Night fell.
Starlight shone quiet and clear in the pitch-black sky, like ancient lighthouses guiding lost travelers.
The barbecue party was exceptionally noisy.
Many Shelby drunks lay on the ground. Looked like a crime scene.
In the courtyard, laughter, curses, and toasts wove together.
Bright light spilled through the bar's windows onto the lawn, illuminating every corner with warmth.
Mother Polly and Nia sat around the grill, complaining about the sons' childhood stupidity. Nia laughed continuously.
Arthur skillfully flipped beef on the grill, occasionally casting helpless yet doting glances at Nia and his daughter.
Tommy pulled John from a group of girls. Briefed his lifeless brother on upcoming plans...
Hermione hugged Gunpowder, sitting obediently beside Tiger. Her lips, touched with lip balm, were rarely quiet. This surprised Tiger.
Miss Know-It-All wasn't chattering about holiday details like usual. Just felt sitting quietly was enough. No words needed.
Very peaceful. Very comfortable.
Especially when looking at Tiger's face.
However, as time passed, a strange atmosphere spread between them. Even Tiger felt somewhat awkward...
"Uh, where's Theodore?"
Hermione broke the silence first. Her flushed face lowered. Didn't dare look at Tiger.
Tiger quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Didn't know why, but this chatty chipmunk made him feel subtle pressure tonight.
"Today's Draco's birthday. Theodore went to Malfoy Manor. He'll be back in a few days. The Nott family has some matters he needs to handle..."
"Mm... I see..."
Hermione pressed her lips together. Didn't know what else to say. Her fingertips pinching Gunpowder's paw pads felt itchy. Her peripheral vision assessed Tiger again.
[Strange, why does she keep looking at me?]
[She can't want to fight me, can she?]
Tiger frowned slightly.
In his impression, only mortal enemies in the octagon constantly assessed his shoulders, fists, and jawbone.
But Hermione...
The growing sense of wrongness intensified. With no one to ask, he threw the question to Venom.
Venom, just emerging from dormancy, seemed groggy. Besides, Hermione wasn't on its menu. Couldn't muster much interest.
[Maybe. Curly Chocolate Bean's grown quite a bit. She probably wants to test her skills with you?]
[Really?]
Tiger looked down at Hermione.
Indeed, compared to two years ago, this chatty chipmunk had grown considerably. Her short stature had become more slender. Her originally round face now showed clear contours.
Those eyes that always sparkled with curiosity and wisdom now held more depth and certainty.
Her curly dark brown hair fell softly over her shoulders today. Occasionally strands brushed her cheeks, adding softness...
Sensing Tiger's gaze sweeping over her, Hermione's whole body stiffened. Her round eyes stared straight ahead, not daring to shift.
Her fingertips rubbed the hem of her skirt continuously. Her cheeks grew redder. Her breathing quickened.
However, in Tiger's view, flushed cheeks meant surging blood and emotional excitement. Rapid breathing meant the body was supplying oxygen, adrenaline rising—clear signals of full preparation for battle.
Good...
Tiger nodded with slight satisfaction.
Many people's bodies only adjusted by instinct when battle suddenly erupted. Functions would rise accordingly.
But excellent predators adjusted their functions to peak before attacking.
So in Tiger's eyes, except for her increasingly weak momentum, Hermione did everything well.
"Alright, let's go..."
Just as he was about to accept Hermione's challenge, Hermione suddenly stood up, eyes wide, looking across the street. She unconsciously took two steps forward.
A familiar figure was stumbling toward them, carrying a large suitcase.
"Harry?!"
"You blew your aunt up into a balloon?!"
After hearing Harry's panicked explanation, Arthur and the others exchanged glances. Burst into laughter.
John even stood up.
Using Agony's eyepatch, he tried to find the human balloon flying in the night sky.
Tiger looked across the street, curious.
Since he often fed stray cats around the bar, no dogs ever dared approach here.
The big black dog that had chased Harry still lingered in the bushes, unwilling to leave...
Only Hermione's face flushed with anger.
Not because of Harry's loss of control, but anger at Aunt Marge. If it were her, she wouldn't just turn this person into a balloon—she'd pop her!
"Hermione..."
"I... am I..."
"Going to be expelled?"
Harry lowered his head dejectedly.
John gleefully patted Harry's shoulder.
"Hey, kid, expelled is expelled. The Shelby Family welcomes you. I like blowing people into balloons. More interesting than stacking heads, hahaha."
"You blow them up, I'll string them together. Trust me, it'll be spectacular..."
"Oh, no..."
"This isn't funny!"
Harry covered his face, breaking down.
This "if you don't study well, join the gang" rhetoric provided no comfort. Only made him more helpless and anxious.
"Get lost, John."
"That's not how you comfort kids." Arthur pushed John aside irritably.
As someone who'd raised his brothers since childhood, he considered his experience very reliable.
"Listen, kid."
"Don't worry."
Facing Harry's hopeful gaze, Arthur calmly drew the Colt from his waist.
"Just treat these balloons as targets. I can give you a gun. Trust me, absolutely fun."
He raised his eyebrows confidently.
After all, that's how he raised Tiger.
"..."
Looking at the Colt revolver, Harry's face showed complete despair. (?_?)
Right now, he just wanted to pull the trigger on himself, not shoot human balloons strung together.
"Alright, stop making trouble!"
"Bastards!"
Fortunately, Mother Polly walked out from the bar. Tommy followed behind her.
"Kid, lift your head."
"The Shelby Family doesn't take just anyone, unless you'd blown up that bitch right then."
"As for your situation, Dumbledore already sent word. You can relax."
Though Mother Polly's tone was blunt, Harry caught the underlying meaning. His dejected eyes instantly brightened.
"Come with me, Potter. Your room's on the first floor. During this time, you'll stay at the Shelby bar."
Tommy picked up Harry's suitcase, gesturing to Harry with a half-smile that was somewhat creepy but far more reassuring than the other unreliable brothers.
"Mr. Shelby."
"Thank you so much for taking me in!"
Harry nodded anxiously.
Seeing Tommy say nothing more but walk straight into the bar, he hurried to follow.
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