Chapter 324 — Optimistic Lupin
The subsequent selection process went far more smoothly than expected.
Captain Henry had already completed a preliminary screening the previous school year, and anyone who showed up for today's trial—no matter how rough their technique—could already be considered a qualified Quidditch player.
The Keeper position was taken by a burly fifth-year named Richard House, whose steady reflexes and fearlessness in front of Bludgers earned nods of approval from both Roger and Alexander.
The remaining Chaser slot went to a younger student, Bradley Jones, whose speed made up for his lack of experience.
As for the Seeker position, it remained unchanged—Phoenix and Roger continued to share the role.
A third-year named Chambers was clearly dissatisfied. His flying skills were impressive, but his control and precision were lacking. In the end, he could only be listed as a substitute.
After a brief round of training, the exhausted group slowly made their way back toward the castle, brooms slung over their shoulders.
"Hey—look, that's Professor Lupin," Ron suddenly said.
Alexander followed Ron's gaze and saw Remus Lupin standing near Hagrid's hut, locked in a heated argument with the half-giant himself.
Though they were too far away to hear the words, their expressions alone told the story.
"Roger, take everyone back," Alexander said decisively. "Ron and I will go ahead."
Without waiting for a response, he pulled Ron along toward the hut.
"…Aragog isn't dangerous! They're centaurs!" Hagrid's booming voice reached them intermittently as they approached.
"Hello!" a loud voice called out.
Hagrid had noticed them—though from the way he squinted, he probably hadn't recognized them at first.
He shot Lupin an annoyed look and turned away, a large patterned apron tied around his waist and a sack of potatoes slung over his shoulder. Fang padded along at his feet.
The moment Fang spotted them, he growled and bounded forward.
"Careful! He'll bite your fingers off—oh, it's you lot."
Fang immediately forgot all hostility, jumping excitedly and trying to lick Alexander and Ron's ears.
Hagrid stopped, then turned back toward Lupin, clearly unwilling to let the argument drop.
"Dumbledore didn't ask you to deal with Aragog and the rest, I tell you—"
"Who's Aragog?" Ron blurted out.
"And why were you arguing?" Alexander asked at the same time.
"It's an Acromantula," Ron answered stiffly. "Hagrid's… pet."
"Recently, the centaurs have been complaining," Lupin added, rubbing his temple. "They say the spiders are growing too numerous. Some of them won't even hunt alone anymore."
"They're just kids," Hagrid scoffed. "And they promised me not to attack centaurs or little wizards."
"Little furry monsters!" Lupin snapped.
"They!"
"Hagrid," Ron said shakily, "Acromantulas are classified as XXXXX-level magical creatures."
"Creatures known to have killed wizards. Impossible to tame or domesticate."
"I raised Aragog," Hagrid glared at him, beetle-black eyes flashing.
"Yes," Lupin said firmly. "But what about Mosag? And their thousands of offspring?"
"Aragog is their leader," Hagrid insisted. "They won't disobey him. You're overthinking it. They can live on plants if needed—no wizard or centaur has been killed all these years."
He dropped the sack of potatoes and waved a massive hand dismissively.
"But that assumes Aragog remains alive and dominant," Lupin replied calmly. "He's nearly fifty. When he dies, are you certain his descendants will still listen to you?"
"If thousands of elephant-sized eight-eyed spiders suddenly develop a taste for human flesh and rush Hogwarts—who will take responsibility?"
"I have students to protect."
Ron's face went completely pale.
"So… last year, when I ran into giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest—those were Acromantulas?" he asked weakly.
He'd reacted more strongly to this than when he'd first heard Voldemort was lurking nearby.
Lupin exhaled.
"In my opinion, this matter should be reported to Dumbledore."
"Or," Alexander added evenly, "you could raise a successor Acromantula—one recognized by Aragog himself."
Both men stared at him.
Alexander shrugged. "From Dumbledore's perspective, Acromantulas are only dangerous to ordinary wizards. If they became a problem, he'd have plenty of solutions."
"I'll speak to Dumbledore," Lupin said decisively.
"And I'll speak to Aragog," Hagrid replied just as quickly. "But don't think Dumbledore doesn't already know. If he hasn't given orders, it means he doesn't think it's urgent. Lupin—just follow Dumbledore's lead."
"…Professor Lupin," Alexander asked, "what exactly is your mission right now?"
Ron was still trembling beside him.
Lupin hesitated briefly, then chose honesty.
"Dumbledore asked me to make contact with the werewolves," he said lightly. "You all know I'm a werewolf."
"Aha! Told you!" Hagrid interjected loudly.
"Most of my kind side with Voldemort," Lupin continued. "They live on the fringes of society—stealing food, sometimes killing."
"There's a neutral group living in the Forbidden Forest. With Professor Riddle now in the school, Dumbledore worries Voldemort might act rashly. He wants information."
"Is that really something you should tell students?" Hagrid muttered unhappily.
"They already know Riddle is part of Voldemort," Lupin replied. "Dumbledore is preparing for war."
"He's forcing opportunists out of power and putting real contributors—like your father, Ron—into place."
"The Ministry is now largely on our side. Voldemort is in the school."
"Even Malfoy's faction has turned."
"And you, Alexander," Lupin added with a smile. "You've defeated Voldemort more times than anyone alive."
"Honestly, I can't imagine us losing."
His tone was almost cheerful, as though the looming war were a challenge he fully expected to overcome.
"Perhaps that optimism is why I still have time to worry about centaurs and spiders."
"Let's stop here," Alexander said gently, glancing at Hagrid, who clearly didn't enjoy the topic of Voldemort. "No need to sour the evening."
He turned to Ron. "By the way—how do you know so much about Acromantulas?"
Ron glared at him, then glanced at Hagrid and sighed.
"…I hate spiders."
"You've used them plenty of times in Potions class," Alexander said, genuinely surprised.
"Dead spiders don't count," Ron snapped. "It's the way living ones move."
The tension finally eased.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics