Hundreds of Acromantulas surged toward Hogwarts Castle like a dark cloud hugging the ground. The sight brought the fierce battle to an abrupt hush.
Terrified screams filled the air. Hogwarts professors and Death Eaters alike scattered in every direction, former enemies suddenly finding themselves on the same side.
Spells rained down on the monsters from every direction, a thunderous barrage of red and green light illuminating the entire Entrance Hall. The Acromantulas trembled, but showed no intention of leaving. Instead, they reared up on their hind legs, looking even more terrifying than before.
Among the spiders, Hagrid's panicked figure could just be seen as he shouted over and over, "Don't hurt them! Don't hurt them!"
But no one was going to listen to him. If anything, the barrage of spells grew fiercer.
"Get out of there, Hagrid! It's dangerous!" Remus Lupin shouted urgently.
There were more than a hundred powerful offensive spells. Even the strongest dragon or pure-blood giant could not withstand magic on that scale, let alone a half-blood giant like Hagrid.
Just then, a stumbling figure suddenly burst into the Entrance Hall.
It was Professor Slughorn, who had just run out of the Dungeon Classroom. He was panting heavily and nearly tripped on the stairs several times. Even his robes were on backward. He looked utterly bedraggled.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, the moment he entered the Entrance Hall, every Acromantula that had charged into the castle stopped.
They seemed to have seen something terrifying. Their eight legs shook uneasily, producing a furious clattering.
"Come on, you monsters! Over here!" Slughorn took another step forward.
Another synchronized clatter rang out. The stinking giant spiders backed away almost instinctively, trying to put more distance between themselves and Slughorn. Amid the chaotic scrambling, one Acromantula turned first-no one could tell which-and