Freedom

April 10, 1993, 11:55 PM, Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

The chaos erupted above us, a whirlwind of darkness and legs as a swarm of Acromantula descended upon our position. The air was filled with the screams of the Castelobruxo wizards we had subdued just moments before, their cries of terror mingling with the screeches of the spiders as they snatched them from the ground.

I watched in horror as a massive Acromantula swooped down, its jaws open wide to reveal rows of wicked fangs. It plucked up one of our prisoners, a young wizard struggling to free himself as the spider lifted him into the air. More Acromantula followed, their bodies dropping from above like dark, spindly rain.

But my allies were quick to respond. Akio sprang into action, his wand flashing in a vicious arc as he unleashed a blast of wind magic that sent the incoming spiders tumbling back.

“Kazekiri!” He shouted, his wand pointing downwards as he conjured blades of razor-sharp wind that sliced through the air, cutting down several Acromantula with deadly precision.

Aya Sasaki for her part, flicked her wand up and spoke calmly.

“Mujō.” Several nearby spiders slowed to a snail’s crawl, giving us even more time to regroup. Hien’s eyes blazed with fury as he hurled a curse at an Acromantula that had managed to get past us.

My chains leapt into the fray, whipping through the air as I swung them around me like a scythe. The sound of metal on spider was loud and satisfying, but there were too many of them— more kept coming, their bodies dropping from above like a dark, endless tide.

Sirius and Lockhart charged forward, their wands moving in near-perfect sync as they joined the battle.

A wave of flame erupted from Sirius’ wand, engulfing several spiders, while Lockhart’s yellow spell flew forward, shattering an Acromantula’s exoskeleton and filling the air with its keening screech.

The magical officers joined the fray next, their wands blazing with light and color as they hurled spells at the Acromantula.

A young officer shouted “Aguamenti!” as she conjured a jet of water that soaked up an incoming spider, weighing it down until Akio could cut it to pieces with his Kazekiri.

I saw Sasaki tap her wand against one of our allies, a wave of green washing over a gaping wound on his shoulder.

Lockhart, meanwhile, seemed to be channeling some kind of energy— his eyes glowed with an unnatural power as he summoned a massive blast of magic that sent a veritable swarm of spiders flying across the battlefield.

“Get up.” Sasaki ordered the man in her care. “More are coming.”

“Y-yes.”

Akio danced through the fray, his Kazekiri slicing through the air with deadly precision. With each swing of his wand, more Acromantula fell to the ground, their bodies shredded by the razor-sharp blades of wind. The battle raged on, each side trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand. But I knew it wouldn’t last. The spiders kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless…

The chaos intensified above us as another wave of Acromantula descended upon our position. The air was thick with the stench of death, smoke and blood, and I could feel my stomach churning in revulsion as I gazed out at the sea of scurrying, snapping spiders.

But amidst the horror, a glimmer of hope flickered to life. Amy and a few of the officers had managed to release the Thestrals from their bonds, and they were now charging forward with a fury that was both beautiful and terrifying to behold.

The Thestrals’ bodies thundered through the forest, their hooves pounding against the earth as they trampled over the Acromantula like an lustrous silver scythe. Their screeches echoed through the trees, a deafening cacophony of sound that sent shivers down my spine and made my heart pound with excitement.

And then, I felt it— Absol’s rage coursing through our bond, a fiery torrent of anger and fury that threatened to consume me whole. I could feel her presence beside me, her energy fueling mine as we battled against our common enemy.

I leapt forward, my chain whipping through the air with deadly precision. The Acromantula fell before us, their bodies battered and broken by the combined might of the Thestrals and our team. I swung my chain in wide arcs, its blades slicing through the air with a sickening crunch as they bit deep into the spider’s carapace.

Still, there were too many of them— the Acromantula truly seemed to be endless, their bodies pouring in from all sides like a dark tide. I felt Absol’s presence urging me on, but even her fury couldn’t keep up with the sheer numbers of our enemies.

