Ron was responsible for controlling the field—either using the Transfiguration Charm to turn small puddles into deeper mud traps, using the Levitation Charm to hurl clumps of mud or broken branches at the spiders' vulnerable joints, or using the Barrier Charm to divide the spider swarm.
The mud became their temporary shield and weapon. The spiders' enormous size and sharp legs became disadvantages in the muck; they trudged clumsily through it, their speed drastically reduced. Green bodily fluid mixed with black mud, giving off a nauseating stench, while the ground became ever slicker and harder to cross.
However, there were simply too many Acromantulas! Some of the larger, thicker-shelled spiders seemed better able to adapt to the mud. Relying on brute strength, they shoved aside companions trapped in the bog like Muggle armored vehicles, ignoring the impacts of the Barrier Charm and forcing their way forward through the magical blasts!
One leading spider, as large as a rhinoceros, let out a low, intimidating hiss. Enduring Ron's flames and the force of two consecutive Barrier Charms from Harry, it smashed through the scorched-earth barrier! Raising its huge front claw, coated in mud and gleaming coldly, it slashed down at Ron, whose movements had slowed slightly from excessive magical exhaustion! Its cold compound eyes held nothing but greed for flesh and blood.
"Ron!" Harry's right hand had been sliced open to the bone by a spider's claw, and blood stained the handle of his wand.
He lunged desperately forward, trying to shove his friend aside, but he was still too far away! And Ron no longer had enough magic to cast a defensive spell! Despair tightened around Harry's heart in an instant like an icy web.
He could even see the sharp, backward-facing serrations on that enormous claw!
At that critical moment,