Just then, someone else knocked heavily on the door.
Dumbledore went to open it. When Harry saw the sinister figure enter, he let out a gasp, forcing Cyrus to elbow him again.
The man outside was Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's Hut, wrapped from head to toe in a long black traveling cloak, a cold, satisfied smile on his face.
Fang began barking furiously.
The sight of Malfoy finally put Cyrus completely at ease. Whatever else had happened, things had finally reached this point. Malfoy had cooperated with him, pulling a few strings to drive Dumbledore out of the school.
Without Dumbledore, Hogwarts posed no threat whatsoever to Cyrus.
His mood brightened at once, and he could not help the smile tugging at his lips.
Another person who was not remotely surprised by Malfoy's arrival was Dumbledore. He had long suspected this day would come. Tom Riddle could not possibly let him remain at the school; it would hinder the final step of his plan. Leaving him there would be far too risky.
Just as last year, finding a way to lure him away was the best option.
Dumbledore had been wondering when exactly his opponent intended to act.
Apparently, the time was now.
"You're here already, Fudge," Malfoy said with satisfaction. "Good, good..."
Making Hagrid take the blame once again was also part of his "master's" plan, and it required him to put pressure on Fudge-all he needed to do was buy off a few voices in the press. Seeing that Fudge had already arrived at Hogwarts naturally pleased Lucius Malfoy immensely.
Hagrid, however, had no liking for this uninvited guest. What good could possibly come from anyone in the Malfoy family?
"What are you doing here? Get out of my house!"
"My dear fellow, believe me,