Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban Book 3 - Chapter 17 Part 1

Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban Book 3 - Chapter 17 Part 1

Harry’s mind had gone blank with shock. The three of them stood transfixed with horror under the Invisibility Cloak. The very last rays of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long-shadowed grounds. Then, behind them, they heard a wild howling. “Hagrid,” Harry muttered. Without thinking about what he was doing, he made to turn back, but both Ron and Hermione seized his arms. “We can’t,” said Ron, who was paper-white. “He’ll be in worse trouble if they know we’ve been to see him. …” Hermione’s breathing was shallow and uneven. “How — could — they?” she choked. “How  could  they?” “Come on,” said Ron, whose teeth seemed to be chattering. They set off back toward the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the cloak. The light was fading fast now. By the time they reached open ground, darkness was settling like a spell around them. “Scabbers, keep still,” Ron hissed, clamping his hand over his chest. The rat was wriggling madly. Ron came to a sudden halt, trying to f…