Bad Intentions

Though March had already arrived, the weather around Hogwarts was still cold. Perhaps due to the large number of Dementors, the snow surrounding the castle had only just begun to melt.

Albert crossed the muddy fields and followed the gravel path toward the Hunting Cabin at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Something along the way seemed to catch his attention. Albert narrowed his eyes and looked toward the woods, spotting a black dog sneaking across the lawn near the forest. Beside it was a cat—Hermione's Crookshanks—trotting along at the dog's side. The cat and dog seemed to notice Albert watching them and quickly vanished into the forest.

Albert withdrew his gaze and continued toward Hagrid's Hut.

Light shone through the windows of the hut. When Albert stepped forward and knocked, scratching immediately sounded from inside, followed by Hagrid's voice. "Back up, Fang, back up."

"Sorry to call you over at this hour."

Hagrid opened the door and ushered Albert inside.

"It's fine." Albert noticed Hagrid sticking his head out the door and carefully surveying the surroundings. Frowning, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Don't know," Hagrid said casually. "I've had this strange feeling lately, like someone's watching this place. Might be people from the Ministry of Magic. They're probably worried I'll secretly let Buckbeak go."

"Someone's watching you?"

Albert walked to the window and discreetly checked outside.

"There's no one around the hut, or Fang would've warned me. But I can't shake the feeling something's off." Hagrid muttered as he headed toward the fireplace to boil water for Albert's tea.

Albert was certain it was not the Ministry of Magic. Those people would not do something like that. Lucius Malfoy would rather Hagrid secretly released Buckbeak, so he could find an excuse to throw him into Azkaban Prison.

Albert had already