The instant Hagrid saw Sirius Black, surprise on his huge, hairy face turned to fury and alarm. He recognized that gaunt, wild-eyed face from countless wanted posters and newspapers.
"Black! How dare you—!" Hagrid roared, making the nearby branches tremble.
Without a second thought, he swung the heavy, bloody sack of raw meat he had brought for the Thestrals and hurled it at Black like a ball.
With Hagrid's strength, that sack had to weigh dozens of kilograms. If it hit Black, it might kill him on the spot.
"Confringo!" Black cast at once, blasting the pile of meat apart.
Chunks of meat scattered through the air, spraying blood and splintered bone. Black reacted instantly, dragging George aside as he dove out of the way.
Lupin instinctively stepped back too, but he kept himself between the blast and Fred. He swept his wand up. "Protego!"
Bits of flesh covered the Whomping Willow, but fortunately, the magical tape stayed on its knot. Otherwise, its branches would soon have sent them all spinning like tops.
Hagrid seized the chance. For all his enormous size, he moved with startling speed, lunging forward to scoop Fred's wand off the ground with one shovel-sized hand. He pointed it at Black!
"Let that boy go! You filthy traitor! Murderer!" Hagrid bellowed. Dangerous sparks were already bursting from the wand's tip.
"Hagrid! Wait! Let me explain—" Lupin shouted, hurrying forward to stop him.
But Hagrid was already beside himself with rage. To his straightforward, loyal mind, Black had betrayed James and Lily and caused their deaths. He was a villain through and through, and now he wanted to hurt a child of the Weasley family. Old grief and fresh anger surged together, and Hagrid attacked without hesitation.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Hagrid pointed Fred's wand at Black, sending a