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"Mmph—cough cough cough..."
Hermione angrily pounded Tiger's chest.
Perhaps from her fingertips' inadvertent touch, her pale cheeks gradually flushed pink.
But when she noticed Tiger—suppressing irritation—still frowning as he observed her, the anger in her heart dissipated somewhat.
Replaced by a barely concealed laugh. A huff. As if even the chipmunk lady herself was amused by this sudden emotional shift.
What more could she ask for?
This barbaric, crude idiot showing concern—already a huge surprise.
"Ahem, let's go. Hope Professor Lupin won't be like the previous professors..."
With that thought, the chipmunk lady's lips curved. Suddenly hooked Tiger's arm. Followed the students' steps.
Slender lashes fluttered lightly. Toes tapped rhythmically. As if silently cheering. Her whole being radiated suppressed delight.
Regarding Hermione's mercurial moods—
Tiger shook his head helplessly.
Let the chipmunk lady pull him into the crowd. Only his slightly heavy breath carried confusion.
In the past six months, he'd found it increasingly hard to follow the chipmunk lady's thinking. The growing girl had many elusive little secrets.
This was exactly why he disliked dealing with women. Always felt they were thinking something bad.
Lisa Rosier, Lavender Brown, and those Ravenclaw women like Penelope.
Especially Gemma Farley. That dead woman's gaze grew increasingly strange. Unfathomable. And now the chipmunk lady seemed to be developing in that direction too.
Such a hassle...
Tiger tried pulling his arm back. But Hermione held tight. Puffed her cheeks. Glared at him.
As the sweet, slightly bitter acorn scent seeped into his lungs—completely dispelling the werewolf's stench—his fierce brow gradually relaxed. Tiger ultimately abandoned the idea of tossing Hermione away.
Actually...
The smell was quite pleasant.
――――――
"When encountering a Boggart, the best method is to move toward crowds, so it will..."
"Let's first recite the charm for dealing with it."
"Riddikulus, riddikulus..."
Professor Lupin stood before the old wardrobe. Warm smile as he explained the Boggart's weaknesses. Students' expressions were particularly focused. Hermione also perked up...
Tiger's eyes quietly observed his index finger.
The ancient bronze ring. Under weak light, flickered with faint golden glow.
The ring's surface snake-scale patterns were delicate and complex. Seemed arranged in some ancient talisman.
He still vaguely remembered—
When he'd fallen unconscious, desires and visions hidden deep in his heart were constantly amplified.
Like watching slides. Chaotic images flashed rapidly through his mind.
And Tiger had just clashed with Dumbledore.
After multiple setbacks at the White Wizard's hands, under this desire's touch, he'd instinctively frozen the mental image on Dumbledore during Apparition...
When he woke—
Hellfire burned violently in his hand.
Strangely, the bone skull hadn't manifested. The dazzling flame core's depths shone brilliantly. As if about to explode.
Sensing the energy within needing release, Tiger instinctively grabbed the Basilisk Staff.
Instantly, flames surged.
The Basilisk carving on the staff began twisting, deforming. The crystalline amber snake eyes gradually blurred. As if eroded by invisible heat.
Then—
The staff's surface scales began melting.
Golden liquid like flowing lava. Slowly dripped. Solidified in midair. Gradually formed a ring.
As melting continued, the ring became clearer.
Finally, the staff completely disappeared. Left only a rough yet exquisite ring suspended in midair.
Snake-scale patterns faintly adhered to the surface.
Emanated a strangely mysterious aura.
The moment Tiger removed the ring, he seemed to understand what his "forging" truly was.
Then he picked up the Winchester shotgun.
Light flashed again...
"Is everyone ready!"
Just then, Professor Lupin's suddenly raised voice interrupted Tiger's exploration of the ring.
Tiger looked up.
Saw Professor Lupin's wand tip pointing at the wardrobe.
Students from both houses retreated. Slightly widened eyes full of tension and anticipation.
[Most feared thing?]
[No, I fear nothing anymore!]
Theodore gripped his wand tightly. Cold, empty eyes flickered with killing intent. Fingertips whitened from force.
He wasn't targeting the Boggart he'd face. But what the Boggart would present.
Hermione also couldn't help shrinking before Tiger.
When she touched solid abs, her anxious heart suddenly trembled. Her slightly flushed face showed complete relief and secret joy...
"Mr. Nott, I'll count to three."
"Don't worry, the Boggart isn't that scary."
Professor Lupin looked considerately at Theodore standing at the front. Voice full of reassurance.
"Thanks, but please call me Shelby." Theodore coldly glanced at Professor Lupin.
"Uh, sorry..."
"Then please ready yourself, Mr. Shelby."
Professor Lupin shrugged. Didn't mind Theodore's attitude much.
Or rather, Slytherins always seemed this way in his impression. Especially toward someone as down-and-out as him.
He was used to it.
Then he raised his wand. Red light shot from the tip. Hit the old wardrobe's handle. Stirred up some dust.
The wardrobe trembled slightly.
Professor Lupin quickly retreated.
The door flew open.
From the deep, dark space, wisps of black mist emerged. Everyone instinctively held their breath.
Professor Lupin couldn't help frowning.
A tall yet abnormally gaunt man slowly stepped from the darkness. Exquisite, slightly curled long hair and unhurried smile carried elegance.
However, that pale face was like a corpse. Deep-set eye sockets flickered with sickly, cruel light.
"Theodore, my so—"
Cold pupils suddenly contracted.
Angry roar erupted.
"Reducto!!!"
The man was violently thrown back into the wardrobe. But didn't shatter into bloody chunks as Theodore imagined.
"Whoa whoa whoa!"
"Please calm down, Mr. Shelby!"
Seeing Theodore seemingly losing emotional control, Professor Lupin hurriedly waved his wand. Closed the wardrobe door. Tried to approach Theodore.
"Are you alright?"
"Remember the charm for facing Boggarts?"
"..."
After brief silence—
Theodore steadied his breathing somewhat. Pulled his gaze from the wardrobe. Looked at Professor Lupin. Voice calm:
"I'm fine, Professor. Better than ever."
With that, he walked back to the Slytherin group. Ignored Professor Lupin's hesitation.
Riddikulus?
Don't joke!
Seeing that man, the only thing he could think of was the Unforgivable Curses he hadn't yet learned...
The room's atmosphere grew strange.
The stupid lions looked at Theodore with horror. As if seeing a future Azkaban prisoner.
In a sense, the Blasting Curse exceeded the range of hexes. Belonged to Dark Magic.
This was also content the school forbade teaching.
"Ahem, five points from Slytherin."
"Very sorry, Mr. Shelby, because you used an inappropriate spell. This isn't worth emulating. Hope other students understand."
Professor Lupin looked seriously at the crowd.
Even in his student days, few Slytherins could cast the Blasting Curse.
Much less a third-year like Theodore.
This required extremely strong negative emotions.
However, recalling the man who'd emerged from the wardrobe, Professor Lupin gained some understanding and sympathy.
Death Eater's son...
Pitiful, yet dangerous.
"So, next..."
"Mr. Longbottom, would you like to try?"
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