Chapter 97: Hagrid and Buckbeak

A few days later, Harry was released from the school infirmary and his life seemed to return to its daily routine.

But losing the Quidditch match and what happened in the common room still had an effect.

The students in Gryffindor Tower seemed less energetic, and everyone was really depressed.

Because of what happened with Ron, Hermione was crying all the time. It was a big blow to her. Harry would often stare dumbfounded at the wreckage of his Nimbus 2000. Although everyone tried many things to make him happy, it didn't work. Wood looked completely impassive, as if he had lost his life's purpose. Fred and George no longer liked the pranks; they worked less and less on new tricks and products.

However, no one had changed as much as Ron.

Ron's behavior became increasingly strange. Apart from Harry, he hardly spoke to anyone. His temper became very bad and he was not friendly with everyone.

He was like an active volcano that had been suppressed for a long time and was about to erupt at any moment.

In Potions class on Monday, because Malfoy was imitating Dementors to mock Harry, Ron immediately threw a big, sticky crocodile heart at him, right in his face. Therefore, Snape deducted fifty points from Gryffindor.

Ivan didn't know if it was a wrong impression, but he always felt that Ron was someone else.

His eyes were often vacant and lazy, but every time he saw him, he was full of vigilance and hostility, as if he was going to jump on him at any moment.

Ivan was not against the idea of a fight if he could solve all the problems.

In short, the unexpected failure made the atmosphere of the entire Gryffindor Tower heavy.

The only thing worth rejoicing about was Professor Lupin's return to class.

In Wednesday's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Ivan saw Professor Lupin.

He had been ill, he could tell. His old robe was loose on his body. There were dark shadows under his eyes. The werewolf transformation must have been a heavy burden on his body.

Everyone was concerned about Lupin's physical condition and complained about Snape's actions during his illness. To Ivan's knowledge, Snape's teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for all grades when he replaced Professor Lupin was the same, revolving around how to identify and kill werewolves.

Of course, almost none of them took it seriously.

To young wizards these days, werewolves were like mythical creatures. They thought they would never come into contact with them in real life.

Apart from Hermione, Ivan wasn't sure who else would have discovered Lupin's true identity.

Predictably, Snape was disappointed, as his efforts had no effect other than to double his discomfort.

　　Professor Lupin's return made the Defense Against the Dark Arts class enjoyable again.

In that class, Ivan saw a Hinkypunk, a new dark creature brought in by Lupin. It was a one-legged creature with the appearance of blue, gray-white smoke. It was very fragile and seemed quite harmless.

However, the reality was that it often attracted travelers to the swamps.

It had a tendency to lure travelers off their paths at night, into treacherous swamps or wetlands under the guise of a helpful, lamp-bearing being. When travelers followed him, fell into the swamps and died, the Hinkypunk feeds on the carrion of these dead people.

Watching it across the pond, you would never guess that this creature could be so terrible.

The pleasant atmosphere generated by Professor Lupin's return lasted only two hours. When Ivan went down to the common room for lunch, he saw Hagrid standing in the hallway surrounded by Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Hagrid had just returned from the owl tower. He stood there, his eyes red and puffy, tears streaming down the front of his leather vest.

"Hagrid, what's wrong?" Ivan approached and was surprised to see Harry, Ron and Hermione looking at an official letter.

Ivan glanced at it and read, "Dear Mr. Hagrid, after our investigation into the attack by a hippogriff on a student in your class, we have accepted Professor Dumbledore's assurances that you are not responsible for the unfortunate incident.

However, we must register our concern for the hippogriff in question.

We have decided to support Mr. Lucius Malfoy's official complaint and, therefore, this matter will be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.

The hearing will take place on January 25, and we ask that you present yourself and your hippogriff at the Committee's offices in London on that date. In the meantime, the hippogriff must be kept tethered and isolated. Yours..." A list of the school board followed.

"They want to kill Buckbeak!" Hagrid couldn't help but sob. His face was streaked with tears that streamed down his tangled beard.

"But Buckbeak isn't a bad hippogriff!" said Harry a little doubtfully. "Hagrid, I bet he'll be fine."

"No, you don't know those weirdos on the Committee for the Elimination of Dangerous Creatures." Hagrid wiped his tears with his sleeves. "They like interesting creatures!"

Hagrid's words caused them to look at each other not knowing how to respond.

The hippogriffs, which Hagrid called "interesting animals," were in the eyes of the others "terrifying monsters."

Even if Buckbeak had no intention of harming anyone, no one would like him.

In fact, by Hagrid's usual standards, he was really cute.

However, Ivan knew it had nothing to do with whether Buckbeak was cute or not. Behind it all were the hands of Lucius Malfoy.

The Malfoy's reputation had fallen since the failed attempt to remove Dumbledore from the school board last year; the conversation in the Headmaster's office about who had opened the Chamber of Secrets had been leaked by someone, and now rumors were flying around the magical world that Lucius was distributing items from Voldemort's student days.

This was not a good sign, and Lucius Malfoy is desperate to get something to divert attention and revive the reputation of the Malfoy family.

Hagrid gave him that opportunity and now he is threatening him with Buckbeak. That attack had become a rivalry between him and Dumbledore. As long as he can keep Hagrid from teaching or killing the hippogriff, he can regain his lost prestige.

Needless to say, the politicians at the Ministry of Magic and the School Board must have made some concessions to each other. They were not willing to offend Dumbledore, nor did they want to give up the large amount of gold sent by Malfoy.

They could support Dumbledore in allowing Hagrid to stay at the school to teach. The corresponding condition of exchange was to agree that Lucius Malfoy could have Buckbeak killed.

Apart from Hagrid, no one would care about the life or death of a hippogriff.

The hearings were a mere formality!

The committee was almost under Malfoy's control. No matter what Hagrid says, it would not be helpful.

In other words, the outcome of this incident was already determined from the beginning.

Regardless of Hagrid's wishes and whether or not Buckbeak was actually dangerous, it was no longer important.

Buckbeak was destined to die - cruel though it was, it was a fact!

Maybe, that's what politics is all about!