AN: Hey everyone. Welcome back for another week. Hope you're enjoying the start of summer IRL, even if it's winter in this story. Nothing big to note here in the AN. Remember to leave reviews! I love reading them. Also, as we begin making our way ever closer to the famous Tri-Wizard cup (my absolute favorite) feel free to suggest other tasks you'd like to see the participants do! While the 3 in canon are likely going to stay as they are, as long as I have some cool ideas for more, we might do them!
The return to Hogwarts after the Winter holidays went on without incident. The Sphinx Club quickly settled back into their routine of study, training, and research. It was a chilly day in the middle of February when Luna received a letter from her father.
"Oh! Daddy's written to me. I wonder what it's about." Luna said, from her seat at the Ravenclaw table. She was currently on Harry's left-hand side, with Padma on his right. Hermione had been moved to the opposite side of the table, partially to her annoyance.
"Well, open it up and see." Harry said, idly taking a small bit of bacon and feeding it to the owl who had dropped off the letter before it flew off. The Lovegood family owl was a common barn owl, with a light brown back and white underbelly. He was a bit of an oddball, not unlike the family he served, and had a fascination with rolling on the floor. Supposedly his name was Grissel, but Luna had always called him Roly-Poly.
"Father apparently has secured a court date for Buckbeak. Given the evidence we've found, we might just have a chance for him to convince the court to let Buckbeak go." Luna said, standing up and doing a little twirl. Harry clapped.
"That's wonderful. I wonder if we could be allowed to attend the proceedings?" Padma idly wondered. It was certainly an interesting thought. While of the Ravenclaws gathered here, only Hermione had any interest at all in the legal system of the Wizarding World as a career option, they were still interested in what these kinds of proceedings might look like.
"Well, we could ask Professor Flitwick. If we explain our involvement, he might allow us to do so. He would likely need to get permission from the Headmaster, and would need to send us with a chaperone, but Hagrid would be in attendance anyway." Hermione said.
"Then let's go ask him. That court date is for the end of the month, that should be enough time to get it approved." Harry said, getting up. The Ravenclaw quartet moved to grab Parvati from the Gryffindor table, before making their way up to the Heads table, where the professors were enjoying their breakfast.
"Oh, hello. Did you need something?" Professor Flitwick asked as the group approached.
"Yes, we've been assisting Hagrid with a legal case involving the Hippogriff Buckbeak, they have a court date set for the end of the month, and we were wondering if there would be any way for us to be able to attend as spectators." Harry asked.
"Oh, well that's quite something. It's not often that we get these kinds of requests, but it's not unheard of. I will of course need to speak with Professor McGonagall since this will involve the Ms. Patil that is not under my care, but if she agrees we will take your request before the headmaster. Taking an interest in the legal system of our world is something that is certainly very Ravenclaw of you all. I do not foresee any issues with you being able to attend such a hearing, provided we receive permission from your parents as well. I would write them and have them send a letter that says that you are allowed to attend the proceedings. While I can act as a guardian for my Ravenclaws in lieu of their own being unavailable, exercising that authority is not something I should be doing often. Rest assured that you will have a chaperone if you do go." Flitwick said.
"Thank you Professor, we will go write those letters before class." Padma said, smiling at the diminutive professor.
"No thanks needed, I'm happy to see young minds expand their horizons, especially if you provided any work on this matter, I would like to allow you to see its completion." Flitwick said a smile on his face. "No run along for now, classes will be starting soon, and I have not quite had my fill of breakfast."
None of their guardians had any issue with allowing them to attend the proceedings, and the approval from the Headmaster came shortly thereafter. And then, on the final day of February, the trial for Buckbeak began.
Harry took his seat in the spectators stand as various members of the Wizengamot funneled into the room. Harry recognized a few off-hand, namely Neville's grandmother Augusta Longbottom, Susan's aunt Amelia Bones, Hannah's father Gregory Abbott, Luna's father Xenophilius Lovegood, Daphne's Father Cygnus Greengrass, and unfortunately Lucius Malfoy. Many other people flooded into the room, including a small section Harry saw designated as a press box. Lavender's mother was there, chatting amicably to another person. Harry hoped she wouldn't notice his presence, since last time they spoke it was only Lavender's presence that saved him from an exclusive interview. Harry shuddered a bit at the memory.
