"Woof woof woof!"
Deep in the dense forest, thunderous barking suddenly erupted.
Eight limb-like tentacles seemed to spring to life, spinning abruptly as their pointed tips shot out at breathtaking speed.
The powerful recoil sent the entire appendage assembly jerking backward before slowly extending once more.
Like incoming artillery shells, the ear-splitting whistle flashed past in an instant. Eight vajra-like spikes pierced through the dense woodland, wood splinters exploding in all directions as they homed in on the sound's source...
"Fang, have you found him!"
"Woof woof woof!"
Among the trees, a particularly fierce-looking Neapolitan Mastiff barked several times toward the slope above, then wagged its tail and bounded happily toward Hagrid.
The very second it abandoned its position, that piercing whistle erupted once more.
Hagrid instinctively looked up to see several black shadows streak past, then crash viciously into Fang's former location. The brutal impact sent dirt and debris flying in every direction.
The flying stones stung when they struck. Fang was utterly terrified, its dark eyes brimming with panic and helplessness.
With a pitiful whimper, it scrambled behind Hagrid without a backward glance, its previously proud tail now tucked firmly between trembling legs.
"Oh! Bloody hell!"
"Fang, are you alright!"
Hagrid quickly shielded Fang behind him, deep wariness and fury showing beneath his thick, coarse beard.
He drew the hunting knife from his back—its rough blade still bore traces of dried blood.
"Who's there! Show yourself!"
Before the words had fully left his lips, Venom vaulted from the hilltop like some nightmarish beast materializing from thin air. The surrounding trees and undergrowth were sliced into fragments by tentacles that had transformed into razor-sharp blades.
The spider-leg appendages sprouting from its back had regrown their tips, though this time they weren't vajra-shaped—instead, they gleamed as blood-red, wickedly sharp spikes.
"Is food calling to me?"
Venom crouched low, fangs fully bared, cocking its head to flash Hagrid a savage grin.
"..."
Hagrid froze completely. For one terrifying instant, he'd even envisioned his own death—and it would be absolutely gruesome.
Fortunately, he remembered Dumbledore's words. Hagrid swallowed hard and bellowed toward Venom:
"Shelby, is that you!"
"Dumbledore sent me to find you!"
Though students entering the Forbidden Forest violated school rules, Venom's size and capabilities were obviously far more rule-breaking than any regulation.
Whatever the case, it couldn't be allowed to continue this rampage.
Hearing Hagrid's shout, Venom slowly straightened, abandoning its attack posture as all tentacles retracted into its body. The fierce, terrifying mask receded halfway, revealing Tiger's features.
"Honestly, I despise hairy chocolate drops. This bloke clearly wouldn't taste good."
"Shut it, you tosser."
Too irritated to engage with Venom's commentary, Tiger leaped forward and landed heavily before Hagrid, the ground trembling beneath the impact.
"What d'you want?"
After recognizing Tiger's face, Hagrid visibly relaxed, though his beetle-black eyes immediately blazed with barely contained excitement.
"Dumbledore sent me to tell you to attend class."
"This lesson's flying—he said you'd definitely enjoy it. Also, students skipping classes is wrong."
After delivering this message, Hagrid's tone shifted as he eagerly extended his hands, gesturing animatedly.
"Oh, blimey..."
"Shelby, is it really an Obscurus? It's absolutely magnificent! Might I touch it?"
The man looked positively thrilled.
"No. And tell that old codger I'm not skipping—I'm on bloody sick leave."
Tiger's eye twitched as he firmly refused.
Don't be deceived—though Venom enveloped him, apart from their digestive systems, they essentially shared one body.
Hagrid touching Venom would be tantamount to touching himself.
That was far too perverse—absolutely not happening.
Under Hagrid's disappointed and pitiful gaze, Venom completely retracted as Tiger strode past the man and dog, heading directly for the forest's edge.
The Forbidden Forest's magical creatures seemed to have received some warning and had fled entirely. Lingering wouldn't yield any catches—better to return to school for proper food.
Venom was sated, but he remained ravenous.
"Remember, try to keep your broomstick steady."
"After flying for a short while, lean forward slightly..."
On the grounds outside Hogwarts, Madam Hooch explained flying fundamentals with stern concentration.
The assembled students barely contained their excitement, awaiting the practical flight session about to commence.
However, Hermione appeared unexpectedly distracted, her mouth turned downward as she struggled to contain her sadness.
Ron couldn't resist nudging Harry. "Oi, Harry, what's gotten into her?"
"Haven't a clue." Harry tilted his head, whispering, "Started during Potions."
"Something about Shelby, I think."
"Today she had rows with several Slytherins. Best not to wind her up."
"Shelby?"
Ron looked enlightened, then puzzled. "Right, where is Shelby?"
He glanced toward the Slytherin ranks, but those menacing eyes weren't among them.
Instinctively, he looked at Hermione beside him.
Under Harry's exasperated expression, Ron nudged Hermione and quietly inquired:
"Hermione, where's Shelby gone?"
Hearing Tiger's name, Hermione's eyes trembled before she shot Ron a vicious glare.
"He's in hell waiting for you!"
She assumed everyone knew about Tiger's expulsion, and asking after him was merely to mock.
Even though Ron was her friend, he couldn't speak ill of Tiger.
It must be said—after spending time with Tiger, Hermione's speaking style had gradually adopted Shelby characteristics.
"Bloody hell..."
"I was just showing concern!"
Ron glared indignantly. Regardless, these words were so venomous that even Harry couldn't bear to watch.
"Pay attention—listen for my whistle."
"Three, two..."
Just then, Madam Hooch positioned herself between the two teams and raised the whistle at her chest. But before she could blow it, Neville floated upward prematurely.
"Mr. Longbottom..."
Seeing Neville's pale, panicked expression, Madam Hooch attempted to calm him, but the next second, Neville shot straight toward the castle...
Students stared skyward in shock as terrified screams echoed through the air.
"Help me..."
Just as Neville was about to crash into the tower's stone wall, an enormous black shadow materialized, leaping from the high platform to snatch him from his broomstick with one powerful grip before plummeting heavily into the lawn.
"Oh! Merlin!"
Madam Hooch cried out, drew her wand, and led the students racing toward the tower's base.
"Ha! Little pudding."
"How was the flying experience?"
Venom deposited Neville onto the grass, baring its menacing fangs in raucous laughter. Neville's face remained deathly pale.
"Thank you, Venom. It felt absolutely dreadful. Why am I always so bloody unlucky?"
(┳Д┳)
"No, you're extraordinarily fortunate, Mr. Longbottom."
Madam Hooch arrived and quickly examined Neville's condition. Thankfully, aside from minor scrapes, he was unharmed.
"Very lucky indeed—you didn't break your neck."
She released a relieved sigh.
"You are... Mr. Shelby?"
Confronted by the menacing, colossal form before them, students cowered at a safe distance. Only Madam Hooch showed no fear.
On the contrary, she smiled with satisfaction and relief. During the Sorting Ceremony, Tiger had left a profound impression—honestly, not a favorable one.
But she possessed a rich adventurous spirit, always brimming with curiosity and eagerness to explore novel phenomena.
"Tiger Shelby."
"Delighted to meet you, Madam. Let me clarify upfront—I'm not skipping class. I'm on sick leave."
Venom completely retracted, revealing Tiger's powerful physique. Madam Hooch couldn't suppress her amazement.
"Good gracious, how did you suddenly grow so much?"
Tiger shrugged indifferently, flashing a fierce, predatory grin.
"Side effects of magical surge. Just call it my second growth spurt. If nothing goes wrong, there'll be several more rounds."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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