Amid the commotion, someone suggested they all go to the Forbidden Forest to take a look.
Outside the West Tower, things had grown much quieter. The young wizards from the various national delegations had all rushed to the Forbidden Forest to see what was happening with the Abraxans.
Harry, who had hidden in a corner early on and watched the crowd stream toward the Forbidden Forest, was still shaken. "Ron! I think we owe Hagrid a thank-you. At the very least, we should help him mend his suit!"
Without Hagrid's help, he dreaded to imagine what would have happened when he faced so many young wizards from around the world, all curious about England's Chosen One.
Ron shrugged. "Didn't you see? His suit looked practically new! I bet Hagrid used that umbrella!"
They had long known that Hagrid's snapped wand was hidden inside his pink umbrella.
The thought stirred Harry's sympathy. He could hardly imagine how painful it would be to have his own wand snapped and even be forbidden to use magic.
"Hagrid-" Harry could not help worrying. "He won't get into trouble, will he?"
Ron patted his shoulder. "He won't. Hagrid can be a bit reckless sometimes, but he's always careful when it comes to fantastic beasts."
"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he only gave those big fellows a few scratches."
Harry thoroughly agreed, then added with relief, "Good thing Hermione wasn't there, or she'd never have let us do anything reckless!" They both knew how seriously Hermione took this exchange. After all, Vaughn had made the gathering possible, and she would never allow anyone to cause trouble.
As the Chinese representative came down from the West Tower and headed toward the Forbidden Forest with the young wizards from the Central Refining Academy, Ron's eyes lit up.