Chapter 99 The Marauder's Map

"Let's consider this, Hermione. It is the duty of the Committee for the Eradication of Dangerous Creatures to handle them and take action," Evan continued. "We may not be able to prove Buckbeak's innocence; he did attack Malfoy, even if his reasons were justifiable. But what we can prove is that hippogriffs are not inherently dangerous."

"Do you mean...?" Hermione immersed herself in contemplation.

"According to the classification of dangerous creatures in the book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' hippogriffs do not pose such a high risk. They can be tamed by wizards. These gentle creatures should not fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee for the Eradication of Dangerous Creatures," Evan opened the book and turned to the author's introduction page. "Moreover, we can approach this issue from the perspective of protecting rare species. Mr. Scamander could assist us."

"Mr. Scamander?"

Hermione picked up the book. She frowned as she read the author's introduction:

The author of the book, Mr. Newt Scamander, is currently the most renowned magizoologist in the Magical World. He graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1915, holding positions such as an employee at the Ministry of Magic, a researcher in the Office of the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects at the Ministry, in the Office for House-Elf Relocation, Founder and Head of the Werewolf Registry, and Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

Mr. Newt Scamander spent 30 years traveling the world, documenting the forms and habits of the 75 magical creatures currently known in the Magical World. His worldwide best-selling work, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," has been reprinted fifty-two times.

Under his guidance, the Ministry of Magic established the Werewolf Registry in 1947; in 1965, he amended the Ban on Experimental Breeding, effectively curbing the proliferation of new breeds of uncontrollable animals within British territory.

Thanks to his contributions to magical creature research and magizoology, Newt Scamander was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class in 1979. That same year, he founded an organization for the conservation of magical species and dedicated himself to the protection of magical creatures.

"As the former Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Mr. Scamander's influence on the Committee for the Eradication of Dangerous Creatures is substantial, certainly greater than that of Lucius Malfoy," explained Evan. "He is also the President of the Association for the Protection of Magical Creatures. We just need to write him a letter about Buckbeak, and I believe he will assist us."

Evan's idea sounded brilliant. He and Hermione penned a letter to Mr. Newt Scamander that same evening and received a response the following morning.

"Evan, look at what it says," exclaimed Hermione. "Mr. Scamander expressed strong support for our ideas in his response. He was willing to help save Buckbeak. He mentioned that his mother bred hippogriffs, so he had been in contact with these creatures since childhood."

Evan took the letter and saw that Newt Scamander expressed concern over the sharp decline in the hippogriff population over the past century due to excessive hunting. Therefore, he pledged to revise and refine the article written by Evan to safeguard the hippogriff. Furthermore, he promised to contact the Committee for the Eradication of Dangerous Creatures to handle the case with utmost care.

Following that, things started to look more promising.

Thanks to Mr. Newt Scamander's connections, the Daily Prophet finally published articles about the introduction and protection of hippogriffs authored by Evan and Hermione.

They provided a detailed description of hippogriff habits, their current living conditions, and people's understanding of this creature, etc.

They also told the whole story about Buckbeak's attack on Malfoy.

In the following days, many readers wrote to them as well as to Hagrid and expressed their willingness to support them. They even launched a "Save Buckbeak" campaign, officially submitting a petition to the Ministry of Magic regarding this incident, asking for the pardon of the hippogriff. Many people participated.

Public opinion continued to develop, exerting significant pressure on the Ministry of Magic.

The governors and the Committee for the Elimination of Dangerous Creatures wrote three letters to Hagrid. They expressed caution that before the hearing, an investigation into the incident of Buckbeak attacking the students would be reopened.

With things unfolding the way they were, there was a high likelihood that Buckbeak would be pardoned.

With so much attention, Lucius Malfoy was starting to look like the villain, and that worried him.

Hagrid was gradually recovering, appearing more and more in the castle, feeling happier each day.

Evan and Hermione felt more at ease. With Harry's continuous efforts, the tension between them and Ron also eased a little.

At least Ron returned to sit with them, instead of wandering around the castle with Scabbers.

Two weeks before the end of the semester, the sky suddenly cleared, revealing a dazzling iridescence. The muddy grounds were covered with a thin and beautiful layer of frost.

As Christmas approached, the festive atmosphere in the castle grew stronger.

The Charms professor, Professor Flitwick, decorated his classroom with bright light sources. Those light sources were actually real fairies constantly fluttering their wings.

The students were happily discussing their holiday plans. Most of them were preparing to go home for Christmas due to the presence of Sirius Black.

In fact, except for Evan, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, all other Gryffindor students were almost ready to go home.

Evan was making his own plans. Ron said he couldn't bear spending two weeks with Percy. Hermione wanted to spend more time in the library.

Although the three had their own reasons, it really touched Harry. He thought they wanted to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas to be with him.

In the last week of the semester, students from the third year onwards could go back to Hogsmeade.

Everyone was happy. The whole talk at the breakfast table revolved around buying Christmas gifts.

"Ron, where's Harry? Why hasn't he come to breakfast yet?" asked Hermione.

"He's still in his room. You know, he can't go to Hogsmeade," Ron said, his voice a little subdued. "He borrowed a 'Cleansweep Broom' from Wood and is spending all his time on it."

"What a shame!" Evan remembered Harry's disappointment in the common room before going to bed the night before. He wasn't sure. "Maybe I could take Harry to Hogsmeade through the secret passage. I've walked through it many times last year, and there shouldn't be a problem."

"It won't work, Evan," Hermione spread jam on her bread and said firmly, "This year is different from the past. There are many Dementors at the entrance. Besides, what if Sirius Black knew about the secret passage?"

"But..."

"Don't worry, Ron and I will buy you Christmas gifts. What kind of candies did you like last time?" Hermione said with a smile, "My dad and my mom loved Honeydukes' 'Fanged Frisbees'!"

"If possible, could you bring me some oranges..."

Evan hadn't finished speaking when he saw Harry hurrying into the common room with his backpack. He ignored Malfoy at the entrance when he fell off his broom and didn't laugh at him. He walked straight to them with a very cheerful expression.

"Boys, look at this, Fred and George have just given me this..."

Harry cautiously pulled out an ancient parchment, square and large in appearance, from under his cloak, with nothing written on it.

"Harry, what is this?" Hermione asked, puzzled.

Before Harry could reply, he heard Ron whisper, "The Marauder's Map!"

Evan wasn't certain, but despite his subdued and monotone voice, Ron seemed pleasantly surprised.