Integra was impressed.
Her initial impression of Hagrid was that of a well meaning buffoon, the sort of person who would make a good servant as long as the duties didn't include any secrecy or handling china. The afternoon showed that Hagrid was much more than that. She was sure that he was showing off, and Hagrid exposed them to several extremely dangerous species. Interga didn't need Hermione's identification of each monster to tell her that, the claws, beaks, and horns all looked deadly. Hermione was very good, however, at filling in the blanks in Hagrid's descriptions; it was almost as if the big man's mind just glossed over the possibility that any of his charges could somehow be dangerous.
Still, despite that mental blind spot, Hagrid kept himself and them safe throughout their chores, even when bandaging a griffin's leg or throwing food to the three-headed hound on the third floor. Integra was confident Hagrid wasn't supposed to have that last pet; he asked them all not to tell anyone else about it.
It hadn't taken much time for Hagrid to declare their chores over, and soon they were once again in his hut, pretending to each his cooking.
"I'm very sorry about Rover," Integra offered again. Hagrid probably could keep a hellhound in line, if today was any indication. "If the Ministry of Magic would respond to muggle cases faster, then maybe we wouldn't have to hurt the beasts that attack us."
"The Ministry wouldn't be any good," Hagrid grumbled, "they're just as quick to kill defenseless animals."
"I don't understand," Integra replied. "today, you were able to handle all those animals. If there is the expertise needed to capture such things without killing them, why isn't it used?"
"The Ministry's full of animal haters," Hagrid pronounced. "If a wizard gets hurt, then they insist on killing the beast, even if it didn't do nothing wrong."
"That's not right!" Hermione yelled. "When people are hurt by animals, it's usually because the person put themselves in a bad position."
"I'm not sure walking down the street that a hell hound decides to stroll on counts as a bad decision," Integra countered. She held up her hand before Hermione could retort. "I concede your point that humans often provoke animals, intentionally or not."
"I don't get it," Ron complained. "I mean, if an animal starts hurting people, then you have to kill it, or it'll hurt them again."
"Don't be stupid," Integra answered. "If an animal isn't seeking out people to hurt, then subduing the animal and isolating from those that don't know how to behave around it. Lacking souls, animals can't choose to be evil. As God gave us dominion over them, we have a responsibility to care for them. Unfortunately, Hellsing lacks the means to subdue most beasts and the resources to keep them separate."
"You mean you killed Rover because you didn't know any better?" Hagrid asked surprised. "Well next time, just come get me, and I'll take care of any poor little animal that wanders where it doesn't belong."
Integra blinked. Hagrid's service could prove valuable. "I'll be happy to owl my father with your offer right now," she said, rising to leave, her "snack" untouched. The other three students decided to leave with her, their own food unconsumed.
As they walked back to the castle, Ron asked, "Why didn't you say your little chant before Hagrid served us? I thought you had to say it before every meal."
Integra sighed. The worst of it was that Ron wasn't trying to insult her, he actually appeared to be curious. "Ron," she responded, "I only say grave when I intend to actually eat."
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(Posted Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:34)
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