity as Eileen Cast, a 32-year-old villager who lived near the forest. According to reports, Ms. Cast was seen walking near the village just 48 hours before her death—after which, no one has seen her since.
Matilda Horn, a renowned curse-breaker, stated that the condition of the body strongly suggests the woman fell victim to a dark magic experiment—possibly connected to the recent attack on the World Cup camp. The Ministry of Magic has dispatched Aurors to investigate, but Rufus Scrimgeour refused to reveal any details. Of course, it’s not impossible they’ve found nothing at all.】
Wade: “….”
The report had started off with solemn journalistic tone—then, inevitably, slipped into Rita’s signature sardonic jab at the Ministry of Magic. That was classic Rita, all right.
He flipped through the newspaper. There was no further coverage—just a Ministry spokesperson quietly criticizing Ireland’s Minister of Magic for failing to master basic arithmetic, a new product launch in Diagon Alley, and a scholar’s recommendation of a new magical textbook.
Wade set the paper down and sent a message through the Book of Friends to Rita Skeeter, asking for more details. Rita was always “in the field” for her investigations—hard to reach via Communication Pea. The Book of Friends, however, proved far more reliable.
For the same reason, despite the initial panic that Communication Pea would kill its market, sales of the Book of Friends had only dipped slightly. It wasn’t as disruptive as they’d feared.
On the other hand, items like Curse-Deflecting Vests—expensive and niche—sold only to a select few: Aurors from various Ministry of Magic offices, a small number from the Wizard Purity Party, and a handful of shadowy wizards who preferred to stay hidden.
When no immediate threat of Dark Wizards loomed, most people were far more inclined to spend their limited funds on happiness-inducing luxuries—Magic Puppets, Soft-Light Badges, Daydream Quills—things that brought comfort and joy.
“Hey, Wade,” Hermione snatched The Daily Prophet from his hands, leaned on the table with both hands, and asked, “You haven’t forgotten today’s plan, have you?”
“Plan?” Wade was still lost in data analysis, barely registering.
“Forgot?” Hermione suddenly noticed a few Beauxbatons students at the far end of the long table. She lowered her voice. “The plan to help Hagrid improve his image!”
...
The massive Gamekeeper sat hunched on his low stool like a trapped beast, cradling his enormous water cup like a lifeline.
Under the scrutinizing gaze of the golden-haired girl, he blushed and mumbled, “I don’t need all that fancy stuff… I mean, I’m fine just like this…”
“Really?” Michael plucked a thistle from the flower vase—a repurposed, dented iron mug—“I thought you’d be preparing to pin this flower to your clothes!”
Hagrid: “….”
“Seriously, Hagrid,” Harry said earnestly, “if you’re aiming for Madame Maxime, you really should make a few small changes to your appearance.”
Hagrid turned even redder. “I… I never said I was trying to court Olim…”
“Olim?” Ron blurted. “You’re already using her name?”
Hagrid: “….”
“Alright!” Astoria, who had been brought by Daphne, crossed her arms and declared, “Liking someone and wanting to become better for them isn’t shameful! Be honest, Hagrid!”
She was one of the rare Slytherins to earn Hagrid’s affection. Now, she sat by the fire on a stool, holding a Rock-Crust Pie in both hands, trying to gnaw a chunk off with her teeth.
Harry and the others knew full well that Hagrid’s pies were as hard as stone. They looked at Astoria with genuine awe.
Daphne, meanwhile, stared at her younger sister—completely unrefined, utterly untidy—and visibly struggled to keep a straight face. After a long breath, she turned away, choosing to look elsewhere.
Then she saw Hagrid.
His thick, wild hair and beard looked like a natural landscape. And the smell—overpowering, ancient, and vaguely strange—was almost unbearable.
Daphne: “….”
Watching Hagrid still arguing with Harry about whether his carefully curated image should be changed, Daphne silently reached into her small handbag and pulled out a pair of silver, gleaming scissors.
“Enough arguing,” she said, lifting her chin. “Professor Hagrid—do you want Madame Maxime to smile at you? Do you want her eyes to stay on you? Do you want to go on a date with her?”
“No excuses,” she added. “Just two answers: yes or no.”
Wade and the others stared at her in surprise. In their minds, Daphne had always been Pansy’s quiet, reserved follower. Who knew she could be this bold?
Hagrid: “… I… I do have a few thoughts.”
“Perfect,” Daphne said. “Then I’ll take charge. You all—” Her gaze swept over the group. “Clear out the trash from this room.”
“Wait—clean up?” Hagrid blinked. “I already cleaned it!”
Daphne waved a hand. “Don’t trust your own eyes!”
She turned to Hermione and Astoria. “Would you two feel comfortable visiting a place like this?”
Hermione, trying to preserve Hagrid’s dignity, said, “Well… Hagrid has done his best.”
Astoria, still gnawing at her pie, mumbled between bites, “For Hagrid, sure. The important thing is being with friends. But if it’s about romance? Absolutely not.”
“Astoria…” Hagrid stared at his small friend, his eyes sinking.
“Honesty, Hagrid,” Astoria swung her legs, “I don’t want to lie just to make you feel better.”
“Well… thanks for being honest?” Hagrid hesitated.
“Don’t mention it.” Astoria set the pie down, hopped off the stool, and declared, “I’ll help clean up your clothes. Who brought Mrs. Rell’s Cleanser?”
Wade pulled out a large bottle from his pocket. “I’ve got my own cleaning agent—works on anything. Need it?”
“Whoa!” Astoria’s eyes widened. “You… did you put an Invisible Expansion Charm on your pocket?”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
