Utilizing Cyclops' strength to aid Grawp's promotion of strength and consequently securing his position as the leader of the giant tribe may seem somewhat reckless. However, the matter is quite simple. It becomes exceedingly complex when dealing with the behavior of Centaurs, Goblins, and other species. Conversely, Giants lack such strategic manipulation; they prefer combat, and tradition dictates that disputes are resolved through physical confrontation. Whoever possesses the greatest physical strength commands authority among giants. Therefore, if Grawp successfully becomes a giant, we would gain a formidable ally.
Despite their lack of intelligence, giants possess immense physical strength. Even Voldemort cannot afford to disregard their power. When the time comes to wage war again, he will need to be cautious and carefully assess the relative strengths of both sides.
Evan devised this as the most effective approach to the difficult situation: forming an alliance with the giants. Returning to the lighthouse, he recounted his previous experiences and shared this plan with Sirius.
Evan intentionally omitted any mention of Titan Kronos. His involvement in the final battle is astounding; some might find it hard to believe. Even if true, it would worry Sirius.
He emphasized the importance of forming an alliance with the giants and discussed the feasibility of his plan with Sirius.
"Evan, I previously offered you unwavering support, but I must express some reservations about this plan," Sirius said, somewhat hesitant. "Using Cyclops' strength to bolster Grawp's abilities requires caution. I've never heard of such a method before. It somewhat resembles the dark wizard's Claw of the Raven..."
"Wizards wouldn't naturally do such a thing," Evan replied. "The body structure of humans and giants is different, and their connection to Cyclops' strength is not the same. They cannot seamlessly merge. The dark wizard we encountered before used a secret technique to transform his body by absorbing Cyclops' power, resulting in him becoming a half-demonic shadow creature, losing his sanity, and eventually, his life."
"However, giants are different," Evan continued. "They are descendants of Cyclops, inheriting their strength. My plan isn't to infuse all their strength into Grawp immediately. It will be a gradual process, little by little, to aid his development."
"You may have misunderstood my concern, Evan," Sirius said earnestly, raising his voice. "Using dark magic to manipulate the body is a perilous path. Have you forgotten Voldemort? Dumbledore warned you about the choice between shortcuts and the correct path..."
Evan remained silent, realizing that the magic he intended to use was dark. Sirius's reminder made him aware that he was becoming increasingly comfortable using dark magic and less hesitant. His first experience using dark magic on Hermione to resist a werewolf had made him uneasy, but now he could almost use that incantation without guilt.
He acknowledged that dark magic often proved more effective than other forms. He believed that magic didn't have inherent good or evil qualities; it depended on how it was used. While certain dark arts required malevolent intentions and hatred, other forms of dark magic could be used without such restrictions.
In the eyes of many wizards, his perspective was deemed absurd and dangerous. Most wizards publicly opposed dark magic, even if they secretly dabbled in dangerous magic. This was a consensus within the magical community, a lesson learned from past wars.
As civilization progressed, the overall magical proficiency of the community declined. The primary reason for this decline lay in the limitations imposed on magic. Times were changing, and the world no longer required as many powerful wizards. The concept of a savior and limitless power had become a burden. Even at Hogwarts, professors shifted their focus away from teaching complex magical knowledge.
While Dumbledore staunchly upheld the school's traditional values, changes were inevitable. Many ancient magic books gathered dust in obscure corners or locked away in restricted library areas. The integration of magic and the Muggle world was accelerating. In a few decades, all wizards might rely on "quick" or "simple" techniques and props to perform magic, abandoning complex incantations and magical runes.
Some might view this as a drawback, but discarding numerous intricate magic books was inconceivable for young wizards like Evan. He couldn't ignore the destruction of invaluable knowledge.
"Too much power can indeed be a burden," Evan sighed. His core belief remained unchanged, even though it was a dangerous one. Yet, as Sirius pointed out, he needed to approach Grawp's strength enhancement with caution. He had previously focused solely on the end result without considering the potential dangers, a sign of recklessness from his growing power.
During his journey, after encountering formidable beings, Evan began to feel his own insignificance and weakness. Perhaps this was a manifestation of his frustration.
"I'll be careful," Evan finally said. "First, let's return to the island and check on Hagrid and Madam Maxime."
Upon Evan and Sirius's return to the giant territory, they found a simple funeral underway. The deceased was Hagrid's mother, Fridwulfa, who had recently passed away. Her death was not the result of an attack but rather the natural course of life.
For giants, tombstones and burials were considered extravagant. During this period, Evan observed many giant corpses left in the wilderness, some ignored. Even when it came to their parents, siblings, and other family members, most giants let the leaves of nature cover their deceased bodies.
According to ancient traditions, giants returned to nature in this manner, allowing their souls to merge with the volcano and join the spirits of their ancestors.
However, Hagrid couldn't bear to follow this custom. He refused to abandon his mother, and with the help of Madam Maxime, they gave Fridwulfa a human-style burial, marking her life as a female giant who had embraced human civilization.
The atmosphere in the camp carried a tinge of somberness. Hagrid's eyes were visibly red, indicating he had shed many tears. Upon seeing Evan and Sirius, his small, black eyes welled up with tears again, streaming down his beard.