Towards the center of the upper stands a larger chair sat, where Dumbledore sat in a chair marked "Chief Warlock". Harry found that a bit odd, that the Headmaster held such disparate roles, but chalked it up to more Wizarding World weirdness. A few moments more everyone waited for more people to file in to their seats, before Dumbledore made a loud banging sound with his wand.
"Hello everyone, I would call this… Five thousand eight hundred and twelfth meeting of the Wizengamot to order. We have a few matters on the agenda today, so I believe it would be prudent to begin." Dumbledore said, his aged voice speaking distinctly and with authority. It was a different tone than he used during more private conversations, but not all too different than what was used during speeches to the student body. Harry briefly wondered how many of the members of the Wizengamot had been students at Hogwarts under Dumbledore; he would imagine most of them, even if it was only as a teacher and not the Headmaster.
"Here here." Came the reply from most of the body. Harry imagined that was simply a formality.
"Moving on to our first order of business, we must approve the minutes of the previous Wizengamot meeting…" Dumbledore said, as the members of the Wizengamot took a look over some parchments that had been presented to them. Harry quickly learned one of the important lessons of politics and bureaucracy, it was dreadfully boring. Roughly an hour passed as other minor pieces of business were handled, including approving financial transactions for the month. After that though, Dumbledore called for the next order of business.
"It seems a member of our body, one Lucius Malfoy, is demanding the death of the Hippogriff known as Buckbeak, who is currently under the care of Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Care of Magical Creatures Professor at Hogwarts. As such, it is considered a conflict of interest for myself to act as mediator for this case, as such I pass it to the honorable member Amos Diggory." Dumbledore stepped down, before the man identified as Amos Diggory stepped up to the podium.
"Now, I will hear the grievance of Lucius Malfoy, whom has brought this case before the Wizengamot." Amos said, as Lucius moved from his seat to a small platform in front of the various members of the Wizengamot, which moved to the center of the amphitheater.
"Members of the Wizengamot. During a Care of Magical Creatures class on the Second of September of 1993, my heir, Draco Malfoy, was attacked and injured by the Hippogriff known as Buckbeak. He has thankfully since then made a full recovery, but that should not excuse the actions of the creature. This beast is dangerous, and having it in the presence of our progeny on the grounds of Hogwarts places them all in danger. As such, I move for the creature to be executed in restitution for the damages placed upon my son." Lucius said, in what Harry could tell was a tone meant to invoke sympathy. Had Harry not known the man as he did, it might have even worked. Harry did know better though.
"The Wizengamot will now hear the handler of the accused, one Rubeus Hagrid." Amos said, as Hagrid stepped onto the lower platform that stood in the center of the Wizengamot room. "What say you in the defense of the accused?"
"Hippogriff's are proud creatures. They have to be approached a certain way. I had given that instruction, and Mr. Malfoy ignored it and approached anyway. This is why we have the Care of Magical Creatures class, to help prevent events like this. I cannot help it if students deliberately ignore instructions and get themselves hurt." Hagrid said. His accent had toned down a lot, Harry wondered if he had practiced this speech in order to make sure it was understandable.
"What made you feel as though a Hippogriff was an acceptable introductory lesson for Care of Magical Creatures?" Amos Diggory asked.
"I thought students would be more excited to see a creature they likely hadn't seen befur'. Most magical kids have de-gnomed a garden, or caught a Grindylow when they've gone fishin'. Hippogriff's are a sight rarer, and are beautiful creatures. In a controlled environment like I try to provide, they also can show how dangerous working with creatures can be, but also how rewarding it is. There's nothing more loyal than a Hippogriff who likes ya'." Hagrid said, his accent peeking back through.
"Now that both sides have had the chance for their opening statements, we will now allow members of the court to openly question both sides." Amos said, opening the floor.
"Can you please explain the proper way to approach a Hippogriff Mr. Hagrid?" Xenophilius Lovegood asked.
"Yes, the proper way to approach a Hippogriff is to maintain eye contact and bow. Then allow it to either bow back, which is it's consent to approach, or if it doesn't bow, to back away. Hippogriffs are proud creatures, they don't take kindly to people disrespecting them." Hagrid said.
"How did Mr. Malfoy approach the Hippogriff that day?" Mr. Lovegood asked.
