Buckbeak's execution was scheduled for tomorrow night, Harry realized with a shudder, the first night of the full moon. He'd been so caught up with Severus's illness and trying to make sure his father followed Pomfrey's instructions and rested like she had told him that he'd almost forgotten the date. Hermione, Ron, and Aria all felt extremely sorry for Hagrid and Buckbeak and had resolved to try and offer the distraught gamekeeper moral support during this awful time.

Harry knew that Aria was still trying to come up with a way to save the innocent hippogriff, even though it appeared hopeless. "Uncle Remmy always says where there's a will, there's a way. I just wish I knew what way."

Harry wished so too, for he hated to see Hagrid so depressed and upset, he could only imagine how he would feel if someone had ordered him to put Rosie down for being a menace. I'd never do it, I'd run the hell away first, far away where nobody'd find me. Hey, maybe that's an idea . . . But when he'd suggested it to Hagrid, the big man just shook his head and said there was nowhere he could run to where he wouldn't stand out, and if he tried, the Ministry would hunt him down and put him in Azkaban for defying them. Hagrid had been in Azkaban once, for three months last year, and said he'd rather die than endure that again.

"Don' yeh worry about me, kids," Hagrid said sadly. "I'll be fine . . .well not really . . .but . . .there's nothin' anyone can do. Dumbledore said he'd be with me . . .great man, Dumbledore . . ." he sniffled.

Privately, Harry thought the Headmaster might've used some of his considerable influence to change the outcome of the trial, much the way Lucius Malfoy had done. Why was it that the old wizard was always so reluctant to act sometimes? Did he enjoy watching his friends suffer? Harry found he was not yet ready to totally forgive the old wizard for letting him stay with the abusive Dursleys all those years, greater good or not. Did he think Buckbeak's dying was for the greater good too? Harry wondered with a sneer.

Harry returned from Hagrid's cottage in the early afternoon, it was a Saturday, he had no Quidditich practice, since the season was over, not that he could've gone anyhow, with his broom confiscated and being grounded and all. Buckbeak's execution was scheduled for sunset, and Harry was determined to be there, so he decided to do the smart thing for once and ask permission from Severus.

"Dad, please let me go. I know I'm grounded and I shouldn't be allowed to do anything fun or whatever, but this isn't fun and I want to be there for Hagrid, he needs me and he was there for me when I needed him," Harry told his father, giving him a pleading glance from his emerald eyes.

Severus considered. It was true Harry was still under punishment, but Severus had the right to amend punishments if he saw fit, if he thought Harry was deserving of such clemency. He considered his son's request carefully, recalling that Harry had behaved himself for the entire month so far, adhering to all of Snape's rules without pouting or whining , and helping his father without complaint in his lab and when he was sick.

Really, Harry had taken his punishment very well, all things considered. Severus decided to allow the boy to go and support his friend in his time of need. "Very well. You may go and stand by Hagrid while the execution proceeds. It will not be an easy thing to watch, Harry."

"I know, Dad." He licked his lips before asking, very softly, "Have you ever . . . I mean when you were a spy . . .did you ever, uh, watch someone die?"

Severus nodded heavily, his dark eyes haunted. "Yes. And to this day, I see it still in my dreams. It isn't something I would have wanted you to experience, no matter if it's a person or animal. A deliberate killing, whether the one to be killed is guilty or not, is never an easy thing to watch. I'm proud of you, son, for volunteering to be with Hagrid. And I will ask you to remember two things, first there is no shame if you get sick afterwards and second, if you wish to discuss how it made you feel or need a shoulder to cry on afterwards, I'll be here."

"Thanks, Dad," his son said sincerely.

"One other thing. I understand that Hagrid will be upset once this is done, but I'm going to ask you not to linger too long, Harry. With Black at large, I don't trust you'll be safe outside the castle, plus tonight's a full moon, and I want your word that you'll come straight back here an hour after the execution's done with. Or else I'll come fetch you myself, and you won't like the consequences," he warned.

"Okay, Dad. I'll be back within an hour. Promise."

"Good." Severus relaxed a fraction after hearing Harry's promise.

"And I want you to promise me you'll rest like you're supposed to, Dad," Harry said, trying to give his father one of his own glares, but it didn't work all that well. "You'll never get better else."

