Next morning.
Students filed into Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione and Tiger still hadn't arrived. Harry asked around.
But the Chamber incident had branded him Parselmouth. Gryffindors avoided him like plague.
Thinking of the petrified students, Harry's face went pale.
"I need to find a professor..."
Just as he turned to leave, Neville grabbed his sleeve. Harry stumbled.
"Harry!"
"Tiger went to the Hospital Wing after training. Hermione's probably there..."
Harry's heart clenched. He regretted leaving so hastily last night.
After Dumbledore's letter, he'd thrown everything else aside. Joy over Chamber clues vanished.
Neville looked simple, even clumsy. But his heart held hidden perceptiveness.
Seeing Harry's eyes redden, he patted his friend's shoulder:
"Don't worry. Tiger seemed fine. He even stole Venom's chocolates."
"Probably not as bad as you think."
"Maybe just a cold..."
"A cold?"
Harry stared. Neville nodded with certainty. Harry's fists slowly relaxed. His panic calmed.
"Alright, children!"
"Another wonderful day..."
"Mr. Potter? Sit down!"
The bell rang. Gilderoy Lockhart strode in, smile radiantly enthusiastic.
But seeing Tiger's empty seat, that enthusiasm withdrew.
Sigh, Polly, how can I find out about you...
Lockhart seemed to forget he'd nearly died twice at Tiger's hands. His gaze toward the empty seat was full of longing...
Hospital Wing.
"Hermione?"
Tiger used Venom's tendrils to peel an apple for Cat-mione. Rare Shelby gentleness.
But Hermione seemed distracted. The apple reached her face. She acted like she couldn't see it.
Crystal eyes stared into space. Recalling something. Her gaze filled with shame and anger.
Oh? Why are your ears red?
The warm touch vivid in memory. Breath at her ear scorching. As suffocation came, that gentle voice turned bone-chilling.
Am I too close? You're really quite adorable...
The prefect had returned to rationality.
If Hermione died by her hand, she and Tiger would become mortal enemies.
Tiger hadn't realized it, but as observer, she saw clearly—this unremarkable chipmunk was truly important to Shelby.
Hermione understood too.
Gemma didn't dare actually hurt her. That bitch just wanted psychological victory.
Realizing threats were useless, the prefect switched strategies.
Teased Cat-mione until she was hissing and clawing. Then transformed back and departed with a laugh.
Both sides were clear—Tiger couldn't get involved. This was their war...
"Hermione?!"
Tiger's voice pulled her back. The apple's sweet scent reached her nose.
"Than—"
Before Hermione could show delight and reach for this rare gentleness, Tiger withdrew his hand.
Under her stunned expression, he tossed the peeled apple behind him like garbage.
Venom's fierce head shot out, caught the apple, crunched away.
"Don't like it?"
"I'll peel a banana then."
Since Hermione was thoroughly cat-headed, Tiger missed her expression. He reached for a banana and held it before Cat-mione.
Fierce eyes full of expectation. He'd never seen a furry eat fruit!
No, I like apples!
Cat-mione nearly cried. She'd never seen Tiger peel an apple for anyone...
This was Tiger's first time!
Watching Venom take the remaining apple and devour her last hope, barely audible teeth-grinding sounded.
Damn it. Her opponents weren't limited to Gemma alone...
Madam Pomfrey entered. Sympathetic yet helpless eyes looked at Cat-mione:
"Miss Granger, after your medicine, don't just lie there. Have Mr. Shelby take you for a walk. It'll help the potion spread."
"Don't worry. Students are in class. No one will see you..."
Cat-mione's and Tiger's eyes lit up.
Cat-mione: Wonderful, a walk with Tiger!
Tiger: Shit! I can walk a furry!
Madam Pomfrey looked at both carefully.
After confirming they weren't thinking the same thing, she said nothing. Just sighed and walked into the potions room.
They were young.
What could she do?
Madam Pomfrey felt deeply defeated by Tiger...
Lunchtime. Madam Pomfrey kicked Tiger out.
She'd figured it out—Shelby's enthusiasm wasn't for Hermione the girl, but cat-form Hermione. Those burning eyes looked like he wanted to capture and raise her.
Such dangerous anti-wizard thinking couldn't develop.
To prevent Hermione from being coaxed into repeatedly drinking Polyjuice with cat hair, Madam Pomfrey banned Tiger's visits...
"Hermione, you okay?"
"We came to see you!"
Harry and Ron entered. Searched everywhere. Heard no response.
Just as they prepared to check beds, Hermione helplessly raised pink paw pads...
"So that lost Diary returned to its owner?"
"Exactly... pfft..."
Harry told Hermione the clues. Watching her stare lifelessly at the ceiling, he and Ron couldn't suppress laughter.
Only when sharp claws emerged did they shut their mouths and discuss business.
"The culprit might be a creature."
"But not Acromantulas. Last night Dumbledore told me about Hagrid's farm..."
Harry felt these clues hid the answer.
But in this tangled mess, he couldn't grasp the key. Could only ask Hermione.
"Acromantulas, roosters, petrification..." Hermione murmured. Pink paw pads contracted and extended.
She'd seen similar connections in books. But couldn't quite remember...
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