Chapter 108: Chapter 108: "Preparing for the Spider Siege"
After getting ready for his classes back in his dorm, Harry skipped breakfast in the Great Hall and headed straight to the castle kitchens instead. His stomach was growling, and he needed a big meal to satisfy his hunger. Preferring not to draw attention in the public dining area with his hearty appetite and the need to eat quickly due to the lack of time, Harry opted for the privacy of the kitchens.
Following his morning classes, Harry found himself with some free time. Not having to attend the History of Magic class in the afternoon and no other classes afterward, he had the perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming night's challenges. He headed straight for the Room of Requirement, where he had been working on the vanishing cabinet.
Harry had already repaired the cabinet and successfully tested its transport mechanism with food and small animals. He had initially planned to test the cabinet with larger animals before attempting to use it himself. However, pressed for time and needing to gather supplies for his planned confrontation, he decided to take the risk and step through the cabinet himself. If anything went wrong, he knew he could always use apparition to escape to safety, much like the unlucky character in the canon.
Upon entering the cabinet and shutting the door behind him, Harry experienced a momentary flash of light. When it subsided, a door materialized in front of him. He opened it to find himself in an unoccupied room in the Black Castle, exactly where he had installed the other vanishing cabinet.
Harry was particularly impressed with this mode of transportation. Unlike apparating, elf travel, or using a portkey, which was a little disorienting or uncomfortable, traveling via the vanishing cabinet was seamless and smooth. It was the most comfortable long-distance travel method he had ever experienced, devoid of the usual magical travel side effects.
After stepping out of the empty room, Harry decided to give Lord Black a surprise visit. He found the older man busy in his study. To avoid startling him too much, Harry politely knocked before entering.
"Ah, Harry? Have you managed to fix the vanishing cabinet already?" Arcturus asked, looking up from his papers. "I was curious who was coming through at this unexpected hour."
"Yes, Grandfather. I'm surprised you're not more surprised to see me. I'm supposed to be at Hogwarts right now," Harry responded with a light smile.
Arcturus chuckled lightly, "My boy, after all I've seen, very little surprises me anymore. How did you find traveling with the vanishing cabinet?"
"I love it," Harry replied enthusiastically. "It's the smoothest travel method I've experienced. You should try it sometime. Maybe take a trip to Hogwarts, relive some memories?"
"No need for that, Harry," Arcturus replied firmly. "If I feel the need to visit Hogwarts, I will do so openly. The school governors wouldn't dare deny me entry. Now, you should head back to school. I don't approve of skipping classes, even for magical experimentation."
Understanding the seriousness in his grandfather's tone, Harry nodded in agreement and left the room.
Harry "Mira help me sell these things later. Don't haggel too much, just sell them at different places. No need to search for the best price."
Mira "Yes Master Harry."
Once outside, Harry quickly summoned Mira to take care of the spoils of his morning encounter with the acromantulas.
"Mira, I need these items sold later. Don't spend too much time bargaining, just make sure we get fair prices and spread the sales across different places," Harry instructed carefully.
"Of course, Master Harry," Mira replied.
Harry continued, "For now, there's something else I need your help with. I need to gather some supplies, and I need them quickly. It'll be faster if we both handle it."
Harry then took a moment to write down two lists: one for Mira and another for himself. They planned to split up to efficiently gather everything needed. To keep a low profile, Harry disguised himself to ensure no one would recognize him as a Hogwarts student out of school.
After about two hours of shopping and gathering, Harry had all the supplies packed. He then returned to Hogwarts discreetly, using the vanishing cabinet to transport himself and the supplies back to the castle safely.
That evening, after parting ways with his dormmates Roger and Reggy who were heading to the Great Hall for the feast, Harry quietly left the castle.
Covered by several stealth spells and hidden beneath his invisibility cloak, Harry cautiously approached the acromantula colony to observe any changes. He noticed that the number of acromantulas had increased since the morning. Among them stood a particularly massive acromantula, whose legs spanned about 15 feet. Harry figured this giant spider must be the leader of this new colony, expelled for challenging its ancestor, Aragog.
This giant acromantula was surrounded by about 50 large ones, 100 of medium size, and countless smaller ones. The colony seemed larger and more threatening than it had in the morning, but Harry was focused on the 150 larger ones as the primary threat.
The acromantulas seemed highly agitated, likely upset over the morning's confrontation and the disappearance of some of their members. Harry felt his earlier suspicions were correct: the acromantulas were organizing, possibly preparing to attack the castle.
Harry thought their plan was foolish. Just a few Hogwarts professors could easily repel or even decimate such a colony. He speculated that this was why Aragog had exiled these more radical spiders. Knowing that an attack on the school would be unwise, Aragog might have sent these rebellious members away, effectively dooming them for their unwillingness to heed reason.