"What's this? Being a dictatorial brat, are you?" he mock-scolded.

Harry shrugged, smiling. "Well, I learned from the best."

"Impudent scamp!" Severus cried, and Harry ducked his swat, laughing.

• * * * * * *

The afternoon of the execution dawned gray and chill, almost as if the earth itself was already in mourning. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Aria were meeting in the meadow just beyond the greenhouse for a private conference regarding Buckbeak right after lunch.

Aria had told them she'd meet them there, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione all left together from Gryffindor Tower. As they were crossing the lawn in front of the greenhouse, they came across Malfoy and company.

Malfoy was sniggering and imitating Hagrid, making fun of the fact that the half-giant was going to lose his pet soon. "Can't you just see it, he'll be blubbering buckets over the stupid beast like a big baby. God, it's a wonder he ever got hired as a teacher here. My father claims Dumbledore's gone senile, appointing a gamekeeper as a teacher, especially and incompetent fool like Hagrid. Between him and Snape, the ruddy traitor, this school's going to the dogs. Literally, since Potter's allowed to keep his dumb mutt here and let it run all over. Might as well live in a kennel, I say, with the beagle and the Beast Girl, right, Crabbe?"

Harry had just caught the last few sentences and they made his blood boil. But before he could confront the vicious little bully, longing to slug him or hex him into next week, Hermione did.

"You make me sick, Malfoy! How can you be so cruel?"

Malfoy looked down his nose at the young witch. "Cruel? I think it's cruel to stick us with a stupid oaf that lets dangerous creatures near his students. My arm still isn't right."

"Oh?" inquired Hermione sweetly. "What's wrong with it now?"

Malfoy shrugged. "Nothing. Why are you here, Granger? Plan on watching the show?"

"Are you?" she demanded, not answering him.

"'Course. It'll be the last chance we've got to see the blubbering imbecile in action, ‘cause my father is petitioning the Ministry to bring Hagrid up on charges for injuring a minor and stuff. Can't wait till that goes through, it'll be awesome!He'll get sacked for sure. Then we'll work on old Snape."

Hermione scowled warningly. "You're disgusting."

Draco laughed. "That's rich, coming from a Mudblood, Granger!"

But Hermione had had it with the blond's nasty mouth and arrogant attitude. She drew back her arm and popped the smirking Draco right in the teeth.

Draco flew backwards and landed hard on the ground, one hand going to his mouth, which was dripping blood.

"You-you hit me!" he whined, his gray eyes wide with shock and tears.

"Why don't you run and tell daddy on me, Malfoy?" Hermione asked sweetly. "Poor baby!"

But Malfoy was too humiliated to retaliate, since Ron and Harry were laughing their heads off at seeing him get knocked in the dirt by Hermione, of all people. He scrambled up and went running back to the castle, his two friends following as fast as they could.

"Hermione, that was bloody brilliant!" Ron said admiringly.

"Didn't know you had it in you," added Harry.

Hermione smiled triumphantly. "Neither did I. But he made me so mad I just couldn't stand him anymore." She shook her fist ruefully. "I hurt my hand a bit, but oh, that felt good."

Then they continued on to the meeting spot.

Aria was waiting, as promised, and she laughed aloud when Hermione admitted what she'd done. "You go, girl! That ought to teach him, the arrogant twit. Next time he starts talking trash about somebody, I'll call you Hermione and we can take turns beating the snot out of him."

Hermione's eyes sparkled. "Why Aria, that sounds . . .delightful!"

Ron exchanged alarmed glances with Harry, for the two girls were looking positively fierce. "I think we'd better run while we can, mate. Those two are damn scary like this."

"What's the matter, Ron? Don't like a girl who can defend herself?" queried Hermione.

"Uh . . .sure I do!" Ron squeaked, with a sickly smile. Then he turned to Harry and whispered, "Boy, are we in serious trouble, Harry."

"Only if you make us mad, Ron," chuckled Aria wickedly.

"Remind me never to do that, Harry," muttered Ron.

Harry just grinned.

"Okay, so what in Merlin's name are we going to do about saving Buckbeak?" asked Aria, sitting down on the grass.

