"Acromantula?"
"That's right. Aragog is innocent. He's very kind—wouldn't hurt anyone."
"He's like my child..."
"No, he IS my child!"
Inside the gamekeeper's hut.
Hagrid spoke with red-rimmed eyes about fifty years ago. Tears fell onto his beard.
Finally, remembering his days in Azkaban, he began wailing. Sounds like a steam whistle echoed through the hut.
Seeing they couldn't get more information.
Tiger led his group away from the gamekeeper's hut.
Theodore dodged the rotten wooden basin at the door with disgust. Several dead roosters lay inside, their foul stench hitting them.
Due to recent rumors, students had grown nervous. Even during rest time, the castle was eerily quiet.
Male prefect Burstrode analyzed thoughtfully:
"Father, why don't we ask that Acromantula? Based on Hagrid's account."
"I suspect..."
"That Acromantula might know more. Otherwise it wouldn't have warned Hagrid about danger."
"Uh..."
Tiger scratched his brow awkwardly.
Seeing his hesitant expression, male prefect Burstrode looked puzzled.
"Father, did I miss something?"
"No, not at all."
"Your analysis makes sense, except..." Tiger shook his head helplessly.
"There are no more Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest."
Theodore said flatly: "To help the centaur tribe, Father exterminated the Acromantulas last month."
Male prefect Burstrode's eyes widened.
"All of them?!"
Though Acromantulas were classified as 4X creatures, their danger far exceeded 5X level.
Violent toxicity, vicious attacks, massive size, plus terrifying reproduction—even dragons wouldn't nest near their territory.
"Well, not all." Tiger gave up completely. "There are still a few..."
"Venom likes their taste. Keeping some for breeding. Planning another meal in a few months."
"As for Hagrid's friend."
"I remember it well—that talking spider, about car-sized..."
"Cough..."
Theodore suddenly coughed. Tiger instinctively looked back at the gamekeeper's hut.
Hagrid had come out, carrying the rotten basin to a nearby pit, apparently to bury it. Whimpering sounds still echoed.
Tiger lowered his voice.
"That stormy night last month, Venom already tore it apart and ate it. Died pretty horribly. No wonder I kept feeling like it wanted to tell me something..."
Hagrid considered Aragog his own child.
Tiger really didn't have the heart to tell Hagrid "I ate your kid," so he just went along with it.
"That's unfortunate. Looks like we'll have to wait for danger to surface..."
Male prefect Burstrode showed no regret. His thin lips curved upward instead.
Compared to Slytherin's Chamber—this buried secret—he focused more on the future. He finally had a clear sense of his leader's strength.
As far as he knew, wizards who could single-handedly exterminate an Acromantula colony were rare.
Every one was a renowned elder wizard. Some were even in textbooks.
And his leader was terrifyingly young.
――――――
When Tiger's group returned to Hogwarts.
Filch was still patrolling the staircases, trying to find whoever hurt Mrs. Norris.
His sinister gaze constantly swept nearby students, until Slytherin's little snakes poured from the stairwell.
Still discussing last night's events. Filch looked over sharply.
However, what met his eyes were gazes even more malicious than his own.
Filch shrank back like he'd been shocked, grabbed a bucket from the corner, and started scrubbing the bloody words on the wall.
"Damn mongrel, look at me like that again and I'll twist your head off!"
Draco cursed as he swept past. Other Slytherin snakes also glanced at Filch with dark eyes, their threatening intent unmistakable.
Passing Ravenclaws silently applauded. Even the usually submissive Hufflepuffs looked admiringly.
For the first time, they thought.
Slytherin was really great at being bad. No one was more considerately bad than Slytherin...
Afternoon. Slanted sunlight brought gentle warmth to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Tiger lazily sprawled on his desk, catching up on his missed nap. He'd stuffed Gunpowder into his arm as a pillow.
The tiny cat was pressed until its eyes rolled back. Finally splitting into several copies, it escaped from Tiger's arm. Dissatisfied meows arose from Hermione's embrace.
Tiger sighed regretfully.
"Why won't you grow up?"
Having experienced the satisfaction a big cat provided, Gunpowder's tiny size suddenly felt like a leaky blanket—no matter how he covered himself, something was missing...
As night fell.
Stars quietly dotted the sky. Riley Shafiq walked hesitantly from the girls' dormitory.
Under her worried, helpless gaze.
A sleek black panther emerged from behind her, stepping with light, elegant cat steps, silently entering the boys' dormitory.
Its slightly raised tail traced a playful arc in the darkness, as if silently expressing indescribable joy and anticipation.
"Hey, little one!"
"What are you doing here?"
The moment Tiger pushed open his door, his brows lifted with delighted surprise. Gunpowder, curled in his arms, was casually set aside.
"Meow?"
Gunpowder opened sleepy eyes. Before it could yawn, its blue gaze suddenly froze.
(O?O)!
Who are you?!
On the sofa, a massive black cat lay contentedly on its master's lap, enjoying his stroking, fluffy tail swaying.
"MEOWWW!!!"
An almost shrill cat cry exploded.
Gunpowder's fur instantly stood on end. It became a black lightning bolt, charging straight at the sofa.
Never underestimate a cat's jealousy!
Instantly, four identical Gunpowders bared their claws, leaping to swipe viciously at the panther.
"Gunpowder!"
Tiger quickly reached out, only managing to catch one snarling cat, pulling it into his embrace.
However, the other three Gunpowders were casually batted away like yarn balls by the big cat's tail. Lazy emerald eyes flashed with contempt.
The seemingly casual movement revealed indescribable elegance and nonchalance, making Tiger look sideways.
Defiant hissing arose again...
"Gunpowder, listen... it's a guest... I will... like you best... it's you..."
Under Tiger's patient persuasion, Gunpowder finally gave up attacking the big cat.
It climbed up Tiger's pant leg, stuffing itself into its master's embrace, constantly rolling around, trying to attract his attention.
Unfortunately, under the big cat's mesmerizing purrs, Tiger completely sank into fascination...
Deep night.
Watching the big cat curl into Tiger's embrace, Gunpowder sat at the foot of the bed, completely lost.
Who is it? Who am I?
Where is it? Where am I?
What is it doing? What am I doing?
Emerald eyes glowed quietly. In Tiger's satisfied snoring, the big cat shifted position, its soft, firm tail wrapping around Tiger's arm.
When Gunpowder caught the contempt and amusement in the big cat's eyes, the tiny furball bristled again.
Damn it!
Go die!
Foreign big bitch!!!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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