When giants encountered Death Eaters in Sicily, Evan's actions caused great confusion, prompting him to begin the return trip to Britain. Due to Grawp's size, they needed to slow down their pace, making their journey particularly challenging. Grawp's massive build prevented him from using carriages, long-distance Apparition, or portkeys. He could only walk.
Despite Grawp's stunted growth compared to other giants, hiding him proved challenging. They avoided cities, traveling through the wilderness and using Muggle-repelling spells and protective charms when sleeping at night. If Muggles ever spotted them, they'd have to use Obliviate to erase their memories.
Initially, everyone sympathized with Grawp and understood his importance to Hagrid. However, this pity quickly faded. The main issue was Grawp's terrible temperament and customs, making it difficult for others to tolerate him. Only Hagrid remained tirelessly devoted to taking care of Grawp.
Grawp was reluctant to leave Sicily and wanted to return to giant territory. Hagrid had to stay with him, tying himself to Grawp's side, sharing meals, sleep, and the journey. This resulted in Hagrid enduring a constant beating, covered in bruises.
Grawp occasionally threw punches without understanding his strength, making it challenging for Hagrid, who was experienced with dangerous magical creatures, to keep him safe. Evan and Sirius tried teaching Grawp some magic, but he showed little progress, worsening the situation.
As they continued their journey, Grawp caused numerous problems, destroying the environment and attracting attacks from other creatures. Madam Maxime's patience finally ran out, leading to a heated argument with Hagrid. This strained their previously positive relationship, potentially ending it.
After a month of travel, when they reached France, Hagrid suggested that Evan, Sirius, and Madam Maxime leave first. No one objected, and they parted ways. Evan glanced worriedly at Hagrid before entering the carriage. Hagrid stood alone in the wilderness, battered and scarred, while Grawp ran in the opposite direction. Evan doubted whether he could truly lead the giant, as it seemed impossible.
When Evan and Sirius returned to Britain, the school year was nearing its end, and the long summer vacation was about to begin. They used the Floo Network to reach Dumbledore's office directly from Madam Maxime's fireplace. Despite the late hour, Dumbledore waited for them as if he had anticipated their arrival.
"Good evening, Evan and Sirius," Dumbledore greeted them calmly, tapping the tabletop gently with his wand. Three cups of steaming coffee appeared. "I expected your journey might not have progressed as smoothly as you'd hoped. I believe you have much to tell me."
They proceeded to narrate the details of their journey, including the conditions in the giant territory, the movements of the Death Eaters, encounters with various magical creatures, and their quest for Gryffindor's sword. Evan, however, chose to omit certain parts of his encounter with Titan Kronos.
Dumbledore listened attentively, occasionally expressing astonishment at their discoveries. He commended their efforts, acknowledging that they had exceeded his expectations. Dumbledore then discussed the need to prepare for the possible involvement of giants in Voldemort's army and the dark wizards and ancient artifacts connected to Claw of the Raven.
"Evan, there is currently no specific task requiring your immediate attention," Dumbledore said. "Since the final exams have just concluded, you may return home to be with your parents early for the summer vacation. However, I must ask if you have any plans for the holiday."
"I'm considering a trip to Egypt," Evan replied. "Nicolas Flamel mentioned that the Emerald Tablet could be very helpful for alchemy. I also plan to invite Hermione to join me, as there shouldn't be any danger this time."
"Egypt is a fascinating destination," Dumbledore remarked, smiling. "It blends mysterious ancient magic and wizardry with the rich witchcraft of Africa. You'll find an abundance of ancient historical relics that will greatly benefit your understanding of the past. As for Miss Granger, I believe she will be delighted to accept your invitation."
Evan understood Dumbledore's intention: Harry needed a peaceful summer with his relatives, free from disturbances. With Voldemort's return, the magical world had become more dangerous, and tensions were escalating. The contest between good and evil had begun, and Dumbledore was well aware of the stakes.
