"Waaah... how could she do that... I'm her friend too... waaah..."
"Waaah... even if she doesn't like... me saying bad things about Tiger... hic..."
On the castle grounds, Ron wiped his tears, couldn't help hiccupping, then continued crying:
"The Professor told her to apologize, and she actually said she was educating me about 'knowledge is power' or some rubbish!"
"Harry... I hate her!"
Looking at Ron, who'd been crying all afternoon, Harry patted his shoulder, eyes full of helplessness. After all, both were his good friends—anything he said would be wrong.
Fortunately, Ron didn't expect Harry to say anything. Hermione was his friend too.
After crying all afternoon, he somewhat understood—in Charms class, his tone really hadn't been good.
Ron sniffled hard, trying to suppress that sadness in his chest.
With lingering sobs, he mumbled incoherently:
"Waaah... actually I don't hate her that much... but my nose... really hurts... waaah..."
Remembering the textbook's impact, his nose flattening without hesitation, and the Weasley twins' teasing after hearing the news, indescribable grievance surged in Ron's heart again. His gradually quieting sobs paused slightly, then resumed like a broken trumpet, wailing loudly.
(ㄒoㄒ)(◎_◎;)
The sunset completely disappeared into the Forbidden Forest. At the junction of day and night, the sky showed a hazy blue.
The dappled shadows under trees had long vanished. The cool breeze made Harry shiver involuntarily.
Hearing the sobbing beside him gradually stop, he quickly shook Ron's shoulder, helplessly persuading:
"Cheer up, Ron."
"It's Halloween."
"Why don't we go back? Maybe Hermione has something to say to you too, you know..."
"You're right, Harry..."
Thinking of Hermione's personality, Ron nodded heavily, then scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly.
"Also, don't tell her I cried all afternoon. That's too embarrassing—being made to cry by a girl."
"Oh, of course..."
Realizing his friends would soon reconcile, Harry stood up with a relaxed smile, brushed grass off his bottom, reached out to pull up the tear-wiped Ron, and the two walked shoulder to shoulder toward the castle...
In the Great Hall, low dark clouds with flashing lightning floated in the night sky. Pumpkin lanterns carved into ghostly faces circled beneath the clouds, occasionally emitting eerie laughter.
Facing the various candies and sweets on the long tables, students from all Houses ate with great enjoyment. The atmosphere was electric with Halloween excitement.
Only the little Slytherin snakes looked somewhat nauseated, putting down their knives and forks after two bites, chatting quietly.
It wasn't that the food wasn't good—among the dazzling array of desserts on the table, there were even recipe delicacies developed by Helga Hufflepuff herself.
It was just this consistently familiar taste that couldn't generate any anticipation or freshness...
Just then, with a thunderous "BANG," Professor Quirrell stumbled chaotically into the Great Hall. Under his crooked, heavy turban was a pale face twisted with terror.
The noisy, festive sounds died instantly. Surprised gazes from all Houses focused on Professor Quirrell like spotlights.
Tiger avoided Gemma Farley's almost predatory gaze, feeling uncomfortable all over, and turned to look.
"Troll!" Professor Quirrell's voice cracked with fear. "Troll in the dungeons..."
His breathing came in ragged gasps. After a brief pause, as if exhausting his last strength, he whispered:
"Thought you ought to know..."
With those words, he collapsed heavily on the stone floor like a marionette with severed strings.
Deafening screams erupted throughout the hall—a symphony of pure terror that made the ancient stones tremble.
However, the little wizards' uncontrollable panic caused Venom excruciating pain.
Before Dumbledore could intervene, Venom's violent roar exploded through the hall like a sonic boom.
"SHUT THE FK UP!!!**"
Like a hurricane given voice, the wild, primal roar shook the floating candles, sending wax spattering onto the tables below. The very air seemed to vibrate with raw fury.
The screaming stopped as if someone had thrown a switch.
Everyone turned toward Slytherin with expressions of absolute horror.
Venom's three-meter-tall form materialized in all its nightmarish glory—obsidian flesh rippling with alien muscle, rows of razor-sharp teeth gleaming like polished daggers. Lightning from the enchanted ceiling cast his monstrous shadow across the Slytherin wall, a writhing darkness that seemed to breathe with malevolent life.
Even knowing this was their own Boss, the little Slytherin snakes couldn't suppress their primal terror. Hair stood on end, breathing became shallow and careful.
As Tiger's designated stress-reliever, Draco Malfoy stood directly beside Venom. He forced himself to maintain composure, looking toward the Gryffindor table with practiced smugness—but the figures he wanted to see weren't there.
"That's bloody brilliant..." Fred and George Weasley swallowed hard, desire and envy practically radiating from their eyes.
Neville bounced excitedly, waving to greet Venom, but Hermione grabbed him.
"Neville, where are Harry and Ron?!"
Neville looked stunned. Seeing no familiar figures behind him, realization dawned.
"They... seem to be outside the castle..."
"I heard Ron crying something fierce," Seamus quietly added behind Hermione.
Hermione pursed her lips uncomfortably. She knew she'd been excessive, but in that moment, she just couldn't help herself...
"Merlin's most capacious underpants," a Ravenclaw whispered, "this is far more terrifying than any troll..."
Several little Ravenclaw eagles hadn't finished speaking before collapsing softly, faces drained of all color.
Students who lived in libraries possessed imaginations far exceeding ordinary people. Those meat-grinder fangs made it horrifyingly easy to envision their own demise.
"Good Lord, Cedric," a Hufflepuff stammered. "Are we the main course or dessert?"
"Shut it, Spike," Tracey hissed, elbowing the nervous boy. "That's not remotely funny."
Cedric became unusually serious, forcing down the terror clawing at his chest. His hand found his wand beneath his robes as he positioned himself protectively in front of the first-years.
Even knowing that under Dumbledore's watchful eye Shelby wouldn't harm anyone, facing such primal fear demanded defensive instincts—it was simply human nature when confronting a predator...
Fortunately, moments later, Venom bared his fangs in a threatening grin, then melted back into Tiger's body like smoke returning to its source.
The nearly frozen atmosphere began to flow again. Suppressed breathing gradually resumed its natural rhythm.
"Ten points to Slytherin," Dumbledore announced with his characteristic warm smile. "For Mr. Shelby's admirable composure under pressure—though perhaps a gentler approach next time would be appreciated."
He surveyed the students with twinkling eyes. "Don't be afraid, children. Prefects, escort your Houses back to your common rooms immediately. The feast shall continue there..."
Sensing the calm authority in Dumbledore's voice, students from all Houses began moving with purpose rather than panic. Following their prefects' calls, the hall gradually emptied in orderly lines.
Slytherin waited patiently, following Tiger's lead until they were the last to file out.
Watching the disciplined procession, Professor McGonagall frowned slightly. Something about this scene struck her as oddly familiar...
"Hermione, you should—mmph!"
At the tail end of the Gryffindor line, Hermione quickly covered Neville's mouth, whispering urgently:
"Those two idiots haven't returned yet. I need to warn them—what if they encounter the troll..."
——————
Sorry everyone, I noticed that HP: What, You've Never Seen was missing Chapter 81. It has been added.