Chapter 162 The Lair Of Aragog
Evan gazed silently at the Acromantulas, which suddenly became excited around him. These monsters were truly beings of pure darkness.
He didn't know what Voldemort could have promised them to make them so thrilled, but it certainly wasn't something good. Aragog kept talking, but upon seeing the spiders gradually gathering around and noticing how they were growing more excited, Evan didn't want to continue discussing that topic.
"Fifteen years ago, my offspring approached me many times. They advised me to join Voldemort's side. Although their reward was truly enticing, I didn't want to get involved in your human disputes! I know Hagrid stands against Voldemort!" Aragog seemed weary as he slowly retreated towards his domed web.
However, the surrounding companion spiders in the cavern continued to slowly advance towards Evan and Pettigrew.
"Well, I think..." Upon hearing the whisper of leaves behind him, Evan hastened towards Aragog. "I believe I must depart then. Thank you for your assistance, Aragog; I will speak with Hagrid about this!"
"Depart?" Aragog said, "I think not..."
Evan's heart pounded heavily. The worst of what he feared was unfolding, and Aragog had no intention of letting them go.
Evan backed away slowly, as there were so many giant spiders around him that he could never face them. He quickly glanced at Peter Pettigrew. If only that man could wield the malevolent dark magic that caused the violent blast earlier, maybe they still stood a chance.
But Pettigrew had already fallen to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. He had lost much blood; his skin was pallid, and his face discolored.
In his current state, he couldn't continue fighting, casting spells, or even stand up.
Truly, a useless one!
Evan clenched the wand in his hand, as Pettigrew's condition represented not a combative strength, but rather a complete liability.
Evan's eyes scanned around and finally settled on Aragog.
Battling so many fierce Acromantulas was surreal. His only chance was to capture Aragog first. However, upon seeing Aragog's hulking elephantine body, Evan swallowed hard. Capturing that colossal creature wouldn't be so easy. He thought even Hagrid might struggle.
"My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, by my command. But I cannot deny them fresh meat when it roams so willingly among us. I cannot, friend of Hagrid. Thank you for aiding us by slaying what lurks within the castle..."
Evan turned on his heel. Only a few meters away, a solid wall of spiders loomed before him, clicking, their many eyes gleaming on their ugly black heads. Like a black river, they quickly gathered at the cavity's center.
It seemed Pettigrew was dazed and lay motionless on the ground.
Evan's legs trembled, but his heart was resolute; he knew he had to engage in that desperate struggle. If he didn't take the initiative, he'd have no chance.
He might not succeed in capturing Aragog, but he could threaten him with magic, carving a path to escape with Pettigrew.
In the next moment, Evan turned fiercely and lunged towards Aragog, who stood at the center of the web.
His wand emitted a red light, striking the Acromantula between them. Without hesitation, he dodged its sharp, dark clicking pincers and the enormous waving legs of the spiders around Aragog.
Aragog thrashed his vast eight legs, trying to prevent Evan from nearing.
But he was aged and lacked the strength to react swiftly. His immense size hindered his ability to move and evade quickly.
Breathing heavily, Evan climbed through the misty domed web. The web beneath his feet was sticky, but it didn't deter him. He tightened his wand and cast a Stunning Spell, causing Aragog to feel a momentary dizziness. Seizing the opportunity, he pounced on him.
Undoubtedly, that was the craziest thing Evan had ever done. He aimed his wand at the rough exoskeleton of Aragog.
He gazed at the spider covered in black, tough fur, feeling an unprecedented nausea.
Just by touching the exoskeleton of an Acromantula, he didn't understand how Hagrid could deal with them.
Evan's heart pounded fast, almost wanting to leap out of his chest. He perspired all over as the cold night wind blew. The winter night was freezing, and the temperature in the Forbidden Forest was a few degrees lower than outside of it, but the spider web was surprisingly warm, with a warm current blowing from below.
The discomfort caused by the cold wind instantly dissipated.
Evan turned his head and saw a hole behind the spider web. A slight slope descended. Deep down at the bottom, Aragog's lair must be located.
Warm air blew from inside out. That explained why from the outside this dome-shaped spider web was always foggy. Evan didn't know what was happening below, maybe there was an underground thermal spring, or something else emitting heat...
If it weren't for the current situation, he would really like to enter and take a look.
As the Lair of the King of Spiders, Aragog must have accumulated many extremely valuable things.
At the very least, there would definitely be a lot of potion ingredients and magical plants. Or there could be powerful magical items. You know, even for an Acromantula over 50 years old, Aragog was truly enormous in size.
This situation was highly unusual; there had to be something facilitating this.
Now was not the time to dwell on such matters. Evan shook his head, aimed his wand at Aragog's head, and said briefly, "Let's go, or else..."
He didn't get to finish his words, but the tip of his wand gleamed brightly.
Aragog trembled slightly and could feel the heat emanating from Evan's wand. He hadn't expected that young human to be bold enough to threaten him.
Evan's intention was clear. If Aragog didn't agree to let them go, even if he couldn't kill him on the spot, he was absolutely certain that he would use magic to smash his head. Aragog was already too old, and such an injury could be fatal.
Moreover, if an opportunity arose, Evan might even set fire to Aragog's Lair.
"You have won, friend of Hagrid, you are truly brave, no wonder you could kill that creature in the castle!" Clicking, Aragog's large pincers moved quickly. "Take the fellow down there and go, I will hold back my offspring."
Clicking, under Aragog's command, the spiders retreated.
A few seconds later, the center of the cave was empty, and only Pettigrew lay there, weakly panting.