"Umm . . .I don't think there's much we can do. I mean, the Ministry committee has already ruled against an appeal, so all we can do is . . .accept it," said Hermione.

But Aria scowled, unwilling to leave it alone. "It's a miscarriage of justice!" she argued. "Don't you have animal rights activists in thie country? At home in Louisiana, the press would've had a field day with the way this case was handled. No real jury, just Ministry officials and Hagrid didn't have a lawyer either. Plus, there was evidence and witnesses that the hippogriff was provoked by Draco, so his attack would be considered self-defense, not viciousness. And the committee's decision to condemn based only on Lucius's testimony would never have flown back home. All the Save the Endangered Species and Hippogriff Rescue groups would've been up in arms and they'd have never permitted the execution to go forward. It would be declared a mistrial."

"But this isn't the States, Aria," Harry reminded her quietly. "This is Britain, where the Minister is so afraid of making a politically incorrect move that he has to kiss Lucius Malfoy's arse."

"In God's name, why?"

"Because the Malfoys are an old pureblood family with loads of money and they were once rabid supporters of, uh, You-Know-Who," Ron explained.

"Hold it. You're telling me that your Minister lets a guy with former ties to a crazy like that tell him what to do? That's-that's absolutely insane!"

"Well, that's the government for you." Hermione sighed.

"Idiots!" Aria growled. "So if we can't appeal to their better natures and they're all in the pay of Malfoy senior, we'll just have to save Bukcbeak ourselves."

"But how?" asked Harry.

"We snatch him right from under their noses," she answered, with an evil glint in her eye.

"But we can't!" cried Hermione, horrified at breaking a law set by the Ministry. "We could get arrested! Or expelled!"

"Only if we get caught," answered the Slytherin. "Do you want to see Buckbeak die?"

"No, but I don't want to be the first member of my family incarcerated either," Hermione retorted, her brown eyes snapping.

"Leave the actual jailbreak to me," Aria told her. "You three can be the distraction."

"Cool!" Ron said.

"Oh, great, so now we're accessories," grumbled Hermione.

"If you don't want to help us, Mione, just say so," muttered Harry angrily.

"Harry, you know this is a bad idea. We're going to get in so much trouble if anyone ever finds out," moaned the cleverest witch in Hogwarts. "And there's no telling what your dad will do if he has to come bail you out of jail."

Harry winced just thinking about how Severus would react.

Ron and Aria gulped. "That would not be good, mate. If Snape's anything like my mum, he'd summon a wooden spoon out of the air and wallop you good."

Hermione looked skeptical. "Come on, Ronald, who punishes a thirteen-year-old that way anymore? My parents stopped spanking me when I was nine."

Ron gaped at her. "They did? I didn't think you ever misbehaved. What did you do?"

Hermione blushed. "Uh . . .I set my house on fire with my chemistry set."

"You did what?" Harry started to crack up.

"It wasn't on purpose!" she said indignantly. "I was trying out a new experiment, one that I shouldn't of been doing without an adult, but my mother was busy with dinner and my dad was on the phone with a patient, and I didn't want to wait, so I went ahead and mixed something, I don't remember what, and . . .next thing I knew there was an explosion and the curtains in my room caught fire. The fire department came and put it out, and when they asked me what caused it I told them my chemistry set blew up."

"You told on yourself?" Ron hit himself in the forehead. "How dumb are you?"

"I was nine, Ron, and I was taught not to lie to policemen or firemen when they asked me a question. For some reason they were amused, though my dad wasn't. I'll never forget the look on his face. Then he said, "Hermione Jane, didn't I tell you not to play with your chemistry set unless I was with you? You could've killed us all." So then I started to cry and I told him I was sorry and I'd never do it again and he said he'd make darn sure of it and then he spanked me."

"With a spoon?" inquired Ron avidly.

"Of course not! That's child abuse," cried the girl.

"Ha! Tell that to my mum. She calls it discipline."

"Well, I can't really blame her, I mean with six boys, she probably wore out her hand, so no wonder she uses a spoon," Hermione remarked. "I would too."

"Not if you were the one getting your bum smacked," grumbled her friend. "Right, Harry?"

"Sev hits you with a spoon too?" exclaimed Aria.

