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Book 2: The Heir of Slytherin

Chapter 29

Aragog Sees

Fang on their heels, Harry and Ron continued to follow the streak of spiders in the forest. It was getting more and more difficult to spot the little buggers as wand light was everything they had. The stars and the night sky were soon replaced by thicker than before trees. The problem came when the spiders left the path. Having no choice, they followed.

Hagrid often warned never to leave the path as the forest was not a safe place. But Hagrid was now away in Solmyr's estate, probably asleep on the grand couch in the attic as there was certainly no bed in the castle that could survive the giant's weight. That thought brought a smile on Harry's face until something wet touched his hand and he jumped startled backwards. It turned out to be Fang's nose.

"Geez," – Harry exclaimed. "Fang, don't do that."

"What do you reckon?" – Ron asked.

"We've come this far." – Harry shrugged.

"Alright, let's continue."

Harry feared he'd lost the spiders but found them fairly quickly. They continued following the buggers for about ten minutes. Walking became more difficult as there were obstacles in their path – roots and stumps barely visible in the near blackness. Ron fell a few times so did Harry.

Suddenly Fang let out a loud, deep bark making both Harry and Ron jump out of their skins.

"What the hell..." – Ron said loudly looking frantically around. His wand light was not enough though to penetrate the perpetual darkness.

"It looks like there is something moving over there." – Harry said. "Listen..."

And they listened. Somewhere to the right, something big was snapping branches as it carved its way through the trees.

"Oh, no, no, no, no," – Ron cried out.

"Shut it!" – Harry hushed him. "It will hear you!"

"Hear me?" – Ron exclaimed unnaturally aloud. "Are you mental? It has already heard Fang."

They stood silent now – waiting – terrified. There was a rumbling noise and then silence.

"What do you think it is?" – Ron asked barely containing his voice in fear.

"I don't know." – Harry replied silently. "Probably it is gone past us."

"That would be..."

Ron did not finish that sentence as a blaze of bright light illuminated both of them. Fang squealed and hid behind the two of them shivering. With the pressing darkness the streak of light blinded them. They raised their hands to shield themselves.

Ron however spotted something familiar about that beast.

"Wait a minute!" – He exclaimed and moved to it.

Harry watched his friend walk to the light beast fear almost gone.

"Harry, it is the car."

Harry had trouble hearing what he just said. "What?"

"It is the car!" – Ron repeated louder. "Come on!"

Harry visibly relaxed and took a peek. The car stood empty under the dense crown of the two enormous trees, its lights ablaze. Ron walked to it mouth half open and the car moved towards him like a large turquoise dog greeting its master.

"It must have been in the forest all this time." – Ron remarked. "Look at it – it has gone wild." Ron walked around it.

He was right. The sides of the car were scratched and smothered with mud. It seemed like it has been moving around on its own in the forest. It even purred when Ron ran his hand on its roof. It was very touching.

"And to think, we thought you'd attack us." – Ron said more to the car than to Harry.

Harry smiled then remembered why they were here in the first place. He turned his wand to the ground looking for the trail of spiders.

"Damn it!" – He exclaimed.

"What?" – Ron looked in his direction.

"We've lost the trail." – Harry replied.

"No, we haven't." – Ron's voice barely spelled the words. He had already frozen in pure cold terror.

"Hum, what?" – Harry asked as he turned at him. "What? Ron, are you alright?"

Ron's lips moved but no sound came out of them. He only had the strength to point at something behind Harry. His eyes were full of terror that much Harry could deduce but the question remained why.

Turning around however brought him the answers though he certainly wished he had never turned around. Ten feet above the forest floor, six immense and very hairy legs blocked the view. Harry did not have the pleasure and the time to properly see the beast. There was a loud clicking. He felt something grabbing by the middle as his feet left the ground. There was a similar noise in Ron's direction and Harry knew his friend has lifted up as well. Fang followed that fate soon after.

