Sirius Black had yet again managed to make his way inside Gryffindor Tower, but was - much to his despair -caught by Ron, who awoke from his slumber to Black standing over his bed in a threatening stance with a knife. The castle was yet again searched for the mass murderer but he had again escaped. The castle had installed extra security precautions for the students protection. Ron had become an instant celebrity and was rather enjoying the experience they was fame.
Ron had finally forgiven Hermione for the death of Scabbers, not having the ability to be mad at her for long and the group had gone down to Hagrid's to comfort the gamekeeper as the hippogriff, Buckbeak's execution was set for that date.
Walking very close together so nobody would see them, they crossed the Hall on tip-toe beneath the Cloak, then walked down the stone front steps into the grounds. The sun was already sinking behind the Forbidden Forest, gliding the top branches of the trees.
They reached Hagrid's cabin and knocked. He was a minute in answering and when he did, he looked all around for the visitor, pale-faced and trembling.
"It's us," Harry hissed. "We'e wearing the Invisibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off."
"Yeh shouldn've come!" Hagrid whispered but he stood back, and they stepped inside. Hagrid shut the door quickly and Harry pulled off the Cloak.
"Wan' some tea?" Hagrid asked the trio. His great hands were shaking as he reached for the kettle.
"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?" said Hermione hesitantly.
"I - I took him outside," said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he filled the jug. "He's tethered in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an' - an' smell fresh air - before -"
Hagrid's hand trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped fro his grasp and shattered all over the floor.
"I'll do it, Hagrid," said Hermione quickly, scurrying to clean up the mess.
"There's another one in the cupboard," Hagrid said, sitting downing wiping his forehead on his sleeve.
"Isn't there anything anyone can do Hagrid?" Harry asked fiercely, sitting down next to him, "Dumbledore -"
"He's tried," said Hagrid. "He's go no power to overrule the Committee. He told 'em Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared ... yeh know what Lucius Malfoy's like ... threatened 'em I expect ... an' the executioner Macnair, he's an old pal o' Malfoy's ... but it'll be quick an' clean ... an' I'll be beside him ..."
Hagrid swallowed.
"Dumbledore's gonna come down while it - while it happens. Wrote me this mornin'. Said he wants ter - ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore..."
"We'll stay with you too Hagrid," said Hermione, stifling a sob, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head.
"Yeh're ter go back to the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway ... if Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out without permission, Harry, yeh'll be in big trouble.
Silent tears were streaming down Hermione's face as she bustled round to make the tea. Then, as she picked up the milk bottle to pour some into the jug, she let out a shriek.
"Ron! I - I don't believe it - it's Scabbers!"
Ron gaped at her.
"What are you talking about?"
Hermione carried the milk jug over the table and turned it upside-down. With a frantic squeak, and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers the rat came sliding onto the table.
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Secrets- A Severus Snape Story
FanfictionWhat if Severus Snape had a secret, what if that secret involved a woman, what if this woman wasn't Lily Evans, but her sister. its been 12 years since the murder of Aurora Eldrid-Evans and the Potters, 12 years since Sirius Black was imprisoned for...
