Night deepened steadily.
Crystal-clear icicles hung from Hogwarts' window ledges. Occasional winds sent them clattering down as returning young wizards exclaimed and dodged frantically.
Heavy doors slowly creaked open.
Filch shuffled out hunched over, Mrs. Norris following close behind.
The dim, flickering lantern light passed across each young wizard's face in turn. Seeing familiar faces, he finally stepped aside, his cloudy eyes carrying traces of disgust.
"Right then, get inside quickly."
"Rest time's nearly here. Don't let me catch you a second time, especially tonight..."
Before he could finish speaking, from the depths of the dark corridor bridge, a massive black shadow suddenly erupted forth. The shadow soared high like oppressive storm clouds, then crashed thunderously to earth.
Amid startled exclamations, the ground trembled violently as icicles from door frames and window ledges shook loose with rustling cascades.
"Motherfucker!"
"I'm going to pluck every last feather from that old bastard, then display them on the fourth floor for the entire school to admire!"
Setting down the slightly pale-faced Hermione and her companion, Venom roared his curses, body crouched low, leg muscles surging before suddenly launching skyward.
Fierce winds carried bitter cold in their wake.
The massive, grotesque form leaped into mid-air, grasping brick crevices and castle exterior edges like something crawling from the abyss itself—hidden within darkness, climbing directly toward the Headmaster's office window...
"Oh God, I shouldn't have asked him." Hermione pressed her forehead, unable to suppress a deep sigh.
"Don't be overly kind, Miss Granger, or this world will devour you to the bone."
"Occasionally you must bare your teeth and claws—otherwise you'll be casually mistreated..."
Ramos Tiamat smiled meaningfully, then approached the stunned Filch, gently tapping his lantern.
"Mr. Filch."
"I suggest retiring early tonight. I believe Father wouldn't want to encounter you a second time either—especially tonight."
He'd noticed earlier—the Headmaster's office window remained pitch black. Clearly, Dumbledore wasn't present.
As for whether Father possessed habits of displaced aggression... that remained unknown.
(?_?)┐(￣ヮ￣)┌
With harsh, explosive shattering sounds, the Headmaster's office window burst inward as bitter wind swept through, glass shards scattering everywhere.
Within the dim chamber, portraits of former headmasters adorning the walls were violently awakened—all staring slack-jawed at the massive black shadow inside, eyes brimming with disbelief.
How many years had passed since their first encounter with bandits audacious enough to assault Hogwarts'Headmaster's office?
Fawkes stared blankly at Venom.
Weak flames occasionally escaped between his feathers, providing modest illumination for the room.
Venom emerged from shadows, pale, cold eyes gradually materializing as he slowly surveyed surroundings—the sound of crunching glass shards echoing within.
"Damn it, this old bastard's not home."
Under infrared sensing and various biological vision modes, besides Fawkes, no second heat source existed within the office.
Tiger lifted half his mask and spat contemptuously. Venom's gaze turned greedily toward Fawkes.
"Then let's collect some interest first..."
Before finishing, Fawkes suddenly spread his wings, instantly transforming into blazing flames and vanishing from his perch.
Animal instincts proved more sensitive than humans'—he felt certain he couldn't defeat this bizarre creature. If devoured, he probably couldn't achieve rebirth.
Too terrifying for any bird!
"Damned magical creature—lucky it escaped quickly..." Venom licked his lips with considerable regret.
"Damn it, you licked me!"
The possession suddenly vanished as Tiger cursed while wiping his mouth, face twisted with disgust.
"Oh, sorry—I forgot..."
Venom poked out his small head. Observing Tiger's disheveled state, his grotesque mouth couldn't help curling upward.
"Enough nonsense."
Tiger's face wrinkled almost completely—he genuinely didn't want recalling that sticky sensation.
"Find this old bastard elsewhere."
Regardless of circumstances, the Philosopher's Stone couldn't serve as black-market merchandise—it required safekeeping elsewhere.
Preferably within his own possession.
"Tiger!" Departing the Headmaster's office, Venom experienced sudden inspiration, asking with notable excitement:
"Do you think what we just did counts as tongu—"
"Shut up, Venom!"
"Don't make me thrash you!"
Tiger walked even faster...
"Harry, I genuinely have terrible feelings about this. You'd better not go."
"Forget that mirror."
"Snape and the others constantly patrol nearby. You'll lose house points—that's dreadful..."
Within the dormitory, Harry once again retrieved his Invisibility Cloak. Facing Ron's incessant chatter, he turned with feigned amusement:
"Come on, Ron."
"Don't worry—with this, there's no danger. Why are you becoming like Hermione?"
He casually draped the Invisibility Cloak over himself, leaving only a floating head in mid-air—quite an eerie sight.
"Trust me..."
Ron sighed helplessly. "Now I genuinely want becoming like Hermione."
These recent days, Harry spent virtually every night outside their dormitory. Even thick-skinned Ron sensed something profoundly wrong.
His friend seemed utterly addicted.
This wasn't healthy.
The wizarding world contained numerous magical artifacts with peculiar functions. Ron harbored complete wariness toward this mirror.
"Good night, Ron."
"I'll return as early as possible."
With the door's closing sound, Harry's figure completely vanished. Ron patted his forehead and collapsed powerlessly onto his bed.
Actually, he understood Harry perfectly.
Harry claimed seeing his parents, Harry expressed missing them terribly, Harry wanted joining them...
Ron felt inexplicably melancholy.
If his mother Molly had also perished at Voldemort's hands, he'd definitely become identical to Harry.
He didn't dare contemplate further—such thoughts made his heart ache with sharp, stabbing pains...
Within the deep, shadowy corridor, lively, hurried footsteps suddenly rang out, echoing repeatedly throughout the empty hallway.
Peeves?
At the fourth-floor corridor's corner, Tiger halted, frowning as he surveyed surroundings.
Hogwarts' ghosts never dared confront him directly—only Peeves would persistently harass him.
However, wall portraits had already fallen asleep, corridor knight armor remained motionless, and dim candlelight swayed gently in subtle breezes.
Peeves wasn't present.
[Tiger!]
Footsteps suddenly approached.
The instant Venom warned, Tiger lunged forward grabbing—familiar pained cries rang out simultaneously.
Only recognizing this voice prevented Tiger from casually crushing this invisible sphere.
"Oh, Tiger—it's me!"
Feeling terrifying pressure against his skull, Harry cried out through gritted teeth as the Invisibility Cloak slid away.
"Harry?"
Tiger raised an eyebrow slightly, then released his grip.
Harry gasped sharply and tumbled to the ground, finger-shaped bruises appearing across his pale forehead.
"What are you doing here?"
Dumbledore had long declared the fourth floor forbidden territory. He'd come seeking the Philosopher's Stone—so this kid came to...
"I came finding my parents!"
Before Tiger's gaze could turn dangerous, Harry quickly stated his purpose.
Hermione had long warned him—Tiger believed in jungle law.
Whether territory or possessions, once he'd marked them, absolutely never interfere under any circumstances.
If misunderstandings arose, explain immediately.
Never attempt meaningless chatter—tigers possessed the worst patience among all felines.
"Your parents?"
Following Harry's gaze toward an abandoned classroom, Tiger's expression gradually became rather peculiar.
"That old bastard Dumbledore..."
"Started studying necromancy?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
🔥 Want to read the next 30 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on Patreon - patreon.com/DarkGolds]