Hanging face down, the beasts marched further into the forest. Harry could not see much but it was certain they were heading into the heart of the forest. Harry heard Fang obviously trying to free himself from the firm grip while yelping. Harry could not yell even he wanted to as it seemed he must have left his voice back at the clearing with the car.


Telling how much time the beasts carried was close to impossible but the darkness soon retreated enough for Harry to see that the leaf ground was now swarming with spiders. Moving his neck he noticed they had reached a ridge of a vast hollow. The hollow has been cleared of all trees and the starry, night sky remerged. The scene it revealed however was a holly different story.

There were spiders of all sizes – eight eyed, six eyed, with six, eight and more very hairy legs. The massive spiders carrying the three made their way towards a misty, domed web at the very centre of the hollow while the rest of the spider horde closed on all around making clicking noise with their pincers.

Harry was released falling hard on the ground on all fours. Ron and Fang were thrown closely by. They crawled to Harry and sat there totally silent. Fang was not howling anymore but rather cowering silently.

Soon enough, Harry registered that the spider that released him was saying something. At first, Harry could not make it out but then focusing he heard it.

"Aragog!" – The spider called. "Aragog!"

Wandering what Aragog is did not take long to realize. Out of the misty web, a spider the size of a small elephant emerged. His black body was covered here and there with gray. The eyes of the monstrosity were milky white. Aragog was blind.

"What is it?" – Aragog asked in a commanding voice while clicking with his pincers rapidly.

"Men." – The large spider replied.

"Is it Hagrid?" – Aragog asked almost excited moving closer.

"Strangers," – Ron's spider replied.

"Kill them!" – Aragog said fretfully. "I was just sleeping..."

The spiders moved on the three. Fear had consumed them. This could be the end but the Blackshire Prince was not done.

"We are friends of Hagrid." – He shouted before his spider could attack.

Aragog paused perplexed. "Hagrid has never sent men into our hollow before."

"He is in trouble," – Harry breathed heavily. "He sent us here."

"He's in trouble?" – The old spider repeated. Harry sensed concern in the pincers' clicking. "But why has he sent you here?"

Harry thought about getting up but something stopped him. He was not sure how would the spiders react to that so he continued speaking from the ground.

"There have been attacks in the school. They believe Hagrid is behind them."

The clicks became furious as they echoed around the hollow.

"But that was years ago!" – Aragog exclaimed. "Many years ago, I remember it well. This is the reason why they made him leave the school. They had thought Hagrid had released me from something they called the Chamber of Secrets."

"Well, didn't you come from there?" – Ron asked for the first regaining his voice.

"I, NO!" – Aragog clicked angrily. "I was not born in the castle. I come from a distant land. I was given to Hagrid when I was still an egg. He brought me into the school and took care of me. When the entire fret began, a girl was killed and I was blamed for it. Hagrid is a good man and helped me settle in the forest, he even found me a wife and as you can see our progeny..."

"You never attacked anyone then?" – Ron continued.

"Never," – Aragog croaked. "It would have been my natural instinct but out of respect to Hagrid I have never harmed a human. The body of the killed girl was discovered in a bathroom. I never saw any part of the castle other than the place where Hagrid was keeping me and feeding me."

"But then...who killed the girl? As it is someone or something is doing all over again and my best fr..." Ron's words were drowned in a loud outbreak of clicking pincers.

"The beast that roams in the castle is an ancient creature," – Aragog said. "We spiders fear it above anything else. I remember how I pleaded Hagrid to let me go when I sensed it."

"What is it exactly?"

"We do not speak of it." – Aragog replied fiercely though fear could be sensed in his voice too. I've never told Hagrid of its name despite the countless times he had asked."

Aragog slowly began backing into the hollow. Apparently he had gotten tired of talking.

"Well, then, you will go." – Ron said hopefully.

"Go?" – Aragog repeated slowly. "I think not..."

