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𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐃. She and Marina (along Ronald and Harold) were spending some together as they sat near the Black Lake on this fine warm moon.
"He sent me this," Hermione said, holding out a letter to them.
Marina put down her sparkling water and 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 gave us.
Hagrid
"This is stupid. Because of that blonde ferret a living creature is going to lose its life!" Marina shrieked.
"They can't do this," said Harry. "They can't. Buckbeak isn't dangerous."
"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," said Hermione, wiping her eyes. "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... Nothing will have changed."
"Yeah, it will," said Ron fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I'll help."
"Oh, Ron!"
Marina snorted from her laughter as 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.
I ship them so bad.
"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."
Sadly, the safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for Marina and Hermione to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings. Their only chance of talking to him was during Care of Magical Creatures lessons.
"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. An' the notes you gave me Marina, no use, they say it ain't true. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em..." Hagrid told them.
"That's crap! I got those notes from Charlie and some library books!" Marina scoffed.
"There's still the appeal!" said Ron fiercely. "Don't give up yet, we're working on it!"
