Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Regulus said nothing. He met Aragog's uppermost pair of compound eyes with a level gaze and did nothing at all.

Aragog held that stare, and the memory surfaced unbidden: the orange-red fire from last time.

Regulus looked away. Same tone as before. "One request. You may make it."

Aragog hesitated.

After a silence, he asked, "Can I save it for later?"

Regulus regarded him, voice flat. "You can."

Then he turned to Baruk.

Baruk was still hunched behind Aragog, body pressed low, legs tucked, chelicerae sealed. When Regulus's gaze swept over him, his chelicerae twitched, the movement so slight it was nearly invisible.

Aragog shifted aside.