Chapter 30
The gang (Draco and Ginny snuck out in the invisibility cloak with them) found themselves in detention on Friday night courtesy of Pansy Parkinson. Because Snape had to keep up the pretense of animosity towards Harry and his favoritism of Draco and the students in Slytherin house, he had no choice but to put them all in detention even when he knew they weren't at fault. So the head boy and girl, Ron along with Lavender and Neville found themselves in the forbidden forest on a Friday night.
Ron was still fuming at the idea that they had to spend their Friday night in detention helping Hagrid patrol the Forbidden Forest. He knew that Snape needed to do it, but he still didn't agree with it. They were losing precious time from trying to figure out what the next song meant. Because of their detention they couldn't go over any ideas during their brainstorming session. He tried desperately to run through the sixth song in his head.
"Eliminate be the sixth
A sleeping dragon's lair."
The dragon part gave him chills up his spine. He remembered Norbert and the other dragons from the Tri-Wizard tournament in their fourth year. That was when he realized how stupid he was for thinking that Harry wanted to be in the competition and snuck his name into the Goblet of Fire without so much as telling him. He looked back and thought about how silly his jealousy was of his friend when all Harry really wanted was to be treated like a normal kid like him.
Ah, the good old days, he thought. When things were simpler and all he thought about was getting through school. Now there was a destiny he had to fulfill, loyal friends and a fiancé beyond his wildest dreams. He looked over to his right found Lavender looking at him with concern. He smiled and brought her hands to his lips.
While Ron and Lavender exchanged glances, Harry and Hermione talked with Hagrid about what they were supposed to be doing in the forest.
"Hagrid, is this like that time we had to look for slain unicorns?"
"No `arry, this is just something I do ev'ry night, is all. I make sure the forest is peaceful as it should be. I don't understand why Snape put you lot in detention."
"You know we all have to keep up pretenses to the outside world, Hagrid," Hermione explained.
"I could tell he didn't want to do it, but the Slytherins were all staring at him as if goading him to do something nice for a change."
"Well, it doesn't matter. There shouldn't be any danger for you lot tonight. It's been peaceful all year."
If he only knew, thought Harry who was holding back the pain he was feeling from his scar. The only thing that kept him from being alarmed was that he was still able to hold the pain back. He knew that if Voldemort were nearer, the pain would be unbearable. He hoped that he'd be able to have built up more resistance to his evil when the time came. The pain seemed to have heightened when he came into his empath powers. He kept his senses on alert as they moved to the forest.
Neville followed quietly lost in his own thoughts as well as Ginny and Draco who'd revealed themselves after they were deep in the forest and unseen from the castle. The three of them trudged along behind the others.
Hagrid didn't even question why Ginny and Draco were hidden or why they were there. He'd eventually accepted the closeness of the seven, but not really understood why. He wasn't privy to the details of the destiny that binds the seven though Harry wanted to tell him many times. Instead, Harry hoped Hagrid would catch on and solve it himself, but he doubted it. Hagrid was very dear to him, to them all, and he was quite talented, knowledgeable and receptive to anything that dealt with creatures, but not so much with logic and deduction. It was probably best that way.
The forest was actually quiet and dark. The only light available was from the full moon above them, which wasn't much considering the tall. The ground was a bit damp from the snow that managed to trickle in through the massive trees that surround the forest. They sloshed around checking for any signs of trouble.
After an hour or so of trudging through the muddy forest floor, they found themselves near Aragog's cave.
"Ah, Hagrid. It's nice of you to visit," Aragog breathed out.
"Hullo, Aragog. All right there?"
"Yes, thank you. What have you brought me?" he asked when he finally acknowledged the presence of the teens with Hagrid.
Harry felt a strange feeling, but he knew it wasn't from him. It was a feeling of excitement, mouth watering hunger. At that point he knew that Aragog was looking at them as part of his evening meal. Harry could practically hear him slurping his tongue, if spiders indeed had tongues.
Ron even with his arachnophobia was trying his best to be brave for Lavender who was hiding behind him as if expecting him to protect her. He wanted so badly to cower behind her or someone else instead, but kept telling himself to be brave - be a Gryffindor. He was putting his training to work for him and those around him. He also knew that he had to confront his fears in order to be of any help for Harry and the others. Facing Aragog was nothing compared to facing Voldemort.
