𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗞𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹

{𝟮𝟯} 𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬

𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨

I felt a punch to my gut, though there were no culprits in sight. It was guilt, yet again, and a feeling of fear. Had I helped any further - spent more time, asked my parents sooner - Buckbeak would be happy and healthy, not the little birdie on death row.

Execution.

It looked so scary on paper. Even through the soggy paper (obviously from Hagrid's tears) and his messy scrawl, the word held a weird mysteriousness to it. A dominance.

"We need to tell the others," Hermione croaked. "Forget this whole charade - I need Ron."

Had I not felt the cramping of sin, I'd be overjoyed that Hermione was willing to give up the pathetics of this game and be friends with Ron again.

We made our way back to the castle in misery, the bits and bobs Hermione had bought didn't seem to amuse her as much as it did after the fresh purchase.

We hurriedly signed back in, ignoring Filch's curious eye, and made our way up to Gryffindor Tower where Neville worriedly informed us that Harry had disappeared some time ago, and Ron and (b/f/n) had run off to Snape's office.

Hermione and I shared a glance, and decided to wait outside the portrait to greet them, finding discomfort in the pacing trolls. They seemed to fill us with more dread than reassurance.

"Where are they?" Hermione demanded after a while of waiting. I squinted down the corridors, impatience replacing my sadness. Finally, the three rounded a corner and broke off from their conversation upon seeing us.

I could hear Harry's heart plummet, watching him, Ron and (b/f/n) approach us gruffly.

Oh boy.

"Come to have a good gloat?" (b/f/n) said savagely as the three stopped in front of us. We were blocking the stairs.

"You must have heard then," Ron said with aggravation. "Go on - enlighten me. Did you feel good dobbing Harry in? Did that satisfy you, princess?"

They were obviously talking to Hermione, but it hurt more that I was ignored. Hermione's lips began to tremble, and I could sense she was on the verge of tears again.

"No," she said, holding the letter out. "We just thought you ought to know that Hagrid lost his case ... Buckbeak is going to be executed."

"He sent me this," Hermione said through sniffles, holding out the letter.

Harry took it, looking at the damp parchment and ink smudged from Hagrid's tears. Skimming, with Ron and (b/f/n) reading over his shoulder.

"They can't do this," (b/f/n) said. "How could they? Buckbeak isn't dangerous!"

It was blatantly obvious what had happened, a bubble of anger knotting itself in my chest. Was this why he was so awkward earlier? Was this why he shrugged off our friendship?

"He didn't!" I cried to Hermione. She nodded somberly, turning to the others.

"Malfoy's dad had frightened the Committee into it," she said, wiping her eyes. "You know what he's like. They're a bunch of doddery old fools, and they were scared. There'll be an appeal, though, there always is. Only I can't see any hope ... Nothing will have changed."

"Yeah, it will," said Ron fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I'll help."

"Oh, Ron!" And to everyone's surprise, Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke down completely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardly on the top of the head.