Chapter Eight
A week later, Ron was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the great hall, his arm still well bandaged reading out a letter from his mother.
"You're so brave." A simpering Gryffindor girl Harry recognised from Divination classes said, "You must be in so much pain."
Ron sniffed and sat up a little straighter, "Well it's still very bad. That's why mum is so annoyed, the school is meant to keep us safe, I could have lost my arm. Well, I could have died."
"Oh Ron." she said, patting his good arm and moving closer to him.
"Thanks Lavender, it's so good to know you're here for me." Ron smiled.
Fred and George came over and sat either side of Ron, pushing Lavender out the way.
"How are you Ron?" Fred said with fake sympathy.
George nodded, "Our big brother fights with dragons, he is a literal dragon trainer but you, Ron, you not being careful at school is so very much worse!"
"Do you remember that time Charlie had a huge burn down one side of his body and talons ripping him down to the bone?" Fred asked George.
"Oh yes." George nodded, "But that's nowhere near as bad as poor baby Ron's arm scratch."
"Piss off." Ron grumbled, he stood up and stormed off, followed closely by Lavender who was shooting horrible looks at Fred and George.
The twins just laughed and shook their heads.
Harry smirked over from the Slytherin table and finished eating his porridge.
"Have you seen?" Daphne asked, pointing down the table.
Harry looked over and suppressed a laugh. Tracy was sitting by herself playing with a piece of toast. A few seats down, Crabbe, Goyle and Millicent were sitting opposite Gemini and Rodolphus.
"Looks like the three followers have found new over lords." Daphne said, shaking her head.
"I knew they were shallow but Gemini and Rodolphus are only first years, I thought even they had higher standards." Harry shrugged.
"I don't know." Daphne said, "Gemini has a weird vibe around her."
"Yeah, she's a lot like her mother." Harry agreed, "She's got a lot of presence. Rodolphus seems like he's not even their half the time though, he just does what he's told."
"I'm not sure I've ever seen Tracy so down." Pansy said, sitting down, her hand tightly interlocked with Draco's.
"Yeah she looks rather small without her little gang of minions." Draco smirked, "Can't say that I feel very sorry for her though."
Harry nodded in agreement. They ate quietly, waiting for the post to arrive. Harry moved a plate by his side so that Hedwig could land. Armilda had landed neatly on Draco's shoulder, carrying a large parcel filled with sweets and cakes from home.
Hedwig held out her leg impatiently for Harry to undo the little note.
"I'm sorry." Harry said, rolling his eyes, "Dare I finish my mouthful?" he undid the string holding on a small bit of rolled up parchment.
"It's from Hagrid." Harry said before he'd even read it, he could tell from the writing.
"What's it say? We're free fourth period if he wants a visit." Daphne said, taking a sip of tea.
Harry scanned over the letter and the colour drained from his face, "I don't believe it!"
"What's wrong Harry?" Draco asked.
"Ron's bitch of a mother has reported Buckbeak to the ministry. They're going to put him on trial for 'attacking' Ron." Harry fumed, "There's tears on the paper from poor Hagrid."
"That's insane. Ron was the one at fault. He chose to ignore the instructions." Draco huffed.
Harry shook his head, "I'm going to go down in fourth period to see if he's OK. And if there's anything we can do to help. I can't believe it, this is because Ron is making such a fuss and revelling in all the attention."
"What's wrong Harry?" Neville asked coming over with Hermione.
"Hagrid is having some trouble thanks to a red headed so and so that we know." Draco scowled.
"It's not necessarily all his fault," Daphne pointed out, "It might just be his mother being a pain."
"We're free fourth period if you want to come down with us and see him." Harry told them.
"We've got Herbology I'm afraid." Hermione sighed, "Let us know how it goes though please. I'd hate to see Hagrid upset."
Harry nodded and stood up to go and get his books for his lessons.
As fourth period began, Harry, Draco, Pansy and Daphne walked quickly to Hagrid's hut in the pouring rain.