"But you said that..." – Ron protested though his new gained strength was quickly fading at the sight of the spiders pressing on every side.

"My sons and daughters do not attack or harm Hagrid on my command. But I cannot deny them fresh meat especially when it comes straight into our hollow. Good-bye, friends of Hagrid!"


The wall of spiders pressed onto them, actually onto Ron and Fang as Harry seemed to be rooted at his place. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley's car came thundering down the road. Ron could hardly believe his eyes. The doors opened and two house elves in battle robes sprang out of it. The spiders retreated startled by the car and vengefully looking elves.

"In the car!" – Ron yelled taking Fang by the neck piece but before he could reach it, a voice Ron has never heard before thundered with commanding authority in the hollow.

"ARAGOG! I haven't given you permission to leave my presence."

Ron, Fang, the elves and even all spiders sought the source of that voice. Harry was no longer sitting. He had stood up and the usual colour of his eyes was replaced by a terrifyingly red shade. Harry looked more like the pictures of the dark monsters in History of Magic, Ron could recall.

The old spider has heard many talk when they were about to be eaten but he had never heard anyone with such commanding authority. He stopped his backing and moved forward. The spiders around stopped the clicking noises.

"You?" – Aragog said surprised. "Kill them."

"You came to the Forbidden Forest at the sight of the new moon that has risen from the Darkened Mountains where the Arachnid Araknia laid their eggs."

The spiders had started to move again. "Stop my children!" Aragog commanded. This man intrigued him. He had more knowledge even than Hagrid. "You know us!" It was not a question but more of an acknowledgment.

"Araknia are respected among their kin of being the most feared but also the most sensible."

"This is true!" – Aragog acknowledged.

"How else would their son accept the help of a human? Anyone could feed you but not everyone could care for you the way Hagrid did. He even found you a mate and set you in this hollow at the heart of the forest where your progeny would be safe even from the terror that roams in the school."

Aragog nodded. Everything said was true though he still did not follow the point of it.

"Over the many years, Aragog, lord of Araknia, has taken care of his progeny and keeping his word to the benevolent human of 'do no harm'."

"Yes."

"But in the length of the years, Aragog, Lord of Araknia, has lost his sight. No longer can the great lord see his children, feel the warmth of the sun, run along his sons and daughters in the hunt, and take only what he could be offered. How would the great one be certain that his progeny abides by the word he has given to his beloved Hagrid? Accidents happen all the time. You said it yourself, Lord of Araknia. You promised not to harm any humans and yet you are about to break it. How would Hagrid feel that his best friend has betrayed his trust?"

Aragog did not answer for a long time.

"Would he? Could he?"

There was silence again.

"Years have passed since Hagrid could see his friend run along. I imagine him sitting before his hut and wondering – where is my friend? True, he can come to you, Aragog, but you, no longer can. The thrill of the years has swept it away."

The silence thickened.

"Hagrid sent us to you to help us. He knew of your fear but he also knew that you'd help nonetheless. I respect that you fear the ancient creature in the castle. We fear it too."

Aragog moved uncomfortably.

"Ironically, I thought we had come to seek your help but it seems you need ours."

"How so?" – Aragog asked for the first time in a while.

"Out of respect for Hagrid, the one paying for someone's mistake and for protecting you, I shall restore your sight, so at the last years of your life you could be proud of your progeny and as they would be proud of you, their leader."

"You'll restore my lost sight?" – Aragog repeated disbelievingly.

And he was not the only one. Ron and the elves looked utterly perplexed at Harry.

"I'm Nimbus Dracon Solmyr, Prince of Blackshire. I'm the voice and the might of the Undead." – Harry replied with a voice never so adamant. His eyes took the full red shade and glowed like two brilliant rubies. "Venu Araknia at holly vesta Mortis," (come forth power of the Undead to the hollow of Araknia).

