Chapter 883: Growth
Chapter 883: Growth
Sirius reached out and grabbed Harry's arm, explaining his plan to the group. "We'll Disapparate a short distance, then slowly approach the Acromantula's territory. After that, we'll use the Dark Creature Detector to locate a lone Acromantula and capture it."
"Alright, let's go!" Sirius nodded to Lupin and, without further ado, took Harry by the arm and Disapparated.
"Hermione, take my hand, and you too, Ron," Lupin said gently.
"Umm..."
"I've got him."
Hermione walked over and took Lupin's arm, then reached out and grabbed Ron's arm when she saw that he didn't want to go.
If Ron didn't get to experience the challenges of being a brave warrior, he would probably continue to be jealous of Harry, which wouldn't be good for their friendship.
Harry and Ron hadn't spoken to each other in several weeks, and their friendship couldn't withstand this turmoil. Mediating between them had left Hermione exhausted.
"Alright, let's get going as well," Lupin said.
Before Ron could react, the surrounding darkness pressed in on them from all sides, silencing whatever he had been about to say.
When they came to their senses, they found themselves standing in midair. Harry was dry heaving beside them, Sirius was on high alert with his wand in hand, holding the 'Dark Creature Detector' they had seen earlier, ready to fend off any attacking Acromantulas.
"Acromantulas move very quickly through the forest," Sirius explained to the three of them. "Be careful and stay vigilant. Those beasts eat people."
Ron, who was leaning against a tree trunk and retching, shuddered at his words.
"You'll get used to this feeling over time," Lupin comforted him. "But it's good that you're experiencing Apparition early. When you start practicing, you'll be able to master Disapparating faster than others."
"Can you teach us, Professor Lupin?"
Although Harry didn't like the feeling of Disapparating, he knew it was necessary to learn. If he could master it early, it would make traveling to other places much more convenient, and he wouldn't have to worry about the Apparition test later on.
"Not now," Lupin shook his head in refusal. "We don't have enough time, and there's a reason why Apparition is taught to adult wizards only. For now, let's focus on getting through the first task."
"I recall Fred and George mentioning that Albert learned to Disapparate very early on," Ron interjected, hoping that Professor Lupin would offer to teach him as well.
"Albert is an exceptional case," Lupin said, shaking his head.
"Alright, no more chatting. Once you've rested, we'll be on our way," Sirius said, handing the other 'Dark Creature Detector' to Ron. "You keep an eye on the detector, and let us know immediately if you see any red dots or if any red dots are approaching us quickly."
"Oh, okay," Ron replied, taking the detector and swallowing nervously.
"The forest is the Acromantulas' territory, and they move swiftly through it. Don't hesitate to use the Stunning Spell if you encounter one," Lupin instructed, motioning for the three of them to follow Sirius while he brought up the rear.
The five of them began to make their way toward the nearest red dot on the detector.
After walking through the bushes for a while, Sirius suddenly stopped and used the light from his wand to examine their surroundings.
"What is it?" Hermione asked softly.
Sirius made a shushing gesture, and a loud clicking sound filled the air.
"It's close by," Ron said, his wand clutched tightly as his eyes remained fixed on the detector in his hand, the red dot now overlapping with their location.
Harry placed a hand over his pounding heart and, taking a deep breath, said in a low voice, "It's a big one."
"Don't worry, we're prepared. I'll count to three, and then you all close your eyes," Sirius said calmly, reaching into his robe pocket and pulling out a spherical toy, which he began to unscrew.
The others were perplexed but trusted Sirius as he twisted the top of the sphere and threw it forward.
Suddenly, a blinding flash of white light filled the air, and a glowing orb floated above their heads, illuminating the surrounding forest.
"What?!"
Harry, blinded by the flash, closed his eyes in pain, only to hear Sirius and Lupin spring into action beside him.
They had been ready for this, and they immediately cast their spells at the exposed Acromantula, whose eyes were still flashing from the bright light, stunning it before it could react.
Before Harry, Ron, and Hermione could process what was happening, Sirius and Lupin were already chanting a binding spell, securing the unfortunate spider.
And just like that, it was over?
The three of them stood there, mouths agape, unable to believe how easily the task had been accomplished.
