In the fireplace, wood crackled and popped, weak flames dancing across Dumbledore's spectacles, concealing the almost imperceptible bewilderment and shock.
Perhaps having witnessed too many hypocritical faces and heard too many false oaths, Tiger's brutally direct reaction caught Dumbledore completely off guard.
He'd envisioned countless possible reactions from Tiger.
Scornful dismissal, shrewd calculation of advantages, or concealed intentions—burying desire deep within his heart with calculated ambition...
Like a master chess player, Dumbledore had preset numerous conditions for every conceivable response, all to prevent Tiger from misusing the Philosopher's Stone.
However, Tiger's undisguised directness and raw honesty made all his preparations crumble in an instant.
"So you're planning to hand this over to me?"
Facing Tiger's burning stare, Dumbledore shook his head and chuckled with self-deprecating amusement.
He found himself suddenly appreciating this little bastard.
Though this little bastard lacked manners, was crude and vulgar, radiating savagery and brutality from every pore—his candor proved more reassuring than certain others.
If it were those pure-blood nobles, they'd probably have descended into complete madness by now, prepared to commit any atrocity for the Philosopher's Stone...
Seeing Dumbledore shake his head, Tiger irritably furrowed his brow and spoke without ceremony:
"What d'you want?"
"No, Tiger, I—"
Hearing what sounded like refusal, Tiger suddenly leaned forward, pressing his palms against the desk's edge, his tone deadly serious:
"Sorry, maybe I need to rephrase this."
"Headmaster, I've got over four hundred Galleons and want to buy your Philosopher's Stone."
"But I've got a problem."
"Can't afford the price, but still want the stone. Think you could help me work something out?"
Observing Tiger's eyes blazing with predatory light, Dumbledore's expression darkened considerably. Clearly, this little bastard was prepared to resort to any means necessary!
Merlin's beard...
What the devil had gone wrong with the Shelby family?
"Here's a thought—if you've got people you don't like, I can eliminate them for you."
"Ten people..."
"Up to fifty, how's that sound?"
"If you want their entire family wiped out, that's not off the table either. I won't count that toward the—"
"Mr. Shelby!"
Watching Tiger's proposals grow increasingly horrifying, Dumbledore shot to his feet, his expression gravely serious.
Honestly, in all these years—aside from Voldemort—this was the first time someone had sent chills down his spine.
Were it not for his old friend's dying wish, he'd rather swallow the Philosopher's Stone whole than entrust it to Tiger.
"Whatever happens, please retain your sanity!"
"I don't have a bloody shred of sanity right now!"
That rough, guttural roar erupted again.
Perhaps the Philosopher's Stone's allure proved too powerful—Tiger's eyes grew bloodshot as Venom's terrifying fangs gradually materialized across his cheeks.
Recognizing Tiger's deteriorating condition, Dumbledore's expression hardened. Silver-white mist emanated from the Elder Wand's tip, and with Tiger's labored breathing, the vapor entered his mouth and nostrils.
"Get that bloody thing away from me!"
"Temporarily..."
The moment Tiger's eyes regained clarity, he stumbled backward two steps, his chest and back drenched as though soaked in water.
He gasped heavily.
His fierce gaze carried traces of lingering terror—this sensation of being beyond rational control was absolutely dreadful.
"Damn it, Tiger."
"Stay away from that thing."
"I'm starting to feel its influence too."
Venom roared with unease.
Moments ago, it had seemed to glimpse a concentrated symbiote dripping with irresistible chocolate sauce...
"Tiger, actually, this artifact is indeed meant for you—Flamel's final request."
"But perhaps... not now."
Dumbledore sighed softly.
He couldn't fathom what catastrophe would unfold once Tiger walked through that door clutching the Philosopher's Stone.
"No—it's now..."
Tiger's deep eyes still harbored remnants of that consuming desire as he regarded Dumbledore with grave intensity.
"There's no time more perfect than right now."
"Let me try. If something goes wrong, you're the only one who can control me. You said yourself this stone won't harm me..."
"Now?"
Dumbledore fell silent for a long moment, then waved the Elder Wand to cast Protego Totalum. A visible fluorescent barrier enveloped the entire headmaster's office.
"Very well then, child. Let's attempt this."
Dumbledore was equally curious about why the Philosopher's Stone held such magnetic appeal for Tiger.
"Remember—future achievements depend not on your abilities, but on your choices."
"Cut the philosophical bullshit, Headmaster."
"Just try not to get yourself killed."
Such antiquated wisdom was like decades-old swill to Tiger.
"Fair enough. You be careful as well—I'd hate to explain your demise to Flamel."
Dumbledore shook his head with rueful amusement. For such an impervious student, persuasion proved utterly futile.
"Come here, beautiful."
"Come to papa!"
To provide Dumbledore adequate reaction time, Tiger didn't summon Venom's symbiosis. Instead, he strode directly to the desk and seized the Philosopher's Stone without hesitation.
Visible ripples radiated from his palm as Dumbledore raised the Elder Wand with grim determination.
Instantly, devastating impact coursed through Tiger's entire body—like wildfire igniting every drop of blood within him. Scalding torrents rushed beneath every inch of skin.
Tiger couldn't suppress his ragged gasping, struggling to ease the inferno and restlessness consuming him from within. Sweat erupted like a deluge, saturating his clothes.
"Bloody hell, what the fuck is this?! That worthless piece of shit Lawrence never mentioned anything like this!"
"Tiger, how do you feel?"
Hearing Tiger's explosive cursing, Dumbledore narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, prepared to separate Tiger from the Philosopher's Stone at any moment.
"I feel... I feel..."
"This sensation... is fucking incredible... that bastard Venom... is about to bloody climax!"
"Motherfucker!"
Dumbledore stood speechless.
[Oh god! Kill me now!]
[Anyone! Dear god!]
Venom's screams—like cranial ecstasy—began looping endlessly through Tiger's mind.
Tiger couldn't help grinding his teeth and releasing low, guttural moans.
His blazing heart now hammered with abnormal violence, as though ready to burst from his chest.
Each thunderous beat delivered crushing impact, reverberating through his entire frame.
This was the ultimate experience—simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating, as if he could command everything...
Suddenly, the energy contracted with lightning speed, and the chamber's turbulence abruptly returned to silence.
Beneath Tiger's skin, something resembling molten lava seemed to surge, spreading throughout his body. Searing breath washed over him as sparks sprayed from Tiger's ears and nostrils.
Then ripples expanded once more.
This time, the energy felt like injecting frigid steel machinery directly into living flesh. Tiger couldn't suppress his agonized cry.
"Diffindo!"
"Accio Philosopher's Stone!"
The pain vanished instantly. The Philosopher's Stone that Tiger had been clutching flew swiftly into Dumbledore's grasp.
"Fuck..."
Tiger collapsed helplessly into the chair, the heat beneath his skin gradually dissipating.
The golden-red, magma-like radiance extinguished completely, as though it had finally cooled.
Dumbledore studied the Philosopher's Stone in contemplative silence.
Beyond its visible dimming, this blood-crimson artifact had shrunk by nearly one-third.
"No need to return it, Albus."
"Trust me—when it fulfills its purpose, it will vanish on its own..."
Nicolas Flamel's voice still echoed in his memory.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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