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.The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridors wasn't enjoyable.Harry, who had wandered the castle at night several times before, had neverseen it so crowded after sunset.Teachers, prefects, and ghosts were marchingthe corridors in pairs, staring around for any unusual activity.TheirInvisibility Cloak didn't stop them making any noise, and there was aparticularly tense moment when Ron stubbed his toe only yards from the spotwhere Snape stood standing guard.Thankfully, Snape sneezed at almost exactlythe moment Ron swore.It was with relief that they reached the oak front doorsand eased them open.It was a clear, starry night.They hurried toward the litwindows of Hagrid's house and pulled off the cloak only when they were rightoutside his front door.Seconds after they had knocked, Hagrid flung it open.They found themselvesface-to-face with him aiming a crossbow at them.Fang the boarhound barkedloudly behind him."Oh," he said, lowering the weapon and staring at them."What're you two doin'here?""What's that for?" said Harry, pointing at the crossbow as they stepped inside."Nothin' - nothin' - " Hagrid muttered."I've bin expectin' doesn' matter - Sitdown - I'll make tea -"He hardly seemed to know what he was doing.He nearly extinguished the fire,spilling water from the kettle on it, and then smashed the teapot with anervous jerk of his massive hand."Are you okay, Hagrid?" said Harry."Did you hear about Hermione?""Oh, I heard, all righ'," said Hagrid, a slight break in his voice.He kept glancing nervously at the windows.He poured them both large mugs ofboiling water (he had forgotten to add tea bags) and was just putting a slab offruitcake on a plate when there was a loud knock on the door.Hagrid dropped the fruitcake.Harry and Ron exchanged panicstricken looks, thenthrew the Invisibility Cloak back over themselves and retreated into a corner.Hagrid checked that they were hidden, seized his crossbow, and flung open hisdoor once more."Good evening, Hagrid."It was Dumbledore.He entered, looking deadly serious, and was followed by asecond, very odd-looking man.The stranger had rumpled gray hair and an anxious expression, and was wearing astrange mixture of clothes: a pinstriped suit, a scarlet tie, a long blackcloak, and pointed purple boots.Under his arm he carried a lime-green bowler."That's Dad's boss!" Ron breathed."Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic!"Harry elbowed Ron hard to make him shut up.Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty.He dropped into one of his chairs and lookedfrom Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge."Bad business, Hagrid," said Fudge in rather clipped tones."Very bad business.Had to come.Four attacks on Muggle-borns.Things've gone far enough.Ministry's got to act.""I never," said Hagrid, looking imploringly at Dumbledore."You know I never,Professor Dumbledore, sir -""I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," saidDumbledore, frowning at Fudge."Look, Albus," said Fudge, uncomfortably."Hagrid's record's against him.Ministry's got to do something - the school governors have been in touch -""Yet again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in theslightest," said Dumbledore.His blue eyes were full of a fire Harry had neverseen before."Look at it from my point of view," said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler."I'munder a lot of pressure.Got to be seen to be doing something.If it turns outit wasn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no more said.But I've got to take him.Gotto.Wouldn't be doing my duty -""Take me?" said Hagrid, who was trembling."Take me where?""For a short stretch only," said Fudge, not meeting Hagrid's eyes."Not apunishment, Hagrid, more a precaution.If someone else is caught, you'll be letout with a full apology -"Not Azkaban?" croaked Hagrid.Before Fudge could answer, there was another loud rap on the door.Dumbledore answered it.It was Harry's turn for an elbow in the ribs; he'd letout an audible gasp.Mr.Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's hut, swathed in a long black travelingcloak, smiling a cold and satisfied smile.Fang started to growl."Already here, Fudge," he said approvingly."Good, good.""What're you doin' here?" said Hagrid furiously."Get outta my house!""My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your- er - d'you call this a house?" said Lucius Malfoy, sneering as he lookedaround the small cabin."I simply called at the school and was told that theheadmaster was here.""And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" said Dumbledore.He spokepolitely, but the fire was still blazing in his blue eyes."Dreadful thing, Dumbledore," said Malfoy lazily, taking out a long roll ofparchment, "but the governors feel it's time for you to step aside.This is anOrder of Suspension - you'll find all twelve signatures on it.I'm afraid wefeel you're losing your touch.How many attacks have there been now? Two morethis afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns left atHogwarts, and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school
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