Chapter 336: Walking the Spider [bonus]
Yesterday, when Agnes had come with lunch, every branch on that Whomping Willow had hung limp. Bark cracked and grey. It might as well have been dead.
Now the branches still drooped, but the lifelessness had lifted. A few swayed gently.
She let out a breath, then looked at Regulus.
He stood beside the tree, palm pressed to the trunk, eyes closed. A palm-sized spider lay draped across his shoulder, all eight legs splayed wide, motionless.
The Whomping Willow wasn't attacking him.
Agnes thought for a moment, then raised her wand and cast Protego on herself before stepping closer. Carefully.
"Young Mr. Black."
Regulus opened his eyes. "Ms. Agnes."
She set the lunch box on the ground. The teapot drifted down beside it. She smiled. "Happy New Year."