"Something happened, Tiger!"
"Someone killed Mrs. Norris!"
"I heard it—he wants to kill more people!"
Before Hermione could speak, Harry stepped forward first. Compared to what he'd encountered, the Shelby surname was undoubtedly more terrifying.
More importantly—he was a Surrey resident. When facing harm, the Shelby Family was always Surrey residents' first choice. Ironic, but true.
"Let's go take a look."
Tiger nodded slightly, then pulled the pale-faced Hermione to his side. Handed her Gunpowder.
"How was the deathday dinner?"
Hearing the teasing from above, Hermione puffed her cheeks. Wanting to get away from this annoying guy.
However, the warmth radiating from Tiger made her unconsciously move closer.
The long-missed scent and sense of security instantly dispelled the cold and unease from her body.
Barely perceptible grinding sounds quietly arose behind Tiger.
Hermione inexplicably shivered. Instinctively moving even closer to Tiger.
Tiger frowned.
He simply opened his wide wizard robes and pulled the tiny Hermione directly into his embrace.
The world seemed to freeze.
Hermione's eyes widened. Curled up in Tiger's arms, she seemed to hear both their heartbeats.
Not just the warmth from Tiger—even she felt like she was burning up. Her palms frighteningly hot.
The inexplicable chill was completely dispelled. Unprecedented fulfillment and satisfaction surged like ocean tides. Her usually wise eyes fell into deep confusion.
[Mom, what's happening... This feeling... what should I do...]
Just like that, Miss Know-It-All was carried up the stairs by Tiger in a daze. Her feet seemingly floating on clouds.
Noticing Hermione's unsteady steps, Tiger's arm around her shoulder unconsciously tightened.
"Farley... Farley... Calm down!!!"
Riley Shafiq gripped her friend's wrist tightly. Gritting her teeth as she kept persuading something. Her annoyed, helpless eyes wanting to burn a hole through Tiger's back.
Led by Harry and Ron, the Slytherin group entered the second-floor corridor. Seeing Slytherin change course from heading to the dungeons, other houses curiously followed.
In the deep, silent corridor, Mrs. Norris hanging upside down from a torch and the shocking line of bloody words on the wall came into view.
The blood hadn't completely dried.
Liquid slowly seeping into wall cracks was heart-stoppingly red. Gleaming ominously in the dim candlelight.
Every letter was deep and twisted. As if carrying some emotion of pain and anger.
"The Chamber has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware..."
Draco looked at the bloody words on the wall, then at the panicked Harry and Ron. Couldn't help snorting.
"Scarhead, what stunt are you trying to pull now? Isn't the Savior title enough for you? Heir of the Chamber? Ha, as if you're worthy?"
He certainly knew Harry didn't write those words.
But he just couldn't resist mocking them. Wanting to see their frustrated, angry expressions.
"Malfoy..."
Harry's face instantly flushed red.
Just as he was about to retort, thunderous discussion and exclamations covered his voice. Sweeping through the entire corridor without question.
Obviously, students from other houses had also seen this scene. Especially Ravenclaw students—they knew Hogwarts legends best.
"Penelope, is this talking about that Chamber?"
"Someone killed Mrs. Norris..."
"Was it Harry Potter? Is he the heir? What does he want to do..."
Curious and shocked gazes unanimously turned toward Harry and Ron standing at the storm's center.
Unlike other houses, Slytherin's little snakes were more rational. Except for Draco's few mocking comments, no one said much.
"If I'm not mistaken... It should refer to Slytherin's Chamber. This legend..."
Male prefect Burstrode also whispered information about Slytherin's Chamber in Tiger's ear.
For ordinary students, this was an unreachable legend. But for pure-blood nobles, this was historically documented reality that couldn't be taken lightly.
[The smell on the wall is chicken blood. I also smell something rotten, kind of like snake scent, very unfamiliar, right inside the wall...] Hearing Venom's voice, Tiger raised an eyebrow slightly.
[Can you find it?]
[Hmm... I could, but...]
Venom pondered briefly.
For it, nothing was simpler than destruction. The rotten smell seeping from behind the wall was clearly distinguishable.
But this scent permeated every corner of Hogwarts. That would be a huge project. If they smashed down all the walls, that moldy chocolate bean would definitely come looking for trouble.
[Then let's wait...]
Just as Tiger was about to act, Filch pushed through the crowd in panic. Dumbledore and others following closely.
"My cat! My cat! Mrs. Norris! What happened to you!"
Filch's hands trembled as he carefully took Mrs. Norris down. Painful, hoarse wails squeezed from his throat. His eyes full of bloodshot anger.
"Oh! No!!!"
He suddenly looked at Harry and Ron.
"It was you! You did this! You're getting revenge on me!!!"
His murky, sinister eyes widened extremely. Resentment and fury churning wildly in their depths.
"No no no, it wasn't us... When we arrived, Mrs. Norris was already..."
Harry and Ron waved their hands, backing away repeatedly.
Their panicked expressions tried to explain something, but were drowned out by boiling discussions.
At this moment, some Gryffindor idiots were even cheering. Shouting that Harry and Ron had done well. They'd long been annoyed with Mrs. Norris after being caught by Filch so often.
Seeing Filch's emotions about to spiral out of control, Dumbledore walked in front of Harry. Blocking both sides' line of sight.
"Calm down, Argus. Mrs. Norris isn't dead, and Harry didn't do this. This would require very advanced Dark Magic..."
With Dumbledore's explanation, Professor McGonagall and other professors dispersed the students together.
Curious, worried gazes withdrew one by one.
Under Tiger's unquestionable gaze, Hermione hugged Gunpowder and walked into the Gryffindor group...
Thanks to tonight's events, Slytherin's little snakes had no mood for parties. Instead, there was endless speculation and discussion about Slytherin's Chamber.
The common room's air gradually filled with tension and unease. Especially for half-blood young wizards.
Under male prefect Burstrode's intervention, the noisy common room gradually returned to quiet. The little snakes looked at each other. Finally restraining their discussions and returning to their dormitories.
After examining Mrs. Norris, the professors determined something dangerous had appeared in the castle. So they began systematic searches by floor.
Tiger had planned to leave the common room and find the snake hidden behind the wall. But was blocked back by a group of professors.
Facing Professor Snape's cold smile and the older cat lady's stare, Tiger silently retreated to the common room. That old woman's vindictiveness was too strong—he really couldn't handle it...
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