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[If that son of a bitch dares bare his teeth, knock them all out and shove them back in with kidney stones!]
Mother Polly's letter contained only one sentence. Tiger wasn't surprised. Mom's heart and fists always stood with her son. Of course, it'd be better if she were gentler.
Inside the Potions classroom—
Professor Snape explained the key points of Shrinking Solution with indifferent tone. Tiger lightly touched his ring. Somewhat distracted. As if an unfinished battle still silently played in his mind.
The strange old man beside Dumbledore—
He still held some curiosity. That magic so different from Dumbledore's left him and Venom deeply impressed.
You had to understand—
Venom's body was nearly magic-immune.
Even Dumbledore couldn't harm it. Yet that old man could affect him through Venom.
Had to say, this greatly surprised him.
"If..."
Gazing at the Hellfire dancing on his fingertips, Tiger's eyes gradually deepened. He murmured thoughtfully.
"Could make Venom and Hellfire combine..."
Black, twisted symbiote tissue. Like a living thread. Slowly reached toward the Hellfire. Each contact triggered slight tremors in the scorching air.
"Oh, Tiger..."
Just then—
Hermione's cry interrupted Tiger's thoughts.
Thought commanded. Fire extinguished.
Tiger looked up at Hermione.
The chipmunk lady held a bunch of fig skins. Both angry and helpless as she watched him.
Inside the cauldron, leech juice dissipated as smoke. The cauldron had long become molten iron...
The bell rang. Hermione shouldered her heavy bag. Quickly left the Potions classroom.
Tiger stood awkwardly in place. Thought the chipmunk lady was angry about the point deduction.
When Tiger walked out the classroom door—
Hermione clutched her bag. Hurriedly ran toward the Potions classroom. Nearly crashed into him.
Tiger instinctively grabbed the chipmunk lady's scruff. When he realized she was still sulking, movement paused. Gently placed Hermione back on the ground.
"Uh... Hermione..."
"Your cauldron..."
Just as Tiger was thinking how to comfort the chipmunk, Hermione looked completely confused instead.
However, she immediately remembered the next class. Quickly stood on tiptoes. Straightened Tiger's collar. Then fled toward the staircase.
"See you this afternoon, Tiger!"
Watching the chipmunk lady's back, Tiger frowned slightly. For some reason, he inexplicably sensed something off. A familiar fluctuation...
Lunchtime—
Dumbledore announced something to the staff and students. Besides Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts had another Vice Headmaster.
"Let us warmly welcome—"
"Mr. Walton Grindelwald."
With enthusiastic applause—
Grindelwald slowly stood to acknowledge. His aged yet upright form still maintained extraordinary elegance and composure.
Truly pleasing to the eye.
Silver-white short hair neatly combed back. Revealed restrained, noble grace.
The Slytherin snakes couldn't help but feel favorably.
As leader of his movement, Grindelwald didn't bother concealing his true appearance. But out of consideration for Dumbledore, he reluctantly adopted an alias.
Yet even the alias—
Wasn't much of a secret back then...
Seeing that familiar face wink meaningfully at her, Professor McGonagall's face instantly paled.
She looked at Dumbledore in disbelief. The White Wizard hadn't consulted her about this at all.
Professor Flitwick completely stiffened. Professor Sprout felt dizzy. Covered her forehead.
Not sure. Look again!
She cautiously raised her head. Then desperately closed her eyes. Even breathing became difficult.
Merlin's dragon dung shovel!
Head so dizzy...
Relatively calm was only Professor Snape. The youngest at the staff table. Had no impression of the name Walton Grindelwald.
But even so—
He keenly caught the professors' unease. Especially Professor McGonagall. He clearly sensed the older cat lady's wariness and resistance toward this Vice Headmaster.
Hollow, cold eyes quietly watched Grindelwald. As if probing something...
Simultaneously, Grindelwald observed Hogwarts students. Compared to other houses, Slytherin's noble, defiant unique temperament was particularly striking.
They were also scrutinizing him...
Interesting.
Grindelwald's lips curved slightly.
He couldn't help but recall the past.
His student days at Durmstrang. Those equally talented, ambitious classmates.
They jointly pursued power and glory. Fought for their beliefs and goals.
However, as the era ended, familiar figures gradually disappeared. These memories like treasures. All carefully buried in his heart...
Sensing hawk-like sharp gaze fall on him, Tiger instinctively narrowed his eyes.
Fierce, oppressive eyes full of provocation.
Like a beast poised to strike in the jungle. Silently declaring territory while threatening intruders.
Grindelwald silently sighed.
If anyone else dared look at him like this, he'd definitely make them feel the pain of having their soul made into stone. But only Tiger—he had no temper at all.
Push this tiger too far—
His own soul would be the problem.
That was Hellfire. If he'd had this decades ago, curses alone could've settled everyone.
In this world, how many were truly clean?
――――――
Lunch break always passed quickly.
Tiger lazily walked toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Students who arrived early gathered outside. Watching something.
"Waddiwasi!"
With wand tip flashing—
Peeves shot into the air like a balloon. Then cursed and fled through the wall.
Enthusiastic cheers erupted.
Especially Gryffindor. Palms clapped red.
Peeves tormented many students. Especially those lions who loved night wandering.
Unfortunately, Peeves wasn't among the undead ghosts. Ghost-banishing charms were completely ineffective.
Professor Lupin's move made students ecstatic. Some lions' faces flushed with excitement.
Some even planned to actively "settle accounts" with Peeves tonight.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I hope this charm helps you."
Professor Lupin nodded slightly. His approachable smile carried barely detectable cunning.
"Our next lesson is practical, so please put down your books, bring your wands, and follow me..."
"That's wonderful..."
Hermione instinctively rubbed her temples. The touch between her fingers seemed to dispel some burden of knowledge.
"Drink this..." Tiger frowned. Handed an energy potion to Hermione.
The chipmunk lady froze.
Recently absorbed knowledge was too dense. Even her brain seemed sluggish.
The faint werewolf stench made Tiger inexplicably irritated.
Seeing Hermione's dazed look—
He impatiently popped the cap. Then pinched the chipmunk lady's cheeks. Directly poured the potion in...
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