Beside him, Madam Maxime also appeared sorrowful, clutching a giant handkerchief tightly in her hand. In contrast to the grief that filled the air, Grawp seemed unaffected by the death of Fridwulfa. He couldn't comprehend why Hagrid had chosen to bury his mother in the earth and create a mound of stones.
Death among the giants was a common occurrence akin to the primitive clans of other species. They viewed it as a return to nature, with giants dying daily and new ones being born. Fridwulfa, in the sense that she passed away peacefully in her old age, was an exception. Most giants, even the females, met their end in their prime, typically on the battlefield.
In this regard, Fridwulfa could be considered fortunate, even though the latter part of her life had not been kind to her. Grawp, however, was unfamiliar with the customs of burial. He was restless, wanting to play and displaying his frustration.
Hagrid had to restrain him, using a magical rope tied around his body and securing it to several giant rocks. Upon seeing Evan, Grawp attempted to communicate, letting out a roar that caused the rope to tighten.
"Don't worry, Evan. He doesn't comprehend the extent of his own strength. I had to tie him up like this because it's quite chaotic outside with Death Eaters and aggressive giants. I'm afraid he might get into trouble," Hagrid explained. He motioned for Evan to sit beside him near Fridwulfa's tombstone. "How are things on your end?"
"Everything's going smoothly," Evan replied, his gaze fixed on the crude mound of stones before him. "Regarding your mother..."
Hagrid interrupted him, saying, "You don't need to feel sorry for my mother's passing. She was quite old, and such a day was inevitable. Her death was a release." Hagrid wiped away the tears from his eyes. "Last night, Grawp and I were by her side..."
After silence, Sirius asked Madam Maxime about recent developments in the giant territory.
"She told me that she had done many cruel and dreadful things in her life," Hagrid continued, "but in her old age, she felt remorse. She considered herself fortunate to see me again before departing without major regrets. She was very frail; her once strong body had slowly deteriorated. There were signs for a while. I stayed with her, and last night, she reminisced about my father and their past together. She spoke softly and peacefully, without any pain. For her, this was probably the best outcome. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do. I couldn't bring her back to Britain; some too many people despise giants and would want to put her on trial."
Evan had met Fridwulfa before, and he knew that although she had committed many wrongs, her end was far more peaceful than she deserved. The unpredictability of human affairs was evident as an infamous giantess had quietly reached the end of her life.
Hagrid went on to share more about his mother's passing. It was clear that being able to spend those final moments with Fridwulfa meant a lot to him. He had carried the weight of abandoning her and his father when he left, but now he had made amends.
Evan had brought up his plan at the right time, but Hagrid shook his head, rejecting the proposal. "This child isn't suited to be among the giants, Evan," Hagrid explained. "He hasn't had the opportunity to interact with other giants from infancy to maturity due to his short stature. This place isn't suitable for him; it's not his family."
In this emotional atmosphere, Evan found it challenging to persuade Hagrid. Given the circumstances, convincing Hagrid to consider the bigger picture was unrealistic. Evan understood that he had to let go, as Sirius had pointed out, that the idea itself was flawed and extraordinarily dangerous. The immense strength should not be recklessly exploited, even with other giants.
"What do you plan to do with him then?" Evan inquired. "We can't stay here."
"I've been teaching him English recently, and he's picking it up quite quickly. He'll be able to speak basic words soon," Hagrid said with a smile, gesturing toward Grawp. "Afterward, I intend to take him away from here. I can't leave him here alone, especially not after all we've been through."
"That's a good idea," Evan acknowledged. "The Forbidden Forest is vast, providing him with the space he needs."
"Are you agreeing with my plan?" Hagrid asked in surprise. "Olympe has been trying to convince me to abandon this idea. It sounds crazy, but he's my younger brother, and I can't leave him alone here."
"Yes, that's why you need to take him with you," Evan responded, knowing exactly what Hagrid would say. Regardless of what others might say, Hagrid wouldn't abandon his friends and family. It was simply his nature.
"Thank you. I thought you would oppose it. I didn't know what to do," Hagrid said, his eyes moist again, tears welling up again just as they had stopped.
"Hagrid, I understand how important Grawp is to you. That's why you want to help him become a giant. However, bringing him back to Hogwarts is also an option, making it easier for you to look after him," Evan suggested, looking at Sirius and Madam Maxime. "But the bigger question now is, what should we do about the other giants?"
"We can continue trying to contact them, to persuade them," Hagrid replied.
"It may not be very effective. Dumbledore and we have little to offer them," Madam Maxime interjected seriously. "The situation is grim. They don't even want to see us now."
"True, but at the very least, we need to try. We can convey Dumbledore's message to them. Many giants have heard it, and they remember Dumbledore's goodwill. Some may be willing to help us," Hagrid insisted.
Evan couldn't help but wonder if the giants possessed the awareness to realize the evil of Voldemort and decided to support their cause.
"The giant tribe is currently in disarray, with daily conflicts. It won't be resolved in the short term. In such a state, Death Eaters can't easily extract the giants. That's a bit of good news," Sirius remarked. "Although some giants may not be willing, staying here serves no purpose. We should leave."