Sirius Black reached out and grabbed Harry's arm, explaining the next part of the plan to them. "We'll Apparate part of the way, then slowly approach the Acromantulas' territory. Then we'll use the Dark Creature Detector to find a lone Acromantula and capture it."
"All right, let's go!" Sirius nodded at Professor Lupin and Apparated away with Harry.
"Hermione, take my hand. You too, Ron," Lupin said gently.
"Um..."
"I've got him."
Hermione walked over and grabbed Lupin's arm. Seeing that Ron did not want to go, she simply reached out and seized his arm.
If Ron was not made to experience how difficult it was to be a champion, he would probably keep envying Harry, and that would do no good for the trio's friendship.
Harry and Ron had not spoken to each other for weeks. Their friendship could not withstand this kind of strain, and trying to reconcile them had left Hermione utterly miserable.
"All right, let's get going too."
Before Ron could react, darkness bearing an intense crushing pressure surged in from all directions, forcing the words he had been about to say back down his throat.
When they came back to their senses, they found themselves standing in midair. Harry was retching beside them, while Sirius held up his wand and warily watched their surroundings. In his other hand was the Dark Creature Detector he had shown them earlier, guarding against a surprise attack by an Acromantula.
"Acromantulas move very quickly through the forest," Sirius explained to the three of them. "Be careful. Don't let them ambush you. Those beasts eat people."
Ron, who was leaning against a tree and retching, could not help shuddering.
"You need time to get used to the feeling," Lupin comforted him. "Still, experiencing Apparition in advance will benefit you. When