"We're just patrolling the forest," Hagrid told him oblivious of how Aragog was eyeing his friends. Aragog's children started to appear one by one behind him as if sensing there was fresh meat nearby.
"Did you bring me a gift, then?"
"Oh, sorry Aragog. I didn't think I was coming by your cave tonight. Maybe next time?"
"But what about those succulent fresh meats you've got standing about you?" It finally dawned on Hagrid what Aragog meant.
"Now, hold on there Aragog. If you mean what I think you mean, then the answer is no. These kids are my friends. They're just walking along with me tonight. I didn't bring them as a gift for you."
"Pity, but my children and I are hungry and since they're here, they're free game."
"Aragog, they're my friends. You will not hurt them or I will have to ask you to remove yourself from the forest."
"I would never hurt you Hagrid, nor would my children, I owe you my life. But these children you've brought with you, I owe no loyalty to."
"But by hurting them you destroy your loyalty to me and our friendship, Aragog. I will no longer consider you a friend if you harm any of my friends." Even as Hagrid was saying it, Aragog's children inched closer to the lot of them.
Although, Harry was sensing trouble, he was trying to let Aragog and Hagrid reason with each other before attempting to wield his powers. He didn't want to hurt anyone, least of all Hagrid and he knew that if they do not sort out their difference in opinion their friendship would be irreparable.
Hagrid was a dear friend and Harry knew how much Hagrid felt about all his friends, but Harry was not going to risk the lives of all of his friends, most of all, his wife and their unborn children.
"Ah, Hagrid, sometimes there are more important things in life than friendship. I have my children to consider. We've not tasted fresh meat in so long."
"I give you fresh meat when I can Aragog that should be enough. As for these children, they are family for me. I have none of my own, but they've been my family since I met them, they have. So, if your children mean anything to you like you say, then you should understand that these children mean the same way to me."
Hagrid looked at Aragog, almost dared him to try something. Harry had never seen Hagrid look ready for battle as he did at that moment. He knew that Hagrid regarded them as great friends and maybe even family, but Harry had never seen the extent of his feelings until that moment.
Aragog looked at Hagrid and then the teens behind him. An understanding washed over him. For so long he'd resented the wizards, except for Hagrid who'd saved his life. He thought them unfeeling and selfish. But not Hagrid, and not the man boy with green eyes. He saw him with his other eyes while he kept an eye on the others. He noticed that though the boy was relaxed, he felt an aura about him that was ready to defend not only Hagrid against him, but something more, like the way he'd want to defend his young.
He saw something different in the boy, unlike the one who'd created trouble for Hagrid over fifty years ago. That boy, he remembered, was cold and unfeeling and only wanted power. The boy with green eyes he saw had the power, but was honorable and not at all like the one so many years ago.
Oh, yes, he remembered that boy. He remembered too when he'd roam the forest killing the unicorns to stay alive. He still heard murmurs about him and if he never showed his presence in the forest where he lived, he would be grateful. He knew there would be a time when that evil will come back to their haven, but as sure as he was about the friendship, he knew the boy before him would be powerful enough to destroy that evil.
Harry was becoming uneasy by the way Aragog was scrutinizing him. He turned on his empath powers to feel what it was all about and found exactly what it was. He also read his mind and at first it was as if Aragog felt him probing his mind, but did nothing. He was flattered that Aragog thought highly of him and hoped that his confidence in him will also pay off in the end.
"You are a very good friend, Hagrid. You will make a great father someday to your own children if you feel so strongly for these children who you did not sire. I also do not want to lose your friendship; my children and I will take our leave and let you continue with your task."
Aragog and his children started to move out slowly. Slowly the breath that Ron didn't know he was holding started to blow out. His phobia had his sweating and if Lavender hadn't been holding him down.
"I will try my best to rid the evil," Harry shouted towards Aragog in a language only Aragog would understand. Aragog turned and looked at Harry with apparent surprise.
