Chapter 11 - The library
The trio of friends heard no word of Buckbeak over the next few days to their relief, but his savior still remained in the back of their minds. Mr. Laufeyson was still present in Lupin's class though he didn't do much other than observe their lessons. Harry believed Professor Lupin was airing on the side of caution since Mr. Laufeyson's first appearance, and he didn't blame him for it. To Harry's amusement, Malfoy kept his distance from both Laufeyson and himself. He hoped Malfoy's father would not get involved. Once class ended, him, Ron and Hermione rendezvoused in the main hall for lunch. They found a seat at one of the long tables. Ron immediately grabbed some food for his plate.
"Do you think … Buckbeak's alive?" asked Hermione starting the conversation with thoughts that lingered on all of their minds. Harry sighed.
"I dunno … at least Hagrid is happy about it," remarked Harry.
"Yeah and Draco is scared out of his mind," said Ron happily taking a bite of food. Hermione exhaled.
"I'm not so sure that's a good thing. Hopefully his father doesn't get involved. The last thing we need is him or the ministry interfering at Hogwarts," she said concerned.
"Oh come on, let's at least enjoy it while it lasts," remarked Ron.
"That reminds me," she said pulling a book from her bag.
"I went to -"
"The Library," said Ron and Harry. She glared at them, placing the book on the table.
"And I did some research," she said.
"On?" questioned Harry.
"On Lupin's assistant," she finished carefully.
"What? Why? There can't be much on him," asked Ron with a mouth full of food. She shook her head at him, but Harry was very much interested in what she found.
"There's quite a lot … actually," she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry gazing at the book. Its title read 'a history of norse mythology.' "Hermione … I don't mean to be rude, but that's a book on mythology," remarked Harry.
"I know … " she said displeased.
"What are you going on about?" asked Ron, taking another bite of food. Hermione opened the book to a specific page and pointed to a few lines of text. Harry read some of them and found the name 'Laufeyson' as well as 'Loki' and 'Thor.'
"Hermione … you not suggesting that he is actually one of these … mythical people? I mean, muggles called them gods at one point," said Harry
"What?" said Ron with food in his mouth again.
"Will. You. Stop. Eating?!" said Hermione taking the book and hitting Ron with it in rhythm with her words. She put the book down again. "These are the only books where his name pops up. Aren't you curious?!" she said.
"Well yeah, but how is that book suppose to help us if it's not true?" asked Ron.
"What if it is?" said Harry. His friends glared at him.
"What you playing at?" asked Ron suspiciously.
"Look," said Harry leaning closer to his friends," Dumbledore's asked me to get to know him."
"What?! Why?" said Ron.
"Shhh!" shushed Harry, "I don't know, but whatever he wants to know must be important … otherwise he would not have asked me," he said in a softer tone.
"Why would Dumbledore hire someone who he doesn't trust?" whispered Hermione. Harry thought for a moment.
"Maybe that's exactly why he hired him … maybe he knows something about Cedric's death."