He seemed numb with shock at the verdict. 

"S'all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin' there in black robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all them dates yeh looked up fer me, Hermione. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em...." 

"There's still the appeal!" said Ron fiercely. "Don't give up Yet, we're working on it!" 

They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Ahead they could see Malfoy, who was walking with Crabbe and Goyle, and kept looking back, laughing derisively. 

"S'no good, Ron," said Hagrid sadly as they reached the castle steps. "That Committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket. I'm jus' gonna make sure the rest o' Beaky's time is the happiest he's ever had. I owe him that...." 

Hagrid turned around and hurried back toward his cabin, his face buried in his handkerchief. 

"Look at him blubber!" 

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had been standing just inside the castle doors, listening. 

"Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Malfoy. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!" 

Harry, Ron, and Amelia all made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first --

 SMACK! 

She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again. 

"Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul -- you evil --" 

"Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung