Loren tucked the spider's box into his robes. Harry jumped at the sight, about to protest—until he noticed Hermione's calm expression and thought better of it.
With his new pet secured, Loren flicked his wand at Ron. "Rennervate."
A minute later, Ron twitched, then shot up with a scream, stumbling backward.
"Spider! Huge spider! Get it away, Loren, save me!"
He tripped over a chair and collapsed, unconscious again. Loren sighed.
"Hagrid, we'd better go. In your hut, Ron will never wake properly."
He hoisted Ron with one hand, beckoned Harry and Neville, and left. Hermione clung to his other arm.
Hagrid, embarrassed, walked them out. He hadn't expected Ron to be terrified—he'd thought the boy different from his brothers.
Originally, Loren had asked Hagrid to prepare a pet as compensation for Ron, assuming it would be a Niffler—he had seen Hagrid feeding a group of them before. In Loren's mind, they were the only safe, suitable choice. Unicorns, Hippogriffs, Acromantulas—none were fit for a schoolboy.
But Hagrid had taught him a lesson. The man still kept Acromantulas as pets. In fact, the entire colony in the Forbidden Forest was descended from his own. Loren now knew that Hagrid had even been expelled for raising one—and yet still hadn't learned.
…
Outside, Loren set Ron gently on the grass. He poured a vial of Calming Draught into his mouth, then revived him again.
This time Ron didn't leap up screaming. He lay on his back, staring blankly at the sky. His body still trembled, but at least he wasn't thrashing.
Harry rushed to help him sit. Ron shook violently, able to stand only with Harry's support. His wide, empty eyes darted around until he was sure no spider lurked nearby. Only then did his breathing steady.
"Don't worry, Ron," Loren said, softening his tone. "The spider's been dealt with. This was my oversight."
"I actually thought Hagrid would give you a Niffler," he added. "I've seen him feeding them."
Ron remained vacant. Loren frowned—this had left deeper scars than he'd thought.
"Alright. You've got three options. First, I'll buy you an owl. Second, I'll get you a list from the Magical Menagerie and you can pick a creature. Third, I'll speak with Hagrid and persuade him to give you a Niffler."
Ron's dull gaze lit up at the last choice, eyes shining with sudden hope. Loren exhaled in relief. If even that hadn't worked, he might have tried an exorcism.
"I want the third! I want a Niffler!" Ron declared loudly.
For him, a Niffler was a dream pet. Growing up poor, he had long fantasized about one digging up treasure to give him pocket money. Though he had given up the fantasy as childish, Loren's words rekindled it.
So Loren turned back toward Hagrid's hut, Ron clinging desperately to his sleeve.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
He knocked.
Hagrid opened the door, surprised. "Back again? Come in, then."
But Ron yanked Loren's robes, refusing to step inside. After learning of Hagrid's "pets," he imagined spiders lurking in every corner.
"Hagrid, we won't come in. They just heard you keep a group of Nifflers and want to see them," Loren explained, tilting his head toward Ron.
Hagrid's eyes flicked to Ron's white-knuckled grip and he chuckled. "Alright then. Wait here, I'll fetch their feed."
Ten minutes later, he returned with a bucket and led them to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They stopped at a rocky outcrop.
One by one, furry heads popped from behind stones, peeking at the newcomers before retreating.
Hagrid scattered feed, and the Nifflers bounded out, clutching food with their little paws, chewing eagerly. With their mole-like bodies and platypus snouts, they were oddly adorable.
Hermione stepped closer, but the creatures bolted back behind the rocks.
Seeing her disappointed look, Loren tossed a handful of Knuts and Sickles on the ground, then handed Hermione a gleaming Galleon.
At once, every Niffler peeked out. Recognizing coins, they charged, stuffing them into their pouches.
Hermione held out the Galleon. "Whoever lets me pet them gets this."
She looked like a shady man luring children with candy.
But Nifflers were clever. They finished scooping up the coins, then crowded around her feet.
Hermione chose the plumpest one, gave it the Galleon, cleaned it with a quick spell, and stroked it happily.
Ron, Harry, and Neville watched enviously. But Ron and Neville couldn't spare such money, and Harry knew better than to waste it so.
Loren ignored their looks and turned to Hagrid.
"Hagrid, could you give Ron one as a pet? After what happened with the spider, it would make up for it."
Ron's eyes gleamed with desperate hope.
But Hagrid shook his head. "Nifflers aren't good pets. They'll tear a house apart."
Ron's face dimmed instantly.
Alarmed, Hagrid suddenly jogged off, calling over his shoulder. "Wait here!"
Minutes later, he returned empty-handed. The others exchanged puzzled glances—until he plucked something from his beard.
A puffskein.
"This little one got lost near the forest. You can keep him."
Ron brightened at once. A puffskein might not dig treasure, but it was easy to care for, and at least it wasn't a spider.
"Since Hagrid gave you that, I'll add an owl too," Loren said casually.
Ron's face split into a grin. He had lost a rat but gained two pets.
"Loren, you're the best!" he cried, eyes shining with that same clear, foolish light.
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