Miranda Black and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Sirius Black's Daughter SEQUEL!)

Chapter 21 - A Hippogriff, a Cat, a Rat, and a Dog

It was slightly difficult to walk under the cloak, but we managed. We went in a single file line, so no one except for Harry (who was out the front) really knew where we were going. Soon my feet were on the worn path that led to Hagrid's hut. Harry knocked on the door, and we all piled inside as it opened. Hagrid looked confused, and I realized that we still had the cloak draped over us. I shrugged it off, as did my friends. 

"Yeh shouldn't be here!" Hagrid told us in a weak voice. He wasn't crying or anything, but he just looked so...helpless. Like he didn't know what to do with himself. He moved over to his kitchen, and we all watched as he reached for his kettle.

"Wan' some tea?" he asked. His hands shook so violently that the water sloshed around and onto the floor. No one replied to his offer. Instead Hermione stepped forward.

"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?" she asked hesitantly. 

"I - I took him outside," Hagrid answered. He picked up a bottle of milk, spilling it all over the table. "He's tethered in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an' - an' smell fresh air - before -" He dropped the bottle of milk, shattering it. He reached down to clean it up, but Ginny and Hermione stepped up. 

"We'll do that, Hagrid." The girls hurried over and began to clean up the mess, whilst Hagrid watched with a miserable expression. 

"There's another one in the cupboard," Hagrid told the girls as he sat down. I looked around at my friends. By the looks on their faces, I could tell that none of us knew what to do. 

"Isn't there anything anyone can do, Hagrid? Like Dumbledore, he -" Harry began fiercely, but got cut off by Hagrid.

"He's tried. He's got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told 'em Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared...yeh know what Malfoy is like...threatened 'em, I expect. 'An' the executioner, Macnair, he's an old friend of the Malfoy's....but it'll be quick and clean...an' I'll be right beside him." Hagrid said, tears welling up in his eyes. "Dumbledore's gonna come down while it - while it happens. Wrote ter me this mornin'. Said he wants ter - ter be with me. He's a great man, Dumbledore," 

Hermione, who was bustling around the kitchen, stopped to look at Hagrid. "We'll stay with you too,"

"Yeh're ter go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn't be down here any...if Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out here without permission, Harry, yeh'll be in big trouble. Yeh too, Miranda," He told us. I knew that it was true, although a part of me wanted to stay. I looked up at Hermione. Tears were streaming down her face, but she quickly wiped them away and kept on making the tea. Suddenly she shrieked. 

"What is it Hermione?" I asked, standing up. She grabbed a jug and put it upside down on the table. We all heard the familiar squeak of a rat.

"Ron! I don't believe it! It's - it's Scabbers!" she announced. Ron gaped at her, and she motioned him over. We all crowded around the bench to get a look. She lifted up the jug, and Scabbers the rat came shooting out. Daniel quickly caught him before he could escape, passing him over to Ron. The rat squirmed in his hands. He looked terrible. He looked thin and frail, and had bald patches where large tufts of hair were missing. 

"It's all right Scabbers!" said Ron, trying to reassure his rat. It wasn't working. "No cats! There's nothing here to hurt you!" 

Hagrid all of a sudden stood up, looking out the window. His face turned white. "They're comin'..."

We all turned to look out the window, to see the Minister, Dumbledore, a Committee member, and Macnair fast approaching the hut. 

"Yeh gotta go!" Hagrid told us with urgency. "I'll let yeh out the back way. Now get goin'! They can't catch yeh here!" He shooed us away, although there were a few protests. I wanted to help him so badly, especially as I saw Buckbeak tied up, pawing the ground nervously. It was too late. Harry gave Hagrid one last look, before throwing the cloak over us. We hurried along, as fast as we could. We were nearing the top of the hill, when Ron started fidgeting and complaining.