Astra

XXXIII - The Hippogriff Trial

They reached Hagrid's cabin and knocked. He was a minute in answering, and when he did, he looked all around for his visitor, pale-faced and trembling.

"It's us," Harry hissed. "We're wearing the Invisibility Cloak and Astra and Hermione are under charms. Let us in and we can take it off."

Hagrid narrowed his eyes and was able to see past the two disillusionment charms, quickly letting them in.

"Yeh shouldn't have come!" Hagrid whispered. Hagrid shut the door quickly and Harry pulled off the cloak while Astra muttered the countercurses.

Hagrid was not crying, nor did he throw himself upon their necks. He looked like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears.

"Want some tea?" he said. His great hands were shaking as he reached for the kettle.

"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?" said Hermione hesitantly.

"I -- I took him outside," said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he filled up the jug. "He's tethered in my pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees and -- and smell fresh air -- before --"

Hagrid's hand trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped from his grasp and shattered all over the floor.

"I'll do it, Hagrid," said Luna, hurrying over and starting to clean up the mess.

"There's another one in the cupboard," Hagrid said, sitting down and wiping his forehead on his sleeve. Harry glanced at Ron, who looked back hopelessly.

"Isn't there anything anyone can do, Hagrid?" Harry asked fiercely, sitting down next to him. "Dumbledore --"

"He's tried," said Hagrid. "He's got no power to overrule the Committee. He told them Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared... You know what Lucius Malfoy's like... threatened them, I expect... and the executioner, Macnair, he's an old pal of Malfoy's... but it'll be quick and clean... and I'll be beside him..."

Hagrid swallowed. His eyes were darting all over the cabin as though looking for some shred of hope or comfort.

"Dumbledore's gonna come down while it -- while it happens. Wrote me this morning. Said he wants to -- to be with me. Great man, Dumbledore...."

Hermione let out a small, quickly stifled sob. She straightened up, fighting back tears.

"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid," she began, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head.

"You're to go back up to the castle. I told you, I don't want you watching. And you shouldn't be down here anyway... If Fudge and Dumbledore catch you out without permission, Harry, you'll be in big trouble.

Silent tears were now streaming down Hermione and Luna's face, while Astra's was only cold fury. Suddenly, Luna let out a small shriek as she picked up the milk bottle.

"Astra? Is this the rat you were talking about?"

Astra snapped around and her eyes widened as she saw Pettigrew there. She ran forward to get it, but Ron got there first.

"Scabbers!" said Ron blankly. "Scabbers, what are you doing here?"

He grabbed the struggling rat and held him up to the light. Scabbers looked dreadful. He was thinner than ever, large tufts of hair had fallen out leaving wide bald patches, and he writhed in Ron's hands as though desperate to free himself.

"It's okay, Scabbers!" said Ron. "No cats! There's nothing here to hurt you!"

Luna and Hermione looked towards Astra and their thoughts were confirmed by the fuming rage clearly shown on her face. Harry looked between the three girls and Scabbers, clearly confused.