"Hagrid... honestly, you... oh, I don't even know what to say to you!" Harry looked helplessly at Hagrid, who sat across from him looking rather ill at ease.
The other three children looked just as helpless.
Hagrid felt rather embarrassed too.
There was no way he genuinely did not know that keeping these creatures was inappropriate. He might have been a bit simple, but he was not actually stupid.
He had attended Hogwarts for two years, after all, and he did know about the concept of danger ratings.
But how could he put it?
Some things were simply in his nature. He could not help himself.
Just as Ron could never keep his mouth under control, Hagrid could not help wanting to raise those furry creatures whenever he saw them.
"So that was why you got expelled back then?" Ron was rather blunt and spoke without much restraint.
As Harry had always known, clever though Ron was, there was no denying that his mouth worked faster than his brain.
Fortunately, Hagrid was rather straightforward himself and did not take offense. He nodded and said guilelessly:
"Yes, that was why. But Dumbledore believed me. He was certain I couldn't have been the murderer, so even though I was expelled, had my wand snapped, and wasn't allowed to use magic, I wasn't sent to Azkaban.
"Dumbledore even let me stay at Hogwarts to help the previous Mr. Filch-Argus's father-look after the Quidditch pitch. Dumbledore really is a kind and great man!"
Hagrid was always full of gratitude and admiration whenever he mentioned Dumbledore. This time, however, Hermione could not help frowning slightly after hearing his story.
"Hagrid, I want to ask you something." Hermione's voice sounded rather low and grave, her eyes fixed on Hagrid. "What happened to that Acromantula after you