"No," cried Harry. Although he might if he ever found out I was aiding and abetting a kidnapping. He had no desire to experience that particular punishment ever. "He, uh, doesn't believe in hitting kids with, uh, spoons. How did we get on this subject anyhow?"

"Ron brought it up," said Aria. "Anyway, as I was saying before, I'll do the actual freeing of Buckbeak in my cougar form, the rest of y'all can provide some kind of distraction. Actually, I'm going to need somebody to give Buckbeak a treat once he's free, so he leaves quickly."

"A treat?" repeated Hermione. "What does he like to eat?"

"Dead ferrets," answered Aria.

"Ugh! Nasty!" grimaced the other witch.

"Too bad we can't feed him Draco," laughed Harry. "Uh, what kind of distraction should we provide?"

"I don't know. Something that'll get their attention pronto," said Aria.

Ron looked thoughtful, then said, "The twins will probably have something we can use to cause a disturbance."

"Yeah, they're good at that," Harry agreed.

"Okay, so here's how we'll play this," Aria said calmly. "I'll slip into my cougar form and break the chain or whatever they've got on Buckbeak. Then Ron can use the twins fireworks or something to create a disturbance and make the executioner and Dumbledore look elsewhere. Harry, you can distract them too, since you're the only one of us who has permission to be there."

"Right."

"And I'll give Buckbeak the treat," sighed Hermione, looking less than pleased at the thought of handling a dead ferret.

"He should go right for them, especially with me encouraging him," Aria said. "Once he's close to the Forbidden Forest, I'll shift into my hawk form and grab another ferret and get him to follow me in there, where I can hide him until they stop looking for him. I'll try and make it look like something attacked him and he's hurt, maybe dying, so they don't search too hard."

"Think it'll work?" asked Ron.

"It better," huffed Hermione. "I'm not getting expelled or arrested over a dead hippogriff."

"Relax, Granger. If something goes wrong, then we go to Plan B," Aria said.

"We've got a Plan B?" asked Harry.

"Uh, no. But I'm working on it," admitted the Slytherin.

"What if we get caught?" asked Hermione nervously.

"Then we lie," Aria said immediately. "Like there's no tomorrow. Now is not the time to tell the truth, Hermione."

"I'm not very good at that, Aria."

"Learn. Either that or faint, nobody will question you then."

Ron chuckled. Hermione glared at him and he froze.

"All right, does everyone know what they're doing?" asked Harry. His friends nodded. "Good. Then let's go down to Hagrid's and put phase one of Operation Save the Hippogriff into action."

They all put their hands over one another.

"And may fortune favor the foolish," murmured Hermione.

"Amen," said Aria. We're all insane. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained as my dad used to say. If Uncle Remmy ever finds out, I'm so dead.

• * * * * *

Harry, Aria, and Hermione went to talk to Hagrid while Ron found the twins and asked for some kind of product that would cause a suitable distraction. He wasn't worried the twins wouldn't have one, they always had something up their sleeve, and they liked Hagrid and wouldn't mind helping him besides.

I just hope this all goes according to plan, the youngest Weasley son thought fervently. Otherwise, Mum's gonna wallop my butt till I can't sit down for forever. I wish I had Hermione's parents. Then he headed up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.

Hagrid was sniffling into a large printed towel when Harry knocked on the door. "Hagrid. It's me, Harry. Can I come in?"

"Sure, Harry. Hang on."

The door opened and Harry, Hermione, and Aria came inside.

Hagrid's eyes were red and swollen and his beard was wet with tears. "What are you three doin' here? It's almost sunset and the full moon besides. You need to be back up at th' castle, ‘specially you, Aria. I know yer uncle don't like you roamin' about on this night."

Aria nodded. "Don't worry, Hagrid. I'll be back before nightfall. We just came to, uh, offer our condolences."

"We're really sorry, Hagrid," chimed in Hermione, wiping a tear from her eye. "Poor Buckbeak."

"Yeh, well, he . . .he won't feel nothin', or so they say." Two huge tears rolled down Hagrid's face.

"How do they know?" demanded Harry. "Did they ever die and come back?"

