Butterfly Effect ; H. Potter

12. the quidditch cup.

"He - he sent us this," Hermione said, holding out the letter.

Harry took it. The parchment was damp, and enormous teardrops had smudged the ink so badly in placed that it was very difficult to read.

Dear Hermione and Antheia,
We lost. I'm allowed to bring him
back to Hogwarts. Execution date to
be fixed.
Beaky has enjoyed London.
I won't forget all the help you gave
us.
Hagrid.

"They can't do this," said Harry. "They can't. Buckbeak isn't dangerous."

"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," said Antheia, her eyes glossy with tears. "You know what he's like. They're a bunch of doddery old fools, and they were scared. There'll be an appeal, though, there always is."

"Only I can't see any hope," said Hermione, wiping her eyes. "... nothing will have changed."

"Yeah, it will," said Ron fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work this time. I'll help."

"Oh, Ron!"

Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke down completely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardly on the top of the head. Finally, Hermione drew away.

"Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers ..." she sobbed.

"Oh - well - he was old," said Ron, looking thoroughly relieved that she had let go of him. "And he was a bit useless. You never know, Mum and Dad might get me an owl now."

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for Harry, Antheia, Ron, and Hermione to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings. Their only chance of talking to him was during Care of Magical Creatures lessons.

He seemed numb with shock at the verdict.

"'S all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin' there in black robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all them dates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione, Antheia. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em ..."

"There's still the appeal!" said Ron fiercely. "Don't give up yet, we're working on it!"

They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead they could see Malfoy, who was walking with Crabbe and Goyle and kept looking back, laughing derisively.

"'S no good, Ron," said Hagrid sadly as they reached the castle steps. "That Committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket. I'm jus' gonna make sure the rest o' Beaky's time is the happiest he's ever had. I owe him that ..."

Hagrid turned round and hurried back towards his cabin, his face buried in his handkerchief.

"Look at him blubber!"

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had been standing just inside the castle doors, listening.

"Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Malfoy. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!"

Hermione strode up to Malfoy - SMACK!

She had slapped Malfoy around the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted. Antheia clapped silently with her jaw dropped as Hermione raised her hand again.

"Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul - you evil -"

"Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back.