"Hagrid... I don't want to seem hard-hearted at a time like this, but Acromantula venom is quite rare... Might I extract a vial or two?" Professor Slughorn looked at the Acromantula's enormous body and could not help making the request of Hagrid. Then he gave Allen and Hermione a friendly smile. "Thanks to Umbrella Corporation, the value of the venom has fallen from 100 Galleons a pint to 70, but it is still rather expensive. It would be a shame to waste it..."
"Professor, thank you for your recognition of Umbrella. Creating value for the Magical World is Umbrella's social responsibility," Hermione replied rather formally. In truth, the vast number of Acromantulas controlled by Enslavement Gems inside Penelope's pouch could produce so much venom that if all of it were supplied to the market, this venom would no longer count as a luxury at all.
Under Slughorn's expectant gaze, Hagrid shook his shaggy great head and thought for a moment. "It's no use to him now anyway, is it?"
"Exactly what I was thinking!" Slughorn agreed. He dragged his fat body laboriously down the slope and walked up to the Acromantula, which was taller than he was. "I always carry a few ampoules with me, precisely for situations like this. An old habit of a Potions teacher."
"I do wish you could've seen him in his prime. There was never a grander Acromantula than him," Hagrid said nostalgically, tears welling in his eyes again. He turned his head away, unable to bear looking for long.
Slughorn made a couple of murmuring noises in agreement, then bent down beside Aragog's giant pincers and carefully worked at the venom between the fangs. Under his gaze, the bottles made a clinking sound that satisfied him.
All of a sudden, Slughorn froze, holding the