Harry and Company

Chapter 4: A Difficult Choice

The walk to the hill proved to be a tough task. The small buildings of the town had managed to cover a small forest that was right before it. Much to Ron's dismay, there were spiders in the forest. Really big spiders. Both he and Tonks were pale in the face, while Hermione and Harry were simply cautious.

It wasn't the first time Harry had seen an Acromantula, a type of giant spider. There was a small colony near the Wolf's Den. He knew the arachnids wouldn't attack unless the small human group provoked them. Thus, he led them straight towards the hill, without batting an eye when the medium sized spiders moved around the bushes.

Ron took out his wand and aimed at a bush as it shook. "Ah!" he cried out as he saw large furry legs moving about. "I hate this!"

Harry quickly moved over to the redhead and grabbed his wrist. "Don't harm them," he said calmly. "They're simply following us."

The slightly taller boy nodded shakily and lowered his hand. "But if they try to bite me..." he stuttered. The raven-haired boy nodded and went back to the front of the group.

They were halfway into the woods when they found themselves surrounded by spiders. The arachnids moved their sharp fangs menacingly at them, their front legs raising and falling as if communicating.

Ron was pale and clutching his wand tightly. Hermione and Tonks were nervous. Only Harry remained calm. "What is it that you need?" he asked the spiders.

At the sound of his voice, the medium sized spiders in front of them moved aside, giving space to a larger arachnid. It was the biggest Acromantula Harry had ever seen, nearly eight feet tall. "I am Aragog," the creature spoke.

Harry ignored Ron's startled shout as Aragog took a step toward them. "I'm Harry, these are my friends Tonks, Hermione and Ron," he said briefly pointing at each of his companions.

"I see," the large spider said. "You are taking the Tests, are you not?"

"Yes," the young wizard answered. "Hagrid seemed to point this path as the correct one."

Aragog seemed to sigh softly. His voice was deep and wizened. "I will ask one question," he said. But instead of words, he spoke in slight cracking noises. The smaller spiders seemed to get excited and replied accordingly.

Before anyone could blink, the spiders attacked them. Hermione was quickly enveloped in spiderweb. Harry stood still and let himself get captured.

Ron aimed his wand towards the spiders and shot a small Reductor spell on the ground. The smaller Acromantulas jumped back and instead turned to Tonks, who had tripped over and was trying to get up.

"Ron, stop!" the other wizard managed to yell from his sticky enclosure.

"Enough talking!" Aragog snapped, tapping Harry's form slightly. The redhead looked at his three fallen companions with panic in his eyes. The spiders were closing in on him. "Now, Ron, I believe your name is," the larger creature said. "You can only save one of them. Which one of your friends will you save?"

The redhead's ears turned red in anger. Soon, his whole face was as red as his hair. Then, after a whole minute, he simply dropped his wand and relaxed his stance.

Instantly, the spiders calmed down and backed away. Aragog chuckled. "Well, done, human." With a few clicks of their fangs, the smaller arachnids cut the webs around the other three, setting them free. "You too, Harry. You knew what it was about.

"I was testing you. You will find that not always one must fight back. In some cases, it is best to save the energy."

"I wasn't exactly sure what was going on," Harry said, turning to look at Ron with a smile. "Very well done, Ron!"

Ron looked embarrassed by the praise from both the large spider and his newfound friend. "Well, uh, there was no way I would pick.. between any of you."

Tonks laughed cheerfully as she kissed him on the cheek. "Don't be modest!"

Hermione simply stretched out her hand for them to shake hands. "Well done, Ronald," she said simply. Ron shook her hand awkwardly, slightly put out by her lack of emotion.

"Now, you may continue to the hill. You will meet your Test Manager, Pomona Sprout, there," Aragog said as the group turned to look at him.

The four humans bid him farewell and walked out of the small woods. The large spider sighed as he turned to his descendants. "Another group gone. I hope more come through here. I have got to feed my children, somehow..."

As Harry and his companions were exiting the woods, they heard the bushes moving near them. Ron turned quickly, wand drawn and aiming. Hermione raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Lost your bravery there, Weasley?"

He briefly glared at her before turning back to the moving bushes. Harry just sighed and walked over. He exclaimed in surprise when an elegant-looking blonde woman with strange glasses jumped out of the bushes. The raven-haired boy did a double-take. "You were in the Knight Bus!" he said.

The woman seemed to recognize him as well. "Oh, it's you!" She looked at the other three and nodded. "My name is Rita Skeeter," she introduced herself. She pointed to her number badge, which was near her left shoulder. "I'm number four hundred thirteen."

They looked at her with mild curiosity, until Harry spoke again. "I'm Harry," he said.

"I'm Tonks," the pink haired woman said with a small wave.

"I'm Ron," the redhead said.

"Hermione," the younger witch said simply. She didn't seem to like the blonde woman.

Rita nodded, looking at each of them as if she were evaluating them. A fluffy green quill floated next to her, suddenly, and a piece of parchment followed it. It magically started writing away. The group of four felt uncomfortable and suspicious. It was finally Tonks who spoke. "We really should get going."

The other three nodded, and they all hurried towards the hill. Unknown to them, Rita Skeeter smirked at the retreating group.

Notes: Just what is Rita's agenda? She already took out her green quill, I can only feel sorry for our little group.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the bit with the spiders. :P