章 118: Chapter 118: Hagrid's Request
The eccentric prophetess sprang to life again. "Oh dear! The shadow of death looms ever closer to you, Mr. Augustus. To be the first to leave such a perilous meal—you truly are oblivious to the dangers around you. If I were in your place, I would avoid leaving school at all costs for the next month. Otherwise, everything shall return to dust, and no one will be able to save you. Alas!"
"Thank you for the warning, Professor. Should the opportunity arise, perhaps I will test it myself," Augustus replied, smiling nonchalantly. Draco and Lilian stood as well, preparing to leave with him.
"Sybill, I hardly think it matters," Professor McGonagall said coldly. "Unless, of course, there's a crazed axeman waiting outside the hall, intent on attacking the first person to step through the doors."
Harry and Ron burst out laughing. Trelawney looked affronted, her face a mask of indignation.
The next day marked the resumption of classes. Spending two hours outside on a cold January morning was hardly anyone's idea of fun. However, Hagrid had prepared a roaring bonfire filled with fire-dwelling salamanders for entertainment. The students were tasked with collecting dead branches to keep the fire burning, while the lizards scurried about on the heated, cracking wood.
Draco, with his usual bravado, used his wand to blow one of the salamanders out of the fire, inadvertently setting Pansy's skirt alight. What had started as a reasonably enjoyable lesson quickly devolved into chaos, much to the dismay of Hagrid. His disappointment was evident, and despite Harry and Ron's attempts to cheer him up, it was clear that the incident weighed heavily on him. Gryffindor's collective disdain for Malfoy seemed to reach new heights. Were it not for Augustus's presence, it's likely Draco would have been swarmed with retaliation.
After class, Hagrid asked Augustus to stay behind, clearly wanting a private word. Augustus gestured for Draco and Lilian to head back without him and followed Hagrid to his hut near the Forbidden Forest.
Inside, Hagrid brewed a pot of fragrant tea and brought out some rock-hard scones. The two sat at the wooden table.
"Mr. Augustus," Hagrid began earnestly, "you seem to have a good relationship with Malfoy. You were there during the incident with Buckbeak, and you know it was Malfoy's insults that provoked the attack. But now, Lucius Malfoy is suing to have Buckbeak executed. The magical creature committee has already convicted him and set an execution date. Professor Dumbledore has been working tirelessly to intervene, but sadly, it hasn't made much difference. After much thought, I realized you might be our only hope. Would you, on moral grounds, try to persuade Malfoy to drop the lawsuit?"
Hagrid's eyes were full of desperate hope as he looked at Augustus.
Augustus sipped his tea, contemplating the request in silence before responding. "From a neutral standpoint, it's true that Malfoy was in the wrong initially. However, you know how it is in the wizarding world—magical creatures are rarely pardoned for harming a human, even if provoked. Their status is simply not equal to ours. So, while public opinion might sympathize with Buckbeak, the committee's decision to execute him remains unchanged. As for me, while I do get along with Malfoy, I don't have the influence to overturn his father's decisions. So..." Augustus trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
Hagrid lowered his head in despair, his face reflecting utter hopelessness. Augustus had been his last straw. Though their relationship was limited to a few encounters, Hagrid had hoped Augustus's good reputation—even as a Slytherin—might sway things. But now, it seemed all hope was lost, and Buckbeak's fate was sealed.
"However," Augustus added, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "I do have a fondness for Buckbeak. Even though the committee has made its decision, I won't stand idly by and watch him be executed. I'll write a letter home. I can't guarantee the outcome, but I'll do my best."
Hagrid's face lit up with renewed hope. Even someone as uninformed as he was aware of the prestige of the Julius family in the wizarding world. If Augustus wrote a letter, it could carry more weight than any appeal to Malfoy himself.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Augustus! Words can't express my gratitude. You'd be Buckbeak's savior!" Hagrid said, tears of gratitude brimming in his eyes.
"I'm only doing what little I can. Malfoy has indeed gone too far this time. Rest assured, even if I don't act, there will be others who won't let Buckbeak die in vain," Augustus said with a reassuring smile.
"Now, don't worry too much. Buckbeak will get through this ordeal. I have a class to attend, so I'll take my leave." Augustus stood to bid Hagrid farewell.
"Of course, and please don't hesitate to visit whenever you can!" Hagrid replied with a sincere smile, rising to see him off.
Having parted with Hagrid, Augustus found himself late for his first Divination class of the term. Professor Trelawney was now teaching palmistry.
"The lines on one's hand, from ancient times, have charted the courses of countless lives," Trelawney intoned. "Each branch represents the flow of history, determining an individual's fate. These lines reveal everything—from life and love to career and destiny. They are no mere coincidence. Fate has chosen your path from the moment of your birth."
There was no denying Trelawney's talent for spinning an engaging tale. It was only at the end of the lesson—when she couldn't resist telling Augustus that his lifeline was the shortest she had ever seen—that the illusion of perfection was shattered.
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