"Nah, but the axe's enchanted, see? It's extra sharp so . . ." Hagrid coughed, looking out the window where Buckbeak was chained in the pumpkin patch. "You want some tea? I didn't feel much like bakin' today."

They all agreed to have tea and were relieved to hear about the baking. Hagrid's cakes tended to be hard as rocks and nearly indigestible. Last time Harry had eaten one, it had given him a stomachache for days, until Snape had given him a potion for it. But the tea was good.

Ron arrived soon after the tea was done and joined them, giving Harry a grin behind his hand and thumbs-up sign.

They remained with Hagrid until it was sunset, then the gamekeeper told them they had better leave. Aria, Hermione, and Ron all rose to their feet and walked out of the cottage.

"You too, Harry. Your dad won't be too pleased if yer out after curfew."

"It's okay, Hagrid. Dad gave me permission to stay here with you. Until it's over."

"He did? That was right nice of the professor. But are y'sure you want to see this?"

Harry shrugged and looked at the floor. "No, but it's better if you've got friends around."

Hagrid clapped him on the back. "Thanks, Harry. I wish you could'v e gotten to know Beaky there. You'da liked him."

Harry simply nodded, not knowing what else to say that wouldn't give the rescue mission away.

Luckily, the Minister, McNair the executioner, and Dumbledore made their way down the path to the cottage just then, saving Harry the need to reply.

Fudge looked surprised to find Harry there and Dumbledore merely smiled at him, but neither of them told him to leave once they learned Harry had Severus's permission to be there. MacNair was wearing a black hood over his face and he was huge, carrying a gigantic axe.

"I'll make it quick," he said gruffly, and there was a note in his voice that Harry didn't like at all. He sounded almost . . .disappointed, as though he wanted to see Buckbeak suffer.

Harry scowled at him, something about the man made him very uneasy and for some reason his voice sounded awfully familiar. He shook his head. He'd never met the man, so how could he think that? You're losing it, Snape. The pressure's getting to you.

"Yeh've done this b'fore, righ'?" sniffed Hagrid anxiously.

MacNair made a dismissive gesture. "I've killed thousands of condemned . . .animals," the other laughed.

No one else did.

Harry froze. That laugh. He knew it. He had heard it last summer . . .when he was a captive of the Death Eaters. That laugh had echoed in the stone cell while they had beaten and cast the Cruciatus on him. He would never forget it.

He's a bloody Death Eater. Oh God. He went cold to the marrow of his bones and quickly hid his hands under the table to make them stop shaking. Does Dumbledore know? Or the Minister? Should I tell them? What if they don't believe me? MacNair works for the Ministry and he's a Death Eater!

Memories of being trapped in the cell, writhing in agony, flooded Harry's brain and for one awful minute he feared he would be sick all over the table. He forced himself to take deep breaths, calming himself down, his hands knotted into rigid fists. Dad, I've got to tell Dad. He'll know what to do. Thinking of Severus made him feel marginally better and he was able to relax.

"You okay, Harry?" asked Hagrid, noting how pale the boy was. "Maybe you ought not to see this. Yeh look a bit peaky."

"I'm fine," Harry said quickly.

Fudge pushed a sheaf of forms over to Hagrid to sign.

The half-giant had just dipped his quill when there came a loud explosion from somewhere in the vicinity nearby.

Everyone jumped, even Harry.

"What the devil was that?" yelled Fudge.

"Sounded like something blew up, sir," Harry said helpfully. "Maybe we ought to go see." He rose to his feet and went over to the front of the cottage, opening the door and peering out.

"Look! Smoke!"

He pointed to the large column of smoke rising from the trees.

Dumbledore, Hagrid, Fudge, and MacNair all followed.

"It's a fire!" Harry exclaimed.

Then there came another explosion and colored flames shot up from the woods.

Harry turned to the speechless gaping adults. "What do we do, sirs? The woods are on fire! We need to put it out." Come on, you dunderheads. Quit standing around and investigate! What's wrong with you people?

"Yes, of course," coughed Dumbledore. "Come, Cornelius, MacNair. I believe something exploded near the green house." He led the way across the lawn, followed by the other two.

Harry hid a grin of delight. Way to go, Ron! Now if only Aria can free Buckbeak in time and get him away before they come back. "C'mon, Hagrid. Let's go back inside."