I stumbled back, my chain trembling in my hand as another wave of spiders crashed against us. The Thestrals were still fighting, their hooves pounding against the earth and their screeches echoing through the trees. But I knew that we couldn’t hold out for much longer— the Acromantula were too strong, too numerous.

And then, just as it seemed like all was lost, the spiders stilled, and so did we. A moment later, a massive Acromantula emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on us with a cold, calculating intelligence. It began to move towards us, its legs scuttling across the ground with an unnatural speed.

I raised my chain, ready to strike. But as I looked into the spider’s eyes, I saw something there that made my blood run cold. A glimmer of recognition, perhaps, or even a hint of a plan.

This was Aragog.

Hien’s eyes had widened in awe as he gazed at the massive Acromantula, his words tumbling out in a breathless whisper. “Kono kemono wa toku ni de arimasu ne… It’s enormous, isn’t it? A true giant among its kind.”

“The others have stopped…”

“Do we..?” One of the officers said, unsure of the situation.

“It would be wise.”

Firenze, standing tall with a calm and measured gaze, nodded in agreement towards Hien. “Indeed, Aragog is a remarkable creature.”

He trotted up to it as he attempted to parlay with the great spider. “And I’m sure you’re aware that we’ve had no conflicts here for some time now. There’s no need to fight.”

But Aragog’s response was immediate, its voice like a cold wind cutting through the air.

“I will settle for nothing less than the blood of the wizards who have wronged me and my kin.” It said, its eyes fixed on Firenze with an unblinking stare.

One of the officers, a young woman, took a step forward, her wand trembling in her hand as she prepared to cast a spell.

“We can’t just give you blood!” She exclaimed. “You’re not even a sentient being! You’re just… just a monster!”

But Aragog’s gaze never wavered from Firenze.

“Oh, indeed I am.” It said, its voice dripping with malice. “And I will have what is due to me. None of you will leave this place alive unless you agree to my terms.”

The forest seemed to grow quieter, as if the very trees themselves were holding their breath in anticipation of Aragog’s next words.

“No exceptions?” Firenze asked, his voice calm and measured.

Aragog’s response was immediate. “None. You have ten minutes to come to a decision. If you refuse, I will unleash my swarm’s full fury upon you. And none of you will survive.”

The officer who had cursed out loud took a step forward. I caught her by the wrist with one hand, holding her back with a firm grip.

“No, don’t.” I said, my voice sharp and urgent, feeling Absol stirring beside me, ready to subdue the officer if necessary.

Aragog’s gaze never wavered from us, its eyes burning holes into us, so intense was its gaze.

I would handle this. I let go of her hand and attempted to walk towards Aragog, but Sirius caught my arm in a firm grip, his eyes flashing with concern.

“What are you doing?” He hissed. “You can’t just walk up to that thing like it’s a puppy! Are you insane?”

I tried to shake him off, but he held tight.

“Listen, I have a plan.” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Sirius leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper. “The only chance we have is to fight our way out of this. We can’t reason with it, Adam. It’s not going to listen.”

I knew what he was doing— he was trying to protect me. He wanted to save me from myself. And I had to admit, it was sweet of him. But I also knew that he wasn’t thinking about anyone else here, except maybe for Amy.

And even then…

I smiled wryly at Sirius, trying to reassure him.

“Trust me, Sirius.” I said, my voice firm. “I can do this.”

Sirius’ face turned conflicted, his eyes searching mine for any sign of madness. For a moment, I thought he was going to take me and run, abandoning the others to a grisly fate. Something in my expression must have reassured him, however, because he nodded curtly and released my arm.

“Fine.” He said. “Have it your way. But if you get yourself killed, I’m bringing you back and killing you, myself.”

I chuckled at that, feeling something lift in my heart. “It will work.”

Lockhart moved up to us and asked. “Ah, Adam, old chap, what exactly do you propose to do with our… friend here?”

I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head. “Sorry, Professor, I don’t have time to explain it right now.”

Lockhart’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he studied me, but instead of making one of his characteristic snide remarks or attempting to take over the negotiations himself, he simply gave me a false warm, almost paternal smile and patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Adam.” He said. “We’ll be ready to act in case your… gambit fails.”

