Harry is consumed with rage after learning that Sirius Black betrayed Harry’s parents for Lord Voldemort 12 years ago. Ron and Hermione try to calm Harry down, reminding him that he “mustn’t go doing anything stupid” (214), like going after Black and trying to kill him. Ron suggests that they go visit Hagrid to get Harry’s mind off Black, but when they arrive at Hagrid’s hut, he is inconsolable. A letter has arrived from the school governors, announcing that “[Hagrid] bear[s] no responsibility for the regrettable incident” (217) with Buckbeak and Malfoy. However, the school governors have decided that Buckbeak is dangerous, and the case will be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. Hagrid must appear at an official hearing with Buckbeak, and if they lose, Buckbeak will be killed.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione offer to help build a case for Buckbeak. On Christmas morning, Harry receives a gift from an unknown benefactor: “a Firebolt, identical to the dream broom Harry had gone to see every day in Diagon Alley” (223). Ron and Harry are delighted and in awe of this exorbitant gift, but Hermione expresses concern about the anonymity of the sender and thinks it might have been sent by Sirius Black.