Harry and the other two desperately winked at Hagrid, but Hagrid was too busy looking after the big fellow beside him to pay them any attention.
"Hello, Grawp—"
Amosta smiled as he greeted Hagrid's brother, looking Grawp up and down.
Hagrid had clearly put a great deal of effort into making his full-blooded giant brother seem less frightening.
He had shaved Grawp's cheeks clean, leaving not a trace of beard, and cut his hair into a neat crew cut. To make his appearance more acceptable to the young wizards, Hagrid had somehow found a student robe for him to wear, though the robe looked about the size of a tent.
"Remember, Grawp? I told you, this is Professor Breen!"
Seeing Grawp stare fearfully at Amosta without a word, Hagrid anxiously poked him in the side.
"Say hello, remember your manners!"
Perhaps Hagrid's poke had hurt him a little. Grawp's rough features twisted, and he let out two huffing snorts at Hagrid.
"I don't think you need to be so anxious, Hagrid—"
Dumbledore stepped forward then, smiling kindly.
"He has already made considerable progress since he first moved into the Forbidden Forest. I believe Grawp will soon adapt and learn how to communicate with people—"
"Oh, thank you, Professor Dumbledore!"
Hagrid said gratefully.
"I've been trying to teach him a few things. He's making rapid progress too!"
Hagrid, who had been afraid that Grawp's poor behavior would cost him this precious chance to enter the castle, finally breathed a sigh of relief and found the time to look at everyone's reactions.
The staff all maintained an eerie silence, while the young wizards kept far away. Some had even run into the Entrance Hall.
"Hey, you don't need to worry that Grawp will hurt you, little ones!"
Hagrid said.
"I've trained him