Cedric didn't even have time to check the reward notification flashing before him.
He heard the unmistakable sound of someone crying—loudly.
Turning his head, he saw Hagrid sobbing uncontrollably, covering his face with one large hand. The half-giant's shoulders shook as tears rolled down his weathered cheeks.
"Woooo!" Hagrid wailed, blowing his nose so forcefully into a checkered handkerchief that it sounded like a trumpet blast echoing across the Hogwarts grounds.
"You're such a good lad, Cedric," Hagrid choked out between sobs. "And you actually want to be my friend!"
Cedric blinked, stunned. He hadn't expected such an emotional reaction.
"I thought—what with the age gap between us, and me just being the gamekeeper—you'd look down on me. Wooohoo!"
Cedric rushed to comfort him. "Of course not! We've always been friends, and we always will be. It's a friendship that can transcend age!"
His words hit Hagrid like a charm.
Hagrid sniffled and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. His massive left hand, however, still held firmly onto the copy of Standard Book of Spells, Grade One that Cedric had given him. Even as he cried, he didn't let it go.
Cedric couldn't help but find it touching.
Despite Hagrid's towering frame, despite his immense strength and rough exterior, the man was, at heart, gentle and deeply emotional. Cedric, by contrast, looked like a child but carried the calm and rational mind of an adult—an old soul in a young body.
It reminded Cedric that those with soft hearts tend to feel deeper than others, and sometimes all it takes is a few kind words to lift them from their sadness.
Sure enough, Hagrid's grief turned to joy in seconds. His large voice cracked, then boomed with laughter.
"Woo—ha! Ha ha ha!" He grinned. "Friendship that transcends age—I like that!"
He gave Cedric a huge, goofy smile, eyes still wet with tears. Then, with great ceremony, he wiped his hands clean, crouched down so they were eye-level, and solemnly extended his pinky finger.
"Then it's a promise, Cedric. We're friends!"
Cedric smiled warmly and hooked his pinky with Hagrid's.
"Forever," he said.
And with that, the lesson began.
"Right then!" Hagrid bellowed, his voice loud enough to shake the trees. "First spell—we're starting with the Fire-Making Charm!"
Even if someone had been standing at the Hogwarts gates, they'd have heard Hagrid's booming instruction. In fact, someone was standing there.
A lone figure leaned against the gate, watching Cedric and Hagrid from a distance. The person's gaze lingered on the pair for a long time, though their face remained unreadable.
Back at the hut, Cedric wasted no time.
He absorbed the spells with surprising speed. Just a few hours of focused practice—two in the morning and four in the afternoon—and he had already added two new spells to his repertoire:
Fire-Making Charm (Incendio) – Level 1 (40/100)
Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) – Level 1 (35/100)
Hagrid, despite being a learner himself, turned out to be an incredibly thoughtful teacher. He had prepared five small piles of logs, extinguishing each one personally after Cedric set them alight, so Cedric could practice continuously without delay.
His care and effort moved Cedric.
Here was a man who had long been seen as just a gamekeeper—who'd been expelled in his youth, misunderstood and underestimated—but who possessed a heart larger than most.
As evening descended on the castle, Cedric gently closed his spellbook and turned to his teacher and friend.
"Thank you so much, Hagrid. I need to dine with Professor McGonagall tonight, but I'll come again tomorrow."
Hagrid's eyes twinkled. "You better! Summer holiday's still got a month left—I expect you here every day!"
"I'll bring you a special dish from my hometown," Cedric added with a grin.
Over the years, Cedric had become a bit of a kitchen enthusiast, especially when it came to traditional recipes. He'd made friends with the house-elves in the kitchens and often experimented with his own blends of spices and flavors.
Tomorrow, he'd surprise Hagrid with an authentic Eastern dish as thanks.
"Looking forward to it!" Hagrid called after him. "You take care, my friend!"
Cedric waved, then walked back toward the castle, spellbook in hand. As soon as he was far enough from Hagrid's hut, he opened the book and called up the system menu.
The interface glowed before him, presenting a new reward:
Template Card Unlocked: Rubeus Hagrid
Talent Acquired – Half-Giant Bloodline:
Magic Resistance: +30%
Strength: +3
Constitution: +2
Lifespan: +100 years
Appearance: Unchanged
(Note: Average adult wizard stats—Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Magic Resistance—are all baseline 1.)
Hagrid's Life Wish List:
Pass the O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level) Exams
Completing this will increase the bonus of the template card by 50%
Get Married
Completing this will prevent this template card from occupying a slot
(Note: Template card slots start at 1, and can increase to a maximum of 2. You have now unlocked your first slot.)
Cedric's heart leapt with excitement.
This wasn't just a simple bonus—it was a game-changer.
The increased magic resistance would greatly improve his survival chances, especially in a surprise duel or ambush. The strength boost alone meant he could punch through solid wood—or a Death Eater's ribs. Constitution didn't just mean more stamina; it also improved his immunity to toxins, spells, and fatigue.
And a hundred extra years of life?
He could barely imagine the possibilities. With enough time, a powerful wizard could learn everything—master every spell, brew every potion, unlock every secret of magic. Just look at Dumbledore, still sharp and commanding even after living over a century.
"This system," Cedric murmured to himself, "is amazing."
What really intrigued him, though, was the wish list.
If completing someone's life goals could enhance or even remove the card's cost entirely, that meant he could stack abilities endlessly—if he was clever about it. The Hogwarts staff alone were treasure troves of potential.
Just think—Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, even Dumbledore himself.
If he could help each of them fulfill their life dreams, he might be able to wield the combined talents of the greatest minds in the magical world. If he equipped seven or eight templates, people might start calling him the second coming of Merlin.
But there was a problem.
Hagrid's life goals weren't simple.
Helping him pass the O.W.L.s would mean Cedric had to learn and then teach the content himself. Given Hagrid's history—expelled in his third year, limited formal education—it would be an uphill battle.
And marriage?
That was even tougher.
Cedric remembered the Goblet of Fire storyline. Hagrid had met his match in Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy. They shared a moment during the Yule Ball, even danced. But things soured when Hagrid clumsily brought up their shared half-giant heritage.
She'd taken offense, and although they later reconciled during a diplomatic mission to the giants, they never truly became a couple.
So even if Cedric could arrange another encounter… could he really help Hagrid find lasting love?
"That one's definitely going to be a challenge," Cedric muttered.
He dismissed the system and closed his book, only to be startled by the sudden appearance of a shadowy figure standing silently in front of him.
His hand instinctively moved toward his wand.