A/N: Using mostly parts of the movie for this one guys. R&R please!
...
...
The weeks following the Quidditch Final brought the final exams for each student. On the sixth, the last day of exams also brought Buckbeak's appeal.
The divination tower was hotter than ever when Harry sat down for his final exam. Professor Trelawney sat waiting the dark haired boy before a large crystal ball.
"Now," the seer began. "Kindly gaze into the orb and then tell me what you see."
Swallowing thickly Harry knew he was doomed. Sweat dripped down his back as he stared, and stared hard at the object in front of him. Harry absolutely begged the orb to show something other than white fog, but unsurprisingly it didn't. Giving into his fate Harry decided to pretend, "Er-a dark shape...um..."
Trelawney looked absolutely elated, "What does it resemble? Catch it quickly dear, before it drifts into the beyond!"
And quickly he did, think that was. Casting his mind about for a random topic he blurted, "A hippogriff."
"Indeed!" the professor whispered. "My boy, you must be seeing the outcome of Hagrid's Ministry trouble. Look closer...tell me the outcome."
Oh bloody hell, Harry thought. If only she'd let him off with that. "Er-well, the hippogriff seems fine. Yes, that's it! It looks fine, it's flying away."
Trelawney sighed, "Well, I think we'll leave it...I'm sure you did your best."
Relieved Harry grabbed his bag and turned to leave when a harsh voice spoke from behind, "It will happen tonight!" Wheeling around Harry stared, Professor Trelawney had gone rigid, her mouth agape.
And then she spoke again, in a voice unlike her own, "The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight...the servant will break free and set out to fejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was. Tonight...before midnight...the servant...will set out...to rejoin...his master..." (Prophecy taken directly from the book, bloody creepy if you ask me.)
Trelawney's head fell forward onto her chest, and she coughed before looking up, a dreamy look on her face, "I'm so sorry dear, I must have drifted off for a moment."
Mouth opening and closing like a fish Harry ran. Dashing down the staircase and past the security trolls outside Gryffindor Tower and into the common room. The room was almost deserted, over in the corner sat Ron and Hermione.
"Professor Trelawney," Harry panted. "Just told me-"
Ron interrupted with a grave look on his face, "Buckbeak lost, Hagrid's just sent this."
-Lost appeal. They're going to execute at sunset. Nothing you can do. Don't come down. I don't want you to see it.
Hagrid.
Trelawney forgotten Harry looked up with a determined expression, "We've got to go. He can't just sit there on his own, waiting for the executioner!"
Hagrid sniffled as he stared out the window, "Look at 'im. Loves teh smell 'o teh trees when the wind blows through 'em."
Ron tried to plead, "Why don't we just set him free?"
The half giant shook his large head, "They'd known it was me, then Dumbledore...would get inter trouble. He's coming down, Dumbledore. Says he wants ter be with me when they...when it happens. Great man, Dumbledore. A great man."
"We'll stay with you too."
Hagrid swung around and narrowed his eyes at Harry, "You'll do no such thing! Think I want ya seeing something like that? No. You just drink yer tea and be off. Oh, before you do, Ron..."
Reaching a great hand into a jar Hagrid pulled a struggling, thin rat from within. Ron was ecstatic, "Scabbers! You're alive!"
Hagrid nodded, "Keep a closer eye on yer pet Ron."
Hermione stepped forward, "I think you owe someone an apology."
Ron nodded stubbornly, "Right, next time I see Crookshanks, I'll let him know."
The brunette shook her head, "I meant me!"
Before the angered girl could continue a small object hit Harry in the head, causing him to turn; seeing the ministry party approach he cried, "Hagrid!"
"It's late, s'nearly dark, you shouldn't be here. Someone sees you outside this time o' night, you'll be in trouble. 'Specially you Harry." Hagrid startled at a knock at the door, "Be you in a moment! Quick, quick!"
Harry stepped towards the back door, "Hagrid, it'll be fine. It'll be okay."
Hagrid smiled wanly, "Go on, go on!"
The trio didn't stop running until they hit the top of the hill. Hermione turned and pressed her head into Harry's shoulder as they watched the axe rise down in the pumpkin patch. The brunette whimpered when the thud echoed around the ground, and several crows startled into the air.
Several moments passed Hermione's cries the only sound until, "He bit me, Scabbers!" Turning the red head sprinted after his pet.
"Ron, Ron!"
Ignoring them the young Weasley continued his quest, "Scabbers, come back." Diving Ron latched onto the small animal and held him close to his chest, "Scabbers, you bit me!"
Hermione drew up short, "Harry, you do realize what tree this is?"
Harry glanced up at the dark trunk, only to recognize how screwed they were. Ron had dove underneath the shadow of the Whomping Willow! "That's not good. Ron, RUN!"
The red head looked up only to freeze, staring at a point behind his friend. Raising a hand Ron pointed, "Harry, Hermione, run! It's the Grim!"
Spinning the two looked on in fear at the massive dog before them. It's black fur was matted and it's eyes a fierce grey. Growling the beast charged them, only to leap through the air over their heads. Staring in horror, the two watched as the dog latched onto Ron's leg and proceeded to drag the boy into the Whomping Willow.
Acting fast Harry dove at the two, attempting to grasp his best friend's hands, "Ron, no Ron!"
The seeker had no success and the dog drug Ron into a tunnel beneath the trees roots. Standing up Harry maybe had second upon his feet before the Willow smashed a branch across his chest, sending once again to the ground. Groaning Harry sat up to see Hermione jump rope a branch only to be swept off her feet by another.
Flying around through the air Hermione screamed, "Harry!" Passing the boy she latched onto his shirt. The dark haired Gryffindor didn't even have time to curse before he too, was airborne. Miraculously Hermione let go just at the right moment for Harry to land safely in the tunnel. Well as safely as one can when flying through the air, and then have a brunette crash on top of you seconds later.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Hermione apologized standing up.
Harry shrugged, "Don't worry."
Hermione brushed the dirt from her sweatshirt and stared down the tunnel, "Where do you suppose this goes?"
The seeker shivered, "I have a hunch, I just hope I'm wrong."
