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Behind the unicorn, Acromantula silhouettes quietly appeared. They silently surrounded the forest clearing's edge. Eight eyes all watched weeping Hagrid.
The tall unicorn slowly lowered its head. Smooth horn pointed warningly toward the numerous spiders. In silent standoff, blind Aragog parted its children and grandchildren. Clicked, "We mean no harm. My child told me Hagrid was crying. I can no longer see the path..."
The elephant-sized Acromantula stood unyieldingly in the dense forest illuminated by unicorns' silver-white fur. The unicorn maintained its lowered head posture. Slowly backed away. Made way for the Acromantula toward Hagrid. Anthony looked up at the huge spider approaching. Hoisting Hagrid up. Handed him to Aragog's extended furry long leg.
"A... Aragog..." Hagrid cried thunderously. "Which... which bastard did this?"
Aragog quietly supported Hagrid. Eight eyes clouded with white film stared straight at the sky. Behind it and in the forest, Acromantulas no longer fiddled with their pincers as Anthony was used to. Or chattered about simple questions. Just watched quietly. Facing such a rare murder, their curiosity or fear was obviously insufficient.
In this unusual silence, Anthony casually approached a young Acromantula—they all looked similar to him—asked quietly, "Where's Aragog's ninety-seventh grandson?"
"Ninety... seventh... grandson?" that Acromantula clicked repeatedly. Seemed unable to understand the concept.
"Ninety-seventh grandson," the Acromantulas said one after another. "The human is looking for the ninety-seventh grandson."
An Acromantula said softly, "I'm here." It ignored the unicorns staring at them. Walked over as calmly as Aragog. "Don't you recognize me, Hagrid's friend?"
Anthony turned his head. Looked carefully by unicorn light. "Ah, I see. Your leg has one white ring, two red rings. Different from other spiders. Next time we meet I'll recognize you."
The spider raised its front leg. Brought one eye close to look. Then asked, "What do you want from me, Hagrid's friend?"
"You actually know who hurt the unicorn, right?" Anthony asked. From the corner of his eye saw several unicorns' ears quietly turn toward their direction.
The ninety-seventh grandson said, "Of course not."
"You don't know what hurt the unicorn, or can't say?" Anthony asked quietly. "In other words, I'm asking—is there a bastard Acromantula that killed the unicorn, or is it another monster whose name you dare not speak, like you dare not mention the Basilisk..." The moment this word left his mouth, he saw nearby Acromantulas simultaneously assume retreating postures. Even the ninety-seventh grandson stepped one leg backward. "Sorry. But if it's the latter, you're afraid of quite a lot."
The ninety-seventh grandson said, "We really don't—"
The Acromantula beside Anthony angrily waved its pincers. Said, "Are you questioning our character or courage, human?"
Anthony immediately said, "I didn't mean to." He didn't even know Acromantulas had these things. "But you're suspiciously calm."
"We're calm because the unicorn has nothing to do with us," the ninety-seventh grandson said.
"Because what killed the unicorn has nothing to do with us," the earlier Acromantula still angry said stiffly.
Anthony looked at the ninety-seventh grandson's eight eyes. Couldn't help imagining how spectacular it would be if it rolled them one by one. But the ninety-seventh grandson just blew out fluid for its relative's stupidity. Made the white fluff on its maxillae and lower lip flutter. This was the closest Anthony had seen an Acromantula come to sighing.
Anthony said, "So you do know what killed the unicorn."
The Acromantulas clicked and communicated for a while. Still insisted, "We don't know."
Hard for humans to read Acromantula emotions. But Anthony would bet he'd guessed right. "Even if you don't trust me, why not tell Hagrid?"
The unicorns watched the Acromantulas sadly. On the other side, Hagrid was still saying something to Aragog. Hadn't noticed the small commotion Anthony caused in the woods.
"It's something that doesn't belong to the Forbidden Forest," the Acromantula finally said. "It's a human."
The ninety-seventh grandson said, "We don't know more. But Aragog said since it has nothing to do with Hagrid, we don't meddle in human affairs."
"Humans!" Behind Anthony, a voice said disgustedly. "Humans again. Always humans!"
Anthony turned around. A black-haired, black-bodied centaur stood in the woods. Bow on his back. Hooves pawing the ground. Said loudly, "What are you looking at, wizard? Don't you realize—our forest doesn't welcome you!"
The unicorn beside him also looked at him suspiciously. Only the Acromantulas still seemed indifferent.
"He's Hagrid's friend," Aragog's ninety-seventh grandson said.
"Hagrid is one of them too," the black centaur said disdainfully. "Spiders, your leader likes humans too much. Hagrid only earned our friendship. Doesn't mean his friends get the same courtesy. Especially..." He looked at Anthony. Narrowed his eyes. "Wait. I recognize you. The human who pollutes star tracks."
"What does that mean?" Anthony asked puzzled.
The ninety-seventh grandson waved its pincers uneasily. Said, "This friend of Hagrid's—he's very powerful."
"Powerful!" the black-haired centaur roared. He raised his bow warningly. "You'd better leave, wizard. Don't try to provoke us with your arrogance. Unlike that coward Firenze, I don't welcome—"
"Bane! What are you doing!" Several centaurs suddenly charged from the woods. Firenze's smooth white horse body slammed hard into the black centaur's side. Knocked him staggering.
The centaur called Bane angrily reared up. Front hooves furiously kicked a nearby tree trunk. "What do you think you're doing!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Anthony asked. Cast a Shield Charm on Aragog's ninety-seventh grandson beside him. From when Bane raised his bow, most Acromantulas had already left. Only this spider remained beside Anthony.
The centaur named Ronan whom Anthony had seen once said melancholically, "We came to witness the unicorn's funeral, Bane. We don't create conflict here."
Bane said angrily, "Look clearly at this wizard. Do you think he should appear at this occasion?"
"Firenze says he corresponds to that star," Ronan said slowly. Firenze nodded seriously to Anthony. Looked up at the sky above the clearing. Anthony also looked up with him. Could only see clouds covering the sky.
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