Dumbledore strolled through the manor grounds with Hagrid. "How is Grawp doing?"
Grawp was Hagrid's younger brother.
"He can control himself now, and we can have a few basic conversations," Hagrid explained. "He can stay at my place. That house Will built for him is great. I promise there won't be any trouble, Professor. None at all."
"Of course, Hagrid. Don't be nervous. I trust you completely. I would trust you with my life." Dumbledore nodded. "If you can teach Grawp to be a good boy, I'm certainly willing to let him live with you."
Hagrid breathed a sigh of relief—his status was legal now, and he would be returning to teach at Hogwarts. Everything was going well. His only fear had been that Professor Dumbledore would refuse to let him bring Grawp back to Hogwarts.
He worried that Grawp would not be as obedient without him around. If he caused trouble at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters, it could turn into a disaster.
"Let's go, Hagrid." Dumbledore patted him, and a moment later, the two vanished, leaving only a sharp crack echoing through the deathly still manor grounds beneath the moonlight.
As the moon sank and daylight broke, Will set down his quill, his eyes bloodshot. Several days without sleep or rest had taken their toll. Even though his health had improved considerably, he still could not go entirely without rest.
Pressing his wand against his head, Will forced himself to keep going with another Clear-Headed Charm. He straightened the thick stack of parchment and began reading through it, checking his work.
He had to make sure there were no errors.
The clock's hand completed another turn and a half. Sunlight spilled across the desk, making Will squint. He let out a long, weary breath. There were