Sirius pulled out a box and, using magic, tossed the mummified Acromantula into it. He then turned to Harry and said, "Don't underestimate Acromantulas. We managed to capture this one by surprise. These monsters move swiftly through the forest and are extremely dangerous, which is why they're considered magical beasts."
"There are three red dots approaching us quickly," Ron said, his voice shaking. "They're almost here."
"We should leave immediately," Sirius said, locking the box with magic and taking Harry by the arm to Disapparate.
This time, without Lupin having to prompt him, Ron held tightly onto Lupin's hand, ready to be taken away from this dangerous place.
Not long after the five of them left, three Acromantulas appeared at the spot where they had been standing, but there was nothing there anymore.
"Our luck is holding," Sirius said cheerfully as they stood in an open plain, far from any potential interruptions.
"Indeed, Albert's idea really worked," Lupin agreed, feeling that the Galleons he had spent on Sirius had been well worth it.
"Albert?" Hermione looked at Professor Lupin, confused.
"Yes, he's the one who suggested this plan," Sirius said, placing the box on the ground and motioning for the others to step back as he prepared to release the Acromantula from the box.
Now that the Acromantula was out of the box, Harry truly understood why these creatures were considered magical beasts. The spider before them was as large as a horse, its body covered in thick, black fur, its multiple eyes gleaming—a spider that had been enlarged countless times over.
"Is it dead?" Ron asked, his voice shaking.
"I don't think so, it's probably just unconscious," Sirius replied, his eyes never leaving the Acromantula. "These monsters aren't ordinary spiders. They're cunning, they can speak, and they're fearsome predators in the forest. When we used to roam the Forbidden Forest, we encountered these giant spiders, and it took a lot of effort to escape them."
"Harry, you'll need to face it alone soon," Lupin interrupted Sirius' reminiscing. "Do you know how to deal with it?"
Harry shook his head.
"What spell did you use to take it down?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Arania Exumai, the spider-repelling spell," Lupin replied. "Albert told us about this spell, which can cause significant damage to spiders. But sometimes, facing these creatures requires more than just powerful spells—it requires your wit. Don't think about confronting it head-on, that would be unwise. You need to find a way to attract its attention and restrict its movements because Acromantulas are incredibly fast, and their speed poses a significant threat to you. What do you think you could use to restrict the Acromantula's movements?"
"Stunning Spell, Full-Body Bind, Jelly-Legs Jinx, or Tarantallegra?" Harry pondered for a moment, reciting the spells he currently knew that could restrict the Acromantula's movement.
"There are plenty of options, aren't there?" Lupin continued. "But what if your spells don't work because its magical resistance is too strong?"
"That..."
Harry was stumped. He had no idea what to do in such a situation.
"If you're good at Transfiguration, you can conjure ropes to bind the Acromantula's eight legs and restrict its movements. But that might be difficult for you, so don't take unnecessary risks before you're prepared, or you might easily lose your life." Sirius looked at the bewildered Harry and said, "Now, are you ready, Harry?"
Ready for what? Harry was a little flustered. He wasn't prepared at all! Ron, standing next to him, wore a similarly confused expression. He was suddenly grateful that he wasn't the one facing the Acromantula; instead, it was Harry. However, this was just an appetizer, as Harry would also have to face the fire dragon in the first task.
"Don't worry, we're right here." Lupin reassured him. He and Black cast the Quick Revival spell on the Acromantula, and the large spider that had been knocked out began to stir. Seeing this, Ron shrank back in fear, wishing he could hide behind Hermione.
"Don't be afraid, Harry. If you're not even brave enough to face it while we're protecting you, how will you manage against the dragon later?" Sirius patted Harry's shoulder encouragingly. Though he didn't like doing this, he felt it was necessary. He hoped that Harry would muster his courage and calmly face the danger before him.
The sound of clicking mandibles filled the air, sending shivers down Harry's spine. However, he knew Sirius was right. If he lacked the courage to face the Acromantula with their support, how could he possibly take on the dragon later?
The large spider struggled to flip over, its eight eyes fixed on Harry. Perhaps due to the effects of the blinding spell, the Acromantula's eyes didn't seem to have fully recovered yet.
Harry raised his wand and cast a spell at the Acromantula: Tarantallegra.
