Bones

Chapter 12

        "He sent me this," Hermione said, holding out the letter.

        I 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

        "They can't do this," I said. "They can't. Buckbeak isn't dangerous."

        "Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," Hermione said, 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," Ron said fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I'll help."

        "Oh, Ron!"

        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.

        "Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers..." she sobbed.

        "Oh -- well -- he was old," Ron said, 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."

        The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for me, Harry, Ron, and Hermione 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, 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!" I said 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, Esme," Hagrid said sadly as we 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.

        "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?" Malfoy said. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!"

        Me, Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first -- SMACK!

        She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Me, Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again.