Chapter 164 The Death Of Wormtail
The fire in the hollow burned more fiercely. The red-black flames spread among the leaves from the top of the slope downward, from the outer edge to the center, engulfing everything in their path.
The leaves and the Acromantulas were charred, and ashes fluttered, as if the gates of Hell were slowly opening. Loud and sharp screams could be heard in the pit of fire. To prevent Evan from returning to Aragog, many Acromantulas had gathered there and were now fleeing desperately.
Evan stood at the edge of the pit of fire, coldly observing the whole scene.
The scene deeply moved him. The approaching scorching heat, the smell of charred flesh and blood, and the cries of the spiders before their death, as if they were emerging from the depths of Hell, made his legs constantly tremble.
But Evan's right hand holding the wand was extremely steady, occasionally emitting a red light that knocked down the giant spiders trying to escape from the pit of fire.
Beside him, Peter Pettigrew looked at Evan in astonishment. He seemed to want to say something, but after a long hesitation, he remained silent.
With this boy, he could no longer consider resisting any further.
The Acromantulas that had not burned in the pit were equally frightened and gazed up at the human boy. Countless pairs of eyes watched him, as if they wanted to engrave Evan's appearance deep into their souls. From that day on, Evan was destined to become a nightmare for all Acromantulas.
They continued to retreat and gather in the center of the hollow.
Click, click, click...
Evan heard Aragog's voice resonating from the depths of the nest, and the remaining giant spiders began to push aside the leaves and earth, separating and blocking the flames with a barrier.
The flames on the ground were too strong, and Evan was unsure if they could succeed.
He had no time to keep watching. Upon hearing Aragog's call, more Acromantulas emerged from the Forbidden Forest, waving their powerful pincers and charging towards them. He hurriedly left with Pettigrew.
These approaching Acromantulas followed them closely. Though much smaller than those in the pit, the power of their sharp large pincers was exactly the same. Getting into trouble around them meant inevitable death.
Evan's wand occasionally gleamed, repelling the advancing spiders, and his remaining magic was quickly depleting.
But the spiders were advancing from all directions, their endless stream seeming never-ending.
Peter Pettigrew screamed in horror. Blood and sweat nearly saturated his robe, and the clot that had already started to solidify in his wound began to crack and drip blood. He wanted to do something, but he dared not move. He did not even dare to speak, fearing he might interrupt Evan's protective magic.
If that were to happen, the consequences would be simply inconceivable.
Nearly five minutes later, Evan could hardly go on. Even if he killed more spiders, it would be futile. There were simply too many of them. He pushed himself to move a little further, then gasped and leaned heavily against the trunk of an oak tree.
The faint light at the tip of his wand slowly faded, and the surroundings plunged into endless darkness.
"Save me, a spider bit me, save me, I don't want to die!" Pettigrew's cry echoed.
Under the starlight, Evan seemed to see the size and shape of Pettigrew lying there, and the giant spider biting his right leg, tearing his flesh and blood with its large black pincers, dragging him backward.
Peter's arm clung to the trunk next to him. There was a click. The Acromantula behind him tore a large chunk of his flesh, and blood gushed from his leg. The sound of the monster chewing on his flesh was utterly disturbing.
Upon sensing the scent of blood, the other Acromantulas drawing near became even more frenzied.
Another spider lunged towards Pettigrew. The scene was too horrifying. Evan swiftly extended his wand, eager to rescue him.
However, there was no magical power in his body. He incanted a spell, and his wand emitted a weak red light, which vanished immediately like a candle extinguished by the wind.
"Save me, please, save me!" He began to sound like a broken record. Pettigrew screamed and cried louder and louder.
He struggled, sobbed, pleaded, his face a mask of tears. He regretted taking the path that led to this. Wished he had not betrayed James and Lily. The promise of power he received from Voldemort turned out to be hollow.
Evan could not bear to hear Peter's screams and shut his eyes.
Perhaps he himself would end up the same way. Suddenly, a high, long note rang out, and a blaze of light streaked swiftly across the clearing.
Evan opened his eyes in astonishment. He saw the old car he had taken the year before outside school. Mr. Weasley's car thundered downhill, headlights blazing, horn blaring, scattering spiders; several lay upside down, legs waving frantically in the air. The car screeched to a halt in front of Evan, and the doors flew open.
Evan didn't think twice. He leaped and his previously depleted magical power seemed to revive with hope. His wand emitted successive red lights, striking the spider behind Pettigrew. He took Peter's left hand and dragged him to the front seat of the car.
Hardly had they taken two steps forward when the spider that had just bitten Peter's right leg emerged suddenly from the shadows. Once more, its large pincers seized Peter, and its front legs encircled his waist, holding him firmly.
Evan and the spider engaged in an uneven struggle over Pettigrew's body.
As for Peter, he had already lost consciousness. Due to the pain, the muscles of his face continued to contort.
Evan retrieved his wand with difficulty and aimed at the spider behind Peter. He attempted several times but failed to cast a spell.
Suddenly, Pettigrew woke up again. His pupils were greatly dilated from fear, his eyes darting from Evan to his surroundings, observing the increasing number of spiders surrounding him. They were getting closer, ready to attack.
Seeing the determined expression on the boy's face, Pettigrew was reminded once again of Sirius Black, his former best friend.
Black simply said that if he had not betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort, he too would be willing to die for him.
If Black were here, he would surely be like Evan, holding him tightly and not letting go, wouldn't he?
If he had not betrayed James and Lily in the past, how much better would life be now?
Pettigrew closed his eyes, and tears welled up again, a trace of regret and determination evident on his pained and distorted face.
A second later, he violently broke free from Evan, watching the boy jump back into the car as he pulled away with too much force.
As he was dragged by the spider towards the Acromantulas behind them, Pettigrew felt a twinge of remorse in his heart.
The car engine roared, and they drove off, hitting more spiders.
Through the dirty window, Evan saw Peter Pettigrew fade away.
The spiders emitted a triumphant and resounding snap. Evan knew what it meant: Wormtail had died!