They did not have to walk for long to come in contact with the giant.
Amelia raised a hand, signaling the group to stop.
"Spread out," she whispered. "Surround it, but don't attack until I give the signal. We'll take it down together."
The Aurors obeyed silently, moving into position. Amelia studied the giant, noting the torn remains of rope still hanging from its wrists and ankles. The creature's dark, mottled skin was disfigured with burns, evidence of Justin's earlier attempt to fend it off. Just as the Aurors completed their formation, the giant's head snapped up.
It sniffed the air, its eyes narrowing as it searched for the new scent.
Amelia knew the giant was alerted. Given more time, it would inevitably discover them.
"Now!" Amelia shouted.
"Stupefy!" "Incarcerous!" "Confringo!"
A barrage of spells shot toward the giant, illuminating the forest with flashes of blue and red light.
Grawp, the enormous giant, let out a painful cry that rumbled through the forest, startling birds into frantic flight. The spells struck his massive body, leaving scorch marks and forcing him to stagger backward. His large, rough hands flew up in a futile attempt to shield himself, but the barrage of magical assaults was relentless.
"Keep at it!" Amelia urged the rest of her team.
Grawp swung his arms wildly, his enormous hands swiping at the Aurors who darted out of reach. Several managed to avoid the devastating blows, but the force of the giant's swings created gusts of wind that whipped through the trees.
"Incarcerous!" an Auror shouted again, and ropes of magical light shot out, wrapping tightly around the giant's massive limbs. Grawp roared in frustration, pulling against the binds.
The giant, driven by desperation, swung his bound arm in a wide arc. His massive hand grabbed a nearby tree, sending it crashing to the ground and narrowly missing a group of Aurors.
"Watch out!" one shouted, diving out of the way as splinters of wood rained down.
Amelia raised her wand, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Enough! Take it down, target the head ... lethal force authorized!"
The combined attacks of the Aurors intensified. Streams of fire erupted from multiple wands as they cast "Incendio Maxima!", engulfing Grawp in a raging inferno. His roars grew weaker, his movements slower, as the flames consumed him.
Finally, the giant's massive body crumpled, falling forward with a resounding crash that shook the earth.
Smoke and the acrid stench of burnt flesh filled the air.
Amelia motioned for two Aurors to approach the fallen giant. "Confirm it's dead."
He moved closer, wands pointing at the huge body on the ground. He muttered a quick "Homenum Revelio," ensuring no spark of life remained in the giant.
"It's done, Madam Bones," he confirmed.
Hearing the giant was no longer any threat, everybody relaxed. They all knew how giants were considered tough opponents. Luckily, there was only one, and with a total of twenty-five Aurors, they easily dominated it.
When they were done, Amelia ordered some of them to spread out and search for any other giants.
After an hour, the group was finally leaving the forbidden forest. Amelia and Rufus Scrimgeour were discussing the internal process for this mission while the rest of the Aurors had bright smiles as they chatted about how they each dealt with the giant. Behind them was the lifeless body of Grawp, floating in the air, supported by a team of levitation charms.
At the same time, Albus Dumbledore and Hagrid apparated in the opposite direction. Amelia slowed her pace as the two groups drew closer.
The moment Hagrid's eyes fell on the massive body floating behind the Aurors, his expression twisted in horror. His mouth fell open, and he stumbled forward, nearly tripping over his own feet.
"Grawp..." he could not believe what he was seeing. "Grawpy, no!"
As Hagrid stumbled toward the lifeless body of Grawp, grief etched across his face, the Aurors around Amelia Bones exchanged uneasy glances. They waited for her reaction, and when Amelia gave a single nod, they moved swiftly into formation. Wands raised, the Aurors formed a barrier between Hagrid and the floating body of his fallen brother.
Hagrid stopped in his tracks.
His eyes darted between the Aurors and Amelia, his voice breaking as he shouted, "Why're yeh blockin' me? That's my brother! Let me see him! Let me... " His voice broke, and his massive hands clenched into fists. "Grawp! Why did you kill him!"
One of the younger Aurors whispered under his breath, "What the Centaur said was true."
Amelia walked in front of Hagrid. "Rubeus Hagrid, did you bring this giant into the Forbidden Forest? Are there any more giants here?"
"Aye, I ave brought him. Answer me, why did you kill him?"
Before Hagrid could continue, Dumbledore stepped forward and fixed Amelia. "Madam Bones," he said, trying to calm the situation, "I can explain what is going on. Just let Hagrid meet his brother while I answer your question."
Amelia didn't even glance at Dumbledore, her focus remaining entirely on Hagrid. "Answer me, Hagrid. Are there any more giants in the Forbidden Forest? Did you bring others?"
"What?" Hagrid looked genuinely confused by the question. "No, Grawp is the only one I brought."
Amelia glanced at Dumbledore before returning her gaze to the half-giant. "Rubeus Hagrid, by the authority of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, you are hereby detained for bringing a dangerous magical creature into this forest, an act that directly resulted in the death of a young student, Justin Finch-Fletchley. I hope you comply and do not make things hard."
Hagrid stared blankly at Madam Bones on hearing of the death of the student Justin.
Two Aurors stepped forward, wands at the ready, as Amelia gestured for them to take Hagrid into custody.
The groundskeeper's massive frame loomed over them, but he didn't resist as they placed enchanted handcuffs around his wrists.
His tear-streaked face turned toward the lifeless body of his brother one last time, and he whispered brokenly, "He would not... would kill without being provoked, I... I only wanted to give yeh a home, Grawpy... I'm sorry."