There were many indirect ways to kill the basilisk.
The simplest, laziest method was to just follow the plot and coax Harry into slaying it himself. That would technically satisfy the system's requirements.
But that approach offered almost no profit — not a single Fate Point — and Louis was far too thrifty to waste such an opportunity.
So if he was going to incite someone to kill the basilisk, it was far more cost-effective to have Aragog do it than Harry.
"The basilisk… it's coming into the Forbidden Forest?" Aragog's voice trembled, the hairs on his legs quivering.
Louis was quite pleased with that reaction. When the panic had ripened just enough, he said calmly, "But you don't have to worry. I came here to help you."
Aragog fell silent for a long moment. "Why would you help me?"
"Because it sounds fun."
Louis stretched out his hand and drew from his storage space a scroll glowing red-hot, as though flames were licking its surface.
"Here. This is for you."
He tossed the scroll. Aragog caught it deftly with a strand of silk.
"What is it?" the spider asked warily.
"A magical tool that can kill the basilisk. When you sense it nearby, use this — it'll absolutely keep you from dying by its fangs," Louis said with confidence.
Aragog hesitated. The scroll radiated immense power; he could feel it. Maybe… maybe it really could kill a basilisk.
"Why are you helping me?" Aragog repeated.
"Let's just say I pity Hagrid. If this sort of thing happens again, he'll be blamed all over and probably tossed into Azkaban this time," Louis replied casually.
Aragog mulled it over, eight black eyes glinting with hesitation and malice.
"Fine," it said at last. "If the basilisk dares come here, I'll find a way to kill it."
"Good. That's the spirit," Louis said approvingly. "Oh — one reminder: don't use that scroll too close or too far. Too close and you'll get caught in it; too far and you won't hit the basilisk."
"I understand," Aragog said, then urged him, "Now leave. I can barely keep my children's hunger in check."
"Relax. They wouldn't dare touch me." Louis's outline began to fade. "Besides, I'm very fast."
The words had barely left his lips before he vanished.
Aragog stared silently at the place where Louis had stood. A moment later, the entire nest stirred as hundreds of spiders swarmed across the walls and ceiling. Only when he was sure Louis had truly gone — not merely turned invisible — did Aragog laugh.
"Hmph. Pathetic trickery." He glanced at the scroll tangled in silk and tossed it aside in disdain. "As if a basilisk would ever come into the Forbidden Forest. And even if it did, it'd never find me."
He was confident. After all, he'd lived here for fifty years. He knew every danger hidden in this forest. Beneath its eerie stillness lurked magical beasts of terrifying power; even his web couldn't safely reach too far because of them.
"Besides," he muttered, "who knows what this scroll might do once it's opened? I'd be a fool to trust that brat."
"If anyone's going to test it, I'll send one of my offspring. No way I'm using it myself."
"Oh, but you'll find out how sweet that bravery tastes soon enough," Louis thought, utterly unconcerned that Aragog might refuse to use the scroll — because the basilisk would come for him.
And as for sending a smaller spider to use it… what difference would that make?
The spell's casting range was fifteen meters, and its blast radius three hundred meters.
If Aragog wanted to survive unscathed, he'd have to send his offspring at least two hundred eighty-five meters away before detonating — and good luck convincing the basilisk to play along with that.
Even if the creature didn't rush headlong at Aragog for a feast, Louis would make sure to "guide" it right toward the spider's lair, guaranteeing that it entered the scroll's kill zone before Aragog could react.
[ One-Time Spell Scroll – Meteor Fire Rain: Summons ten 5×5×5-sized meteors to bombard a target area. Area of effect: 300 meters in diameter. Casting range: 15 meters. ]
Though only of Rare grade, as a one-use magic scroll it received a massive power boost — and with that absurd range and blast size, it was perfect for suicide attacks, its destructive potential rivaling that of Legendary artifacts.
Killing a basilisk — or a giant spider — would be child's play.
"All spiders deserve to die… especially the big ones," Louis murmured with a dark grin.
As for self-destruction tools, he had another — a portable self-detonating nuclear bomb, essentially an upgraded version of a one-use magic scroll.
It was classified as Perfect-grade, single-use, and manual detonation. Its destructive power likely surpassed even Legendary items.
And since it was purely mechanical, without any electronic components, it could be detonated even within Hogwarts' anti-electricity field. There was nowhere in this world it couldn't explode.
If Louis ever got bored enough one day… he might just carry that bomb out somewhere for a bit of "recreational self-detonation."
---
With the basilisk matter settled, Louis still felt that earning just Fate Points and quest rewards wasn't enough.
He was currently studying Horcruxes and was missing one book — Advanced Studies in Dark Magic.
Energy magic relied on precision and restraint. If he could refine it properly, even gods could be crippled by it. To turn a Horcrux's soul into a usable tool, a mere Soul-Stealing Scroll wasn't enough; he'd need targeted magic as well.
So, after asking for the password to the headmaster's office, Louis went straight there.
"Lemon Sherbet."
The correct password awakened the stone gargoyle guarding the stairs. Louis ascended and entered the office.
Inside, Dumbledore was speaking with Lockhart. The old wizard looked mildly surprised to see him.
"Gilderoy, I approve your request," Dumbledore said. "I'll inform Severus about assisting you. For now, you may go."
"Ah, Mr. Wilson," Lockhart said, giving Louis a peculiar look. "Very well, I'll take my leave then, Professor."
Once Lockhart was gone, Dumbledore turned to Louis.
"Mr. Wilson, what brings you here?" he asked, absentmindedly stroking the yawning Fawkes in his lap.
"I've made some discoveries," Louis said, sitting down casually across from him. "I'd like to discuss them with you, Headmaster."
---
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