"I will certainly remember that, and if will be in your service should you need me. I apologize for first reaction towards you and your friends. And since you were able to read my thoughts and speak in the language of the old, you are far greater than any wizard I have encountered or heard of. I wish you the best of luck and from this day forth, you should no longer fear for your life and that of those you care about when you enter in my domain."
"Thank you." Harry told him and bowed as if Aragog were royalty.
"No, it is I who should thank you." With that Aragog turned and left them standing where they were.
When the spiders were gone, all of them relaxed their guard including Hagrid.
"Blimey `Arry! What language were you speaking?" Hagrid asked still shocked at Harry's apparent talent to talk to spiders.
"I was talking to him in his own tongue."
"That was scary," Ron cried.
"All right there Ron?" Harry asked knowing about his phobia.
"Yeah, you?" he asked as if Harry needed it.
"All right, Hermione?"
"Peachy." He went on to ask everyone else although he knew they were all okay, just a little surprise at his apparent ability to talk to spider no matter how many times he told them that he was able to communicate with almost everything that lived.
"Well, we'd best be getting back," Hagrid announced. He was perplexed at Harry's abilities. He knew there were some things that he didn't know and at times it hurt that he may not trust him enough to confide in him, but when it all comes down to it he also understood the dilemma Harry faced to try to protect them all.
The next day they found themselves near the cave of the dragon thanks to Emrys and Rhia. The dragon still sleeps, but they were still wary especially when they saw the size of the dragon.
Harry was reminded of the tri-wizard tournament when he'd had to face the Norwegian Ridgeback. None of the dragons they've seen, however, was as huge as the one before them. They approached the darkened cave slowly and moved around trying to find clues as to what eliminating meant.
When the dragon stirred the seven stilled. They tried not to disturb the jewelries, gems and gold strewn about and the pile near the dragon's head. There were also broken eggs and one that was still whole and kept close near the dragon's arms.
Emrys explained that the dragon was asleep because of a spell that his grandfather put on him, but he could wake up anytime. The time was an approximation so they needed to be careful. Emrys and Rhia waited outside the mouth of the cave so as not to interfere.
Ron and Lavender moved as a pair. Lavender saw the broken eggs and was becoming teary eyed.
"What's the matter, love?"
"Oh, Ron. I can't imagine anyone would be so mean as to come in the cave and destroy the dragon's eggs just because it was asleep. They are after all living beings that deserve a chance to live."
"It's okay, love. I don't think we could have done anything to stop those who thrive on hurting poor defenseless creature." Just then he saw a white spider hanging on a web. His heart started to beat fast and he could feel perspiration going down his face.
"What is it Ron?" All he could do was point at the white spider who'd grown over a hundred times its size. Almost as big as Aragog.
"I'm hungryyyyyyyy," it said.
Ron shrieked a bit and drew attention to himself. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Draco and Neville all ran to his side. As soon as the spider saw Harry, it smiled.
"Ah, descendant of Merlin, how good it is to actually see you. I have heard many wonderful things about you."
Harry remembered the stories that Merlin related to him. "I have heard of you as well, Grand Elusa."
It seemed as if the spider glowed brighter at the mention of its name. "You're quite bright too."
The immediate threat became the hungry spider, the sleeping dragon became secondary. Harry's heard many things about the Grand Elusa and one that he couldn't erase was her mighty appetite. "What are you doing here? I remember you have your own crystal cave."
"I doooo, but sssometimes I like to vissssit my old friend."
"You lie!" Harry raised his hand ready to strike with a spell.
"No, Harry." Ron finally found his voice. "Don't hurt it. If what you told us about her is true, then she is needed in Fincayra."
Harry looked at Ron incredulously. "Ron?"
"Listen, Harry. I know I would be the first to strike especially since it's a spider and I have deep seeded fear of them, but I remember Aragog and his children. And Lavender just said something about the dragon's eggs. Harry, don't you see. Even though eliminating something or someone is sometimes necessary, it comes with a price. We'll never know exactly what the price is but it's always there because everything and everyone is precious somehow."
Like a flash of lightning bolt fire spewed out of Ron's raised hands. His adrenaline from fear of the spider and fear from what the dragon might do if it woke up kept the fire blazing.
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update this. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope it was worth the wait. Thanks for sticking with the story and for all your reviews.
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