The Quidditch Final (PA)

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Harry, about to catch the golden snitch.

The Quidditch Final is the fifteenth chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Execution

Hermione shows to Ron and Harry the letter than Hagrid sent her, announcing that he and Buckbeak lost (Beaky's been enjoying London); the date hasn't been fixed yet, and the Hippogriff is allowed to be at Hogwarts in the meantime.

She guesses that the Committee — "a bunch of doddery old fools" — was intimidated by Lucius Malfoy. There will be an appeal, but there isn't much help. Ron offers to help with research. She hugs him and breaks down; Ron looks quite terrified by the sobbing Hermione. She apologises about Scabbers; Ron dismisses it, saying that the rat was old and a bit useless; perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will allow him to have an owl now.

The Trio cannot visit Hagrid in the evening anymore, because of the increased security at the school since Black's second break-in. They approach him during Care of Magical Creatures: the half-giant is shocked, numb and guilty. "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 for me, Hermione. An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee just' did exac'ly what he told 'em..."

They walk back to the castle. Ahead of them, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle keep looking back at them and laughing.

Ron tries to comfort him with the thought of the appeal, but Hagrid isn't cheered up. "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..."

The gamekeeper goes to his hut, sobbing into his handkerchief.

"Look at him blubber!" Malfoy cries. "Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic? And he's supposed to be our teacher!"

Harry and Ron approach Draco, but Hermione's faster: she slaps him as strong as she can. "Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul — you evil —"

Ron tries to hold her back. She pulls out her wand. The three Slytherins leave down a passageway to the dungeons. Ron is stunned and quite impressed.

"Harry, you'd better beat him in the Quidditch final," Hermione says. "You just better had, becase I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!"

Ron reminds them that they're late for Charms, and they hurry off to the classroom.