---
Chapter 385 – Let's Go! Take Him Away!!
Darren choked on his words.
So he turned away.
He wanted to say something to Hagrid—
But he couldn't force out a single sentence.
Hagrid wasn't doing any better.
He picked up the milk jug and tried to pour some for Darren.
But his hands were trembling violently.
The jug slipped.
It shattered on the floor.
"In the cupboard… there's… another jug in the cupboard…"
Hagrid's tears fell uncontrollably.
He turned toward the window and looked at Buckbeak standing outside. Then he whispered in despair,
"I brought Buckbeak back… I wanted it to get some fresh air…"
"I wanted it… to have something good… in its last days…"
His voice broke.
Finally, he bent down and hugged Darren tightly.
"If you want to cry, then cry…"
"Don't keep it inside…"
"Buckbeak… it…"
He swallowed painfully.
"Today… there was never any chance of winning."
"Dumbledore already told me…"
"He tried everything just to keep me here… but Buckbeak…"
"Not even he can save Buckbeak now…"
"Darren… you were right…"
"I caused all this too…"
Darren's eyes turned red.
He shook his head desperately.
"No… Hagrid… I'm the one who's wrong…"
"Buckbeak likes me so much… and yet I…"
He couldn't go on.
His voice cracked completely.
"Oh, Darren…"
"You kids shouldn't even be here…"
"You and Harry… go back…"
"And Ron, Hermione…"
"You shouldn't have to see this…"
Hagrid wiped his face with his sleeve.
"And Dumbledore and Fudge will arrive soon…"
"If they see you out here, you'll be in serious trouble…"
He urged them to leave.
But none of them moved.
Darren lifted his head.
His eyes were swollen and red.
"Hagrid… I just want to stay…"
"I want to be with Buckbeak… just once more…"
"This is the last time…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
"I'm not leaving either," Hermione said firmly.
"I'll pour the milk."
She pulled out a large jar from beneath the cupboard.
Just as she opened it—
"Scabbers?!"
"Oh my God—Scabbers, why are you here?!"
"Scabbers?!" Ron shouted.
He rushed forward and grabbed the rat.
"Scabbers! You're alive?!"
"Don't bite me!"
He shoved the squirming rat into his pocket.
Then he turned toward Hagrid in disbelief.
But before anyone could speak—
A voice came from outside.
"Hagrid, may we come in?"
It was Dumbledore.
Through the window, they could see him in front—
With Fudge and two executioners behind him.
"Hurry…"
Hagrid's voice shook.
"Get under the invisibility cloak!"
"Leave when they come in!"
"They mustn't see you!"
Darren clutched Hagrid's sleeve.
"Hagrid… let me stay."
"Even if I'm expelled…"
"I just want to be here when Buckbeak goes…"
"I couldn't save it…"
"Don't take even this away from me…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Hagrid's face turned deathly pale.
For a second—
He nearly said yes.
Then there was another knock.
Urgent.
He snapped out of it.
He shoved Darren beneath the invisibility cloak.
Then pulled him into a fierce hug.
"Darren… that's Buckbeak's fate…"
"No one can change it…"
"But I can make sure you don't see it…"
"And Buckbeak wouldn't want you to."
"If it knew you'd be expelled because of it…"
"It wouldn't rest in peace."
Darren froze.
All the strength left his body.
He covered his face silently.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron quickly hid beneath the cloak with him.
Gripping Darren tightly—
Afraid he'd break free.
Hagrid staggered to the door.
His hands were trembling.
Then he opened it.
Dumbledore stood outside.
Smiling gently.
"Good evening, Hagrid."
Dumbledore stepped inside.
His eyes flicked briefly to where Darren had been standing.
Harry felt his heart stop.
Had he noticed?
Of course, he had.
That cloak belonged to him.
And Ron was struggling violently under it.
"Go."
Hagrid mouthed silently.
Harry and Hermione pulled Darren toward the door.
Ron followed—still wrestling the rat in his pocket.
They reached the doorway…
And stopped.
Out in the yard—
Buckbeak was pacing in unease.
Its wings twitched.
It stamped the ground nervously.
Darren whispered,
"If I let it go now… it could fly away…"
"Hagrid wouldn't have to be sad…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
"No!"
Hermione grabbed him fiercely.
"If you free it, you'll be sent to Azkaban!"
"Darren… I'm begging you…"
"Even Hagrid didn't do it…"
"You can't do this!"
Harry tightened his grip.
"Let's go…"
"Darren, please…"
"Harry—hold him…"
"Don't let him run out!"
They dragged him away—
While Buckbeak remained in the dark yard behind them.
—