"During the class, he began rapidly approaching Buckbeak, and failed to bow or show any respect at all. Buckbeak reared up, and tried to frighten the boy away. Mr. Malfoy continued his advance and was scratched before I could intervene, having been standing to the side answering another student's question about the Hippogriff. I managed to calm Buckbeak down before any more damage was done to the boy or any other students." Hagrid said.
"A question for the quorum as a whole, have there been any previous incidents involving Hippogriffs to use as a precedent?" A small portly man in the Wizengamot asked. Harry didn't recognize him.
"There is an entire subsection of laws relating to the act of 'Hippogriff baiting', which is defined as 'deliberate and intentional action taken to offend a hippogriff and force hostile action'. That section of law states that when such an action is taken, the fault lies on the offender and not the Hippogriff." Xenophilius Lovegood stated, before referring to the specific legal section.
"Does this event qualify as Hippogriff baiting?" came from another man in the stands.
"I would find it difficult to believe that my son acted with the intent to rile up the creature, simply misunderstanding the importance of the action, he is there to learn such things, is it his fault for not getting it right the first time?" Lucius brought up. Harry did have to give him that, Draco's arrogant, but probably wouldn't intentionally get himself hurt.
"Is it the fault of the Hippogriff for acting in a way that is entirely expected?" Mr. Lovegood asked, looking directly at Lucius. Harry briefly thought that if this was like that Ulysses 31 show Nymphadora had shown him, they would have shot eye lasers at each other.
"As it stands, has the court ever provided any decisions on accidental cases such as this?" another member spoke up.
"It was recently brought to my attention that a similar case involving a Nundu was brought forth in 1912. A field expedition of seventh year Hogwarts students being led by then Care of Magical Creatures Professor Barnaby Blackthorn. Upon coming across the creature, Professor Blackthorn instructed students to avoid it at all costs. One student ignored his warnings and approached, losing a limb in the process. Said student called for the Nundu to be hunted and killed, and the Wizengamot of the time voted against the act, saying that the incident was the fault of the student. All reasonable efforts had been taken to prevent injury, but approaching the creature was qualified as willful negligence on behalf of the student." Mr. Lovegood said. "It is my belief that the combination of that ruling, as well as the prior rulings on Hippogriff baiting, set a precedent that ignoring instruction and approaching a creature that is known to be dangerous would not be the fault of the creature."
A pause went over the court at that moment, before another question arose. "Is Rubeus Hagrid qualified to quantify the danger posed by a Hippogriff?" someone asked.
"Quite certainly. Rubeus Hagrid ranks as the United Kingdom's second highest honored Magical Creature caretaker by the International Magical Creature Association. His work in domestication of the Thestral was quite groundbreaking, and only Newt Scamander has achieved more awards. One would argue that in the U.K. only Newt would be more qualified, and knowing the man personally his opinion of Rubeus Hagrid is equally high. I have a statement from the International Magical Creature Association that vouches for Mr. Hagrid's competence." Mr. Lovegood said, providing the parchment to the Wizengamot.
"If there are no more questions or statements, I would like to put this to a vote." Amos Diggory said. "Given the circumstances, I am requiring Lucius Malfoy and Xenophilius Lovegood to abstain from voting. All others: if you wish to see Lucius Malfoy's request for the execution of the Hippogriff known as Buckbeak come to fruition. Please raise your wands." A significant number of wands went up, sending small streaks of light towards a ball in the center that counted them. "All opposed to the ruling of death for Buckbeak, raise your wands now." The earlier wands went down, and several wands went up, sending their own lights.
"By decree, in the case of Lucius Malfoy vs. Buckbeak the Hippogriff, the Wizengamot has voted in favor of pardoning the creature for his damages." Amos Diggory said, before his wand created a banging noise.
Harry, Padma, Parvati, Luna, and Hermione jumped up in excitement, giving each other hugs. They had done it! Buckbeak was free! Harry didn't feel as though he had contributed much to the endeavor, but he was happy for the others all the same. Seeing some gazes from the others in the viewing stands, they quickly sat back down to await the end of proceedings, which came a half-hour later.
The group was escorted back to Hogwarts, but not before Hagrid and Mr. Lovegood convinced the group's chaperone, one Minerva McGonagall, to allow them to go to Fortescue's Ice Cream shoppe as a treat for their hard work on this case. They chatted amicably about how well it had gone, and how happy they were that they managed to save the creature, and then they made a toast, to seeing justice done.
Harry thought justice tasted pretty sweet.