𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 ;𝐑.𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲

"You're still a fraud by the way!"

The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for Harry, Ron, Rachelle 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. 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!'

Rachelle raised her eyebrows at this. She didn't expect Ron to willingly work so hard for a eagle horse hybrid, but it was a side of him she had never seen, and she rather liked it.

It was probably because it attacked Malfoy.

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.

It pained Rachelle for Hagrid to give up, just like that. But if even the half giant was giving up, there wasn't much hope for the hippogriff.

"God damn Lucius Malfoy." Rachelle muttered, watching Hagrid leave.

"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? Almost as bad as Lupin's robes!' said Malfoy. 'And he's supposed to be our teacher!'

Rachelle's cheeks tinged pink and she lunges at the blond but Ron manages to get his arms around her small waist and restrained her as Harry made a furious move towards Malfoy, but Hermione got there first – SMACK!

She had slapped Malfoy around the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again and Rachelle stood behind her, a glare pointed at the blond and Ron's arms still around her.

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

'Hermione!' said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand without letting Rachelle go as she swung it back.
'Get off, Ron!'
Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backwards. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.

'C'mon,' Malfoy muttered, and Ron let Rachelle go when he was out of punching distance. "You should've let me go." she mumbled angrily.

"You would've punched him into next week." Ron says.
"That's the point."

Just as the Slytherins almost disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons, Rachelle swung around and pointed her wand at them. Her wand slashed downwards as they disappeared from view and the only thing they heard was shrieks of horror.

"What did you do?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Bat-Bogey hex. It should wear off by the time they get to the dungeons." replied Rachelle nonchalantly with a smile.

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

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