He glanced over at Sirius, who was watching us with an expression of skepticism, before returning his gaze to me. “You see, as a teacher at Hogwarts, it’s my duty to ensure that our young students are properly prepared for the challenges of the wizarding world. And if that means putting myself in harm’s way to protect them… well, I’m afraid I have no choice.”

I raised an eyebrow at Lockhart’s sudden display of altruism, but he just chuckled and winked at me.

“Think of what the fans would say, Adam! ‘Gilderoy Lockhart, brave hero who saved the day with his quick thinking, cunning, and self-sacrificing nature’!” He grinned, clearly enjoying the prospect of being hailed as a hero.

I shook my head, trying not to laugh at Lockhart’s antics. But deep down, I was grateful for his willingness to back me up.

~Don’t die, dummy.~ Absol, who had remained quiet throughout all of this, finally spoke up.

Wouldn’t dream of it.

As I made my way towards Aragog, the massive Acromantula’s eyes never left mine. My mind was racing with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. What if he decided to attack me? What if I failed in whatever plan I had concocted?

As I drew closer, a few smaller spiders began to emerge from behind Aragog’s legs and encircle me, their beady eyes fixed on mine with an unnerving intensity. My heart skipped a beat as I gripped my ebony wand tightly, ready for anything.

Behind me, the group of wizards and witches shifted uneasily, no doubt preparing for battle. Lockhart and Sirius were particularly agitated, their faces set in determined lines. But I held up my hand, palm facing outward in a gesture of calm, and shook my head slightly to forestall whatever they were about to do.

“Don’t.” I said quietly. “Let’s stay cool, everyone.”

Lockhart and Sirius hesitated for a moment before nodding and taking a step back.

I turned my attention to Aragog, who was still glaring at me with fury in his eyes. For a moment, he simply stared at me, his gaze burning with intensity.

“Would you like to be eaten first?” He asked suddenly, his voice low and menacing.

My heart skipped, my mind racing with unease even as I forcibly held my ground. Something about Aragog’s expression seemed… almost familiar? Was it the same mixture of curiosity and hunger that I’d seen in some of the other magical creatures we’d encountered?

“No.” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’d rather live.”

I slowly lowered my palm and gave Aragog my full attention. “Let’s talk.”

“Why have you come here, child?” He growled.

I decided to take a direct approach. “We’re here to save the creatures from Castelobruxo.”

Aragog’s multiple eyes narrowed, his gaze burning with intensity. For a moment, I thought he was going to attack me on the spot. But then his voice dropped to a low, menacing growl.

“You know nothing of what has happened here.” He snarled. “You have no right to speak of such matters.”

I took a step forward, my eyes locked on Aragog’s.

“I do have a right.” I said firmly. “Absol is my friend, and the creatures of the Forest don’t deserve to be attacked like this.”

Aragog’s expression twisted with anger. He wasn’t convinced at all. “Why should I believe you?”

“You can smell me, can’t you?” I said, coming a little closer to him. “You’d know I have Hagrid’s scent on me. He is a friend. You do know Hagrid, don’t you?”

The great spider twitched in surprise for a moment before taking a hesitant step forward. “Indeed, his scent is upon you, young wizard… You are a friend of Hagrid.”

“Yes.” I said. “And like Hagrid protected you when you were young, I want to help.”

Aragog’s eyes stayed upon me with unblinking intensity. For a moment, I thought he was going to lash out at me with his massive legs.

“Our hatchery… it was raided.” He said, instead. His voice was full of anguish. “The eggs were stolen. All of them… Our young.”

I looked down for a moment. I’d seen Absol’s mental images through our bond and suspected it might be something like this. As I looked up at Aragog again, I nodded slowly.

“I see.” I said quietly.

“Well, I’m helping the creatures of the forest.” I pointed to the cages near the freed animals. “And if you’re willing, I’d like to help your spiders too.”

Aragog did not answer immediately.

“Very well.” He said gruffly. “You may aid them, friend of Hagrid.”

“And the others will help me, too.” I added, just to make sure.