Evan wasn't certain if Dumbledore had specific plans, but he understood that the top priority was ensuring Harry's summer vacation with the Dursleys went smoothly. This might explain why Dumbledore wanted Sirius to go to Norway during the summer vacation. However, Evan wondered if things were really that simple.
Norway was one of the major Northern European countries traditionally associated with Durmstrang's sphere of influence. It was also a region frequently visited by vampires like Kreshkov. Additionally, it was close to the Goblin state known as "Àlfheim." According to legends, Àlfheim was a magical city deep underground in Northern Europe, entirely built by Goblins. They cultivated mysterious plants, forged magma weapons, and amassed vast collections of gold and treasures. The city was constructed from gems and precious metals, guarded by dragons and trolls, and had become famous as a trading hub for wizards worldwide.
However, this information was ancient history. After the destruction of Àlfheim and the decline of Northern European magic, Goblins had lost their independent state and had scattered across the world. The once-fearsome Northern European region became a gathering place for dark wizards, vampires, terrifying creatures, and incredible legends. This situation persisted for 800 years until the establishment of Durmstrang, which had a unique mission due to the area's history.
Durmstrang was different from other magical schools. Its founding goal was coordinating Northern European Vikings in colonizing other European regions, making it a breeding ground for dark wizards. Some notorious dark wizards, including the first-generation Dark Lord Gellert Grindelwald, had graduated from Durmstrang.
Kreshkov had mentioned that their family had a headquarters in the Northern European area, overlapping with Durmstrang's influence. Sirius going to Norway might be related to Voldemort's search for greater power within vampire families. Dumbledore likely intended to investigate this matter and establish contact with these vampires.
After speaking with Sirius, Evan realized that he would need to inquire about his mission to Norway. He couldn't afford to be distracted by other concerns. Given the Northern European area's complex and dangerous situation, Evan was determined to go to Egypt during the vacation. Besides Dumbledore's influence, Egypt had been heavily explored by Goblins, making them a significant regional power. They hired numerous Curse-Breakers, including Bill Weasley, to search for ancient treasures.
Egypt was also home to the large magic school, "Carnac," which fused various African witchcraft traditions with mainstream magic. Carnac was known for its expertise in ancient languages and occult sciences, making it a global leader in magical education.
Evan considered visiting Carnac during his trip.
After discussing these matters with Dumbledore, Evan presented the scabbard and entrusted it to him to combine with Gryffindor's sword. Although Evan had found it, he considered the scabbard and sword inseparable and part of the school's heritage.
Evan didn't return to the common room but left a message for Hermione, requesting that Dumbledore relay it to her. The situation was far from ordinary, with the Ministry of Magic and Fudge becoming increasingly active at Hogwarts. The sudden disappearance of Evan, Sirius, and Hagrid had drawn their attention, and there was no need to invent reasons for their absence. Dumbledore had allowed Evan to return home early, ostensibly to accompany Nicolas Flamel in alchemical studies, while Sirius would accompany Evan to Beauxbatons.
As for Hagrid, he was joining Madam Maxime to deal with dangerous magical creatures. The reasons were not entirely convincing, but the Ministry of Magic couldn't find any issues with them, and Dumbledore had enough evidence to support their explanations.
"You can spend the night at the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters tonight," Dumbledore suggested, carefully placing the scabbard in a cabinet. "Evan, when you leave for home tomorrow, there may be a one-week vacation at Hogwarts. During that time, I recommend you seek out Miss Granger. I suggest you travel to Egypt through Muggle means."
Evan nodded in agreement and asked, "Where is the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters located? Is it..."
He wanted to mention 12 Grimmauld Place but hesitated. The Fidelius Charm guarded this secret location. This complex enchantment concealed specific magical information within a living person's soul, ensuring it remained hidden unless the secret keeper voluntarily disclosed it. As long as the secret-keeper didn't reveal it, even eavesdroppers or intruders couldn't uncover it. This meant that Evan couldn't divulge the location of 12 Grimmauld Place, as he wasn't the secret keeper.