"Maybe I oughta check on Beaky. The noise mighta scared him."

"I'm sure he's fine," Harry said quickly. "C'mon, let's go sit down and finish our tea. What were those forms you were signing?"

"Uh, it was a waiver sayin' I wouldn't hold the Ministry responsible for the lawful death of my hippogriff."

They entered the hut again.

Buckbeak was startled by the loud nose and screeched angrily, rearing up on his hind legs and pawing the air with his eagle claws. His chain rattled hard against the post as he beat his wings, trying to fly away.

It was then that Aria shifted into her cougar form and bounded towards the angry animal, a low purr rumbling from her throat.

Though only part lion, the hippogriff could still understand the cougar's reassuring purr and Buckbeak relaxed as the golden cougar drew near.

He bent his head and snorted at the large cat, who sniffed and purred softly, pacing around the half-horse and half-griffin in a slow circle until she had reached the chain tethering the hippogriff to the post.

Buckbeak squawked a little then settled when Aria huffed at him.

Aria drew back a paw, claws extended, then brought it down hard on the chain. The chain shuddered, and bent, but did not break. Aria struck again, snarling, and Buckbeak, understanding what was happening at last, jerked hard on the chain, so it went taut.

Aria slammed it hard and the links caved, then snapped at the hippogriff's sharp tug.

Buckbeak was free.

He shook his head, trying to free himself of the chain.

Aria pounced, nipping him sharply about the withers, drawing blood and scattering feathers everywhere.

Buckbeak cawed and made as if to bite the cougar, when Hermione called from the edge of the pumpkin patch, "Hey, Beaky! Want some food? Look what I've got."

Buckbeak swiveled his head around, and saw the girl holding a dead ferret.

Slowly, the hippogriff began to walk towards the girl.

Hurry up you stupid animal! Hermione thought desperately. Before they come back! Ron can't keep setting off fireworks or whatever forever.

Buckbeak approached cautiously, then snapped his head down and with one lightning swift move, swallowed the ferret Hermione tossed him.

She quickly backed up a few steps, holding another one, crooning, "Come on, Beaky. That's a good fellow. Come and get it."

Buckbeak followed.

Aria quickly left a few scratch marks and pawprints in the dirt near the feathers and blood, noting with some satisfaction that the hippogriff's shoulder bled onto the ground where she'd nipped him, leaving a good trail. Then she roared, the wailing cry of a cougar hunting.

Buckbeak bolted after Hermione, nearly trampling her.

Good, he's moving. Now for part two. Aria shifted into hawk form and glided above the pair as they raced into the trees.

Merlin, but that yell, I've never heard anything like it in my life! thought Hermione as she ran, still holding out the dead ferret.

Just then a great golden shape swooped down, plucking the ferret from her hands and hovering just in front of Buckbeak with it.

The hippogriff eyed the hawk angrily, then sprang into the air after the thieving avian.

Aria quickly turned and flew towards the forest, Buckbeak in hot pursuit.

Hermione waved, smiling broadly. We did it! Buckbeak lives! Then she quickly ran past the cottage and behind some flat topped boulders, which was where they were supposed to meet if the rescue attempt was successful.

Harry knew when he heard the cougar scream that their plan had worked, that was Aria's and his little signal. Soon after, the three wizards returned from putting out the fire, "Odd how that started," muttered Fudge, and discovered that Buckbeak was gone.

"How could this have happened?" cried the Minister angrily.

"Sometimes things come outta the Forest, sir," Hagrid said, looking woebegone. "See, there's tracks o' some large animal, like mebbe a lion, and see here's some feathers and bloody from where it got Beaky." He pointed to the smears of blood and feathers lying near the cougar tracks.

"And we heard something roaring and screaming just before you got back too," Harry added excitedly. "It must have been the lion or whatever attacking the hippogriff and then dragging it away." Damn, I'm good. Lucky Dad isn't here though, he'd be able to tell I was lying in two minutes and then I'd really be in for it.

"Well, the beast's dead, anyhow. Who cares how it was done, so long as it was," said MacNair philosophically, rubbing his axe fondly.

"Hmm . . .yes, I suppose so. Well, good evening then, Hagrid," said Fudge, putting on his bowler.

