know what Lucius Malfoy's like... threatened 'em, I expect... an' the executioner, Macnair, he's an old pal o' Malfoy's... but it'll be quick an' clean... an' I'll be beside him.... "

 Hagrid swallowed. His eyes were darting all over the cabin as though looking for some shred of hope or comfort.

 "Dumbledore's gonna come down while it -- while it happens. Wrote me this mornin'. Said he wants ter -- ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore...." 

"We could go with my plan," grumbled Amelia, tending to the fire.

"Your plan is to turn Buckbeak into a mouse and take his place. You would die," exclaimed Harry.

"Only if you leave me tied up. Which would be murder."

Ron brought his hand to his face with a loud sigh.

Hermione, who had been rummaging in Hagrid's cupboard for another milk jug, let out a small, quickly stifled sob. She straightened up with the new jug in her hands, fighting back tears. 

"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid," she began, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head. 

"Yeh're ter go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway... If Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out without permission, Harry, yeh'll be in big trouble."

 Silent tears were now streaming down Hermione's face, but she hid them from Hagrid, bustling around making tea. Then, as she picked up the milk bottle to pour some into the jug, she let out a shriek. 

"Ron, I don't believe it -- it's Scabbers!" 

Ron gaped at her.

 "What are you talking about?"

 Hermione carried the milk jug over to the table and turned it upside down. With a frantic squeak, and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers the rat came sliding out onto the table.

"Zombie rat!"

 "Scabbers!" said Ron blankly. "Scabbers, what are you doing here?"

 He grabbed the struggling rat and held him up to the light. Scabbers