Grindelwald's Burden (Books 1-7)

41. The Quidditch Final

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

Y/n 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.'

Y/n lowered his head and then passed the letter to Harry and Ron for them to read.

"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."

"Yes, it will." said Y/n determinedly. "You will not have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I will help out more and so will Ron and Harry, won't you?" He said looking at the two sharply.

"Yeah, every chance we get we'll help." Ron said back now.

"With the four of us we will be able to put forth an even stronger case than before for Buckbeak." Y/n said and Hermione flung her arms around Y/n's neck and broke down completely. Y/n, looking unsure what do took a moment to wrap his arms back around her and patted her back feeling very awkward. Finally, Hermione drew away.

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

"Oh...well...he was old." said Ron,. "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 Harry, Ron, Y/n 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!"

They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead they could see Malfoy and Atticus who were 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.

"Look at him blubber!"

Malfoy, Atticus, 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 a teacher..." Atticus commented.

Harry, Ron and Y/n all made furious moves toward Malfoy and Atticus, but Hermione got there first...SMACK!