"Of course," Ethan immediately replied, "Hagrid is my eternal friend; I have a painting as proof. I'd naturally be willing to help."
Of course I'm willing to go see what new 'species' this mountain giant has created. Besides. Right now, anything that could help me escape that stare, I'd be willing to do.
Ethan tilted his head. Looking toward the figure hiding behind the wall, timidly peeking in their direction. Narrowing his eyes, he stared back without flinching.
In less than two seconds, he saw that pale face gradually burn red. Then she hurriedly hid away.
Ethan snorted softly, thinking, 'Want to compete with me? You're still too green! In a staring contest, Ethan with his "third eyeball" would never lose!
Passing student: "..." What kind of weird play is this?
After dinner, Hagrid's hut. Five figures crowded together at the door. Luna curiously looked around, putting on her powder-blue glasses. She squatted in the dirt, observing the pumpkin vines in the ground. Then her gaze moved to the pink umbrella leaning against the wall, nodding thoughtfully.
For some reason, Harry always felt that Luna had immediately determined that the pink umbrella contained Hagrid's supposedly broken wand.
Ethan raised his hand, about to politely knock on the door. The door banged open by itself first. A "wall" appeared behind the door. Ethan looked up to see Hagrid, looking more haggard than before.
His dark brown hair was tangled on his head like weeds. His thick beard had some unknown brown residue stuck to it, faintly emanating an odour.
Seeing them, Hagrid's eyes reddened again. He raised his handkerchief, blew his nose loudly, and choked out: "My... my friend Aragog is dying!"
Then large teardrops rolled down, wetting his beard. "Listen, Hagrid, don't be sad..." The three little ones awkwardly stood outside, stammering their comfort.
Seeing Hagrid completely filling the doorway, Ethan simply murmured, 'Portal.'
A void-black gateway materialised beside him. While Hagrid and the others watched in bewilderment, Ethan stepped through casually, emerging inside the hut as if the obstruction never existed. Waving his wand, he poured himself tea and sat down leisurely. His attitude was natural, as if he'd just passed through a blocking wall rather than a living person.
Hagrid and the trio: "..." Why not just ask Hagrid to move aside?! What's with using a portal to go through him directly?! How does Ethan manage to be both polite and impolite...? Truly, Ethan. Unique thought processes.
At this moment, Luna stood up from the ground, dusting off the dirt. As if not seeing the big tears on Hagrid's face, she asked plainly and cheerfully: "What's Aragog?"
"Ah?" Hagrid looked confused, instinctively answering, "It's... it's my good friend, the Acromantula Aragog."
Ron: "Farewell." Having said this, he turned to leave. But Harry grabbed him with one hand. Harry leaned close to Ron, curving his lips and saying word by word: "Don't. Think. Of. Escaping."
Good brothers should share blessings and face troubles together.
Ron: Save me! You've changed. You've become like Ethan, Harry. You're no longer my kind, simple, good brother!
This interruption completely dispelled Hagrid's sorrowful mood. He wiped his tears and stepped aside to let Harry and the others in.
As he was about to close the door, he suddenly said: "Is that your friend too?"
Before Ethan looked up, he already knew who Hagrid was referring to. Looking up, sure enough, it was Cho Chang. This slender, delicate Asian girl seemed determined to follow him to the ends of the earth. Hovering nearby, wanting to approach but not daring to.
Ethan narrowed his eyes and raised his hand...
Luna gently pressed down his hand that was about to cast a portal. "No, she followed on her own." Ethan smiled.
So you must have some little trouble that violates a thousand school rules and laws to discuss with them? Quickly close the door and shut out prying eyes...
However, contrary to Ethan and others' expectations, Hagrid didn't close the door. Instead, he rubbed his hands together expectantly: "Then... then let's call that child over too. More people make it livelier."
Ethan raised his eyebrows. He exchanged glances with Harry and the others. More people make it livelier? Lively how?
If each person were cut into several pieces and hung around the room while retaining consciousness and speech, wouldn't that look fuller and livelier?
As Ethan contemplated being sent to Azkaban, Cho Chang had already been welcomed into the room by Hagrid. She was red as sunset clouds from neck to cheeks. She quickly glanced at Ethan, then lowered her head and sat at the square table.
Biting her lips, she pulled out a small bag of cookies from her pocket, saying softly: "These are cookies I baked. If you don't mind, please try them..."
Oh, this familiar never-arriving-empty-handed approach.
Ethan nodded approvingly. "Thank you!" Ron breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately put down the rock cake that could knock out teeth and reached for those soft-looking cookies.
Ethan also tried one. Surprisingly unsweetened, it gave off the natural sweetness of cranberries.
In the pleasant food atmosphere, tensions eased. Hagrid carefully drew the curtains and closed the door. Turning around, he nervously said to everyone: "It's like this... my good friend, the Acromantula Aragog, wants to invite you to visit its nest..."
Hagrid hadn't even finished when Ron choked on his cookie, spitting it out in shock. Eyes wide with panic, he yelled: "Have you lost your mind?! You want to throw us into a spider buffet?!"
He pushed away the tea and cookies in front of him, afraid of being fattened up before being thrown into that terrible spider nest.
Even Ethan raised his eyebrows, maturely suggesting: "This plan is still too early to implement, Hagrid."
Harry: "..." Whatever plan it is, I hope it's never implemented.
Hagrid hurriedly explained: "No! Aragog is a good spider... it doesn't eat people! I've raised Aragog for over fifty years. I know its nature better than anyone! It's absolutely a harmless animal! It just feels it's approaching death, so it requested that I bring some people to have a final farewell with it!"
Hermione said flatly: "Acromantulas can reach five metres in length, are carnivorous, and are extremely dangerous."
Hearing this, Ethan's dusty memories finally returned. A flash of inspiration appeared in his mind! A five-metre-long giant spider? Sounds like it perfectly meets his bait requirements! Tastes like chicken, crunchy.
Moreover. Acromantula venom could sell for over a hundred Galleons per pint. If it's really dying. Wonder if Hagrid would be willing to let him handle the burial... Surely this considerate Acromantula would also be happy to realise greater value.
But... Ethan frowned. He remembered that in the original story, this giant spider king was still alive and well at this point. It even had its clan stage a thrilling hunt for Harry and Ron. The kind where they'd eat you if caught. Very spirited.
How was it suddenly dying? And specifically asking Hagrid to bring along these appetising little humans...
Ethan's eyes narrowed dangerously as he moistened his lips. The whole scenario reeked of manipulation.