After ensuring no additional acromantulas were approaching, Harry began setting up traps around the area. These traps were crucial; they might give him a fighting chance against the massive colony. While confident in his abilities to take on smaller groups, Harry knew that facing such a large number of these creatures could lead to defeat if they all attacked at once. He considered using a destructive spell like Fiendfyre to obliterate them completely, but he dismissed the idea. Such a spell would draw unwanted attention, and it wasn't his intention to cause widespread destruction.
With his preparations complete, Harry dressed for the upcoming battle as night fell. He donned a specially designed combat suit that covered him from head to toe, shielding him from acromantula venom. The suit included dragon hide reinforcements at vital points to protect against the spiders' sharp legs. Every part of his body was protected, except his face.
Next, Harry worked on a disguise for his face. Anticipating a prolonged fight where he might be spotted, he needed to conceal his identity effectively. After several attempts, he crafted a look that resembled Godric Gryffindor, aligning with the fact he would wield the Gryffindor family sword in battle. This appearance would not only protect his identity but also fit the theme of his armament. Should anyone see him, it would add a layer of mystique and leave them guessing about his true identity.
With all his preparations in place, Harry awaited the cover of darkness, ready for what could be the most intense battle of his life. He felt a mix of nerves and confidence, knowing he had the means to escape if the situation turned dire. Fueled by the potential gains for his Knight training, Harry set aside any doubts. This battle was necessary, not just for the safety of Hogwarts, but as a crucial step in strengthening himself.
Chapter 109: Chapter 109: "Battle at the Forest's Edge"
As the evening shadows deepened across the Hogwarts landscape, Harry Potter took up a calculated position, hidden on the side of the acromantula colony closest to the school. The entire area was cast in the quiet darkness typical of a forest at night.
It was Halloween, and Harry was well aware that the Great Hall would be alive with celebration, filled with students and teachers alike, immersed in the annual feast. This festive distraction left the borders of the forest unattended and unnaturally silent.
Ideally, Harry wished for a peaceful night without any disturbances from the acromantulas. He was fully prepared to defend if necessary, but he secretly hoped that the night would pass without incident, allowing him to return to his dormitory quietly. Engaging in small, controlled skirmishes, like those he had encountered that morning, was far more appealing to him. These smaller conflicts were not only safer but also more beneficial for practicing and advancing his knight training.
Unfortunately, it appeared that fortune was not on his side this evening. After just a half hour of tense observation, Harry began to detect troubling activity among the acromantulas. The spiders were clearly organizing themselves, their movements becoming increasingly purposeful. It was evident they were preparing for something significant, likely an imminent assault on the school grounds. The level of activity was a clear signal that an attack could be expected soon.
Harry, accepting that a clash was unavoidable, moved from his hiding spot and stood boldly before the vast array of towering spiders. He needed to lure the entire colony into a specific area where he had strategically placed traps earlier, hoping to ensnare as many as possible in one fell swoop.
As Harry made his presence known, the already vigilant acromantulas turned their full attention toward him. Hundreds of small, gleaming eyes stared at him, creating a chilling picture in the dim moonlight.
The sight of so many large spiders arrayed before him was daunting, even for Harry, who had been preparing from a young age for future confrontations with dark forces. The sheer number and size of these creatures would have given anyone pause.
Yet, despite their overwhelming numbers and formidable appearance, the spiders did not move in to attack. They seemed to be waiting for a signal or command from their leader. The leader's size made it stand out starkly against the lesser members of its colony. The giant spider's presence commanded attention, and it was clear that the other acromantulas were deferring to it, waiting for its lead before they made any move against Harry.
Unexpectedly, the colossal spider addressed Harry. "Are you the pest who intruded here this morning?" it boomed, its voice echoing through the stillness of the forest.
Startled to hear it speak, Harry replied, "You can speak?"
"Of course," the leader scoffed. "Do you think they would follow me instead of that old fool Aragog if I couldn't?"
Harry couldn't help but retort, "To me, you're the fool. Do you actually believe your small group can challenge a whole school filled with wizards?"
The giant spider seemed to find amusement mixed with irritation at Harry's boldness. "I am not a fool. I have a plan," it claimed confidently.
"And what might that plan be? We have the greatest wizard in our school who could defeat you effortlessly," Harry challenged.
The acromantula leader then revealed, "Who says we're going to attack directly? My experience battling the centaur tribe has taught me much. I will employ their tactics against you and claim this area for the acromantulas."
Harry immediately understood that this leader was a typical villain, overly assured in his strategy and underestimating his opponents.
"If I were you, I would have dealt with the centaurs first, then taken over the forest, and only afterward targeted the school. Attacking the school first is a fool's errand," Harry advised mockingly.
The leader hissed, "The centaurs know our tactics, but you wizards are ignorant of real combat. It's simpler to confront you first. Enough of this chatter; I know you're just trying to extract my strategy. I won't disclose anymore, lest you have a hidden helper."
