"Hey, Alex, good to see you!"
Hagrid entered, carrying what looked like an enormous hunk of meat over his shoulder, his face red from the cold.
Alex grinned at Rhine's affectionate greeting. "I came over right after lunch. Where've you been, Hagrid?"
"Oh, Professor Kettleburn needed help over in the Forbidden Forest. He's been raising a herd of Raem cows, and one of 'em died today, so I helped him butcher it. Managed to bring back a good cut of beef for us," Hagrid replied, setting the huge slab of meat on the table.
Alex examined the meat with interest; it was an entire beef leg, nearly half the size of a normal cow. "Are Raem cows really that big? And does Professor Kettleburn raise a lot of magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest?"
Hagrid chuckled, removing his coat. "Oh, he's got all kinds of critters out there—Thestrals, Hippogriffs, Unicorns, and more. The professor's also got herds of Raem cows, Tepo warthogs, horned llamas, Lunar Beasts… he's been workin' to restore magical creature populations that have been overhunted. Says it's about sustainable conservation."
Alex nodded thoughtfully, impressed by Professor Kettleburn's foresight. "It makes sense. There are so many magical creatures with valuable resources; it's smart to preserve their populations for the long term."
"Right, but it's tough work. This Raem cow's blood, for instance, is a key potion ingredient, so Professor Kettleburn wants to ensure the herd's healthy enough to keep producing it. I tell ya, Alex, that cow's nearly as big as three regular cows," Hagrid said, taking a long drink from his enormous copper mug.
Alex couldn't help but smile as he examined the beef again. "Perfect timing, actually. With all this beef, how about we make a hot pot for dinner? I've got the spices, and we could cook it right here."
Hagrid's face brightened at the idea. "Now that sounds wonderful! I'll set up the fire, and you handle the seasoning?"
With a flick of his wand, Alex commanded the knives in Hagrid's cabin to start slicing the massive hunk of beef. There was far too much to eat in one sitting, so he set aside a portion to freeze outside the hut for later meals.
He then pulled a large copper pot from his linen bag, which he had picked up in the market. Setting up a small pile of charcoal in the center of the pot, Alex filled it with water and added chopped onions and ginger to start the broth.
Once the water was boiling and fragrant, Alex picked up his chopsticks and gestured to Hagrid. "Now, we dip the meat in the broth, let it cook, and then eat it with the sauce I prepared. Simple, but delicious."
Hagrid, watching with curiosity, sat down with a fork in hand. "Seems like ordinary boiled water to me. What's so special about it?"
Alex just smiled. "You'll see. Just give it a try."
Hagrid hesitantly dipped a piece of beef in the broth, let it cook, then dunked it in the sesame sauce Alex had made. As he took a bite, the savory flavors hit him instantly, and his eyes widened in delight.
Soon, Hagrid was happily devouring slice after slice.
The two ate their fill, enjoying the cozy meal, and by the end, Hagrid let out a contented burp. "Alex, that was delicious! If only you could stay here all the time."
Alex paused, considering Hagrid's casual comment. Staying with Hagrid wouldn't be impossible, especially given the isolated nature of the Slytherin common room, which was hidden away in the dungeons. Though he liked his house, the dark, underground quarters didn't offer the open space or fresh air of Hagrid's hut, not to mention the bonus of hotpot by a cozy fire.
"You know, I wouldn't mind staying here from time to time," Alex said thoughtfully. "It'd be a nice change of scenery, and I'd have more room to practice my spells and martial arts. But you'd need to build an extra room."
Hagrid's face lit up with excitement at the idea of having a companion nearby. "Oh, don't worry about that! I'll make space right next to my hut. Plenty of timber in the Forbidden Forest for it, and I'll start building right away."
Alex chuckled. "Great! I can help after classes. I might not stay every day, but two or three nights a week would be perfect."
Hagrid agreed enthusiastically, overjoyed at the prospect of having company. The Forbidden Forest was full of creatures, but human companionship was rare, and Professor Kettleburn's occasional visits were hardly enough to ward off loneliness.
The next day, right after class, Alex made his way to Hagrid's hut, where he found Hagrid had already started work. Logs and stones were piled up, and Hagrid was busy clearing a plot of land beside his hut, leveling a ten-square-meter area with determined energy.
Seeing Hagrid's head start, Alex quickly joined in. Together, they finished leveling the ground and began laying the foundation. Using the Cutting Charm, Alex sliced thick logs into support beams and positioned them in each corner, while Hagrid used heavy stones to cover the ground.
Though the stones weren't perfectly smooth, Alex's Cutting Charm helped to even them out.
The duo spent the rest of the afternoon constructing the walls. Alex guided each wooden plank into place with the Levitation Charm, while Hagrid nailed everything securely. With four walls assembled, they attached one side to Hagrid's hut, creating a cozy extension.
By nightfall, the basic structure was complete. After another round of hotpot to celebrate their progress, Alex headed back to the castle, satisfied with the day's work.
Over the next few days, they worked tirelessly after classes. Hagrid built a small fireplace inside the room and laid down a wooden floor. He even added a little balcony outside the door, overlooking his vegetable garden, with a few steps leading down to the yard. There were two doors—one leading directly outside, and another connecting the room to Hagrid's main cabin.
Hagrid put his carpentry skills to work, crafting sturdy wooden furniture for Alex's room. The bed, wardrobe, table, and chairs all had a rustic charm, with fur carpets and a heavy blanket adding to the cozy, hunting-lodge feel of the space.
When it was finished, Alex was thrilled.