[Harry and Slughorn approach Hagrid and Fang. He has a shovel with a dead spider, Acromantula. Hagrid sobs.]

Horace.

Merlin's beard. Is that an actual Acromantula?

A dead one, I think, sir.

[Fang whimpers.]

Good god. Dear fellow, however did you manage to kill it?

Kill it? My oldest friend, he was.

I'm so sorry, I didn't--

Oh, don't worry yourself, you're not alone. Seriously, misunderstood creatures, spiders are. It's the eyes, I reckon. They unnerve some folk.

Not to mention the pincers.

[He makes gesture sounds.]

Yeah, I reckon that, too.

Hagrid, the last thing I wish to be is indelicate, but Acromantula venom is uncommonly rare. Would you allow me to extract a vial or two? Purely for academic purposes, you understand?

Well, I don't suppose it's going to do him much good now, is it?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I have an ampoule or two about my person for just such occasions as this.

[He holds a vial.]

Old Potion Master's habit, you know?

[He uncorks it.]

I wish you could have seen him in his prime. Magnificent he was. Just magnificent.

Oh, dear.

[He puts something down and joins Hagrid.]

Would you like me to say a few words?

Yes.

He had family, I trust?

Oh, yeah.

Farewell.

Aragog.

[They stare at Aragog.]

Farewell, Aragog, king of the arachnids.

[Fang whimpers.]

Your body will decay, but your spirit lingers on. And your human friends find solace in the loss they have sustained.