Harry smirked, "I already know your plan. It's pretty obvious, isn't it? You plan to infiltrate the castle, using smaller spiders to scout hiding spots, then strike from the shadows like cowards. It's a decent strategy, but you're bound to fail."
Enraged by Harry's accurate guess, the acromantula leader bellowed, "Since you've know my strategy, I cannot allow you to leave. Everyone, attack!"
Before the acromantulas could even start their charge, Harry was already in action. He quickly activated the traps he had prepared earlier. With a swift movement of his wrist, the quiet of the night was shattered by loud explosions. Projectiles soared through the air, each bursting and releasing a sticky, green, gooey slime that spread quickly over the area, capturing the acromantulas in its grip and significantly slowing them down.
In the midst of their confusion and slow movements, Harry didn't waste any time. He launched another well-aimed projectile directly at the leader of the acromantulas. This wasn't just any projectile; it was a special enchanted item that Harry had prepared with multiple stun spells. He was certain this would keep the leader incapacitated for a considerable period.
With the colony's leader temporarily out of the fight, Harry confidently pulled out his sword, ready for close combat. The battle that ensued was intense and demanding. To deal with the large numbers of acromantulas, Harry summoned a flaming orb that floated beside him. This orb of fire was instrumental, burning away any webs and venom that the acromantulas hurled at him, and it also served to frighten some of the smaller spiders.
Harry moved swiftly and decisively across the battlefield. His sword gleamed in the dim light, each swing cutting through the acromantulas with precision. With the leader down, the remaining spiders were disorganized and fearful, which made it easier for Harry to slice through their ranks.
As the battle raged on, Harry felt the surge of strength and vitality, he participated in this battle for. It was clear that the intense physical exertion and the demands of the fight were accelerating his Knight training. This real battle was pushing him towards becoming a true knight, enhancing his skills and endurance.
Harry noticed a marked improvement in his swordsmanship as well. Each successive slash of his sword became smoother and more efficient. He was now executing combinations of strikes with seamless precision, not missing a single beat. Even as acromantulas attempted to counterattack, Harry skillfully blocked their moves, maintaining control over the battle and steadily reducing the number of his foes.
As the night progressed, Harry gradually reduced the number of his enemies. Just when it seemed he was about to win, something unexpected happened.
Unbeknownst to Harry, the acromantula leader had recovered from its stunned state sooner than Harry had anticipated. His stun orb hadn't been enough to keep such a massive creature incapacitated for long. Harry had made a calculation error.
The leader of the acromantulas, driven by desperation, waited for the perfect moment to attack Harry, aiming to catch him off guard and deliver a potentially fatal blow. It had observed the battle and knew it couldn't defeat this wizard in a direct confrontation.
While Harry was busy dealing with the other acromantulas, he didn't notice the leader's approach until it was almost too late. The giant spider attacked with four of its legs. Harry managed to block two with his sword and scorched another with his flaming orb, but he couldn't stop the fourth leg.
The impact of the attack knocked Harry back, and he crashed into a tree. When he tried to stand, he felt a sharp pain in his leg and realized it was fractured. Fortunately, his dragon hide armor had protected him from cuts and the spider's venom, so he didn't have to worry about poisoning. The acromantula leader, also in pain from its burnt leg, paused its attack, glaring at Harry with rage.
Realizing he couldn't continue to fight effectively with his sword due to his injury, Harry decided it was time to end the battle quickly. He put away his sword and drew a second wand. With both wands in hand, he unleashed a torrent of spells. He bombarded the remaining acromantulas with explosive curses and waves of fiery magic, moving as little as possible to avoid aggravating his injury.
The battle quickly came to an end. The forest floor was strewn with the remains of the defeated acromantulas, and the leader lay among them, its ambitious plans crushed by Harry's relentless assault.
Harry didn't allow the leader any final words or a chance to hurl insults. The end for the acromantula leader was swift. Harry was careful to preserve most of its body, knowing it would be valuable. Had the leader not attempted the surprise attack earlier, it might have survived a bit longer, but that attack led to its rapid death.
The once chaotic battlefield was now silent, marked only by signs of the recent struggle. As Harry surveyed the area, his immediate concern was his own well-being. His leg, which had been fractured during the fight, throbbed with a steady, painful pulse—a stark reminder of the battle's ferocity. He realized that he couldn't stay in the forest much longer; medical attention was crucial to prevent any permanent damage.
Although the battle hadn't gone perfectly and he hadn't advanced his knight training more than he had expected. Harry felt content with the progress he had made. He wasn't one to be overly greedy.
The physical toll of the fight had left him drained but he knew he needed to tend to secure the valuable spoils before he could seek treatment for his injury and have a good night's sleep.
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