In the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore is supportive of Hagrid, that Buckbeak is harmless.
Harry and Hermione go back in time using the time turner and reach the point in the past when the ministry executives come to execute Buckbeak. While Macnair is about to come out of Hagrid’s cabin within moments to execute buckbeak, Harry is seen tugging Buckbeak’s rope and is still 10 feet away from the forest to avoid being seen. At that moment Dumbledore is found to interrupt Macnair and make him sign a document. This gives the future Harry time to safe hide Buckbeak.
Footsteps echoed from within the cabin. “Buckbeak, move!” Harry hissed. Harry tugged harder on the rope around Buckbeak’s neck. The hippogriff began to walk, rustling its wings irritably. They were still ten feet away from the forest, in plain view of Hagrid’s back door. “One moment, please, Macnair,” came Dumbledore’s voice. “You need to sign too.” The footsteps stopped. Harry heaved on the rope. Buckbeak snapped his beak and walked a little faster.
It seems deliberate that Dumbledore, who is against Buckbeak’s execution, is bothering about a ministry document, unless he knew that there would be something in the future,around the cabin, that would lead in the turn of the events.
Does anybody feel the same, that Dumbledore knew of the course of events that would take place?