Previously called TWO OF THE SAME
❝ It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. ❞
Living with her godmother, Dorcas Meadows, and her uncle, Remus Lupin, 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 lives a pretty good life. That's unt...
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"HE — HE SENTHARP AND I THIS," Hermione said, holding out the letter. Harry took it and Harper looked over his shoulder to read it. The parchment was damp, and enormous teardrops has smudged the ink so badly in places that it was very difficult to read.
Dear Hermione and Harper, We lost. I'm allowed to bring him back to Hogwarts. Execution date to be fixed. Beaky has enjoyed London. I won't forget all the help you gave us. Hagrid
"They can't do this," Harry said. "They can't. Buckbeak isn't dangerous."
"Try telling the Ministry," Harper replied, shaking her head.
"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it," Hermione 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," Ron said fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work with Harper alone this time, Hermione. I'll help."
"Oh, Ron!"
Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke down completely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardly on the top of her head. Finally, Hermione drew away.
"Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers . . ." she sobbed.
"Oh — well — he was old," Ron said, looking thoroughly relieved that she had let go of him. "And he was a bit useless. You never know, Mum and Dad might get me an owl now."
• ✧ •
THE SAFETY MEASURES IMPOSED ON THE STUDENTS SINCE Black's second break-in made it impossible for Harper, Harry, Ron and Hermione to go and visit Hagrid in the evenings. Their only chance of talking to him was during Care of Magical Creatures lessons.
He seemed numb with shock at the verdict.
"'S all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin' there in black robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all them dates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione, Harp. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em . . ."
