Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 421: The Shameless Old Spider

Once the two of them had cautiously walked past, the Manticore seemed to relax as well. It eyed Fluffy, who was still grinning toothily behind them, and took another careful step back.

“That idiot is harmless,” it grumbled. “Do you know Hagrid?”

“He’s my professor,” Kyle replied steadily. “We only came out here in the middle of the night because we heard you were injured… we wanted to help.”

“Help me?” the Manticore asked skeptically.

“Yes.” Kyle nodded, his gaze falling to the Manticore’s bandaged hind leg. “We’ve treated injuries like this many times, and we’re absolute professionals.”

Newt stepped forward, producing a bottle of medicinal powder and moving to the Manticore’s foreleg, where a fresh wound from Fluffy’s bite was oozing blood. The Manticore winced at the sting and muttered another curse toward Fluffy.

If only I’d known better, it thought bitterly. I’d never have let Hagrid bring me here. All this talk about the Three-Headed Dog “protecting” me from other creatures while I recover… Some protection! I’d rather deal with those giant spiders.

Newt gently parted the Manticore’s thick fur and sprinkled the powder onto the wound. This remedy, specially formulated for dragons during Newt’s time in Rome, was a blend of Essence of Dittany, various potent herbs, and even a drop of Phoenix tears. If it worked on dragons, it would surely work for a Manticore.

Soon, the bleeding ceased, and the pain subsided. The Manticore looked at Newt in surprise.

“See? We’re professionals,” Kyle said with a grin, pulling out a fresh cow leg.

Fluffy perked up instantly, his three heads snapping toward the treat, nostrils flaring as drool began to puddle on the ground.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Kyle said, giving him a firm tap on the middle head. “You bit someone, and you think you’re getting rewarded? Back off.”

Fluffy let out a faintly sulky whine but obediently slumped to the ground, covering his eyes and nose with his paws.

Yet, with three heads, two paws were hardly enough. The middle head, still nosy and curious, ended up jamming itself into a nearby hollow stump, eyes tightly shut.

The Manticore, watching this ridiculous display, seemed to cheer up. It let out a loud, exaggerated crunch as it bit into the cow leg, making sure Fluffy could hear every chew. Fluffy promptly covered his ears, looking truly dejected.

While the Manticore was preoccupied with its meal, Newt removed the old bandages from its hind leg and began reapplying fresh powder. Gradually, the Manticore’s attitude softened, and as the pain subsided, it even began to chat with Newt, displaying the calm demeanor of a Sphinx rather than its reputed “violent temperament.”

They continued in amiable conversation from late night to early morning.

As the sky started to lighten, Kyle, who had spent the entire night in the Forbidden Forest, prepared to leave. It was Monday, after all, and he had classes waiting.

Newt decided to stay a while longer. He’d considered escorting Kyle out of the forest and then returning, but when Fluffy trotted over, ready to guide Kyle himself, Newt let the idea go.

Once they reached the edge of the forest, Kyle noticed that Fluffy still seemed a bit downcast. So, with a quiet smile, he pulled out three dried Tebo warthog legs.

Fluffy’s eyes lit up instantly, and his drooling resumed as he eagerly awaited his reward.

“Go on, eat up. This is much tastier than a cow leg…” Kyle said, patting Fluffy’s head.

Fluffy immediately pounced on the treat, devouring it in two big bites and licking his lips with satisfaction. Kyle took out three more. These small snacks were originally for Norbert—they wouldn’t fill Fluffy up, but they’d keep him happy for a while.

After finishing with Fluffy, Kyle led him back to the hollow where Aragog was. Before returning to the castle, he wanted to collect his “spoils” of venom.

As they approached, Kyle noticed an unexpected figure: Hagrid, talking to Aragog. The old spider seemed animated, gesturing excitedly as he spoke. Kyle caught snippets of their conversation.

“…young wizard… no morals… ambushed me… extorted venom…”

Kyle’s mouth twitched. He’d considered many scenarios, but he never thought the old spider would actually complain to Hagrid about him. All he’d requested was a dozen pints of venom—hardly excessive for a creature like Aragog. So much for a Level 5X magical creature. Apparently, if you can’t win, tattle.

Kyle took a deep breath and gave Fluffy a light pat. “Run off and make a few laps, then come back.”

Though Fluffy didn’t quite understand, he dutifully bolted away, thundering through the forest.

Hagrid noticed and called out, “Fluffy? What are you doin’ here? Stop…”

Fluffy paused briefly but then continued running. Hagrid, forgetting Aragog, took off after the dog.

“Stop, Fluffy… what’s gotten into yeh?”

Once they were far enough away, Kyle emerged with a large flowerpot in hand, his expression grim. No sooner had he appeared than over a dozen Acromantula scuttled around him.

“Well, human…” Aragog began with a smug tone. “You’d better leave quickly. Hagrid said you’re not allowed in the Forbidden Forest. If you go now, I’ll pretend I know nothing.”

“What about my things?” Kyle asked evenly.

“What things…” Aragog waved a massive pincer, clearly intending to renege on their deal. “Hagrid’s nearby, and with a dragon on the loose, his attention’s on you. If you don’t want trouble, you’d better clear out.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes. “So, you’re assuming you’ll make it past tomorrow? Hagrid can’t watch you all the time.”

“We’ll tell on you. Go up to that castle,” the old spider sneered. “You’re not allowed to keep dragons either. I know all about it…”

“Is that so?” Kyle’s gaze darkened. “In that case, let me present a more reasonable alternative.”

He pulled out his wand.

“Wizard!” Aragog barked. One of the nearby Acromantulas scuttled forward, bristling. “Dare to use magic? Do you seek war with us?”

“War? Certainly not. Just feeling a bit… cold.”

Under the watchful eyes of the Acromantulas, Kyle casually conjured a pair of earmuffs, placed them snugly over his ears, and then tucked his wand away. He reached into his flowerpot and grabbed a tuft of leaves.

With a quick glance around to make sure no one else was nearby, he announced, “How about a little music?”

And with that, Kyle gave a firm tug, pulling the mandrake out of the pot. Instantly, a deafening scream echoed through the Forbidden Forest. The Acromantulas barely had time to react before they crumpled to the ground, incapacitated by the mandrake’s wail.

After a few seconds, Kyle pushed the plant back into the pot. It wouldn’t kill the Acromantulas outright, but it would keep them unconscious for a good while.

When the shrieking stopped, only Aragog and a few of the larger Acromantulas were still standing, albeit shakily.

“So, how was that?” Kyle said with a smirk, looking directly at the old spider. “Oh, and by the way, I have about a dozen more pots of mandrakes just like this one. Enough for a whole concert.”

He added with a satisfied grin, “And it’s perfectly legal. As long as there aren’t any wizards on the other side, even if I get caught, well… no one would bat an eye.”