Snape had waited only for the duo to clear the open area before hustling all three teens back towards the Castle and it's relative safety. Due to his supposedly broken leg, Ron had to be carried there via magic but both Harry and Hermione walked there under their own power. Snape kept a tight grip on the back of Harry's neck as if he expected him to go harrying off after the others at any second. He didn't seem to notice Harry was sticking as close as he could to the Potion Master's side, practically trying to hide himself in the billowing material of his robes or that Harry had a death grip on the material of Snape's own billowing robes. But Harry had noticed he didn't touch either Hermione or Ron, choosing to use magic to transport Ron and bark at Hermione to follow them to the safety of the Castle. This was far different from the way he chose to treat Harry since he kept a grip on the neck of his robes insuring Harry didn't wander far from his side. Maybe he'd realize Harry was the only one of the three that actually was in shock and needed the human contact most. Harry didn't know and hadn't asked. Because he didn't care. Then or now.
All three teens spent the night in the infirmary. Ronald was treated for his supposedly broken leg and given a sleeping potion when Madam Pomfrey got tired of his loud, angry accusations against Harry. It was very clear Ron blamed Harry for the loss of his pet, Scabbers. He claimed Harry hadn't defended Scabbers as he should've. But instead, had turned his pet over to an escaped convict. An escaped convict who openly admitted he wanted to kill the rat. He was so angry over what he saw as Harry's betrayal, the fact that their defense teacher was apparently a monster in human skin took a backseat to everything else. And he was determined to wring an apology from Harry for failing to be a real friend to him. He wouldn't get it.
Hermione was treated, like Harry, for shock and allowed to fall asleep under the effects of a slightly less powerful sleep aid than Ron had been given once she had told the story from her point of view. And it was while he was listening to her tell her story, that Harry had finally come to the conclusion she was no more his friend than Ronald. She told the story succinctly, not sparing anyone in the telling. Her voice was cold and analytical during the rendition of the night but Harry had to admit she had hit all the high points in her telling.
Of course, she made it a point to mention it was Harry and only Harry who had attacked and knocked out Professor Snape. She claimed she told him to knock out Pettigrew and Black as well but he didn't listen to her. Which was a lie since she'd said no such thing. No one bothered to point out she had her wand on her and if she really thought those two should be knocked out there was nothing stopping her from doing it herself. They weren't on staff here and didn't have permission to be on the grounds.
She also neglected to mention the only reason they were outside of the Castle after hours was because she had bullied the boys into visiting Hagrid to sit the vigil with him over Buckbeak who was to be executed that evening. Rather, she allowed her listeners to draw the conclusion that Harry had wished to visit and offer comfort to the grieving half-giant. While not outright lying about the matter, she was freely lying by inference and a cynical part of Harry's mind knew it was only so, if there was to be trouble over the incident, it would be Harry who would be blamed. Not her.
Then it was Harry's turn to be interrogated. And it was an interrogation. There was no other word for it as he was asked the same questions over and over again with slightly different wording to see if he would in any manner change his answers at all. Unlike Hermione though, Harry did make it a point to mention the only reason any of them had been outside the Castle that evening was due to her nagging. Funnily enough even Ronald, who had yet to take his sleep aide had confirmed that statement. Of course, there were the by now expected accusations of blame and the lecture on responsibility and not behaving as a spoilt brat since he'd been told he wasn't supposed to be outside the safety and security of the Castle. Especially after dark. It was strongly implied he had endangered his friends because he was selfishly feeling confined and wanted to rebel. Thanks to Hermione none of his interrogators had listened to him at all.
But Harry felt no guilt for anything that had happened that night. He knew it hadn't been his idea to leave the Castle. Hermione had browbeat him into it, pointing out that Hagrid was supposed to be his friend. One of his only friends. And since something bad was occurring that night involving Hagrid, it was his duty to be with him when he could regardless of his own personal safety. Because that's what friends did. He said as much which was confirmed by her flush of embarrassed anger. Not that it did him any good. None of his accusers so much as twitched a brow in her direction. Instead, Dumbledore had frowned at him with a disappointed air and made a non-committal comment about not trying to shift blame where it didn't belong.
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