Mischief

The Daily Prophet was extensively reporting on the Hippogriff's escape, and the article had directly turned the Ministry of Magic's Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures into a laughingstock. Rita Skeeter had not forgotten to pin the blame for deliberately releasing the Hippogriff on them. Now everyone knew that the clever Hippogriff had slipped away right under the committee's noses in less than ten seconds.

"Anything important in the paper?" Ron took the Daily Prophet from Harry and began reading the front-page headline.

"No, the Ministry of Magic still hasn't found any trace of Buckbeak." Harry seemed to recall something, pausing before he continued, "But they seem to suspect Hagrid. They think he secretly unlocked the chains and released Buckbeak."

"They're just looking for a scapegoat. I'd wager that if Dumbledore hadn't vouched for Hagrid, the Ministry of Magic might have already thrown him into Azkaban." Hermione said sharply. "And the paper didn't mention the Ministry officials taking bribes at all."

"Don't be angry, Hermione," Harry comforted her. "At least Buckbeak isn't dead."

What Harry did not know was that Lucius Malfoy had once applied to the Ministry of Magic to subject him to a truth test, to confirm whether he had been involved in the Hippogriff's escape. However, the Minister for Magic had rejected the request.

Once Legilimency or Veritaserum was used, Harry would have no secrets left.

Yet the Ministry of Magic's so-called "laws" clearly did not permit the open abuse of such things, much less against The Boy Who Lived.

"Where are you going?" Harry looked doubtfully at Hermione, who was packing her things.

"There's a Defense Association gathering today. Are you going?" Hermione finished packing and prepared to leave. "I think we're practicing against Boggarts."

"Wait for me."

Harry had long since stopped wanting to