The night sky was quickly covered with grey clouds that soon descended to the hollow settling onto the grounds. A green mist shimmered from it until it encompassed Harry's feet making him look like an eerie angel of death.

"In tempesta nox, decessus venu, nefastus atrum recurse Araknia Aragog ate occaeco orbis, plea a te, Mortis, medea et restitutia su species. Ustulo terra a phala ignire, recinxi Sylpha a medeo Aragog et revela lux lucis (in the dead of the night, Death comes, unholy dark, turn back Aragog from world invisible, I beg of you, Mortis, heal and restore his sight. Scorch the earth with pillars of fire, unleash the Sylphs to heal Aragog and reveal the light of life)."

Harry's voice was hoarse and downright creepy as the words of incantation flowed. The surroundings were now of the thickest dark anyone has ever seen. If anyone had a knife he could easily carve figures in it.

Suddenly the ground shook, the dark dissipated, the starry sky returned. Pillars of fire hit the ground all around the petrified of fear Aragog. The ground beneath broke and fissures steamed with what seemed to be thick white fog. As it turned out this was not fog, these were the Sylphs, the Air Spirits.

They formed around the old spider holding aerial hands and their chant soon filled the hollow. It was an unearthly melody that could touch and move anyone's soul. Threads of pure light streamed from their eyes, encompassed the body of the old spider, and lifted him above the ground. The Sylphs rose too. A colourless cloud took them soon high in the heavens. A light purer, than anything, came down from the skies and straight into the eyes washing away the milky white from them.

The Sylphs deposited Aragog back onto the ground. The milky white shade was no more only Aragog's big, pitch black eyes. The Sylphs landed too. One of them caressed the old arachnid and then joined the others bowing before the Blackshire Prince.

The eerie green had gone and it was replaced by sunlight green. Harry's red eyes were reverting back to their bright green shade.

"Master Solmyr!" – The Sylph's voice was melodic.

"Thank you!" – Harry said and bowed to them as well.

"The day of ascension approaches, young lord of Blackshire." – The Sylph said and all of them vanished like a blowing wind.


Aragog, meanwhile, had used the time to really use his eyes. His progeny has grown beyond his wildest expectations and in great numbers. They were now standing still and silent awaiting undoubtedly the command to attack and feast but Aragog could not give such an order.

All his eyes turned to the young prince. The boy looked anything else but a prince. Aragog sensed the fear in him but also strength he has never sensed in anyone or anything. This human possessed will like no other. But the most important part was that this young wizard has restored his sight. He was kind to him much like Hagrid.

"My sons and daughters," – Aragog spoke. "Escort these humans back to the light shade. Let it be known they are not to be harm, ever. Any human walking beside the Prince of Blackshire is never to be touched."

"And other creature?" – Harry's spider asked.

"It is after all Hagrid's dog. He will not be appreciative of that part." – Harry replied.

"I agree." – Aragog said.

"Thank you, Aragog, Lord of Araknia," – Harry bowed. "Should it ever come to it, I shall send walking food to your hollow."

"Understood, young Prince. The Lords of Blackshire are highly respected among the Arachnid." – Aragog said and then slowly backed into the hollow.

Harry's spider lifted Harry, this time, very gently and made his way through the sea of his kin.

"Get in the car," – Kaiser turned to Ron.

Ron got in with Fang. Casper and Kaiser got in too and drove the car slowly after their master.

The spider was choosing his way carefully so the car can actually follow. Anyone would be amazed by this creature's intellect though the spider could pass by anywhere it was still conscious enough of the car behind him that he also considered as some unknown beast.

They travelled for more than an hour until they reached the boundaries of the forest. The spider let Harry down. Harry turned to it and with a swift elliptic move of his wand made a cow appear.

"Carry it as a gift to your kin." – Harry said and bowed.

The spider did not wait to be asked twice. He swiftly took the gift and headed back into the forest but soon returned.

"You shall be remembered." – The spider said and left.

