Emma Potter

75: The quidditch Final

He- he sent me this," Hermione said, holding out theletter.Harry took it. The parchment was damp, and enormous teardrops had smudged the ink so badly in places that it was very difficult to read. 

Dear Hermione, 

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 and Emma gave us gave us, thank her too.

 Hagrid

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

"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," said Hermione, wiping her eyes. "Sorry Emma, but You know what he's like. They're a bunchof doddery old fools, and they were scared. There'll be an appeal,though, there always is. Only I can't see any hope. . . . Nothing willhave changed."

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

"Oh, Ron!"

 Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke downcompletely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardlyon the top of the head, blushing hard. 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. Younever know, Mum and Dad might get me an owl now."

As I made way to my  Common Room I nudged Ron. "As red as your hair there weasly." I smirked. He scowled.

The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's secondbreak-in made it impossible for Me,Harry, Ron, and Hermione to goand visit Hagrid in the evenings. Our only chance of talking tohim 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 inblack robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all themdates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione an' Emma. An' then Lucius Malfoystood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly whathe 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 theclass. By we I meant me, Zoe and Hermione. Ahead we could see Draco, who was walking with Crabbeand Goyle, and kept looking back, laughing derisively.

 "S'no good, Ron," said Hagrid sadly as we reached the castlesteps. "That Committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket. I'm jus' gonnamake sure the rest o' Beaky's time is the happiest he's ever had. Iowe him that. . . ." 

Hagrid turned around and hurried back toward his cabin, hisface buried in his handkerchief. 

"I may not have wanted this to happen! Look at him blubber!" Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle had been standing just inside thecastle doors, listening.

 "Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Draco."And he's supposed to be our teacher!"Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward him, butHermione got there first — 

SMACK! 

She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength shecould muster. Draco staggered. Me, Zoe, Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goylestood flabbergasted 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 asshe swung it back.