Parting

"But I remember Tierra gave Aragog Elixir of Life, didn't he?" Hermione asked in confusion. "Even that can't keep him going for a while?"

"Wuh... he drank it all." Hagrid blew his nose, wiped his snot with a huge hand clad in a baking glove, then rubbed it into his thick beard.

"He drank it all?" Harry asked strangely. "That fast? I remember Tierra said that one ounce of Elixir of Life could extend a person's lifespan by five years."

"But Aragog's so huge," Hagrid said. "A small cup did nothing. I had to give him all the Elixir of Life Tierra gave me."

"He drank all of it?" Hermione asked in surprise. "And it only extended his life by this little? How long has it even been? Not even nine months, right?"

"Wuh..." Hagrid nodded as he blew his nose.

"Then can't you ask Tierra for more?" Hermione asked.

"Tierra... Tierra said... said he didn't have much more either," Hagrid said. "Because the British Magical Federation went to war with the International Magical Federation, causing the French Ministry of Magic to suffer heavy losses, Nicolas Flamel was unwilling to provide Tierra with any more Elixir of Life."

"Ah..." Hermione asked, "Then what do we do? Horace still needs at least another month before he can refine the Philosopher's Stone."

"And even if he succeeds, we'll still need to test the effects of the Elixir of Life," Hermione muttered. "Before it can actually be put to practical use, it'll take at least another three months... Mm... Hagrid, can your... your pet spider hold on that long?"

"Wuh, wuh, wuh..." At Hermione's words, Hagrid started crying again, tears and snot streaming down his face.

"Hagrid, don't be sad. We... we can go ask Tierra. He's so knowledgeable, he'll definitely have a