Chapter 231: Failed Appeal
Chapter 231: Failed Appeal
Spending a whole day in Hogsmeade was indeed a delightful experience, but the good mood didn't last until the end of the day. As soon as Hermione returned to Gryffindor Tower and put down her packages, she received a letter from Hagrid.
"Hagrid's letter? Ah, right, today is the day his Hippogriff is being tried in London. This must be the verdict", Hermione said, unfolding the letter and placing it on the coffee table to read it with Liam.
The parchment was wet, with large teardrops smudging the ink and making some parts hard to read.
Dear Hermione,
We lost. They won't let me bring it back to Hogwarts. The execution date is yet to be determined. Buckbeak likes London. I won't forget all the help you gave us.
"Hagrid bringing the Hippogriff to our third-year class wasn't a good idea, but this accident wasn't entirely his fault. Especially since Malfoy deliberately violated the rules after Hagrid's explanation, he should be the main culprit. It's unfair to blame everything on Buckbeak. So, Buckbeak shouldn't be executed", Hermione said after quickly scanning the letter.
"Malfoy's father basically controls the committee. They'll do whatever he wants them to do", Liam replied. "You know how powerful he is in the Wizarding World. The committee is made up of marginalized people in the Ministry of Magic. How could they stand up to him over a Hippogriff? While we can still appeal, I don't think it will make a difference."
"What can we do then?" Hermione's voice sounded helpless. It was terrible to watch an innocent life be taken and feel powerless to stop it.
"I think we might have to resort to less legal methods", Liam whispered. "From what I know, the final appeal will bring the Ministry of Magic directly to the school. Hagrid's place is close to the Forbidden Forest. We can ask Wolf to help us find some friends. Once the final verdict is out, we can have his friends take Buckbeak away."
"Wouldn't that put Wolf in danger?" Hermione was initially pleased but quickly became worried. "We shouldn't drag our friends into our problems."
"Well, I can ask him", Liam patted her hand reassuringly. "If he can help, we'll ask him. If not, we'll find another way."
That evening, after setting up a meeting time with Wolf in the Emerald Dream, Liam and Hermione met him at the edge of the Forbidden Forest the next day during a break between classes.
"Thanks for the beef-flavored candy", Wolf said, munching on the treat Liam had bought him from Honeydukes. "So, what brings you here?"
"It's like this", Hermione quickly explained. "There's a Hippogriff named Buckbeak who might be unjustly executed. We were wondering if you could find some friends to help save him?"
"Where will they execute the poor creature? If it's too far, we might not be able to help", Wolf asked, stopping his chewing and looking serious.
"Just at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, near Hagrid's hut", Liam replied.
"That shouldn't be a problem. I know a few friends among the Centaurs. We can rally them when the time comes."
"Will this put you in danger?" Hermione asked, concerned.
"Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t. Those humans can’t possibly be that ruthless to the Unicorns. Last time, Liam helped the Unicorns a great deal, and this time it’s for the sake of an innocent Life. I think the Unicorns will be willing to lend a hand." Wolf nodded and said.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Liam and Hermione quickly and excitedly thanked him, knowing that Unicorns were very shy magical creatures. For them to step forward and offer help was far beyond what they had expected.
"Then let’s wait and see the specifics before we make detailed plans." Wolf concluded.
With this good news, Liam and Hermione went to Hagrid’s hut after dinner to ask about the trial. Considering Hagrid’s emotional nature, they decided to keep their plan a secret.
They knocked on the door, and after a while, Hagrid opened it, looking very sad. "Oh, it’s you two. Come in and sit down."
After serving them tea and snacks, Hagrid slumped into the sofa, looking drained. "This is all my fault. I couldn’t speak properly. They were all sitting up there in their Black Robes, looking so grim. I missed some details when I was explaining the cases you found, Hermione. At first, some of them were nodding slightly, but then Lucius Malfoy stood up and spoke, and the committee did exactly as he asked..."
At this, Hagrid buried his face in his handkerchief and started sobbing. Liam quickly patted his arm to comfort him. "But there’s still an appeal, right? We still have a chance."
"No, there isn’t. Really, there isn’t." Hagrid sniffed loudly. "During the trial today, I could tell the committee was completely under Lucius Malfoy’s control. So now, I can only make sure Buckbeak has the happiest last days of his life. I owe it to him..."
"It seems we’re in a very tough spot. We’ll have to take action outside the legal system to save Buckbeak." Hermione said to Liam as they left Hagrid’s hut.
"I remember you used to be the most rule-abiding person. Why are you willing to use, um—unconventional methods now?" Liam asked with a teasing tone.
"But the problem is that Malfoy isn’t planning to follow the rules. In this situation, I think it’s justified to take some unconventional measures to save an innocent Life." Hermione said seriously.
It seemed that after everything they had been through, everyone was changing.
Back at the Tower, they intended to tell Harry and Ron about the trial, as they were the first to offer help to Hagrid when Liam and Hermione were studying in Brazil.
However, they couldn’t find Harry anywhere in the Tower, so they had no choice but to go to the Library with their textbooks and materials to study.
It wasn’t until the next morning, during breakfast, that Liam read the Daily Prophet delivered by an Owl. He learned that Sirius Black had appeared on the streets of Hogsmeade the previous afternoon. Before being sent to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, he had insisted on informing the villagers to notify the School so he could meet his godson, Harry Potter.
Eventually, he collapsed from exhaustion, and Harry, accompanied by Professor Mcgonagall, went to St. Mungo’s to see his godfather.
At least this was better than how the story had originally unfolded, Liam thought as he read the newspaper.
(End of Chapter)
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