Harry and the others didn't have to wait long before Hagrid opened the door, looking tense, with Fang barking wildly behind him.
"I thought you weren't coming." Hagrid let out a relieved breath and quickly stepped aside.
The three slipped into the hut.
"We were a bit delayed picking up Hermione," Harry said apologetically.
Only then did Hagrid notice Hermione's small figure.
"Oh—I haven't even congratulated you on being discharged yet! If it weren't for… well, never mind. Sit down, all of you. I'll make some tea."
He hurriedly grabbed the teapot, only to accidentally knock over a cup.
Clatter.
"Oh—sorry…"
Before he could gather the scattered cups, two hands appeared at his side and took over.
"What happened to make you this flustered?" Hermione asked as she poured the tea.
"Yeah, this isn't like you at all, Hagrid," Ron added.
Harry nodded, saying nothing, but his worried gaze said enough.
This was the first time he'd seen Hagrid like this. Normally, Hagrid was steady as a rock; even when he said something he shouldn't, he would just sulk on his own—never panic.
Hagrid usually carried an air of unshakeable confidence.
But right now, he looked like a student caught wandering the corridors past curfew.
Hagrid glanced at the three of them, took a deep breath, and said, "Alright… I was just about to tell you. I got a letter from the Ministry. They said they're going to—"
Knock, knock.
"Quick!" Hagrid's expression changed instantly. He spoke in a harsh whisper, urgent and frightened. "Hide—under the Invisibility Cloak!"
Harry and the others scrambled to pull out the Cloak of Invisibility and ducked into the corner.
Only after seeing they were completely hidden did Hagrid get up and open the door again.
Dumbledore stood there, and behind him was Fudge.
"Good afternoon, Hagrid."
Before Dumbledore could speak, Fudge jumped in.
He removed his bowler hat, revealing his disheveled gray hair, and glanced around the cramped hut.
"I trust you're prepared. Given the recent attacks, we're obligated to take you in for questioning."
"I believe I've already stated that Hagrid is not the one who opened the Chamber," Dumbledore said, brows knitting slightly, tone edged with displeasure.
Fudge's hand trembled before he quickly masked it with an awkward smile, dipping his head faintly toward Dumbledore.
"But two students have already been attacked. Since you haven't caught the culprit, we… must take certain precautions."
He muttered excuses under his breath—"parents criticizing the Ministry," "the pressure is enormous," "the school governors support my decision"—yet Dumbledore simply watched him, expression unreadable.
"Where are you taking me? Azkaban?!" Hagrid burst out.
Harry had never seen Hagrid look truly afraid before—not like this. His voice had even gone uneven.
"No one… no matter how strong… comes out of Azkaban the same," Ron whispered into Harry's ear.
Fudge could no longer look Dumbledore in the eyes. He turned his gaze aside, fiddling nervously with his hat. "Just for a short while. Once we've sorted everything out, you'll be back."
Dumbledore's thoughtful, silent stare on Fudge's back made the Minister stiffen as though needles pricked his skin.
"This goes against procedure. I have the right to—"
Bang, bang—!
A sharp knock interrupted him.
He opened the door, and a man in an elegant black cloak stepped inside.
"You're not welcome here!" Hagrid snapped, fear replaced by fury, his expression twisted with disgust as though he were facing a giant slug.
Lucius Malfoy scanned the small hut with a slow, satisfied smile.
"My apologies—I hadn't intended to come here. But I heard Headmaster Dumbledore was present." He lifted a rolled parchment for everyone to see. "The school governors have unanimously approved my decision—"
His smile widened into the broadest sneer Harry had ever seen, triumph gleaming openly in his eyes as he looked straight at Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore, your position as Headmaster has been suspended!"
Hagrid's mouth fell open in shock, wide enough to swallow Harry whole.
"Impossible! If you're arresting someone, take me! Hogwarts can't be without Dumbledore— even Rita Skeeter knows that!"
He flung his arms around in agitation, spittle flying, and Fudge and Lucius both recoiled in fear.
One slap from those enormous hands could break half the bones in their bodies.
"Calm down, Hagrid, or I'll have to call in the Aurors!" Fudge shouted.
"You brought Aurors too?" Hagrid froze.
"If you keep misbehaving, Aurors won't be the only ones who show up," Lucius said with a cold sneer.
Hagrid's anger surged again, but Dumbledore stepped in.
"Calm yourself, Hagrid." His eyes gleamed as he glanced at Lucius and Fudge. Fudge instinctively looked away, while Lucius met his gaze with smug satisfaction. "If this is the decision of the school governors, I will abide by it."
"But remember: here at Hogwarts, anyone in need will always receive help."
"And this school will not allow conspirators to run wild."
He spoke slowly and firmly, each word ringing clearly in Harry's ears.
Lucius sneered as Dumbledore walked out, while Fudge opened his mouth, hesitating, unsure how to respond.
"If anyone needs a clue… follow the spiders. He'll find what he's looking for." Hagrid said awkwardly before trailing after Dumbledore.
Lucius and Fudge exchanged stunned looks. Finding no meaning in Hagrid's words, they both shook their heads.
Once the hut was empty again, Harry yanked off the Invisibility Cloak.
"What did Hagrid mean by that?" he asked urgently, staring out the window at the figures disappearing into the distance.
Hermione shook her head. "No idea. But we should probably pay attention to spiders."
"Since we already know the Chamber monster is a basilisk, can't we just skip the spiders?" Ron's voice cracked, his face going pale.
Hermione shot him a sharp look.
"Stop dreaming. With both Dumbledore and Hagrid taken away, we need to find any clue we can about the Chamber— even if it's just to confirm the monster really is a basilisk!"
"We don't need confirmation. I trust your judgment," Ron said miserably. "More than I trust mine."
"But the real question is," Harry said, frowning, "who in the school can stop a basilisk?"
"Professor McGonagall? Snape?" He paused. "Or Professor Fawley?"
Hermione and Ron fell silent, exchanging worried looks.
"Maybe… we need to take action."