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Chapter 362: Buckbeak Is Prosecuted!!
Darren almost laughed.
But he forced the smile down when he saw the opened letter lying on the table beside Hagrid.
The paper looked official and solemn.
"Hagrid… what is it? Can I see it?" he asked carefully.
Hagrid nodded, then covered his face and cried even harder.
Darren picked up the envelope.
Harry leaned closer, and began to read aloud.
---
Dear Rubeus Hagrid,
After review of the case and with Headmaster Dumbledore's assurance, we have determined that you have not personally violated wizarding law.
---
Darren's eyes immediately lit up.
Even though he was still shaken from earlier, he turned to Hagrid excitedly.
"Hagrid, you're fine! I knew it—you'll be okay, I…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
His eyes were red with joy.
For a moment, he was too emotional to continue speaking.
But Hagrid gestured weakly for them to continue reading.
Harry swallowed and went on.
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However, the hippogriff involved in the incident is classified as a dangerous magical beast. We therefore accept Lucius Malfoy's formal complaint. The case will be handled by the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.
Until trial, the hippogriff is to remain restrained.
---
Below the notice were many official signatures.
Darren slowly lowered the paper.
He looked at Hagrid's devastated face, clenched his fists, and said firmly,
"Hagrid, don't worry. I'll make Malfoy withdraw the charge. If Malfoy backs out, his father can't continue this case…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
"Don't be silly, Darren," Harry interrupted urgently.
"You're not becoming Malfoy's follower again. Absolutely not!"
"And we won't allow you to sacrifice yourself for Buckbeak!" Hermione added quickly.
Even Hagrid shook his head.
"Darren… maybe this really is Buckbeak's fate. But you cannot go back to Malfoy. I won't allow it. Buckbeak wouldn't want that either!"
Their words left Darren silent.
He lowered his head and nodded as if agreeing.
But Harry still wasn't satisfied.
He stared directly into Darren's eyes.
"Swear to me. Swear you'll never become Malfoy's follower again."
Darren pressed his lips together, clearly hesitating.
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
In truth, he had never planned to give up.
He just hadn't wanted them to know.
But Harry forced his hand.
"…I swear," Darren finally said softly.
Then he added seriously,
"Even so, I won't give up. Hagrid, I'll help you find defense lawyers. Someone will save Buckbeak."
[Ding, Father Value +50]
[Ding, Father Value +70]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Hagrid wiped his tears.
"Thank you, Darren… Ginny once said you're like a little angel…"
"I won't lose hope," Hagrid said hoarsely.
"I'll do everything I can to protect Buckbeak."
---
Over the next few days, Hermione dragged Harry and Ron through mountains of legal records.
Darren claimed he was researching lawyers.
He locked himself in his dorm room, surrounded by books Paige had delivered.
Stacks as high as his bed.
In reality, the system had already filtered out suitable candidates.
The rest of the time, Darren was eating snacks and watching anime.
But because of his "reputation," people thought he was working himself to death.
Madam Pomfrey even sent him two bottles of tonics.
After a week, even Snape warned him:
"If you continue this act, I'll personally sedate you until the trial ends."
That was when Darren decided to stop pretending.
He brought a list to Paige and asked her—deliberately in front of Harry and Hermione—to contact those lawyers.
The next day, Paige returned with bad news.
"…Lucius Malfoy hired all of them. They're now family lawyers of the Malfoy household."
Darren sighed secretly.
At least he had saved some Galleons.
Outwardly, however, he clutched his head dramatically.
"It's my fault," he said dejectedly.
"I moved too slowly…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Holy Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Harry tried to comfort him.
"Darren, we've tried. If nothing works… maybe it really is Buckbeak's fate."
He sympathized with Hagrid.
But to him, Buckbeak was still just an animal.
Darren hesitated.
"There is… one more way.
If I go to Malfoy and—"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Prudence +100]
"No!"
Harry cut him off immediately.
"I won't let you go back to him!"
Then Harry said something reckless.
"If you become Malfoy's follower again… I'll go find Sirius Black. I'll let him kill me!"
Darren froze.
His face instantly went pale.
"No. Brother, don't…
I won't go. I promise. Don't look for Black…"
Tears filled Darren's eyes.
"You're all I have left. I just want you to live."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
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