𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋, draco malfoy

041. buckbeak's fate

HOW YOU GET THE GIRL ? 🩰 DRACO MALFOY
⋆｡‧˚ʚ 041. buckbeak's fate ɞ˚‧｡⋆

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Kimberly slipped out of the Ravenclaw common room, her footsteps echoing slightly as she passed through the dimly lit corridor. She wasn't in her usual Hogwarts attire today; instead, she wore a soft, navy-blue sweater that hung just off her shoulder, the wool thick and comforting against the afternoon chill. Her dark jeans were snug, ending at her ankles where a pair of black, lace-up boots peeked out, giving her an edge that wasn't often seen in the halls of Ravenclaw Tower.

Her hair, a strawberry blonde mess of waves, was swept back in a loose, easy ponytail, a few stray strands rebelliously falling around her face, and a touch of gloss highlighted her lips. As she made her way down the winding staircase, she saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione waiting just outside the castle's main doors. The three of them were bundled in their own casual clothes. Hermione waved as Kimberly approached, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

"Kimberly!" Hermione greeted, her voice bright and welcoming. Kimberly lifted a single eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and indifference. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" Hermione asked, glancing up at the clear sky.

"Gorgeous. Unless you've been ripped to pieces!" Ron spat, his tone sarcastic as he crossed his arms, glaring at the ground.

"Ripped to pieces?" Kimberly asked, her voice dripping with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, clearly used to Ron's dramatics. "Ronald has lost his rat," she explained.

"I haven't lost anything!" Ron protested, his face flushing. "Your cat killed him!"

"Rubbish," Hermione replied, flicking her hair back as she gave him a pointed look

Ron looked at Kimberly, his expression pleading. "Kimberly, tell her—tell Hermione that it's obvious! Her cat's practically drooling every time he sees Scabbers."

Kimberly's lips curved into a teasing smile, and she gave Ron a slow, deliberate look, making him squirm. "Weasley, I don't know," she said with a lazy shrug. "Maybe Scabbers just wanted a change of scenery. Or maybe he's out making new friends. You know, taking a little break from... well, you."

Ron flushed a deep red, looking both annoyed and slightly embarrassed. "Very funny, Kimberly." He then turned to Harry, now eager for backup. "Harry, you've seen the way that bloodthirsty beast of hers always lurks around, waiting for an opportunity. And now Scabbers is gone. Coincidence? I think not."

Harry remained silent, his gaze drifting as he tried to avoid the argument. He had seen enough of these debates to know better than to get involved.

"Well, maybe you should take better care of your pets!" Hermione crossing her arms, her tone stern.

Ron shot her a look of exasperation. "Your cat killed him!"

"Did not!" Hermione snapped immediately, her eyes blazing.

"Did!" Ron insisted, his voice rising slightly.

"Didn't!" Hermione countered, her fists clenched now.

Kimberly rolled her eyes at their childish bickering. "This is truly the most fascinating debate I've ever witnessed," she whispered to herself and Harry that heard that statement also nodded in response.

They were walking near the Black Lake, the sun casting a gentle glow across the water as Hagrid tossed stones into the calm surface. He was dressed unusually sharp—his suit and tie suggesting he'd just come from the Ministry. Everyone knew that Buckbeak, the hippogriff, was going on trial today, and the outcome was weighing heavily on Hagrid.

"How did it go, Hagrid? The hearing?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with concern. Kimberly, seated on a nearby rock, absentmindedly kicked at the pebbles around her boots, her arms crossed over her chest.

Hagrid let out a sigh as he picked up another rock and hurled it into the lake with surprising force. "Well, first off, the committee members took turns talkin' about why we were there," he began, his voice heavy with frustration. "I got up and did me bit, said Buckbeak was a good hippogriff—always cleanin' his feathers and all that."

He sniffed and picked up another stone, tossing it into the lake. "And then Lucius Malfoy got up," he paused, his face tightening as if the memory left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Let me guess," Kimberly said, her voice laced with dry humor, "Malfoy did his best to ruin everything."

Hagrid's shoulders slumped slightly as he nodded, his eyes distant as if he was still replaying the scene in his mind. "He said, 'Buckbeak's a deadly and dangerous creature who would kill you as soon as he looks at ya.'" He sniffed again, his gaze dropping to the ground.

"And then?" Hermione asked, her voice soft but filled with an urgency to know more.

Hagrid hesitated for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "And then... he asked for the worst, did old Lucius." His voice cracked slightly, and he picked up another rock, staring at it for a moment before throwing it into the lake with a force that sent ripples across the surface.

Kimberly, who had been sitting on the rock with her arms crossed, narrowed her eyes in disbelief. "Did he sack you?" she asked, her voice sharp, an edge of disbelief running through it

"They're not sacking you!" Ron snapped back, his voice rising in anger as he took a step toward Hagrid. He couldn't stand the thought of the giant of a man being treated so unjustly.

Hagrid shook his head slowly, a deep sadness settling over him. "No, I'm not sacked," he murmured, his eyes glassy. He sniffled, wiping a tear from his cheek. "But that doesn't matter. Buckbeak's been sentenced to death!" His voice cracked, and he looked like he was on the verge of breaking down completely.

There was a heavy silence as the words sank in. Hermione's face went pale, her mouth opening and closing as if she didn't quite know what to say. Ron and Harry looked like they'd been slapped, Ron's anger momentarily replaced by shock. Kimberly sat still, her expression hardening, eyes narrowed in disbelief. She'd been bracing for bad news, but this... this was worse than she had imagined.