The smile on Harry's face was big. This night he had achieved the impossible. He knew full well that restoring Aragog's vision was not of his doing but he was grateful for it nonetheless as he may have gained valuable allies. The arachnid is a dangerous, wild beast but one that recognizes kindness when given.

Ron and the elves disembarked the car but did not approach Harry. There were times Ron could not understand his friend and times he was truly crept out by him. And tonight was one of these times.

Kaiser and Casper on the other hand were enraptured by their master. Their looks of reverence were locked onto Harry, the future lord of Blackshire.

Harry went back into the hut to fetch his cloak and put Fang back in. Closing the door, he gestured the still routed Ron to come under the cloak. They marched quickly to the entrance and slipped through the slightly opened door.

Casper and Kaiser were following them and after their master got in the castle moved ahead to make sure the two do not run into any trouble.


Harry and Ron reached the safety of the Gryffindor tower. Inside the common room, they finally took the cloak off. Ron sunk into one of the chairs breathing heavily.

"Follow the spiders – what kind of crazy, insane was that!" – He finally let out his frustration.

"Well, we did learn something." – Harry remarked.

"Oh? Like what – never follow spiders into the dark depths of the forest so no to become their dinner?"

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, well, we don't have to worry about that anymore."

Ron turned around and looked at Harry.

"Would you care to explain what the hell happened in there?"

"I wish I could but I can't." – Harry shrugged.

"Can't?" – Ron raised an eyebrow. "Or won't?"

"Look, Ron, there are things about me that even I don't understand. But this time, those quirky things were actually of great use."

"Aha." – Ron nodded though he did not get it.

"I know it is difficult to process and..."

"No," – Ron exclaimed. "It is perfectly clear."

"It is?" – Harry looked him in the eyes.

"Yes, there is some weirdness in you that you don't get." – Ron stared back but then added barely audibly. "And neither anyone else."

"Yeah, that describes it perfectly." – Harry nodded.

"So, what have we learnt?"

"Well, we know for sure that Hagrid is innocent. He has never opened the Chambers of Secrets. And we also know that spiders are terrified of whatever roams through the castle and ..."

"And petrifies everything in sight." – Ron finished Harry's thought.

"Yeah,"

The two stood and headed to their room. Ron fell straight on and was fast asleep. Harry however could not something was still bothering him. It was true they learnt of Hagrid's innocence but it would have been better if they knew the name of the beast that killed that girl in the bathroom.

And speaking of the girl, a thought as fast and as powerful as thunder crossed Harry's mind. The girl died in the bathroom. He saw it also in Riddle's memory. How could he forget it so easily?

"Ron!" – Harry called. "Ron!" Harry hissed louder.

Ron wake up with a yelp that make even Fang proud, stared wildly around until his eyes found Harry.

"Wha..."

"I've been so stupid."

"Aha," – Ron nodded still half asleep.

"Ron, the girl died in the bathroom. This is what Aragog said and I saw it too in Riddle's memory. What if she never left?"

Ron blinked then frowned.

"You don't reckon? You can't mean Moaning Myrtle?"

"There is only one way to be certain." – Harry said victoriously. "Good night, Ron."

"Night, Harry."


The next day at breakfast, Ron and Harry were making plans to go visit Myrtle's bathroom.

"I can't believe – all these time she's been in there and we've been in there too." – Ron said bitterly.

"We'll get her, Ron."

However, it was easier said than done. Sneaking to look for the spiders was pure luck but going deliberately into the girl's bathroom that so close to the first attack was going to be impossible.

In class of Transfiguration however another surprise awaited. Professor McGonagall informed them their exams would start in June.

"Exams?" – Seamus Finnegan exclaimed baffled and he was not the only one.

"The point of this school is to teach you, Mr. Finnegan." – McGonagall replied. "Professor Dumbledore's instructions were quite clear – to continue as normal as possible. And more to it, it is our job to determine how much you have learned during this year therefore the exams will take place as usual and I trust everyone here will be studying hard."

