readease Chapter 123 123
Chapter 123 123
"There's a light in Hagrid's window," Harry said to Hermione.
Hermione mentally estimated the time. "We can go see Hagrid now."
Harry acted decisively, "Let's go, Sirius Black can't possibly get past these Dementors."
The two of them sneaked up to the gate like thieves, and luckily they didn't encounter anyone along the way.
The meadow stretching into the Forbidden Forest appeared black in the twilight. As they walked toward Hagrid's cabin, the quiet surroundings instilled in both of them a sense of the impermanence of life.
Hagrid sat by the fire, lost in thought, while his hound, Tooth, lay quietly at his feet.
Hermione knocked on the door tentatively, waking Hagrid from his daze.
"Harry? Hermione? Is there anything I can do for you two?" Hagrid wiped his eyes, then opened them again, trying to make out the two of them.
Harry felt quite uncomfortable hearing this.
"Hagrid, what made you think of using a hippogriff as a teaching aid?"
Hagrid sat back down on his little stool. "But... I'm the professor of Magical Creatures. If I don't teach you magical creatures, what will I teach you?"
Harry wanted to say something, but Hermione didn't give him the chance. "But Hagrid, now that this has happened, what are you going to do?"
The question stumped Hagrid, and he stammered for a long time without being able to give a proper answer.
"You know Hagrid, Buckbeak injured Draco, he definitely won't let it go. If you want to continue being your Professor of Magical Creatures, I suggest you hand Buckbeak over. The Malfoy family needs an outlet for their anger."
Hagrid was already shaking his head frantically before Hermione could finish speaking. "Hermione, I know you mean well, but Buckbeak is someone I raised. He's like a child to me, like Toothpick. I can't possibly give Buckbeak away!"
Hermione frowned. In the past, she would have been able to understand Hagrid's thoughts perfectly.
Perhaps because she's been spending more time with Slytherin people lately, her first reaction carried a hint of indifference.
"If you don't hand over Buckbeak, then you'll have to bear all the consequences."
Hagrid was at a loss for words again.
Harry nudged Hermione. "How about we look for Landric?"
Hermione really wanted to roll her eyes at Harry. "You shouldn't even think about this."
Why?
"They did have a fight, but that doesn't mean Landric will easily tolerate someone who hurts his things."
Hermione continued, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. If Landric helps Hagrid, it means betrayal to Draco. Do you want to exacerbate the conflict between them? Landric isn't that stupid, is he?"
"This first day of school went pretty well," Harry thought, feeling rather depressed. Of course, having a very clever friend made him even more depressed.
Hermione's current concern isn't Buckbeak, but rather that if she doesn't hand Buckbeak over, the Malfoy family will see it as Hogwarts protecting her. Hogwarts' finances were already cut off last semester, and this time…
She watched as Hagrid covered his face with his large hands.
Hagrid is a good man, she knows that.
But being a good person shouldn't be his get-out-of-jail-free card.
Fortunately, Draco's injuries weren't serious, otherwise... it's uncertain whether Hagrid's life would have been saved.
If it were the old Malfoy, even if Hagrid did something like this, Dumbledore would have been able to keep Hagrid at Hogwarts. As long as he was at Hogwarts, his life would be guaranteed.
But now the Board of Trustees is powerful, and Dumbledore's influence has waned.
Hermione sat on the stool, tapping her knees with her fingers.
The room remained silent for a long time.
"Let's go, Harry."
Harry snapped out of his daze. "Huh? Are we leaving now? What about Hagrid...?"
Hermione interrupted him, "Buckbeak's handing over is a done deal. Hagrid can't just refuse to hand it over if he doesn't want to. If Malfoy asks the Ministry of Magic to enforce it, no one can stop him."
"Hand it over; it's better for everyone. At least it will give Headmaster Dumbledore much more leverage."
"And Hagrid, if you believe me, I can tell you I can resurrect Buckbeak. So, hand it over!"
Hermione's last sentence was delivered with a forceful tone; she explained the pros and cons to Hagrid and even brought up Dumbledore.
If Hagrid had any sense at this moment, he would know what to choose.
Hagrid stared intently into Hermione's eyes, trying to detect any sign of lying.
Finally, Hagrid nodded.