Black and White

6

Draco and I go home for Christmas, though I had wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Uncle Lucius picks us up, and Draco immediately begins telling him all about the encounter with Buckbeak.

"Draco's the one who called the poor beast ugly in the first place," I point out. "I would have-"

"What?" Uncle Lucius sneers. "Hexed him like you did that poor Zabini boy?"

Uh oh. Knew I should have kept my mouth shut.

I am able to get through most of Christmas break by staying out of my family's way. I manage to receive few beatings, and even fewer cruciatus curses. I'm lucky. Half starved and in pain, but lucky all the same.

Finally, we're back at Hogwarts. It's still snowy on the grounds and warm inside. And soon winter turns to spring without much fuss.

I stand a foot or two away from Draco as he talks to Crabbe and Goyle, the dementors patrolling in the distance. The boys want to watch the execution of Buckbeak. I, however, just had to get out of the common room and have already learned that it's safer to stay near Draco. I sit against the wall, where I can't see the gruesome scene the boys are waiting for.

"Father said I can keep the hippogriff's head," Draco snickers. "I think I'll donate it to the Gryffindor Common Room."

"Shove off, Dra," I sigh, seeing Hermione stomping towards us, with Harry and Ron trailing behind her.

"Look who's here," Goyle taunts.

"Come to see the show?" Draco asks.

"You!" Hermione retaliates. "You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" She holds her wand to my cousin's neck, and Draco actually looks scared. That's a first.

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

Hermione lowers her wand and goes to walk away. But... Draco laughs. And Hermione turns on him, punching him in the nose. As Draco and his lackeys run off, I look at Hermione.

"Nice one," I smirk, getting to my feet.

"You're not mad?" she asks me, shaking out her hand.

"Why would I be?" I say. "The prat deserved it."

The four of us make our way down to Hagrid's. He let's us in without question. Even me, who he's really only seen in class.

"Why can't we just set him free?" Harry asks Hagrid, looking out the window.

"They'd know it was me," Hagrid sighs. "And then Dumbledore would get into trouble. He's comin' down, ya'know, Dumbledore. Says he wants to be with me when they... When it happens. Great man, Dumbledore."

"We'll stay with you, too, Hagrid," Hermione offers.

"I don't really know you," I tell the giant man, "but if you'll have me, I'll stay."

"You'll do no such thing!" Hagrid declares. "None of ya! Think I want you kids seeing somethin' like that! No. You just drink yer tea and be off. Oh, before you do, Ron..."

Hagrid pulls an ugly rat from a jar.

"Scabbers!" Ron calls. "You're alive!"

"Keep a closer eye on your pet," Hagrid admonishes, and I chuckle.

"At least we know it wasn't Crookshanks or Merlin," I point out.

Suddenly, a stone comes flying in the window and breaks a jar. Seconds later, another one hits Harry in the back of the head. Hagrid then sees Dumbledore, the Minister, and the executioner outside and ushers us out. We hide behind the pumpkins for a moment, before running towards the castle. From a safe distance, we turn back, just in time to see the axe lower. Hermione begins to cry, and I can't hold back the tears that come to my eyes, either.