Chapter 1263: Cruel to Yourself
Hogwarts Castle gates.
Hagrid clutched a pocket watch, staring at the time on its face.
Not long ago, Hagrid had received a letter from Albert saying he was coming to Hogwarts and would stop by to visit him on the way.
The news had greatly surprised Hagrid, but he had happily come to greet his old friend.
When he heard the sharp crack of Apparition, Hagrid immediately craned his neck and looked around, but he still could not see Albert.
"Good afternoon, Hagrid!"
A gentle voice suddenly sounded beside him. Hagrid sharply turned his head and saw Albert appear at his side without warning, smiling as he waved in greeting.
"You'll give people a fright doing that," Hagrid could not help complaining, though he still smiled and gave Albert a hug.
"Sorry, I needed to make sure no one was lying in wait for me," Albert explained helplessly. "You know Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters want to get rid of me now. I have to be more careful."
Though he said that, Albert had not actually taken the matter too seriously. He was merely keeping his guard up out of habit.
In the current dreadful circumstances, it was necessary to remain vigilant at all times.
"Don't worry, Hogwarts is very safe."
Hagrid instinctively started to pat his chest in assurance, then quickly realized something and changed his words. "At least, it's safe for now."
After losing Dumbledore, Hogwarts had become no safer than anywhere else in Britain.
"You seem to have been having a rough time these past few days."
Albert glanced at the repaired iron gates and the Winged Warthog Statues on either side, then walked into the school alongside Hagrid.
At this time of day in the past, Hogwarts would still have