Harry Potter: Returning from Azeroth

"Oh! Hello! Hello! I'm sent by Dumbledore—uh, a staff member of Hogwarts and one of Dumbledore's most trusted people," the giant stammered as he spoke. However, he seemed much smarter than Harry's first impression of him. "You must be Harry, right? The last time I saw you, you were just a little thing."

Indeed, not only was he smarter than Harry expected, but the giant also appeared to have more emotional depth. Barely two sentences in, he already seemed moved to tears.

"My goodness... you really do look like your father," the giant choked up as he continued, "but your eyes are more like your mother's... Time flies, and now look at you, Harry, all grown up."

"Uh, thank you?" Harry replied, guessing the giant was likely a friend of his parents. After determining that this visitor posed no immediate threat, Harry relaxed slightly. "Are you also a professor at Hogwarts?"

"Professor? Oh no, no, I'm not cut out for that," the giant said hastily. "I'm the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts... Oh dear, I almost forgot to introduce myself. Name's Rubeus Hagrid."

Forcing a smile, Rubeus Hagrid's face was nearly obscured by his tangled hair and thick, wild beard. Still, his beetle-black eyes radiated friendliness.

"Harry Potter, you already know me," Harry nodded politely.

He recalled Dumbledore mentioning someone would come to deliver his parents' inheritance and introduce him to the wizarding world. What Harry hadn't expected was for the lively old headmaster to send a giant for the task.

It certainly made an impression.

"Boy? Why aren't you coming inside?" Vernon's voice floated from the living room, irritated by the prolonged silence at the door. "Hurry up! Breakfast is ready. Don't keep us waiting!"

"Coming, Uncle," Harry called back. "It's a professor from Hogwarts."

"Oh, I'm no professor," Hagrid muttered, though Harry was already focused on the living room. Shortly after Harry's reply, there was a clatter, as if someone had knocked something over.

In seconds, Dudley came thundering to the doorway.

"Wow—he's huge!" Dudley gawked, eyes wide as he stared up at the towering Hagrid.

Vernon was right behind him. To be honest, Harry could tell that his uncle's first instinct upon seeing Hagrid was to grab his shotgun. Thankfully, Vernon restrained himself, muttering quickly under his breath instead.

The peaceful Dursley breakfast was officially ruined.

It took all of Hagrid's considerable effort to squeeze through the doorway without damaging the frame. Once inside, he sat on the couch under Aunt Petunia's pained gaze, causing the furniture to groan in protest and sink noticeably.

Aunt Petunia, following protocol, served a pot of tea for their guest. But that was the extent of their hospitality.

In no time, the Dursleys fled upstairs as if escaping for their lives, leaving Harry alone in the living room. Dudley, however, couldn't suppress his curiosity and peeked from around the corner of the staircase.

After all, giants were creatures Dudley had only ever seen in video games—usually as enemies to be defeated. Seeing one in real life was a first.

"Sorry about my aunt and uncle. They're a bit scared of magic," Harry said with a resigned tone. "By the way, didn't Dumbledore mention that Hogwarts doesn't admit creatures like werewolves or vampires? Or are giants special exceptions, like minotaurs?"

Harry thought it reasonable to treat different species differently in different worlds.

"Giants?!" Even with most of his face obscured by hair and beard, Hagrid's embarrassment was evident as his face turned red. "I'm no giant! Sure, I'm a bit taller than average, but I'm still human! Otherwise, I'd never have been admitted to Hogwarts—real giants are way taller than me."

"Oh, I see. My apologies for the misunderstanding," Harry said, sensing there was more to the story but deciding not to press further.

It seemed a sensitive topic, and kind-hearted Tauren never embarrassed others unnecessarily.

"No harm done—it's just a misunderstanding," Hagrid sighed in relief. "But wait, what's this about minotaurs?"

"As you can see, I'm a Tauren," Harry said calmly, never one to shy away from this truth. "I'm pleased Hogwarts accepts non-human students like me."

"...Huh?" Hagrid looked even more bewildered, his mind nearing overload. "Non-human students?"

He scrutinized Harry carefully, recalling the infant he had carried eleven years ago...

"Right, Harry," Hagrid shook off the confusion and pulled a wrapped box from his pocket. "Almost forgot—Happy Birthday! I made this cake myself; hope it's not too squashed."

"Birthday?" Harry was momentarily stunned.

To be honest, he had long since designated the day he appeared in Azeroth as his birthday and had forgotten the one from this world.

No wonder Hogwarts had taken a few extra days to send someone—Harry suddenly understood.

"Of course, your birthday," Hagrid beamed, pushing the cake forward. "Go ahead, open it up! I hope you like it."

It was a sticky chocolate cake with green icing that read: Happy Birthday Harry.

Harry dipped a finger into the icing and tasted it—too sweet for his liking. But still—

"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry said sincerely. "I like it very much."

As the saying goes, Tauren always reciprocate kindness with equal kindness.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Hagrid wiped away tears that had somehow appeared and gazed fondly into the distance.

"Cake!!"

Dudley's shout shattered the moment as he barreled down the stairs, grabbing a chunk of cake with his bare hands and stuffing it into his mouth.

Since Dudley's parents were restricting his diet due to his weight, it had been days since he'd tasted sweets. Seizing the opportunity, he indulged freely now.

"Slow down, Cousin," Harry said, watching Dudley like one might observe a mischievous child, his expression oddly gentle.

To Hagrid, the sight was both eerie and confusing.

Hearing Harry, Dudley suddenly paused, looking between the cake and Harry before darting upstairs and then quickly returning.

"Here! Let's trade!"

Dudley shoved something into Harry's hands before continuing to gorge on the cake, mumbling through a mouthful of food.

"...Happy birthday."

Surprised, Harry examined what Dudley had thrust at him—a game cartridge labeled Wizard's Adventure.

"Guess I'll have to borrow your game console too," Harry chuckled.

Dudley, still devouring cake, seemed to agree.

It was an unexpected yet oddly heartwarming birthday, and Harry found it rather enjoyable

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