Chapter Seven
The fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins piled into the room that was decorated by various statues of dangerous beasts, a skeleton suspended overhead. Lorcan perched himself behind a desk towards the front of the classroom, excited for his favourite class as Tuesday and Mackenzie appeared at his sides, taking their seats happily. Tuesday retrieved her quill, dipping it into her ebony ink and running it over a bare piece of parchment, drawing various artistic shapes with a small smirk on her lips whilst Mackenzie rested her curved chin in her hands, curling her fingers into fists beneath her jaw. Her Slytherin robes clung to her curvaceous figure as her large mocha-coloured orbs slid shut tranquilly, her rose lips pursed together softly. Her dark chocolate tumbles bounced about her shoulders in a waterfall of unruly curls as she flicked a stray ringlet out of her face, the tangles tickling over her subtle, fair-skinned features.
Lorcan's ashen orbs peered through their peripherals, catching sight of the Flint twins behind them. Serena Flint sat with her flat, masculine torso held high, one arm resting on the tabletop whilst the other was propped up on its elbow, her thin fingers curled into a fist beneath her sharp, pointed chin. She pallid in colour, gaunt face was focused on Tuesday as her dull, grey eyes narrowed into furiously slits as if she were attempted to burn holes in the back of her fellow Slytherin's head. Her long matter black tangles fell about her waist in limp, pin-straight drapes as her crimson lips pursed together, forming a sour frown. Silas Flint sat hunched over the desk, his dangerously skeletal figure hidden beneath his billowing Slytherin robes as his tall, gaunt face was hidden behind his long, charcoal black curtains of hair that fell about his slim shoulders, shadowing his high, well-defined cheek bones. His ghostly pale skin was illuminated in the candlelight of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom as his thin, pallid lips straightened into an unemotional line as his snake and angel bite piercings twinkled darkly. His dark ashen, almost black, eyes framed by deep charcoal eyeliner were fixated on Mackenzie as his tongue ran over his colourless lips hungrily, ignoring Lorcan's glare of disapproval.
"The Flint boy is bloody creepy, isn't he?" Tuesday whispered, nudging Lorcan with the deep grey feather of her handmade quill, "I bet the girl doesn't even realise I know she is attempting to set the back of my head ablaze with her pathetic little glare."
"You have no idea how creepy he can be," He replied stifling a giggle at Serena's expense, "You should be thankful you do not share a dorm with him..."
"What are you two talking about?" Mackenzie piped, tilting her head to the side in confusion as she lifted an eyebrow up suspiciously.
Her waterfall of dark curls poured over her shoulders, draping over her collarbone to tickle over her well-developed chest that often made boys gawk hungrily. Lorcan smiled widely, patting his short comrade on the head patronisingly whilst Tuesday pursed her lips together, returning to her work.
"It's nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over." He teased as Mackenzie slapped his hand away furiously.
"Oh, piss off-"
"Language, Miss Goyle." The Defence Against the Dark Arts professor interrupted, sweeping into the room with an aura of grace about him.
Professor Reynold Piece had been the professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts since just after the completion of the Second Wizarding War, earning the disbelief of many students who had constantly watched professor after professor leave the position after solely one year of recruitment. On occasion, when Professor Piece was unavailable, Harry Potter would see over his class as a Guest Professor, earning ogling looks of various fans and sneers from various Slytherins, ultimately embarrassing his trio of children with his visit.
Professor Piece called for the attention of the class, his golden brown locks pulled back loosely in a tumble of unruly curls as his almond-shaped, fiery amber eyes scanned the classroom for any absent individuals. Extravagant, darkly coloured robes clung to his tall, well-built body as he retrieved a large, dark board on which to write.
"Students, please take out a quill and bare piece of parchment," He boomed as the crowd obeyed submissively, "I will dictate and you will take notes to the best of your abilities."
His elegant handwriting smoothed over the board, forming the word Acromantula. He clapped his hands together as a smirk met his curved, shapely lips, his gaze skimming over the students to ensure they were prepared for his lecture.
"An acromantula is a species of spider that is notably large in adult size," He began, "These arachnids are native to the rainforest of Southeast Asia, notably Borneo. These creatures are believed to be a wizard-bred species, can anyone guess why?"
Various unsure hands crept into the air as the professor's eyes settled upon Lorcan who smirked knowingly.
"Lorcan Scamander..."
"Arcomantulas are thought to have been bred to guard dwellings or treasures hoardes and were, obviously, created before the ban on experimental breeding in 1965." Lorcan retorted before his eyes returned to his notes, Mackenzie whispering a soft congratulations.
"Very good, Lorcan. Ten points to Slytherin." The professor announced before continuing his lecture, "As Lorcan stated, these creatures were created before 1965. Their first recorded appearance was in 1794 due to an attack on a wizard in Southeast Asia.
"Acromantulas have eight eyes, as they are arachnids, and are noted to be highly intelligent, even capable of human speech. Physically, these creatures are typically covered in thick black fur with a leg spa of up to fifteen feet. They possess a set of large fangs that contain a highly toxic venom which is potent even for a short time after death. It is worthy to note that the female is usually larger than the male and can lay up to one hundred, soft, beach-ball sized eggs at a time. These eggs are classed as Class A Non-Tradeable Material.
"The eggs hatch within six to eight weeks and it must be noted that these animals are also cannibalistic. They eat live prey of mammals or their own dead or dying kin, however they are noted to have a particular taste for human flesh, making them a notable wizard killer in the Ministry of Magic's classification of beasts. Would anyone possibly be able to guess the etymology of their name, acromantula? Yes, Hugo Weasley."
"The name acromantula, I would think, is made up of two Latin and English words, acro and mantula. Acro means high or peak, resembling the large proportions of their species and the fact that they form their expansive webs within the tree tops. And mantula is an English word for tarantula, a notably large spider in the Muggle world." Hugo replied, earning himself a glare from various Slytherins as the professor awarded Gryffindor points with a smile.
"Correctly stated by Mister Weasley, the acromantulas form their webs high within tree tops of forests and there is believed to be a colony of acromantulas deep within the Forbidden Forest, causing the Ministry to dub our forest a reserve for various species. But, there is no need to worry students; we are completely protected on the Hogwarts grounds.
"However, as this is Defence Against the Dark Arts, I would like to introduce you to the Arania Exumai curse which is the most effect legal curse to use against an acromantula if ever presented with one..."
As Professor Piece continued his lecture, Lorcan's eyes skated towards his brother, Lysander and his companions as they rambled on to one another irritatingly. Lorcan smirked darkly as he hexed Lysander's ink, causing the pot to burst over the nattering Gryffindors. Chuckles exploded throughout the room as the professor rolled his eyes, conjuring a collection of towels for the filthy students.
