Will's life followed a strict routine. He worked exceptionally hard, day after day.
Others lived differently. Hagrid, for one.
During that time, the Ministry of Magic conducted two targeted inspections of Hagrid. To him, they felt like two suffocating storms.
Hagrid cooperated fully. Beneath his bushy beard and tangled hair, he wore an almost pleading smile as he repeatedly explained that the Fantastic Beasts he kept posed no danger. The Ministry officials weren't convinced.
The officials wore neatly tailored robes and carried quills and parchment. They moved in and out of Hagrid's Hut, which was crammed with materials from all sorts of strange creatures.
They searched every corner and examined every glass jar of peculiar slime, as though Dark Magic were hidden inside.
By their standards, Grawp was dangerous enough.
But Dumbledore had made further changes to Grawp's home, and the Ministry officials who entered noticed nothing unusual. In the end, they found nothing.
Once the inspection was over, the officials left Hagrid alone, as if they had merely paid a routine visit.
Hagrid breathed a sigh of relief. So the Ministry was only going through the motions. Professor Dumbledore's influence still counted for something.
That relief lasted only a few days. Then Dumbledore summoned Hagrid to his office.
"Sit down, Hagrid," Dumbledore said gently.
Hagrid lowered himself into a large armchair. It creaked under his enormous weight.
"Hagrid, I have bad news from the Ministry of Magic. It concerns you." Something in Dumbledore's tone made Hagrid uneasy.
Hagrid's expression fell. "Professor, do you mean..."
"Kingsley has just sent me word." Dumbledore looked the loyal Half-giant in the eye. "The Ministry has made its decision. They intend to arrest you formally on charges of 'suspected keeping of dangerous creatures' and 'endangering student safety.'"
"Arrest me?" Hagrid's voice shot up. He