Harry banged on the door and was met with loud barking from Fang. Hargid pulled open the door, his eyes red and puffy from crying.
"Oh Hagrid." Pansy said, giving him a hug.
"Thank ye Pansy, come in, come in." Hagrid sniffed.
They went inside and paused.
"Umm, Hagrid why is Buckbeak inside?" Harry asked, sitting down slowly on the sofa, watching Buckbeak lay on a large pillow, cleaning his wing feathers.
"Ministry said I 'ad to keep 'im locked up and away from the others. It's rainin' outside." Hagrid said as if it was obvious.
"Has Buckbeak ever hurt anyone before?" Harry asked.
Hagrid shook his shaggy head, "No, never. He's a good Hippogriff. In fact none of 'em has ever hurt someone."
"Well that's something." Pansy smiled.
"Can I see the letter?" Daphne asked.
Hagrid sniffed back a sob and handed over a tear stained piece of parchment. Daphne scanned over it.
"Well, there's going to be a trial- that's a good sign." She smiled, trying to remain hopeful.
Hagrid shook his head, "Na, those folks at Department for the Regulation and Control o' Magical Creatures hate all things that even a little bit interestin'. They'll already 'ave it in for poor Bucky."
"I'm not giving in." Harry said stubbornly, "We've got to at least try."
Hagrid nodded, "Thanks you, you guys."
"I'm sure Hermione and Neville will help as well. Hermione's brain will definitely come in use dealing with this." Draco said.
Hagrid nodded and gave a small smile before making some tea.
"What does Dumbledore say about the issue? Surely he could say something to help with the case?" Pansy said, nibbling the corner of a rather tough biscuit.
Hagrid let out a loud sigh, " 'E says 'e'll say a few words for me but thinks I threw you all in the deep end and should 'ave started yea on somethin' more simple."
"That's not very helpful." Draco grumbled.
"It would have to be Ron that got hurt, his mother wont let this go, she's like a bloody crocodile." Harry said, flopping back on the sofa, "We're not giving up though."
In fact the next day, while Ron was sitting at the Gryffindor table, making a fuss over his arm Harry slammed down his spoon and stormed over.
"Hello Harry." Ron said cheerfully, "What's up?"
"Hagrid!" Harry spat, "Your mother has gotten him in loads of trouble!"
Ron went pale, "What do you mean?"
"She's reported him and Buckbeak to the ministry! There's going to be a hearing and everything! What the hell are you playing at!?"
Ron stuttered, "I didn't know. She was told I was hurt but I didn't think she'd… Harry I didn't know."
Harry didn't believe him, he was too angry to listen. Fred and George wandered over.
"What's going on?" Fred asked crossing his arms.
"Mum's causing trouble." Ron mumbled, "She's reported what happened to the ministry."
The twins rolled their eyes,
"We told you this would happen." George said.
"You know what she's like," Fred added, "She can't deal with stuff like this."
Ron sat sheepishly.
"What's going on over here?" Percy said, walking over, nose in the air like there was a bad smell.
"None of your business, perfect Percy." George snorted.
"I am Head Boy, everything is my business, especially when it is between the different houses." Percy said importantly.
"Mum reported Buckbeak to the ministry." Ron explained.
"Good," Percy gave a quick nod.
"Good? GOOD?!" Harry shouted, "Buckbeak could be in serious trouble!"
"Do not talk to me that way Mr Potter, know your place." Percy snapped back.
Harry rolled his eyes and took several deep breaths, "All I mean is that both Hagrid and Buckbeak didn't do anything wrong and now they're in trouble." Harry was surprised at how nicely he'd managed to say that.
Percy gave a small smile, "Thank you for the apology. We must make allowances for your upbringing after all."
Harry kept quiet about the fact he hadn't apologised and his upbringing was fine, it would only make Percy difficult again.
"The fact does remain though that Ronald was seriously hurt and in any class it is the teacher's responsibility to look after the students. Hagrid may be new at teaching but he was still reckless and a student was very badly hurt."
