Mischief

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

"Is there any important news in the paper?" Ron took the Daily Prophet from Harry and began reading its headline story.

"No. The Ministry still hasn't found any trace of Buckbeak." Harry seemed to remember something, paused, then continued, "But they seem to suspect Hagrid. They think he secretly unlocked the chains and let Buckbeak go."

"They're just looking for a scapegoat. I'd wager that if Dumbledore hadn't vouched for Hagrid, he might already have been thrown into Azkaban Prison by the Ministry." Hermione said sharply. "And the paper doesn'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 to have Harry subjected to a lie detector test, to confirm whether he had anything to do with the Hippogriff's escape, but the Minister of Magic had rejected it.

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

However, the Ministry'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 asked, watching Hermione pack up her things.

"There's a Defence Association gathering today. Are you two coming?" Hermione finished packing and prepared to leave. "I think it's practice fighting Boggarts."

"Wait for me."

Harry had long since stopped