I nodded again, my eyes locked on Aragog’s as I spoke.

“Thank you for the opportunity.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the danger that surrounded me.

Aragog’s gaze narrowed slightly at this, and I could almost sense the suspicion in them. 

“Do not think that this means we are friends, human.” He growled. “You are only here because it suits me to let you be.”

I swallowed hard, trying not to show any weakness in front of the young Acromantula. They seemed to sense my unease, and their mandibles began to water again as they leaned in closer.

“Of course.” I said quickly, trying to placate Aragog before he changed his mind. “But if it helps your young, then I’m willing to take that risk.”

Aragog’s expression softened slightly at this, and he nodded once.

“Tell me what you plan to do.” He growled. “And perhaps… Perhaps we can come to a mutual understanding.”

I took a deep breath before explaining my plan, trying not to think about the other spiders who were one step away from sinking their teeth into my neck.

“We’ll need to track down these thieves and retrieve your young, as well as the other creatures of the Forest.” I said, my eyes locked on Aragog’s. “But first, we need to know more about them. Can you tell me where they were headed?”

Aragog’s gaze snapped away from mine, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance. For a moment, he was silent, and I wondered if I had pushed him too far.

But then he spoke.

“Northwest.” He growled. “I can sense my young’s screams of despair even all the way here. They are heading towards the old ruin.”

They know about that place? Is it a coincidence? My heart skipped a beat at this, but Aragog didn’t seem to care about anything else besides getting his children back.

“Then… Let’s go.” I said, turning to Lockhart and Sirius. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

Aragog nodded once, and with that, he turned and began to walk away from me, the young Acromantula leaving me alone and following closely behind him.

“I will not be kept waiting.” He growled over his shoulder. “Find my children. Bring them back to me.”

I watched as Aragog disappeared into the distance, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. What were we getting ourselves into?

As Aragog himself had left, many of his children remained in the clearing, their curious eyes fixed on me as if sizing me up. A few of them walked up to me with a sense of trepidation, their mandibles watered in anticipation. The wizards and witches shifted nervously, preparing for an attack at a moment’s notice.

I held my hand up once again, palms facing outward in a gesture of calm, and shook my head.

“Wait.” I said quietly to Lockhart and Sirius. “Don’t do anything yet.”

The spiders continued their approach, poking at my legs with their own as if trying to determine if I was edible or not. I stared down at the first spider, its beady eyes locked onto mine, and asked him a simple question. “Are you here to help?”

But of course, Aragog was the only one who could talk, and these young Acromantulas merely looked up at me with confusion.

I shook my head in understanding and muttered. “Of course not.”

I turned back to the spiders and thought for a moment about how to communicate with them. Then an idea struck me; Aragog could talk, which meant that these younglings would at least be able to engage in basic communication.

“Can you all tap the floor once if you’re here to aid us?” I asked, my eyes scanning the group of spiders.

A few moments passed before the small group parted, revealing one that was slightly larger than the others. The lead spider, seemingly chosen by some unseen authority, stepped forward. With a single movement, it tapped its foot against the ground, the sound echoing through the clearing like a tiny drumbeat.

A positive.

I nodded in understanding.

“Good.” I said quietly. “Then… Spread out in front of us and lead the way to your brethren.”

The spiders obeyed in an instant, their movements almost as if they were part of a well-drilled unit. They formed a sort of semi-circle around me and my companions, with the lead spider taking point.

As we set off once again, Lockhart caught up to me after a moment or two, his eyes shining with admiration.

“Brilliant negotiation work there, Clarke!” He said, clapping me on the back. “I’ve half a mind to write about it myself— ‘The Acromantula’s Secret Diplomat‘ has a certain ring to it, don’t you think.”

I shook my head in incredulity, trying to process just how bizarre this situation was. Negotiating with spiders? It sounded ridiculous.

“‘Spider Whisperer’ sounds a lot better, don’t you think?”

Lockhart stopped what he was about to say, his eyes lighting up. A smile spread over his face. “Indeed it does: ‘Gilderoy Lockhart and the Whisperer of Spiders’. Oh, yes. I can see it now.”

