AUTOPHOBIA - G. WEASLEY

Third Year: Burnout

✯ CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE ✯

March, 1994.

ESTELLA WAS SURE when she had walked out of Remus' quarters that night that their argument would've been forgotten about within two or three days, so when three weeks later they still weren't talking to eachother, it came as a bit of a shock.

Though she knew that it was definitely her fault, as really she was the one who was avoiding her Father, not the other way around.

It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to him, no, Estella would've done absolutely anything for some quality time with her dad right about now, but she felt so much guilt for all her actions that she just couldn't come to face him right now.

She felt as though she didn't deserve a father like him.

And just to add to everything going on in her hectic life, Hermione had come to her the day after the argument with some devastating news.

She'd been sitting watching Harry and Ron play a game of wizard's chess when the bushy-haired girl approached them with a face as pale as snow.

Her lips trembled as she spoke to them.

"I thought the three of you ought to know that Hagrid got the results of his case. Buckbeak is going to be executed."

Harry and Ron looked up from their chess game so quickly Estella was surprised their necks hadn't snapped. She could get why though; this was not good news, and she couldn't even begin to imagine how heartbroken the half-giant would be.

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

Estella 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," 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!"

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," 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. "

The safety measures imposed on the students since Black's second break-in made it impossible for Estella, Harry, Ron, and Hermione to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings; and with the trouble Harry and Estella had already been in they weren't willing to take any risks, so 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. . . "