The chamber fell into a stiff, uncomfortable silence as the council whispered among themselves. Fudge leaned back in his chair, sweat glistening on his brow as he tried to regain control of the moment. Cael stood unwavering beside Hagrid, his posture calm but his eyes blazing with determination.
"We will permit a temporary continuation of this hearing under Mr. Vale's representation," Fudge finally said, his voice tight. "But let the record show that this is highly irregular."
Cael gave a slight bow. "Noted. Now, with your permission, I'd like to begin by addressing the facts of the incident."
He turned to face the chamber, his voice ringing out clearly.
"On the day in question, I was present during Hagrid's first Care of Magical Creatures class. The lesson was carefully prepared, and Hagrid gave thorough instructions to all of us before we even approached the creature. Buckbeak, the hippogriff in question, was introduced with caution and with respect for magical law and safety guidelines. Hagrid demonstrated how to bow and emphasized that respect is paramount when interacting with magical beasts."
He gestured toward Hagrid briefly, then faced the panel again.
"Harry Potter, following instructions precisely, bowed and waited. Buckbeak returned the bow. The interaction was flawless. He was even permitted to ride the creature, and I assure you — no harm came to him or to anyone watching."
A few of the council members leaned forward now, paying closer attention.
"It was only when Draco Malfoy stepped forward — sneering, arrogant, and, frankly, disrespectful — that things went wrong. He ignored Hagrid's repeated warnings. He made mocking gestures and insults under his breath. Anyone who understands hippogriff behavior knows they are proud creatures — they respond to tone, body language, and intent. Draco Malfoy provoked Buckbeak."
Lucius's jaw tightened.
Cael didn't pause. "And why would he do that?" he asked the chamber, spreading his hands. "Because he was jealous. Jealous that Harry Potter — the boy he's spent the last two years trying to humiliate — was allowed to ride the creature first. Jealous that Harry is respected, admired, and — let's be honest — braver than him."
"Objection!" Lucius Malfoy stood abruptly, voice ringing. "This hearing is not about my son's personal feelings toward Mr. Potter!"
"No, it's not," Cael said coolly. "But the context matters. This wasn't a random incident. It was the result of a long-standing pattern of behavior — one that you, Mr. Malfoy, have encouraged by your own prejudice and posturing."
Fudge banged his cane against the floor. "Order! We are here to examine the conduct of Rubeus Hagrid, not the schoolyard squabbles of children."
"With respect, Minister," Cael said, "this is not schoolyard drama. It's the root cause of the incident. And you cannot ignore it."
He stepped forward.
"For years now, Draco Malfoy has gone out of his way to antagonize Harry Potter — the same Harry Potter who saved our world from the Dark Lord before he was even out of his cot. Draco mocks his family, slanders his name, and attempts to humiliate him in public, at every opportunity. I've witnessed it personally."
Gasps fluttered around the room at the use of "Dark Lord." Even the scribes paused mid-quill. Fudge blanched slightly. Lucius Malfoy's fingers curled tightly around his cane.
"I am not Harry Potter's spokesman," Cael continued. "But I can no longer stand by as the Malfoy name is used to manipulate this court into punishing a good man — Rubeus Hagrid — for something he did not cause."
He reached into his robes and produced a folded parchment. "This is a signed report from Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts matron. It states, and I quote, that 'Mr. Draco Malfoy suffered no significant injury — superficial scratches only, consistent with an animal warning swipe rather than an attack.' She prescribed a mild healing salve and chocolate."
Cael held it up, then handed it to one of the aides for circulation among the council members. "This was not a mauling. It was not a grievous wound. It was a scrape. A scrape that has been deliberately exaggerated by the Malfoy family to discredit Hagrid and, by extension, Albus Dumbledore."
Lucius Malfoy stood again. "This is outrageous. My son was nearly scarred for life!"
"I read the report, Mr. Malfoy," Cael said. "And it says otherwise. What's outrageous is using a harmless incident as political leverage against a man who has dedicated his life to magical creatures — and to protecting students."
"You dare impugn my motives, boy?" Malfoy snarled, voice low.
Cael didn't flinch. "I do more than dare. I accuse you, Lucius Malfoy, of poisoning this courtroom with bias. You've long opposed Dumbledore's leadership, objected to Hagrid's employment due to his giant blood, and turned a child's tantrum into a Ministry scandal."
A collective intake of breath rippled through the chamber.
"Enough!" Fudge barked. "This hearing is descending into a brawl!"
"Then let's bring it back to facts," Cael replied sharply. "No other student was injured. Not one. I repeat: every other student — including Slytherins — respected the instructions, and the class went smoothly. It was only Mr. Malfoy's deliberate disrespect that triggered Buckbeak's defensive response. Hagrid didn't fail in his duty — he enforced it."
He took a breath and let the silence linger before continuing.
"And let's not ignore the deeper issue: this hearing is not just about a creature and a class. It's about fear. Fear of those who don't fit the mold. Hagrid is half-giant, yes — but he is kind, wise in his way, and deeply devoted to his job. Buckbeak is proud, yes — but he is not dangerous when treated properly. Harry Potter is famous, yes — but he never asked for that fame, and he certainly never asked for Draco Malfoy's hatred."
Lucius moved to speak again, but Cael raised a hand.
"And before you interrupt again, Mr. Malfoy — allow me to quote your son's behavior from just last term. He publicly told Harry Potter, and I quote, 'I didn't know you could read, Potter,' and that 'your mother was a Mudblood and deserved what she got.' That is not innocent school banter. That is hatred. That is bigotry. And it is learned."
The chamber stilled. Not a quill moved.
Cael's voice dropped slightly, becoming colder. "Draco Malfoy did not come to that class ready to learn. He came ready to provoke. He saw Hagrid's closeness to Harry and acted out of spite. This incident, as we now clearly see, was not about safety. It was about ego."
He looked directly at Fudge.
"I urge this council to recognize the truth. This was not a failure of magical instruction. It was a manufactured crisis. Hagrid did not act irresponsibly. He acted with care, caution, and knowledge. The incident was minor. And justice — if that word still has meaning here — demands that we see through the smoke and mirrors."
For a moment, silence hung like a weight over the courtroom.
Then Lucius Malfoy spoke again, quietly. "You're trying to make this about bloodlines. About legacy. About sympathy for those who should never have been in that forest to begin with."
"No," Cael said evenly. "I'm making this about truth. Something you've spent your whole life avoiding."
Fudge coughed, clearly shaken. "Enough. Enough. I think we've… heard quite enough for one day."
He looked toward the panel. Several of them avoided his gaze. Others, notably the long-nosed witch and the gold-robed wizard, now seemed uncertain.
"We… we will review the testimonies and the report from Madam Pomfrey," Fudge announced. "The hearing is postponed until a later date, to be scheduled in due course. Rubeus Hagrid will be notified accordingly."
There was a ripple of motion as parchment rustled and chairs scraped back.
Cael lowered his hands and exhaled slowly. Behind him, Hagrid looked like he might collapse in relief. Arthur Weasley placed a gentle hand on Cael's shoulder as he stepped down.
Lucius Malfoy swept past him, eyes narrowed like blades. "You've made an enemy, boy."
Cael met his gaze with perfect calm. "Come now, Lucius. Since when were we ever friends? I think I earned your hatred the day I dragged you through the mud in Diagon Alley."
Lucius's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and venom-laced. "Indeed. And yet somehow, you continue to slither your way into matters far above your station. I suppose even filth clings to power when left unchecked."