"Rest well, Potter."
"It's all over now..."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Shelby."
"No need for thanks..."
As the door closed, the room fell silent. Tommy's footsteps faded away.
Staring at the closed door, Harry's expression was strange.
At least in his eyes, Tommy Shelby was completely different from the stereotypical gangster.
The Shelby Family's leader displayed unexpected kindness and patience.
In his every gesture, he seemed more like an old-world aristocrat emerging from a castle, exuding stability and elegance refined by time.
More importantly, Harry felt a brotherly warmth from Tommy, as if all anxiety could be resolved in his presence.
"That's really nice..."
Harry sighed softly.
He suddenly began to envy Tiger.
After turning off the light, Harry lay quietly on the bed, staring at the pitch-black ceiling. His expression seemed dazed.
Images in his mind flickered like a broken slideshow—fragmented and chaotic.
Aunt Petunia's embarrassment, Uncle Vernon's silence, Aunt Marge's screams, Dudley's terror, and that big black dog chasing him...
Time passed.
The laughter outside hadn't faded. Harry turned over, looking toward the window where light and shadow flickered.
Under the interweaving firelight and moonlight, the Shelbys forgot the day's troubles. They stood up, laughing as they danced the tango.
Piano keys from the gramophone rang passionate and intense.
Laughter echoed through the night sky, intertwining with the crackling bonfire...
"That's really nice, the Shelbys..." Harry slowly closed his eyes, a smile curving his lips.
The next morning, warm sunlight streamed into the room. Harry walked out the door.
The Shelby bar was exceptionally quiet today.
Tommy had left early with John for Nott Manor. Arthur was still sleeping off his hangover...
In the spacious front hall, only Nia washing dishes and the conversation of Tiger and the others could be heard.
Hearing footsteps behind them, Hermione and Neville turned around.
"Did you sleep well, Harry?"
"Neville?"
Seeing that familiar face, Harry froze. Then his eyes widened in disbelief. His emerald pupils couldn't hide his joy.
"Oh my God."
"How are you here?!"
After all, Neville was a typical pureblood aristocrat, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Introverted and timid, he rarely left home, let alone the wizarding world.
"Uh, Gran made me come."
"I just found out you stayed here last night. This is great..."
Neville glanced at Hermione, his smile still honest.
Harry smiled too.
Seeing Hogwarts friends was undoubtedly comforting right now.
Neville, who usually only wore wizarding robes, was actually wearing Muggle denim this time.
However, the overall look was quite dated. Exaggerated bell-bottoms nearly covered his entire feet.
"Little fatty, forget about him."
"You still eating this?"
Venom stared at the last piece of chocolate cake on the table. Its tongue licked the corner of its mouth.
Neville rubbed his stomach, shaking his head with regret. "No, Venom. I'm too full."
"Good... uh... I mean... eating too much... isn't good for you!"
Venom grinned. Its crimson tongue rolled the chocolate cake directly into its fangs. While chewing vigorously, it spoke words comforting Neville. Looked extremely insincere.
But Neville didn't mind.
Seeing Venom enjoy the cake he brought so much, his honest eyes practically glowed.
"Alright, Neville rarely comes here."
"Let's go out for a walk."
Just then, Hermione looked at Harry. Seeing Harry's hesitation, she continued:
"Just to clear your head, how about it?"
Though Neville didn't know Harry's situation, Hermione could roughly guess his grandmother's thinking. Right now, Harry needed his friends' company most.
Though Hermione's gaze fell on Harry, under the table, her pale fingertips lightly tugged Tiger's hem, faintly showing pleading and anticipation.
Tiger looked down slightly, then stood up directly. Grabbed his jacket from the chair back.
"Let's go. I'll take you to Kent."
"Aha!"
"I love the chocolate beans there!"
Venom's cheer was full of greedy desire.
Compared to Surrey, Kent was closer to the estuary—more modern with more entertainment facilities.
For Neville, who'd never left the wizarding world, this was undoubtedly a rare, novel experience.
Looking at the subway in the station, Neville's eyes widened exaggeratedly. He lowered his voice:
"Merlin's socks!"
"They actually drove trains underground?"
"Uh..."
"They didn't drive it underground... it's just..."
Harry's expression was conflicted. Didn't know how to explain.
Hermione helplessly pushed the two.
"Alright, stop talking."
"This subway's already late. If we dawdle more, we won't reach Kent until afternoon."
Following the crowded flow, Hermione and the others struggled greatly before squeezing into the subway.
Only Tiger, with his fierce, robust appearance like a human beast, went wherever he pleased unobstructed.
People in the car avoided him. Even those who'd finally grabbed seats panicked and gave them up.
Tiger wasn't polite. He sat down directly.
Harry and the others followed, sitting obediently beside him. Hermione inconspicuously moved closer to Tiger, lowering her head and giggling.
The usually noisy car became strange and tense with Tiger's arrival.
Passengers unable to squeeze into other cars could only stand nervously near Tiger, praying the subway wouldn't be late.
As the subway reached each station, more and more people crowded in. Tiger's fierce form was submerged among them.
Passengers who didn't see Tiger naturally noticed the empty seat beside Harry.
"Hey, kid..."
"Move in!"
Seeing a Black man squeeze beside him without courtesy, Harry said nothing. Just shifted slightly toward Neville.
Noticing Harry's discomfort, Neville also squeezed toward Hermione.
Hermione's eyes flickered. Then she naturally made more space for Neville. As if covering something up, she placed her hands between her knees, lowering her head slightly. She leaned guiltily against Tiger's shoulder, murmuring:
"So many people today..."
Tiger looked down at Hermione. Said nothing, just felt this chipmunk was getting stranger.
On the other side, seeing Harry say nothing but obediently make room, the Black man became increasingly pushy.
He simply leaned back, forcefully squeezing Harry against Neville, then rested his arm on the seat back.
Unprepared, Neville wobbled and squeezed Hermione toward Tiger.
As the familiar, rich scent rushed to her nose, Hermione instantly held her breath. Curled in Tiger's arms, she was too nervous to speak, afraid Tiger would push her away...
"Uh, are you squeezed?"
Tiger looked at Hermione somewhat puzzled. The chipmunk's little head shook repeatedly. She didn't make a sound.
This was perfect!
Tiger fell silent for a moment. Seeing Hermione seemed to enjoy it, he ultimately swallowed his remaining words.
[I'm a bit squeezed.]
[No matter, I can stand up too.]
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