Growth

Sirius reached out and grabbed Harry's arm, explaining his plan to the others. "We'll Apparate part of the way first, then slowly approach the Acromantulas' territory. After that, 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, then Apparated away with Harry.

"Hermione, hold my hand. You too, Ron," Lupin said gently.

"Well..."

"I've got him."

Hermione walked over and took hold of Lupin's arm. Seeing that Ron did not want to go, she simply reached out and grabbed his arm too.

If Ron did not get a taste of how difficult it was to be a Champion, he would probably keep envying Harry, which would not be good for the trio's friendship.

Harry and Ron had not spoken to each other for weeks. Their friendship could not withstand this sort of strain, and trying to mediate between them had made Hermione miserable.

"Right, let's set off too."

Before Ron could react, darkness descended from every direction with crushing pressure, forcing the words he had been about to say back down his throat.

When they came to their senses, they found themselves standing in midair. Harry was retching beside them, while Sirius held up his wand and vigilantly watched the surroundings. He had the Dark Creature Detector he had shown them earlier in his hand, guarding against an Acromantula ambush.

"Acromantulas move very quickly in the forest," Sirius explained to the three of them. "Be careful. Don't let them ambush you. Those beasts eat people."

Ron, who was bent over and retching against a tree trunk, could not help shuddering.

"You need to get used to the feeling gradually," Lupin comforted him. "Still, experiencing Apparition in advance will do you good. When you start practicing, you'll