Ariana Dumbledore || Harry Potter

17| sentenced death

Later that day we venture to speak with Hagrid about the hearing with Buckbeak. Yeah, Malfoy's father actually took Hagrid to court over his son being a complete idiot.

"How'd it go, Hagrid? At the hearing?" I ask Hagrid as he looks into the water. "Well, first off, the committee members took turns talking about why we were there. And then I got up and did my piece, said how Buckbeak was a good Hippogriff, always cleaned his feathers. And then Lucius Malfoy got up and well, you can imagine. Buckbeak was a deadly and dangerous creature who would kill you as soon as he looked at you."

"And then?" Hermione asked. "And then he asked for the worst, he did, Lucius."

"They're not sacking you are they?" Ron asked. "No, I'm not sacked. Buckbeak's been sentenced to death!" My eyes widened at the thought of Buckbeak being killed for someone else's actions, and I was beyond furious.
What?" I stepped forward. "That's bloody ridiculous!" Hagrid started to sob quietly and my heart hurt for him. I walked through the water and to his side. He looked down at me with glassy eyes.

"I'm so sorry Hagrid." I engulfed him in a hug, and he patted my head softly. "Is there anything we can do?" I looked up at him. "Afraid not." I felt immensely for Hagrid, knowing that he truly did not deserve any of this.

•••

"Broaden your minds you must look beyond the art of crystal gazing is in the clearing of the Inner Eye. Only then, can you see. Try again."
Divination today was an absolute snooze fest, and I was trying everything I could to keep myself awake.

"Now, what do we have here?" Trelawney wandered over to our table.

"Huh?" Ron said siting up. "Do you mind me trying?" Hermione spoke up, looking into the glass. Trelawney was thrilled to see her participation.

"The Grim. Possibly." Hermione said. "My dear, from the first moment you stepped foot in my class, I sensed that you did not possess the proper spirit for the noble art of Divination. No, you see, there. Ah, you may be young in years, but the heart that beats beneath your bosom is as shriveled as an old maid's, your soul as dry as the pages of the books to which you so desperately cleave."

No one, especially a professor told Hermione that she 'did not posses the proper spirt.' Hermione stood up abruptly, knocking the glass ball off the stand and turning out of the classroom. I looked at Ron and Harry who were just as shocked as I was. "May I Professor?" I asked, gesturing towards Hermione as she walked away quickly. She nodded.

I ran after Hermione through the halls, stepping down stairs quickly. "Hermione wait!" She entered into the common room.

"Hermione!"

"Did you hear what she said to me?" She paced back and forth. "I know, how can you not posses the power? You're the smartest person in this whole school." I replied sitting on the couch. She sighed and sat next to me on the couch. "I've never struggled in a class before Ariana, and I'm not about to start."

"Thank you, means a lot." I smiled at her.

That day was Buckbeak's last, and the four of us ventured down to Hagrid's to see him one last time. "I can't believe they're going to kill Buckbeak, it's just too horrible." Hermione said, clear anger evident in her voice.

"It just got worse." My head snapped up to see Draco and his friends. Hermione stepped down the stairs quickly, and I could only imagine what she was about to do.

"Ah. Come to see the show?" Draco sneered.
"You! You foul loathsome evil little cockroach!" I ran over to her and she held her wand to Draco's neck. "Hermione! No! He's not worth it." Ron said. She slowly lowered her wand, Draco and his friends began laughing at her hysterically.

These boys truly were asking for it. Hermione turned quickly and did the unthinkable. Her fist connected with Draco's face, a crack echoing in the air.

My mouth hung open, as did Harry and Ron's

Damn, I'm such a good influence on her. The three boys began running away, and I tripped one on there way out.

"That felt good." Hermione said.

"Not good, brilliant."

•••

"Look at him. Loves the smell of the trees when the wind blows through them." Hagrid wiped his eyes. "Why don't we just set him free?" Harry asked. "They'd know it was me. And then Dumbledore would get into trouble. He's coming down, you know, Dumbledore. Says he wants to be with me when they, when it happens. Great man, Dumbledore. A great uncle to you to Ariana." Hagrid signaled to me.

"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid." I said appearing by his side. "You'll do no such thing! You think I want you seeing something like that? No. You just drink your tea and be off. Oh, but before you do." Hagrid pulled out scabbers and handed him to him gently to Ron.

"Scabbers! You're alive!"

"You'll want to keep a closer eye on your pets, Ron." Hagrid said to Ron. "I think that means you owe someone an apology." I smiled at Hermione as she crossed her arms.  "Right. Next time I see Crookshanks, I'll let him know."

"I meant me!" She said to Ron.

"Ouch!" I grabbed my head as a sharp pain began.

"Blimey! What was that?" Hagrid looked through the window. Hermione picked up a stone from the ground. Then another hit Harry, causing us to huddle around the window. "Hagrid." I said seeing Uncle and Cornelis walking towards the us. "It's late. It's nearly dark. You shouldn't be here. Someone sees you outside the castle this time of night, you'll be in trouble! Big trouble! Particularly you, Harry."

There was a loud knock at the door. "Be with you in a moment! Quick! Quick!" Hagrid rushed us out the door. "Go on, go on!"

We all ran for coverage, hiding behind large pumpkins. I heard a snap in the woods, causing my head and Hermione's to turn.
"What?" Ron asked. "Nothing, I just thought I saw, never mind." Hermione answered. "Let's go." Ron said and we all began to sprint off back to the castle.

We head to the top of the hill, the air becoming thick with sorrow. I felt my hand start to twitch, and my heart raced. The blade raises into the air, and I grabbed onto Harry's hand quickly. The ax hangs seemingly forever, etched against the sky, then drops from sight. A foul chop alerts the sky, and my heart drops. I turn into Harry's chest, tears rolling down my cheeks. He wrapped his arm around my waist, his head on mine as we stood there in sorrow.