buckbeak’s tail lashes out faster than you can react. the class gasp, pain explodes through your side as you’re knocked backwards, hitting the ground hard and then a sharp, breath-stealing sting spreads through your ribs.

“she’s bleeding.. everyone stay back please.” hagrid’s voice sounds distant, panicked.

before you can even try to sit up, someone is already there. harry.

he drops to his knees beside you, hands hovering for half a second like he’s afraid to hurt you more, green eyes wide and furious all at once. ron and hermione run after him and crouch bedside you with him.

“hey—hey, don’t move,” he says quickly, softer than you expect, one hand finally settling at your shoulder to keep you still.

you feel it then — the way his grip tightens just slightly when he sees the blood soaking into your robes. hagrid starts apologising, ron’s swearing under his breath, hermione’s calling for madam pomfrey — but harry barely seems to hear any of it.. all he can hear are your pain-driven groans.

when madam pomfrey arrives and tells him she’ll take it from here, harry doesn’t move. hermione drags harry away as ron pats his back in comfort.