“Long as you credit me…”

But Lockhart didn’t seem to notice my words at this point, still grinning from ear to ear as he continued on about his writing plans. I let him ramble for a moment or two, but eventually, I turned my attention elsewhere.

“Sirius.” I said quietly, nodding towards the wizard. “Can we focus on finding Aragog’s children first? Before Lockhart starts scribbling away?”

Sirius raised an eyebrow at my interruption, but nodded in understanding. “Yes, of course, Adam. We should get moving.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as we continued on our mission, the lead spider still leading the way with its peculiar tapping on the ground. It had already been a long night.

Night’s only beginning! I thought and resisted the urge to laugh. I was tired— physically, mentally, magically, but what choice did we have?

“Why are we wasting our time on these… spiders?” One of the officers asked, his voice dripping with disdain. “We should be back at Hogwarts or Diagon Alley, helping with the defense effort. What good can we possibly do here?”

I was about to launch into a retort, explaining that this mission was crucial and that we couldn’t just abandon it. But before I could speak, Amy unexpectedly spoke up.

“I think you’re overestimating the situation outside.” She said calmly. “Those attacks on Hogwarts and Diagon Alley are likely already under control by now. The Headmaster and the Ministry are probably handling them as we speak.”

The officer raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “So what’s our excuse for being here?”

Amy smiled sweetly.

“We confirmed that the kidnappers of Aragog’s children are Castelobruxo wizards.” She said. “However, we don’t know if it’s a small group acting out of a sense of opportunistic greed, or if this was planned. If it was planned, then I think we can make an educated guess about who might be behind it.”

The officer snorted in derision. “You mean Isabella Da Silva, the Headmistress?”

Amy nodded firmly. “That’s right. And if she is involved, then this endeavor becomes even more critical. We have to stop them before they cause any more harm.”

The officer huffed in frustration, but Amy’s words had a certain ring of truth to them.

“Let’s be realistic, though.” One of the other officers chimed in sarcastically. “We’re not exactly the most formidable team right now, half-worn out as we are. Are you seriously suggesting we take on an entire school of wizards and witches?”

Sirius chuckled at this, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“Oh, come on.” He said. “You think it’s going to be a cakewalk? I’ve faced worse odds before.”

“Like what?”

“Voldemort and his Death Eaters.” The flinch came at the name, but following it was Lockhart’s cry of approval.

“Indeed! Mr. Black has fought their like and acquitted himself well, from what I remember.” He said, flourishing his cape for a moment. “And forget not that I, Gilderoy Lockhart, wizard extraordinaire, am among your number, as well as Headmistress Aya Sasaki of Mahoutokoro!”

For her part, Sasaki had kept quiet, merely watching me with interest. What was that about?

“You know what?” One of the officers said, drawing my attention as he gave everyone a wry grin. “I think you’re all mad. But I’m just crazy enough to join you.”

The tension in our group seemed to dissipate for a moment as we shared a laugh together. It was exactly what we needed— a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and danger, there was still room for humor and camaraderie.

With renewed spirits, we continued on our mission.

oooo

Same Time, Azkaban Prison

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix’s eyes glared with a mixture of hatred and despair as she gazed blankly at the cold, grey stone wall of her cell. She had lost count of the days, weeks, months, years— it all blurred together in this miserable existence. The darkness seemed to suffocate her, weighing heavily on her chest like an invisible shroud.

As she paced back and forth within the narrow confines of her cell, Bellatrix’s mind wandered to the outside world, to the freedom and power that had once been hers. But those memories only served as a cruel reminder of what she was now forced to endure.

The air in Azkaban prison was thick with the stench of dampness and decay, a nauseating odor that clung to every surface like a malignant presence. The walls were damp, the floor icy cold and hard beneath her feet. Every sound was muffled and distant, as if the very atmosphere itself was designed to crush the spirits of those who dwelled within.

The Dementors patrolled the corridors outside Bellatrix’s cell, their presence a constant reminder that escape was impossible. Those foul creatures seemed to revel in the suffering they inflicted on their prisoners, drawing out the last vestiges of hope and leaving only despair in their wake.

