KARMA POLICE Harry Potter

eleven. shrieking shack

IRIS AND HERMIONE
returned to the girls' dormitory after classes, opting to switch into their regular attire. Iris felt a pang of remorse for Hermione's abrupt departure during their lesson.

Iris slipped into her slightly tattered jeans, pulling them up over her legs. She then donned a t-shirt but grabbed her thin jacket due to the slight chill in the air. Meanwhile, Hermione chose to wear her hoodie over her t-shirt.

"Ready, Iris?" Hermione inquired, zipping up her pink hoodie.

Iris nodded, adjusting her worn converse shoes adorned with tiny flowers for comfort. She stowed her wand away into her bun as the duo exited the Gryffindor corridor, finding the boys already waiting for them.

The quartet set off towards Hagrid's hut, aware that Buckbeak's execution was scheduled for the evening.

The ambiance around them matched their somber mood, with crows circling above, adding to the sense of foreboding. As they approached Hagrid's hut, they noticed Malfoy and his cohorts lingering near the standing stones.

"It just got worse," observed Ron, his expression reflecting their grim thoughts.

Iris clenched her jaw, her fists tightening at her sides as she and Hermione advanced towards Malfoy and his gang. She gathered her hair into a ponytail, bracing herself for confrontation. As they neared, they overheard Malfoy boasting about how he would have Buckbeak's head.

Iris seethed at her cousin.

Malfoy spotted the approaching girls, initially unimpressed. He appeared almost pleased that his cousin had come to speak with him.

"This is going to be interesting, look who's here. Come to see the show?" Malfoy sneered to his companions, but before he could continue, Iris lunged forward, shoving him forcefully into the wall behind him. He stumbled backward, hitting his head.

"Merlin's beard, Iris!" Exclaimed Malfoy, shocked by his cousin's behavior.

"You! You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" Hermione's tone dripped with venom as she pointed her wand directly at Malfoy's throat. From behind her, Ron called out, attempting to intervene.

"Hermione, no! He's not worth it."

But Iris and Hermione were incensed. They lowered their wands, though Hermione still landed a solid punch on Malfoy, earning a proud grin from Iris.

"Nice one, Hermione," Iris remarked, stowing her wand back into her bun that she was now readjusting. Hermione flashed her a grin, a small but proud smile gracing her lips in return.

"That felt good," Hermione admitted, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face. "Not good, brilliant!" Ron added, his grin matching Hermione's enthusiasm.

Deciding not to waste any more time, the quartet lightly jogged the remainder of the way to Hagrid's hut. Iris glanced over and saw Buckbeak chained up in the Pumpkin Patch, instantly feeling her heart sink.

Why should that innocent creature suffer for an ignorant boy's actions? The injustice left a bitter taste in her mouth, making it difficult for Iris to focus on anything else.

Harry noticed Iris standing still, her sorrowful eyes fixed on Buckbeak as he nestled his feathers. He approached her slowly and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, gently urging her to accompany him into Hagrid's hut. Instinctively, Iris leaned into his touch, though he withdrew once they were inside, something Iris didn't visibly mind.

"Look at him. Loves the smell of the trees when the wind blows through them," Hagrid remarked, gazing through his window at Buckbeak. Iris's heart ached for him. Harry went to stand beside Hagrid, looking up at him as he asked, "Why don't we just set him free?"