"Harry, yeh'd better get back on up to the castle, it's dusk and yer dad'll be waiting for you," said Hagrid. "Thanks fer coming though."

"You're welcome, Hagrid. I'm sorry about Buckbeak," said Harry sincerely. "See you." He went quickly towards the door and as he passed Dumbledore, he could have sworn the Headmaster winked at him.

"Cornelius, would you care for a bite of supper in my quarters?" he heard the old wizard asking as he went by.

He didn't catch the Minister's answer however, since he had shut the door and was gone, running quickly up the path to the meeting place. It was growing on to full dark now and the moon was just rising, full and round in the sky.

Harry hoped Aria had found a safe place to hide Buckbeak until the Minister and his pet executioner had left. When he arrived, he found Hermione and Ron anxiously awaiting his arrival.

"Good, you made it," Ron panted. "They suspect anything?"

"No. They all thought a wild animal ate Buckbeak," said Harry happily. "Where's Aria?"

"She hasn't come back yet," said Hermione worriedly. "I hope she's all right."

"Aria's pretty savvy, she can look out for herself," Harry said, knowing the shape-slipper roamed the forest at will sometimes.

All of a sudden, Harry gasped, for in the fading, flickering twilight he saw a familiar shape crouched behind an empty pot near the greenhouse.

"Ron! Look-it's SCABBERS!"

"Where?" Ron's head darted about frantically.

"There, over by the empty pot," Harry pointed. "I TOLD you he wasn't dead."

Ron's face lit up. "Come here, old fellow!" he cried, and raced over and grabbed the rat before he could scamper away. Scabbers struggled, he looked mangy and thin, but he was remarkably alive.

"Guess Rosie didn't eat him after all, huh?" Harry couldn't resist saying.

Ron flushed a dull red, cradling his rat close. "I . . .uh . . .was stupid and I'm sorry. I owe Rosie and apology too and a big steak bone."

"She'll forgive you," Harry chuckled.

"Do you?"

"Yeah. But next time you accuse my beagle without proof, Weasley, I'm going to sock you one right in the mouth," Harry threatened, waving his fist warningly.

"Okay, okay, Snape," laughed his friend.

"How about me? Don't I get an apology?" asked Hermione, a bit miffed.

"Yeah, sorry Hermione, that I blamed your cat. But he is always lurking about and growling at Scabbers."

"He's a cat, Ron. That's what they do."

Suddenly, they heard a low snarl behind them and Scabbers began squirming frantically in Ron's hold. "Oww! He BIT me! Scabbers, bloody hell, what's wrong with you?"

The rat nipped Ron;s finger again and the boy opened his hand and Scabbers jumped down and scurried away across the lawn, just as a dark shape growled and raced after it.

"No! Scabbers! Come back!" Ron yelled, racing after the rat and the big black shape that Harry could swear was a dog.

"Ron! Come back, we've got to get back to the school, it'll be curfew soon," Hermione reminded.

But Ron ignored her, running full speed after the vanishing rat and the dog.

"What an idiot!" cried the girl, and then she lit up her wand and followed.

Harry was just about to do the same when Aria glided from the sly and shifted back into human form. "Harry! Where're Ron and Hermione going in such a hurry?"

"After Scabbers. A big black dog is chasing him," Harry said.

"A dog? Fang?"

"No, a big black mutt . . ." Harry started to say, then halted in midsentence. "A mutt . . .my dad said Black's an Animagus. And his animal form's a big black dog. That's Black and he's after Scabbers!"

"Why would Black be chasing a rat?" Aria wondered.

"Who knows? C'mon, let's get him."

"Harry, that's a murderer! We should go back and tell a teacher."

"No time! C'mon, Aria! You can take a dog as a cougar, right?" Harry called, beginning to run after the receding figures of Ron and Hermione.

"Yes, but I don't kill even in cougar form, Harry!" Aria gasped. "Not unless it was to save my life or someone else's."

"If we don't hurry, you may have to in order to save Ron or Hermione's lives," said the younger Snape. "Hurry up, Lupin!"

Shaking her head and muttering about impulsive damn Gryffindors, Aria blurred into cougar form and raced after the three, disappearing like wraiths into the darkness.