"I really am a little nervous."
Andrew got up early as usual and thought through the day's plans. Even someone as hard to rattle as he was felt excited.
The plan might sound a little reckless, but there was no doubt that a group of top Wizards had a better chance than ordinary Wizards, whether they were exploring or dealing with whatever problems might arise.
The secret was no longer so closely guarded. The outside world still knew nothing, but several professors at Hogwarts now knew what they were about to do. After they returned, the news would be made public anyway.
"Good morning, Andrew."
Hagrid stopped him along his usual running route, looking a little awkward. "You're going up today?"
"Yes, but it's still a secret, Hagrid. For now."
Andrew was not surprised that Hagrid knew. The Spacecraft had been built right beside the grounds. They might have kept it from the other professors, but they could hardly have kept it from Hagrid. Besides, there was a spy on the Headmaster's team—no, two spies.
Both Dumbledore, who rarely kept anything from Hagrid, and Madame Maxime, who occasionally came here to spend her free time, counted as spies in a sense.
"Yes, we're going up today and coming back soon. School starts soon, after all."
Andrew nodded. "I doubt you'll need me to bring you a souvenir, though. Rocks and sand from the moon sound nice, but you probably won't have much use for them."
Hagrid gave an embarrassed smile. Andrew saw the Giant visibly blush.
"By the way, what have you been busy with these past few days?"
"Preparing magical creatures for Dumbledore. He says he wants to build some sort of base on the moon, so I'm working on improving the wither skeletons. I'm trying to make ones