The conversation of this subject was close. Harry and Ron looked at each other. Some things cannot be avoided.

A week before the exams, Professor McGonagall made another announcement.

"I have excellent news." – She said.

"Professor Dumbledore is returning?" – Some people yelled.

"You have caught the Heir of Slytherin?"

"No," – Professor McGonagall replied. "Madam Sprout just informed me that the Mandrakes are ready. By tonight, we will have all the answers. We will know who is standing behind the attacks."

There was much cheering. Everyone seemed relieved.

"It seems it won't matter if we asked Myrtle about it." – Ron said happier than usual.

Just then Ginny came to them and sat. She glanced up and down along the Gryffindor table with a scared look and reminded Harry of someone – Dobby. Exactly like him, it seemed she wanted to reveal something that she was not meant to do. Harry leaned to her and whispered so only he and Ron could hear her.

"Ginny, what is it?"

She looked at him but still could not bring herself to say anything.

"Does it have to do something with the Chamber? Have you seen something?" – Harry asked.

Ginny almost nodded but then Percy came along.

"Ginny, if you are done I would take your place."

Ginny walked away.

"Percy!" – Ron exclaimed. "Ginny was about to tell us something important."

Percy was just taking a gulp of tea and in the next second choked.

"Like what?"

"I don't know. It had something to do with the Chamber of…"

"Oh, no," – Percy exclaimed blushing instantly. "It has nothing to do with it."

"Then what?"

"Well," – He mumbled. "She saw me doing something and…um…never mind."

"What something?" – Ron raised his eyebrows.

"She saw me doing something that…and I told her not to tell anyone. Honestly I thought she would own her word. Um, well, never mind, Harry would you pass me these rolls."

Harry was also intrigued. He has never seen Percy so uncomfortable.

"What were you doing?" – Ron insisted.

"Never mind, Ron," – Harry intervened. Ron looked at him but Harry shook head.

An opportunity to visit the girl's bathroom presented itself after Lockhart's class. Lockhart was so certain that the culprit was caught that he felt the usual escort was unnecessary and Harry happened to agree vocally.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter." And Lockhart was off.

"Yeah, go do your hair." – Ron shot after him though not so loud.

"Let's go!" – Harry said.

They had made just a few steps when they heard McGonagall's thundering voice.

"POTTER, WEASLEY! What are you doing?"

"Now, we are screwed," – Ron exclaimed.

"Ah, Professor, we wanted to go and see Hermione." – Harry said the first thing that it came to his mind. "We haven't seen her in a month and even though she will be revived soon we still wanted to see her."

McGonagall's anger evaporated on the double.

"Yes, of course," – She said with a croaked voice. "I've forgot it is the hardest on her friends. Yes, you can go and visit her. You have my permission. I will inform Professor Binns where you have gone."

Ron and Harry now had no choice but go and see her.

"Nice," – Ron exclaimed happily. "We were certainly heading for detention."

"Yeah, well, I had little choice." – Harry said.

Madam Pomfrey let them in though a bit reluctantly. She did not really see the point of talking to a stone statue.

"You know I've been wondering whether she's seen the face of her attacker." – Ron said looking sadly at her face.

But Harry was not listening. He noticed the mirror on the desk beside her and wondered why she had taken it. Then he spotted Hermione's fist – it was closed. He moved in closer. There was something in it.

"Ron, shut up!" – Harry said.

"What is with you?" – Ron exclaimed.

"Look, she's holding something. Help me take it."

Ron also noticed it. They tried but it took some time before separating it from Hermione's grip. It was a book's page just then Madam Pomfrey walked in.

"It is best you go." – She said.

"Couldn't agree more," – Harry said motioning Ron to follow. "Good day, madam Pomfrey."

"Good day," – Pomfrey said looking oddly at them.

Why?" – Ron asked as they were leaving.

"Trust me!"


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