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"Moving on to our first order of business, we must approve the minutes of the previous Wizengamot meeting…" Dumbledore said, as the members of the Wizengamot took a look over some parchments that had been presented to them. Harry quickly learned one of the important lessons of politics and bureaucracy, it was dreadfully boring. Roughly an hour passed as other minor pieces of business were handled, including approving financial transactions for the month. After that though, Dumbledore called for the next order of business.
"It seems a member of our body, one Lucius Malfoy, is demanding the death of the Hippogriff known as Buckbeak, who is currently under the care of Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Care of Magical Creatures Professor at Hogwarts. As such, it is considered a conflict of interest for myself to act as mediator for this case, as such I pass it to the honorable member Amos Diggory." Dumbledore stepped down, before the man identified as Amos Diggory stepped up to the podium.
"Now, I will hear the grievance of Lucius Malfoy, whom has brought this case before the Wizengamot." Amos said, as Lucius moved from his seat to a small platform in front of the various members of the Wizengamot, which moved to the center of the amphitheater.
"Members of the Wizengamot. During a Care of Magical Creatures class on the Second of September of 1993, my heir, Draco Malfoy, was attacked and injured by the Hippogriff known as Buckbeak. He has thankfully since then made a full recovery, but that should not excuse the actions of the creature. This beast is dangerous, and having it in the presence of our progeny on the grounds of Hogwarts places them all in danger. As such, I move for the creature to be executed in restitution for the damages placed upon my son." Lucius said, in what Harry could tell was a tone meant to invoke sympathy. Had Harry not known the man as he did, it might have even worked. Harry did know better though.
"The Wizengamot will now hear the handler of the accused, one Rubeus Hagrid." Amos said, as Hagrid stepped onto the lower platform that stood in the center of the Wizengamot room. "What say you in the defense of the accused?"
"Hippogriff's are proud creatures. They have to be approached a certain way. I had given that instruction, and Mr. Malfoy ignored it and approached anyway. This is why we have the Care of Magical Creatures class, to help prevent events like this. I cannot help it if students deliberately ignore instructions and get themselves hurt." Hagrid said. His accent had toned down a lot, Harry wondered if he had practiced this speech in order to make sure it was understandable.
"What made you feel as though a Hippogriff was an acceptable introductory lesson for Care of Magical Creatures?" Amos Diggory asked.
"I thought students would be more excited to see a creature they likely hadn't seen befur'. Most magical kids have de-gnomed a garden, or caught a Grindylow when they've gone fishin'. Hippogriff's are a sight rarer, and are beautiful creatures. In a controlled environment like I try to provide, they also can show how dangerous working with creatures can be, but also how rewarding it is. There's nothing more loyal than a Hippogriff who likes ya'." Hagrid said, his accent peeking back through.
"Now that both sides have had the chance for their opening statements, we will now allow members of the court to openly question both sides." Amos said, opening the floor.
"Can you please explain the proper way to approach a Hippogriff Mr. Hagrid?" Xenophilius Lovegood asked.
"Yes, the proper way to approach a Hippogriff is to maintain eye contact and bow. Then allow it to either bow back, which is it's consent to approach, or if it doesn't bow, to back away. Hippogriffs are proud creatures, they don't take kindly to people disrespecting them." Hagrid said.
"How did Mr. Malfoy approach the Hippogriff that day?" Mr. Lovegood asked.
"During the class, he began rapidly approaching Buckbeak, and failed to bow or show any respect at all. Buckbeak reared up, and tried to frighten the boy away. Mr. Malfoy continued his advance and was scratched before I could intervene, having been standing to the side answering another student's question about the Hippogriff. I managed to calm Buckbeak down before any more damage was done to the boy or any other students." Hagrid said.
"A question for the quorum as a whole, have there been any previous incidents involving Hippogriffs to use as a precedent?" A small portly man in the Wizengamot asked. Harry didn't recognize him.
"There is an entire subsection of laws relating to the act of 'Hippogriff baiting', which is defined as 'deliberate and intentional action taken to offend a hippogriff and force hostile action'. That section of law states that when such an action is taken, the fault lies on the offender and not the Hippogriff." Xenophilius Lovegood stated, before referring to the specific legal section.
"Does this event qualify as Hippogriff baiting?" came from another man in the stands
"I would find it difficult to believe that my son acted with the intent to rile up the creature, simply misunderstanding the importance of the action, he is there to learn such things, is it his fault for not getting it right the first time?" Lucius brought up. Harry did have to give him that, Draco's arrogant, but probably wouldn't intentionally get himself hurt.
"Is it the fault of the Hippogriff for acting in a way that is entirely expected?" Mr. Lovegood asked, looking directly at Lucius. Harry briefly thought that if this was like that Ulysses 31 show Nymphadora had shown him, they would have shot eye lasers at each other.
"As it stands, has the court ever provided any decisions on accidental cases such as this?" another member spoke up.