As she waited for the inevitable feeding time, Bellatrix felt her stomach twist with anticipation— not for food, but for the arrival of the Dementors. Their touch was a cold, dark presence that seemed to seep into her very soul, draining her of all warmth and vitality.

The torture of Azkaban was a slow, deliberate process, designed to break even the strongest wills. And yet, Bellatrix refused to yield. She clung to her memories of power and glory, of Voldemort’s promise of immortality and the thrill of battle.

As the minutes ticked by with glacial slowness, Bellatrix’s mind began to wander to the future— one in which she would once again walk free, her powers unbound, her enemies trembling at the mention of her name. The thought was a spark of defiance that flared to life within her, burning bright and hot against the darkness that surrounded her.

Even in this bleak existence, however, Bellatrix had found a way to occupy herself, a morbid fascination with the schedules of the Ministry guards who patrolled Azkaban’s corridors.

With each passing day, she’d memorized the timing of their rounds, the cadence of their footsteps echoing through the prison like a macabre waltz. They were quick to patrol and quick to leave; no one truly liked being around Dementors, after all. The very presence of those foul creatures seemed to seep into the soul, draining even the sturdiest of wills.

Tonight— or was it today? She could never tell.

Something felt different, however. Now, Bellatrix noticed something was off. The guard who normally came to gloat about her upcoming torture had failed to appear. Perhaps he was remiss in his duties? It had happened before— a slight delay or a missed visit could be attributed to human error, after all.

Just as she was starting to think that the guard’s absence was merely an anomaly, a loud explosion rocked the prison, shattering the stony silence of Azkaban. The sound was like thunder on a spring storm, but instead of rumbling through the sky, it boomed through the corridors, making Bellatrix’s heart skip a beat.

She sprang to her feet, her eyes wide with curiosity as she peered out into the darkness. What could have caused such a commotion? Had someone managed to breach the prison’s defenses? The thought sent a spark of hope flickering within her— perhaps, just perhaps, this explosion was not just an isolated incident, but a sign that something more was at play.

As the dust settled, a new sound began to filter through the prison’s corridors— the clash of wizards, the crash of spells being cast, and the hiss of angry Dementors. The battle raged on, growing louder with each passing moment.

Bellatrix’s heart quickened as she listened to the sounds of fighting, her mind racing with the implications. Who could be causing such a commotion? The Ministry guards were no match for any serious threat, and even if they had been reinforced by Dementors, it wouldn’t explain the ferocity of the battle.

As the sound grew louder, Bellatrix’s eyes fixed on the door to her cell, her mind conjuring up images of her Master. Could it be? She didn’t dare hope…

And then, in an instant, the fighting ceased. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with anticipation. Bellatrix held her breath as she waited for whatever would come next.

A figure strolled up to her cell; Bellatrix’s eyes locked onto the dark shape of Lord Voldemort. For a moment, they simply stared at each other— Bellatrix, still in shock, and her Master, surveying her with an unyielding gaze.

Then, in a voice that sent shivers down her spine, Voldemort spoke a single word. “Bellatrix.”

Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together in reverence.

“I knew you would come back.” She whispered, her eyes fixed on the floor as if afraid to meet his gaze.

Voldemort’s response was curt— a mere gesture of his hand, telling her to rise. Bellatrix scrambled to her feet, her eyes lifting to meet her Master’s piercing stare.

“Are you ready to follow me?” He asked, his voice low and commanding.

“It is all I ever wanted.” Bellatrix nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. She reached out a trembling hand, and Voldemort extended one of his own, the wand in his grasp held out like an offering.

As she took the wand from his fingers, Bellatrix felt a surge of gratitude and adoration wash over her. It was a moment of pure connection— a reminder that, even in the darkest depths of Azkaban’s despair, their bond remained unbroken.

With the wand clutched tightly in her hand, Bellatrix felt a sense of purpose ignite within her. She was ready to follow Voldemort into whatever lay ahead— no matter the danger, no matter the cost.

She was free.