Destined| The Prisoner of Azkaban: Book 3

Ditching Divination

Kiana

We were all sad about what was going to happen to Buckbeak. I really loved that Hippogriff.

We all tried to visit Hagrid but The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for Harry, Ron, Jake, Hermione and I to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings.

Our 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, Kiana, Hermione. 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!"

We were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead we 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 around and hurried back toward his cabin, his face buried in his handkerchief. I really felt bad for him, I did.

"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!"

Harry, Jake and Ron made furious moves toward Malfoy, but I got there first — SMACK!

I had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength I could muster. Malfoy staggered.

Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as I raised my hand again.

Crabbe was about to strike her but I kicked him where the sun doesn't shine.

"Never hit a girl," I growled.

"Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul — you evil —" Hermione growled.

Hermione in turned slapped Malfoy.

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

"Get off, Ron!" Hermione yelled.

"You aren't going to do anything?" Harry hissed.

I sat on top of Crabbe's back and shook my head.

Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.

"C'mon," Malfoy muttered, and in a moment, I got off Crabbe and all three of them had disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons.

"Hermione!" Ron said again, sounding both stunned and impressed.

"Harry and Kiana, you'd better beat him in the Quidditch final!" Hermione said shrilly. "You just better had, because I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!"