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The return to Hogwarts after the Winter holidays went on without incident. The Sphinx Club quickly settled back into their routine of study, training, and research. It was a chilly day in the middle of February when Luna received a letter from her father.
"Oh! Daddy's written to me. I wonder what it's about." Luna said, from her seat at the Ravenclaw table. She was currently on Harry's left-hand side, with Padma on his right. Hermione had been moved to the opposite side of the table, partially to her annoyance.
"Well, open it up and see." Harry said, idly taking a small bit of bacon and feeding it to the owl who had dropped off the letter before it flew off. The Lovegood family owl was a common barn owl, with a light brown back and white underbelly. He was a bit of an oddball, not unlike the family he served, and had a fascination with rolling on the floor. Supposedly his name was Grissel, but Luna had always called him Roly-Poly.
"Father apparently has secured a court date for Buckbeak. Given the evidence we've found, we might just have a chance for him to convince the court to let Buckbeak go." Luna said, standing up and doing a little twirl. Harry clapped.
"That's wonderful. I wonder if we could be allowed to attend the proceedings?" Padma idly wondered. It was certainly an interesting thought. While of the Ravenclaws gathered here, only Hermione had any interest at all in the legal system of the Wizarding World as a career option, they were still interested in what these kinds of proceedings might look like.
"Well, we could ask Professor Flitwick. If we explain our involvement, he might allow us to do so. He would likely need to get permission from the Headmaster, and would need to send us with a chaperone, but Hagrid would be in attendance anyway." Hermione said.
"Then let's go ask him. That court date is for the end of the month, that should be enough time to get it approved." Harry said, getting up. The Ravenclaw quartet moved to grab Parvati from the Gryffindor table, before making their way up to the Heads table, where the professors were enjoying their breakfast.
"Oh, hello. Did you need something?" Professor Flitwick asked as the group approached.
"Yes, we've been assisting Hagrid with a legal case involving the Hippogriff Buckbeak, they have a court date set for the end of the month, and we were wondering if there would be any way for us to be able to attend as spectators." Harry asked.
"Oh, well that's quite something. It's not often that we get these kinds of requests, but it's not unheard of. I will of course need to speak with Professor McGonagall since this will involve the Ms. Patil that is not under my care, but if she agrees we will take your request before the headmaster. Taking an interest in the legal system of our world is something that is certainly very Ravenclaw of you all. I do not foresee any issues with you being able to attend such a hearing, provided we receive permission from your parents as well. I would write them and have them send a letter that says that you are allowed to attend the proceedings. While I can act as a guardian for my Ravenclaws in lieu of their own being unavailable, exercising that authority is not something I should be doing often. Rest assured that you will have a chaperone if you do go." Flitwick said.
"Thank you Professor, we will go write those letters before class." Padma said, smiling at the diminutive professor.
"No thanks needed, I'm happy to see young minds expand their horizons, especially if you provided any work on this matter, I would like to allow you to see its completion." Flitwick said a smile on his face. "No run along for now, classes will be starting soon, and I have not quite had my fill of breakfast."
None of their guardians had any issue with allowing them to attend the proceedings, and the approval from the Headmaster came shortly thereafter. And then, on the final day of February, the trial for Buckbeak began.
Harry took his seat in the spectators stand as various members of the Wizengamot funneled into the room. Harry recognized a few off-hand, namely Neville's grandmother Augusta Longbottom, Susan's aunt Amelia Bones, Hannah's father Gregory Abbott, Luna's father Xenophilius Lovegood, Daphne's Father Cygnus Greengrass, and unfortunately Lucius Malfoy. Many other people flooded into the room, including a small section Harry saw designated as a press box. Lavender's mother was there, chatting amicably to another person. Harry hoped she wouldn't notice his presence, since last time they spoke it was only Lavender's presence that saved him from an exclusive interview. Harry shuddered a bit at the memory.
Towards the center of the upper stands a larger chair sat, where Dumbledore sat in a chair marked "Chief Warlock". Harry found that a bit odd, that the Headmaster held such disparate roles, but chalked it up to more Wizarding World weirdness. A few moments more everyone waited for more people to file in to their seats, before Dumbledore made a loud banging sound with his wand.
"Hello everyone, I would call this… Five thousand eight hundred and twelfth meeting of the Wizengamot to order. We have a few matters on the agenda today, so I believe it would be prudent to begin." Dumbledore said, his aged voice speaking distinctly and with authority. It was a different tone than he used during more private conversations, but not all too different than what was used during speeches to the student body. Harry briefly wondered how many of the members of the Wizengamot had been students at Hogwarts under Dumbledore; he would imagine most of them, even if it was only as a teacher and not the Headmaster.
"Here here." Came the reply from most of the body. Harry imagined that was simply a formality.