Musing on Buckbeak

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 166237

Pippin:
>  Then I remembered that Buckbeak did attack again.  He went at 
Snape, chasing him out of Hogwarts in HBP. Now, since we all know 
Bucky is not a mad hippogriff and Snape hadn't been insulting him, 
what made Buckbeak attack? Any ideas?

Ceridwen:
Since I have the book out, page 604, chapter Flight of the Prince, 
HBP, U.S. hardcover:

"And he (Snape) slashed the air: Harry felt a white-hot, whiplike 
something hit him across the face and was slammed backward into the 
ground.  Spots of light burst in front of his eyes and for a moment 
all the breath seemed to have gone from his body, then he heard a 
rush of wings above him and something enormous obscured the stars.  
Buckbeak had flown at Snape, who staggered backward as teh razor-
sharp claws slashed at him.  As Harry raised himself into a sitting 
position, his head still swimming from its last contact with the 
ground, he saw Snape running as hard as he could, the enormous beast 
flapping behind him and screeching as Harry had never heard him 
screech -"

Ceridwen:
Buckbeak attacks Snape when Snape attacks and downs Harry.  Since 
Harry is Buckbeak's friend, I think that downing Harry is insulting 
to Buckbeak.

Ceridwen.