From deep within the dark, dense forest came a "snap-snap" sound, like a whip striking something.
Accompanied by it, the young wizards' wails rose and fell.
"Quit howling and get to work." Horatio raised the long whip in his hand and viciously lashed the—spinning top before him.
"But the fuzz on these spiders is really prickly." Harry and Neville complained.
Horatio whipped the spinning top named Taobai again, sending it spinning madly. "Whose fault is it that you two house-elves didn't bring gloves with you? Look, didn't all the other Gryffindor team members bring gloves?"
Fred and George excitedly ran over with a bottle of green liquid. "Aibo, we collected another bottle of Acromantula venom."
"Fine, put it in that wooden crate. Once I package it up and sell it to Snape, I'll split one percent between you two." Horatio pointed at the crate beside him. "Keep an eye on them too. If anyone dares slack off, tell me. I'll have them share a soulful gaze with the Basilisk." With that, Horatio whipped the spinning top again.
"Did you hear that, Wood? Get to work already. You too, Angelina." George kicked Wood in the butt.
Because Horatio had promised them one percent of the haul, and one percent was no small amount. A pint of Acromantula venom was worth 100 Galleons on the market, and nearly every Acromantula from the Forbidden Forest lay here. Fred and George's eyes had turned into Galleons. They had the startup funds for their shop plan.
Wood and Angelina stared at the watchful Basilisk, furious but unable to say a word. They could only lower their heads and silently collect Acromantula venom.
"Horatio!!!"
Wood, Angelina, Harry, and Neville all looked as though they had heard the sound of salvation, their expressions immediately relaxing with relief.