Professors' night patrols lasted full two weeks. Hogwarts students trapped in common rooms—spending long, tense weeks.
Elusive attacker hung overhead like blade. Made everyone afraid to go out.
Except Slytherin students.
Little snakes following Tiger wore smiles bordering on arrogant.
Of course, during morning training, those smiles transferred to other houses...
Christmas break ended. Students returned. Once-cold castle finally regained vitality.
Gilderoy Lockhart emerged from Hospital Wing. Fully recovered, seemed to forget Christmas feast. Expression toward Tiger remained full of flattery.
Harry and Ron looked furious.
No one knew better—how much seriously injured Hagrid suffered this past month...
"Password..."
"Dead skin from half-giant's heels!"
"Wrong pass—"
Shattering stone roared, deafening.
"Fuck!"
Straight middle finger. Cursing. Tiger turned, left Dumbledore's office entrance. Only shattered gargoyle behind.
"Damn it, old bastard's gone again!"
Recently, Dumbledore seemed deliberately avoiding Tiger. Or entangled in trivial troubles. Either way, Tiger couldn't find him. Could only vent frustration on innocent statues.
"Harry..."
"You really going to confront Tiger?"
"Don't think that's good idea."
Under Invisibility Cloak, Ron's eyes widened. Throat producing difficult swallowing sounds.
Fist Tiger slammed into statue felt like it hit his own head.
"Uh..."
Harry silent moment. "Actually, Hagrid was pretty reckless. Not all Tiger's fault."
"Right, absolutely right."
"Let's head back."
Before Harry spoke, Ron pulled him along. Hurrying back to Gryffindor common room...
Gryffindor common room unusually quiet.
Fireplace burned brightly.
Winter's harsh cold sent young wizards to dormitories early. Afternoon Herbology exhausted them completely.
Only Hermione wore thick cloak. Curled into small ball. Hiding in corner sofa. Quietly doing something.
Alert eyes occasionally peeked over sofa back. Observing surroundings. Afraid someone might approach.
"Hermione?"
"What are you hiding there for?"
Sudden voice behind made Hermione's heart jump. Needles moving nimbly suddenly lost control. Stabbed hard into tender fingertip.
Sharp pain struck. She cried out. Blood slowly stained spot—particularly striking.
"Ron? Harry?"
"Get out here right now!"
Miss Know-It-All searched angrily for voice source.
Scarf almost finished—completely ruined now.
Ron emerged from Invisibility Cloak. Waving hands, panicked explanation:
"Sorry, Hermione!"
"Didn't know you were knitting..."
Seeing Hermione grit teeth, pull out brass knuckles, Ron had flash of inspiration:
"Wait, who are you knitting that for?"
"I... I..."
Hermione's anger froze instantly.
Faint crimson crept from neck to ears. Usually sharp eyes became extremely guilty. "It's cold, making it for my—"
"For Tiger, obviously."
"Valentine's Day coming up, Ron."
Harry mercilessly exposed her. Shot friend approving look.
Guy rarely this clever.
Seeing Hermione's face flush, embarrassment turning to anger, Chosen One stepped back several paces.
"Listen, Hermione!"
"Lavender and others figured it out ages ago. You're only one who thinks nobody noticed."
"They even made bets—what time you'd return to dorm, whether you'd dare give it to Tiger, whether you'd—"
As Harry spilled everything, Hermione's eyes slowly widened.
Chagrin, shyness gradually filled heart. Rapidly heating cheeks felt hot enough to fry egg.
Felt all cleverness evaporated. Leaving only overwhelming stupidity, embarrassment.
Could even imagine how Lavender and others secretly laughed every night she returned.
"Oh no, damn it..."
Hermione muttered through gritted teeth.
Seeing friend's unspeakable embarrassment, Harry comforted thoughtfully:
"Don't worry, Hermione. Nobody's laughing. Everyone's just curious..."
"Enough, Harry!"
"Stop talking!"
Hermione covered face. Fled back to dormitory.
Leaving two lads wearing triumphant smiles. Giving each other thumbs up. First time gaining upper hand against Hermione...
Week passed in blink.
Several Ministry officials entered Hogwarts. Attempting to take away gamekeeper Hagrid.
Whether for Chamber incident fifty years ago or recent attacks—half-giant undoubtedly perfect scapegoat.
However, when they saw Hagrid's miserable state—unable even to sit—froze in place. Arrest warrant hidden in chests couldn't be pulled out.
If fifty years ago they had reason to arrest Hagrid because of Acromantula, then now—who could tell them what reason to arrest half-giant with completely fractured spine still receiving treatment?
Don't be ridiculous.
If simply arrested him like that, tomorrow's Daily Prophet would roast them until resigned...
Under Professor McGonagall's furious gaze, Ministry officials left Hogwarts looking dejected.
Harry breathed deep sigh of relief.
"Looks like we can celebrate tomorrow. How about bringing gifts to visit Hagrid?"
"Harry, wake up."
"Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. Don't think that's good day to visit Hagrid..."
Ron glanced at friend without humor.
He'd rather choose Father's Day to bring gifts than Valentine's Day.
Patted Harry's shoulder. Serious expression also full of helplessness.
"Mate."
"Lavender told me lot of things."
"Really don't want to see fanfiction about Chosen One and half-giant. Even less with me in it too."
"Uh..."
"Alright, you're right..."
Harry scratched head with awkward smile.
Golden sunlight slowly rose from distant mountains. Mist shrouding Hogwarts completely dispersed.
As temperatures gradually warmed, tender green grass shoots spread from Black Lake's edge...
[Ha, you damn scoundrel!]
[Happy Valentine's Day!]
Venom's carnival-like screech yanked still-sleeping Tiger violently from dreams.
"Yeah, happy Valentine's Day..."
"Idiot, want chocolate dick?" Tiger opened eyes expressionlessly.
[...]
Venom silent moment. Then asked in slightly hopeful tone:
[Can I choose who gives it...]
"Shut up!!!" (?_?)
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