Hagrid and the Chamber of Secrets Reopened (3)

Right at the front was the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The dark green bowler hat on his head sat slightly askew in the dim light. The expression on his face was one Hagrid had never seen before—not anger, nor surprise, but something mingling excitement and tension, as though he had finally been waiting for this moment, even carrying a trace of... anticipation? Pleasure?

Behind him, four Aurors in dark red robes stood in a row, their wands already drawn and pointed at Hagrid's enormous, hunched body.

"Miner, turn around and put your hands where we can see them." The Auror at the front spoke in a cold, stern tone, like an iron bow that had not yet been strung.

Hagrid froze. His mouth hung open as he turned to look at Fudge. Fudge adjusted his tie, cleared his throat, and announced in a voice he clearly believed to be imposing but was in fact somewhat shrill, "Rubeus Hagrid, in the name of the Minister for Magic, I hereby place you under arrest. You are suspected of endangering student safety and participating in the planning and execution of multiple deliberate attacks against people and creatures within Hogwarts Castle. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say may be used as evidence in court."

"I didn't—I didn't attack anyone!" Hagrid's voice was so loud that another layer of dust fell from the ceiling. He rose from beside the hole, and because he moved too sharply, his head struck the chandelier. This time, the fixture did not merely sway—it broke straight off the ceiling and crashed to the floor, scattering shattered glass everywhere.

But no one lowered their eyes to look at the broken glass. Every wand remained trained on him.

"I'm here because Fang was bitten by a