𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

fourteen || Year 3 ✔️

As Harry vaults into the patch, with Amelia, the crows  stir, cawing at his ankles, pecking at his feet.

"It is the decision of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures that the Hippogriff Buckbeak, hereafter called the condemned, shall be executed this day at sundown...'" Fudge reads.

As Harry and Amelia approaches, Buckbeak studies him curiously, a ferret leg dangling from his beak, they bow.The ferret leg disappears and Buckbeak returns their nod. As Harry and Amelia takes Buckbeak's chain... a flint-eyed crow pecks his hand.

"Get away!" Harry whisper-yelled. Harry waves the crow away, they yank hard on Buckbeak's chain.

"'The Committee's appointed executioner shall dispatch the condemned by means of
beheading...'" Fudge continues.

"C'mon Buckbeak. Come on..." Harry whispers.

"We're trying to save you, for Merlins sake!" Amelia huffs, as the two still tries to yank Buckbeak, but he refuses to move.

"'As witnessed below.' You sign here, Hagrid. Very well, gentlemen. Let's step outside, shall we..."

Ding!

The Hogwarts bell begins to toll. The three exchange a glance. Amelia and Harry tugs harder, but Buckbeak wouldn't budge.

"Excuse me, minister. I believe I must sign as well..." Dumbledore smiles, kindly.

Harry & Amelia pulls the chain, straining mightily...

Ding!

Hermione pops up, bows quickly and dangles a dead ferret before Buckbeak.

"Here, Beaky...Come and get the nice dead ferret...yum yum..." Hermione calls in a sing-song voice.

Harry and Amelia looks at her as if she's gone mad, but it's working perfectly. Buckbeak trots after, the cawing crows scatter.

Ding!

Harry, Amelia and Hermione lead Buckbeak away when the back door suddenly opens. They freeze... caught... Fudge's eyes drifting their way, when -- as before -- Dumbledore raises his hand and directs the attention of the others away from Buckbeak.

"Professor Dippet has those blackberries planted when he was Headmaster..." Dumbledore points.

The three shoo Buckbeak along, disappear into the forest, just as Dumbledore concludes his reverie.

"Lets get this over with, shall we?" Fudge tunes

Harry, Amelia and Hermione -- their view unobstructed by the low stand of trees this time -- watch the Executioner approach the pumpkin patch... and stop. Quickly, the confusion in his masked eyes turns to anger.

"But...where is it? I just saw the beast just now—Not a moment ago!" Fudge looks around.

"Beaky..." Hagrid whispers. Buckbeak snatches a ferret on Hermione's shoulders.

"How extraordinary!" Dumbledore says, with a hint of amusement.

"Come now, Dumbledore. Someone's obviously released him." Fudge sighs.

"Professor, I swear! I didn't!" Hagrid says, his voice in a slight panic.

"I'm quite sure the Minister isn't suggesting that you had anything to do with it, Hagrid." Dumbledore smiles. "How could you? You've been with us all along."

"We could search the grounds—" said Fudge.

"Search the skies if you must, Minister." Dumbledore turns to Hagrid. "In the meantime, I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea, Hagrid. Or...a large brandy."