It Could Have Gone That Way; A Harmione Fanfiction

Chapter 35: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

DEAR HERMIONE,
WE LOST THE CASE. EXECUTION DATE IS JUNE 6TH.
DON'T TROUBLE YOURSELF WITH MAKING IT.
BEAKY AND I ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP, I WON'T EVER FORGET IT.
HAGRID.

Ron, Harry and Hermione read Hagrid's letter for the millionth time.

"I can't believe we've lost. It's completely unfair." Hermione stifled a sob.

Ron shifted his feet uncomfortably,"Er...I sort of wish I'd helped with that now. Sorry, Hermione."

"That's fine. We were set up to lose. There's nothing you could have done." She hesitated,"I'm sorry about Scabbers."

The boys gaped at her. Ron wrinkled his nose, but didn't say anything.

Harry thought back to when Hermione had first shown the boys the note. He had been walking past the one-eyed witch statue when Professor Snape had snuck up behind him and dragged him into his office. Snape had interrogated Harry about being in Hogsmeade, although the professor had no proof whatsoever that Harry had ever been there, just claims from Malfoy. Then, Snape had found the map. It had been tucked away in Harry's pocket. Luckily, when Snape had told it to reveal its secrets, the map had shown a series of messages that Harry would have laughed at had the mood been less serious.

'Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.

Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.

Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a Professor.

Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape a good day, and advises him to was his hair, the slimeball.'

The now furious Snape had called Professor Lupin over by floo powder. Lupin had laughed at the map and led Harry to his office. He had confiscated the map and told Harry that he was very disappointed he hadn't thought to hand it in before. Once Harry had left, he had found Ron waiting for him outside. The boys had walked in silence until they found Hermione. One look on her face seemed to have convinced Ron that she had heard what had happened.

"Come to have a good gloat?" Ron said savagely,"Or have you just been to tell on us?"

"No." Hermione had said, bottom lip trembling,"I just thought you ought to know..." She had held Hagrid's note out for the boys to read. Their hearts had dropped like stones.

***********

"Let's go and see Hagrid." Hermione put on a brave face,"He's only got a week left with Buckbeak. We should be there for him."

"Good idea." Harry folded the note up and handed it to Hermione. He added,"Coming, Ron?"

"Yeah."

The trio hurried down to Hagrid's. He looked indescribably happy to see them. They spent an hour stroking Buckbeak, eating Hagrid's stone-hard delicacies, brewing tea and boiling potato stew before he accompanied the trio back up to the castle.

"I really can' thank yeh enough fer all yeh've done." He wiped his nose on his jacket sleeve,"If it weren' fer yer researchin', we'd 'ave lost the case righ' from the off! Yeh should all go get a nice sleep an' do some studying before yer exams an' all tha'. Don' worry yerselves silly abou' me an' Beaky. We'll be all righ'." Hagrid turned and hurried back out of the caste doors, face buried in a handkerchief.