"But Ronald getting hurt was his own fault. He was warned about how to behave and ignored that." Harry pointed out with gritted teeth, "Surely he must take some of the responsibility for what happened."
"Ronald is a student." Percy pointed out, "And Dumbledore agrees with us or he would be supporting Hagrid more. Besides I'm sure the ministry will look at all the evidence and if Ronald was partly at fault the judgement will reflect that."
"You seem to have a lot of faith in the ministry." Harry muttered.
"Of course." Percy said, as though anything else would be treason, "They are very capable."
Harry knew it was a lost cause and sighed, "Well than. I guess I've nothing to worry about." he said sarcastically as possible.
Percy smiled, "Exactly, now run along to your own table."
Harry gave him an overly happy smile and skipped back towards the Slytherin table.
"Harry wait!" Ron called, he was still clutching dramatically at his arm which made Harry's blood boil once more.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I'll talk to Mum." Ron smiled, "Try and get her to calm it a bit."
"You know what would help?" Harry sighed, "Stop making such a big deal over it. Are you really so attention starved that showing off to everyone is that important?"
Ron looked down at his feet.
Harry knew he'd struck a nerve.
"It's easy for you to say that." Ron muttered, "You've already got all the attention."
"I don't want it. Trust me being always in the spot light isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'd give anything to be normal like you." Harry said.
Ron let out a snort, "Yeah course. Anyway my arm is still really bad, I'm not putting it on."
Harry gritted his teeth, "Yeah. Well let's hope it's better for Quidditch, first game is Gryffindor Vs Slytherin. I'd hate for you to have to miss it."
Ron looked touched, "Well I'm sure it'll be better by then. Just have to see how it goes." he walked back to his half eaten breakfast, leaving Harry alone.
Harry wasn't hungry any more and grabbed his bag, leaving the hall. He found an empty classroom and sat down leaning his head against the desk.
"What's wrong Harry?" Remus asked.
"Sorry I… I didn't see you." Harry mumbled.
"I wasn't in here. I saw you from the corridor." Remus explained, he sat down next to Harry and smiled, "What's wrong?"
Harry sighed, "Ron and Hagrid."
"Might need a bit more than that." Remus smirked.
Harry couldn't help but smile back, "Ron got hurt in Care of Magical Creatures and now cause he's made such a fuss, Hagrid and Buckbeak are in trouble. Ron's mother has put in a complaint to the ministry."
Remus nodded thoughtfully, "And you're worried about Hagrid?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah. If anything happens to Buckbeak he's going to be so upset. It's just not fair."
"Harry, I think there's something you're not telling me." Remus said, "I've never seen you so upset over something that you can't really control before."
Harry sighed, "Ron is making a fuss because of me." he shrugged, "Because he thinks attention is brilliant and he's jealous. That is kinda my fault."
Remus sighed kindly, "It's not your fault. It happened to you, but that's not the same thing as being your fault. Lots of bad things happen to good people and you were only a baby when it happened to you."
"It made everything so different." Harry said, "Everything changed in a second. Sometimes I wish I'd grown up away from it all."
"If you had you'd be a very different person." Remus said, "If I'd never been bitten I know I would have been a different person but I was so here I am."
Harry nodded, "Yeah I guess."
"And if you hadn't had all this attention growing up you'd love it now." Remus pointed out.
Harry snorted.
"I mean it. Suddenly being a super star, it's every thirteen-year-old's dream." Remus grinned.
Harry, annoyingly, couldn't think of any evidence to prove that wrong, "You're right I guess."
"Don't be angry at Ron, help Hagrid as much as you can and anything you can't control is not your fault and never will be." Remus said, he wrapped his arms around Harry and gave him a tight hug, "Now off to class with you."
Harry grinned and stood up, he knew Remus was right, he couldn't control Ron but he could research as much as possibly to help Hagrid plead his and Buckbeak's case. He left the classroom with new resolve and feeling much better about the situation.