Near term's end, upper-year students plunged into intense revision. Even the usually carefree Lisa prepared study materials for her O.W.L.s.
As for N.E.W.T.s—seventh years were swamped. The library echoed with rustling pages.
Hermione was among them.
To catch up on missed coursework, she'd taken staggering amounts of notes.
Harry and Ron only had to glance at them to look like they wanted to die.
As for Tiger, he'd become completely unmanageable.
Hermione, Gunpowder, Cat-Hermione—none of them wanted to go near him these days.
Especially after Hermione mentioned that Tiger went to see Cat-Hermione every night.
Cat-Hermione rolled up all of Tiger's underwear as emergency rations against the love potion's backlash.
This fierce determination left Tiger unsettled day and night.
With no choice, Tiger grabbed his textbooks and came to the library. He sat across from Hermione, remotely cat-watching.
Gunpowder, curled in Hermione's arms, glanced at Tiger once, then buried her head back in Hermione's embrace. Her wildly swishing tail overflowed with irritation.
Just then, the Weasley twins burst excitedly into the library. Completely ignoring Madam Pince's furious glare, they announced in unison:
"Final exams are canceled!"
"What?!"
Hermione shot to her feet.
Gunpowder flew out instantly. Tiger caught her in one hand. His wicked chuckle followed, along with Gunpowder's displeased, resistant meows.
But Hermione didn't notice any of that.
Her shocked, questioning eyes locked onto the Weasley twins.
Harry and Ron craned their necks, eyes mixing hope and disbelief, afraid these bastards were pranking them again.
Facing everyone's doubt, George Weasley spread his hands, grinning brilliantly.
"The notice is posted in all the common rooms."
"What are you still sitting here for?"
Boom.
Students stampeded out of the library, completely ignoring Madam Pince's roars. Books and materials piled like mountains on tables were left behind.
"Oh no..."
Hermione collapsed back into her seat in despair.
Tiger, holding the struggling Gunpowder, strode out of the library. Compared to canceled exams, he preferred days with constant cat access.
Within ten minutes, deafening cheers echoed throughout Hogwarts. Voices spread the news through every corridor.
The lingering fear and shadow from the Chamber of Secrets completely dissolved into the air...
"You see, Minerva."
"Children's happiness is actually quite simple."
At the staff table, Dumbledore smiled warmly at each House table. Nothing was more infectious than smiles on children's faces.
"Though I don't approve of this."
"But..."
"Perhaps you're right, Albus..."
Looking at the one out-of-place figure at the Gryffindor table, Professor McGonagall couldn't help smiling.
Every time she saw Hermione, she remembered that determined little Gryffindor girl she once was.
She wondered if she'd have been as dejected as Hermione in this situation.
Probably...
"Quiet, please. Quiet."
"Children..."
With the sound of a crystal glass being tapped, Dumbledore rose with a smile. The Great Hall's noise gradually quieted.
Everyone looked at Dumbledore.
"Children, in this challenging year, you've experienced much together. In my view, this is far more important than any exam."
"You could say you've already passed life's most important test."
"Facing fear, witnessing courage, encountering darkness, but also discovering light."
"Mr. Harry Potter, with his wisdom and bravery, revealed the Chamber's secrets..."
Celebratory noise erupted at the Gryffindor table. The Weasley twins excitedly shouted about the Chosen One. If not for Harry's discovery, their sister might have died.
Harry ducked his head awkwardly.
"Of course..."
"And Mr. Tiger Shelby."
Sensing Tiger's impatience, Dumbledore sighed helplessly and cut his remaining words short. He turned his gaze to the Slytherin table.
"Magic's power comes from our friendship, our courage, and our thirst for knowledge."
"Mr. Tiger Shelby fully demonstrated his mastery of power. Slytherin has shown us that no matter what difficulties we face, as long as we unite..."
"..."
The Slytherin table fell into eerie silence.
Including Male Prefect Burstrode, the little snakes stared at Dumbledore with absurd confusion.
"I feel like..."
"I don't understand English anymore."
Marcus shook his head expressionlessly, as if trying to pour water out of his brain.
"He feels like a stranger."
Draco swallowed.
As far as he knew, this most powerful white wizard had never praised Slytherin, much less lied so blatantly. They'd done nothing that day.
"You'll get used to it."
Theodore said flatly.
"What do you mean?"
Riley Shafiq frowned, turning to Theodore with puzzled, wary eyes.
Honestly, Dumbledore's sudden kindness made these pureblood nobles feel sick and scared.
"Simply put, if Dumbledore keeps pushing the Chosen One narrative, Father will twist the Chosen One's head off and throw it in Dumbledore's face. Shelby hates that kind of talk most..."
In life's journey, only you can save yourself.
Rely on others? You're dreaming!
That's what Mother Polly told the children.
Theodore agreed completely.
Seize every opportunity, grit your teeth, struggle desperately—that was Shelby. That was his life.
Not pinning hope on some "Chosen One."
Too ridiculous.
"No, I'm just hungry."
Tiger glanced at Theodore flatly.
Including Theodore, everyone's faces darkened.
"If this old man keeps babbling, I'll make him taste what a hungry sphincter feels like."
Slap.
Face-palming sounds rose and fell. Only Gemma Farley covered her lips, laughing until she shook.
Please, stop talking, Father...
Tiger was great in every way except this—it always made them want to join Voldemort.
"May you continue upholding Slytherin's precious qualities in the days ahead. Hogwarts will always be your strongest support."
"Now, let us give our warmest applause to congratulate Slytherin on winning the House Cup again!"
As Dumbledore finished, the Slytherin table raised their glasses in unison. Everyone cheered together.
"Long live Father!"
"Long live Shelby!"
"Long live Slytherin!"
Under Theodore's pleading gaze, Tiger reluctantly put down his knife and fork and reached for his glass, even though it only held orange juice.
"Heir! Heir! Heir!"
Amid the other Houses' lukewarm applause, the Weasley twins' cheers stood out. Even the little Slytherin snakes looked at them.
Dumbledore rubbed his throbbing temples.
Had to say, their way of expressing thanks was truly unique. Seeing the Weasley twins winking at him, Tiger laughed and stood, raising his glass high:
"Cheers!"
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