Oh, now that's a nice chapter. I admit that I'll be rather interested in seeing how Harry, Theodore Nott, and Neville got together (that has to be a killer backstory) and what further "adventures" they'll have (wonder how/when Ron & Hermione will find out that others are closer to Harry than they are). Meanwhile, it should be quite interesting to see how long it takes folks to realize that buckbeak is no longer inhabiting 12 Grimmauld Place and to try and find out what happened. I don't feel sorry at all for Albus, he had his shot, now Harry has to make his own way since he's not what Albus thinks he is. I suspect Harry's new friends are going to become rather more important as matters develop.