"Tiger, you need to go."
"Madam Pomfrey will be here any minute."
Night in the Hospital Wing. Silent as frozen time. Cat-mione blushed and pushed at Tiger, trying to escape this dizzying restraint.
She had things to do tonight.
Tiger couldn't stay.
Last night's absence had devastated Harry—Filch chased them half the night.
She should've been at the library. Instead fell asleep in Tiger's arms.
Tonight, no matter what...
Unfortunately, Cat-mione's pink paw pads posed zero threat. Completely Tiger's playthings.
Her delicate cat paws kept extending and retracting under Tiger's addictive pressing. Like blooming flowers.
Just as Tiger reached for her foot pads, Madam Pomfrey's footsteps sounded outside.
Cat-mione broke free and buried herself under the blanket. Only two fuzzy ears trembled.
"Alright..."
"Tomorrow night then..."
Tiger clicked his tongue.
Blacklisted, he could only sneak in before bed for his furry fix.
Had to hide from Madam Pomfrey AND avoid Gunpowder and the big cat, or he'd have no cats at bedtime.
Dark liquid spread across his body like water.
Tiger's magic was rapidly absorbed. Demiguise symbiote organs activated.
His muscular form vanished into void. Merged with endless darkness...
"Miss Granger, medicine time."
Madam Pomfrey entered. Suspiciously scanned surroundings.
Gentle breeze through the window crack. Curtains swayed in moonlight.
Besides Cat-mione curled under her blanket and petrified students, no one else.
But Madam Pomfrey trusted her instincts.
Dumbledore had snuck in for tooth potions more than once. No one knew this place better.
"Miss Granger."
"Hiding under blankets won't protect you from ghosts. That's a myth..."
The lump under the blanket trembled.
Cat-mione poked her head out. Ears tilted back. Little paws clutching the corner. Eyes full of shame.
Like a real cat caught misbehaving.
"Alright, dear..."
"Drink up. Once you're asleep, no one can disturb you. Not even ghosts."
Madam Pomfrey shook her head. Handed over the potion. Turned to close the window.
Compared to the Headmaster's exploding office, Shelby was restrained. She couldn't ask for more...
Cat-mione took the potion. As Madam Pomfrey turned, quickly pulled an empty vial from under her pillow. Switched it.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Good night, dear."
Madam Pomfrey pulled the curtains. Took the empty vial. Patted Cat-mione's fluffy head. Left.
Hermione closed her eyes. Pretended to sleep.
The Hospital Wing returned to silence.
"Hermione... Hermione..."
"Time to go."
Harry's low call. Dark cat pupils snapped open. Flashed alertness.
Like a real cat, Hermione flipped up. Landed lightly.
To prevent another miss, the boys came to pick her up. Ron brought a cat hood for disguise.
After arranging everything, they donned the Invisibility Cloak. Hurried toward the library...
Hogwarts' highest point.
Tiger looked up at the boundless sky. Vastness Surrey couldn't offer.
Brilliant stars like gems on black velvet. Mysterious, alluring light. The scenery from Mother Polly's letters. Father Lawrence's secret meeting spot...
"Damn old man."
The Headmaster's office window remained dark. Tiger spat. Abandoned waiting.
His fierce form vanished into night. Followed the corridor back into the castle...
"These damn brats..." Filch cursed down the stairs.
Since Mrs. Norris's incident, without a cat guide, he'd become the students' plaything.
Laughter echoed in the stairwell. Tiger walked leisurely toward the dungeons.
Third floor.
Venom's head appeared. Like a hungry dog, breath greedily inhaling.
"Damn, look what I smell!"
"Blood, murder, ambition..."
"Evil soul. Rare delicacy. Like a cooked meal."
"Wish I had chocolate sauce." His hoarse voice trembled. Intoxicated.
"What?"
Tiger's eyes darkened. Stopped. Looked down where Venom sniffed.
Dark stairwell corner. First floor.
Red hair flashed. Disappeared.
"Weasley?"
That fleeting familiar face. Tiger frowned.
Ginny Weasley.
The Weasley sister. Always following Ron. Secretly watching Harry.
Far different from Venom's description.
"Hey, can I eat her?"
Drool dripped from white fangs. "Just this once, asshole."
"I'm begging you..."
"Hm?"
Tiger raised an eyebrow. Surprised.
First time Venom begged over food. Temptation comparable to the Philosopher's Stone.
"Then eat her..."
Venom's eyes widened. "Oh damn, I fucking love you, asshole!"
Tiger trusted Venom's judgment over Ginny's harmless appearance.
Sensed Venom's abnormality. An ordinary student wouldn't make Venom this ravenous.
The reason? Tiger was too lazy to think. Once in his hands, he'd know everything.
The Weasley family's reaction? Not his concern.
Worst case—family reunion...
Under Venom's urging, Tiger stopped waiting for staircases. Vaulted the railing. Jumped.
Portraits exclaimed. Black shadow dropped through the stairwell center.
Muffled thud.
Tiger landed in a crouch. Dusted off nonexistent dirt. Strode toward darkness.
Sticky symbiote threads retracted from his legs...
————————————————————
🔥 Want to read the next 150+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 Join on -
patreon.com/DarkGolds