The Dance Spell predictably hit the spider's massive, hairy black body, causing its legs to spasm momentarily before returning to normal.
After being attacked, the Acromantula rushed towards Harry with lightning speed.
"Stupefy, Stupefy, Stupefy!" Harry cried out in fear as the giant spider charged at him, his mind going blank as he frantically cast the Stunning Spell, attempting to knock the Acromantula unconscious.
However, either the Acromantula's magical resistance was too strong or Harry's spell was too weak, as the Stunning Spell had no effect. Instead, it only served to anger the spider further.
Harry's eyes reflected the image of the charging Acromantula, its ugly body about to collide with him. A nameless dread welled up within him.
"Oh no!"
Just before the Acromantula reached him, Harry tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Seeing this, Ron turned pale, and Hermione screamed. However, Lupin and Sirius remained calm. As the Acromantula rushed towards Harry, they raised their wands.
The Acromantula collided with an invisible barrier in front of Harry, unable to advance any further.
The next moment, vines sprouted from the ground, binding the stunned and dazed Acromantula tightly.
"Harry, you need to stay calm at all times instead of frantically hurling spells at your enemy. Losing your cool is extremely dangerous," Sirius said as he pulled Harry away from the struggling Acromantula.
"You don't need to be afraid. The most dangerous aspect of the Acromantula is their ability to silently ambush prey in the forest. In a direct confrontation, these spiders aren't actually that threatening."
"Not that threatening?" Ron said weakly.
"Yes," Lupin explained for Black. "In a head-on confrontation, an Acromantula isn't as dangerous as a giant monster. However, in the forest, an Acromantula can easily kill unprepared wizards."
"Harry, have something to eat to restore your energy. We'll continue with the training." Sirius took out a few bars of chocolate and handed them to Harry.
"Where did you get this chocolate, Sirius?" Harry asked after eating one, feeling his energy restored.
"From Albert. He said it could quickly replenish energy, but that stingy fellow only gave me ten bars." Sirius muttered under his breath.
"I know about this. It's Albert's magical candy," Hermione said, her eyes moving away from the Acromantula to Harry. "Last time, Albert gave me a small bottle of something similar, and it worked quite well."
Ron opened his mouth, wanting to tell Harry and Hermione that these so-called magical candies were actually experimental products that those guys had used them as test subjects. But in the end, he held his tongue.
"Harry, let's continue. You must always stay calm during battles and not let your emotions affect your judgment." Sirius instructed.
"You should have defeated it using other methods, Harry. The biggest difference between humans and beasts is our intelligence," Lupin said with a smile. "You can try the Dance Spell again, as I noticed it had some effect on the Acromantula earlier. Also, aim your spells at its legs, as these beasts must have weak spots."
"Most animals' weak spot is their abdomen, Harry," Hermione reminded him. "You can try using the Eye-Pokus Spell on its eyes."
"I will," Harry replied.
Taking a deep breath, Harry faced the Acromantula once more.
This approach turned out to be quite effective. What Harry lacked the most was combat experience. After facing the Acromantula head-on multiple times, he gradually became accustomed to its hideous appearance. When the spider charged at him, he no longer panicked, his mind going blank. Instead, he fought with the demeanor of a true warrior.
Harry was growing through this battle.
The unluckiest creature in this situation was probably the Acromantula. Its eyes were struck by the Eye-Pokus Spell and were now completely blind.
Time and again, it faced Harry's challenges, and this forest killer was now on its last legs. Finally, Sirius mercilessly finished it off with a spell, and Lupin collected its venom. It died a pitiful death.
"Well done, Harry! Your progress is remarkable. Next week, we'll get another one. At that time, you two can also try fighting these spiders." Sirius said to Hermione and Ron. "This kind of combat experience is hard to come by."
"Really?" Hermione's eyes lit up. With safety guaranteed, she was eager to fight the Acromantula herself.
"I'll pass," Ron said dryly. "I really hate spiders."
The three of them looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"The amount of venom is less than expected. I guess it's worth fifty or sixty Galleons," Lupin said cheerfully.
At this, Ron's eyes sparkled, but he soon deflated. Those spiders were obviously difficult to deal with, and he truly hated spiders. Not even Galleons could make him overcome his fear.
(End of Chapter)
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