The sky was dark and gloomy.
Rain pattered down, tapping gently against windows before gathering into streams that slid down walls, draping the Shelby pub in a hazy veil.
Shelby Family members gathered outside the pub, dressed in black suits, holding black umbrellas, ready to move out.
Like deadly guardians in the rain.
John stood at the front, speaking in low tones with several Aurors who'd come from the Ministry of Magic.
His usual frivolous swagger had completely vanished. In its place was a cold, serious expression.
Today was Hogwarts' opening day. It was also the important day the Shelby Family officially joined the Ministry of Magic.
Their first mission: escort the Savior to King's Cross Station, rendezvous with Aurors there, then gradually search for escaped convict Sirius Black.
As for wizards' most important equipment—the wands carried by Shelby Family members were specially made by Martin Shelby. They stored only three basic Ancient Runes, activated simply with magic.
[Impact] to subdue criminals.
[Flame] to destroy evidence.
[Water] to clean up remains.
Though seemingly simple, this was the only means of casting ranged spells that the Shelby Family had developed through a century of hardship. Tommy and the others had been excited about it for ages.
Tiger had played with one for two days.
But once the novelty wore off, he'd tossed the custom wand to Miss Chipmunk.
Compared to this recoilless shooting toy, he preferred the feeling of jamming a wand into an enemy's neck and twisting. Or waiting for Uncle Martin to magically modify that batch of munitions...
"Theodore, are the clothes all ready? You've grown quite a bit this year. Remember to take a size up."
"Oh, and the shoes..."
"Tiger, button your collar properly. Your pecs aren't big enough that you can't button it!"
"The suits Manny bought you are all custom-made..."
Mother Polly followed behind Tiger and Theodore, her tone clearly impatient. But since waking this morning, her instructions hadn't stopped for a moment.
"Don't worry, Mom."
"We'll take care of ourselves."
"Write to me..."
With a helpless smile, Tiger and Theodore carried their trunks out of the Shelby pub one after another and got into the car.
Harry was already sitting inside.
Seeing everything was ready, several Aurors nodded to John. John immediately turned to face the Shelbys. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his fog-gray eyes.
"Bastards, ready to hunt?!"
"Tear him apart!!!"
With deafening roars, black umbrellas scattered. Black boots splashed through rain. Car engines roared through the streets.
Flanking the white sedan driven by big brother Arthur, over a dozen black sedans raced toward King's Cross Station...
Inside Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, steam from the train filled every corner of the platform, shrouding the crowd in haze. Students and parents appeared and disappeared in the mist.
"John, be careful."
"Don't worry, you little bastard. Take care of yourself."
After waving goodbye to John and the others, Tiger and Theodore boarded the train directly.
As Harry's figure also disappeared into the steam, the Aurors stationed inside and outside the station all breathed sighs of relief.
With their already scarce manpower, they honestly couldn't guarantee the Savior's absolute safety at the station. Sirius Black's evil record had been in the papers...
"Let's go, Viktor."
"Time to find that son of a bitch."
The whistle blew. The train slowly started moving.
John headed first toward the agreed meeting point. The Shelbys followed close behind, like a suddenly surging undercurrent, radiating formidable presence.
Surrounding pedestrians instinctively stopped and retreated to both sides, clearing a wide path for them...
"Father, did you have a good holiday..."
"Good day, Father."
"Want to sit here, Shelby?"
"Hey, Theodore, we're over here..."
"Damn it, these Aurors took a lot of our seats. I'm going to have my dad complain about them!"
"Hm! Scarhead?"
"What, is poor Mr. Savior out of seats? Want me to take you in?"
"I can be magnanimous..."
"Damn! What's with that middle finger!"
The carriage was bustling. Not only Hogwarts students but also Aurors dispatched by the Ministry filled it. Walking all the way through, every compartment was packed full.
After settling Theodore into the Slytherin carriage, Tiger declined Malfoy and the others' offers to give up their seats. Instead, he continued toward the rear of the train, searching for Miss Chipmunk.
Today was a damp, cold rainy day. He hoped that idiot hadn't worn just a skirt and gotten frozen stiff.
Thinking of Hermione's recent outfits, Tiger genuinely had a headache.
She'd been sneezing from the wind, yet the idiot still asked him with anticipation:
"Does it look good?"
Good my ass!
You've got snot on your mouth!
Tiger just wanted to unscrew the chipmunk's skull and see when the brain inside had gone moldy.
"Tiger! Tiger!"
"Over here!"
"Harry, I'm here!"
Just then, Hermione's cheerful figure appeared not far away. Ron also looked excitedly toward the space behind Tiger.
Seeing Miss Chipmunk wearing snug, warm jeans—much smarter than a few days ago—Tiger's furrowed brow relaxed somewhat.
However, upon entering the compartment, a strange man suddenly came into view. Tiger's brow immediately furrowed. Some faint, elusive scent made him inexplicably irritated.
Before Hermione could introduce him, Tiger grabbed the stranger's collar and threw him straight out of the compartment.
A heavy impact.
The windows shook violently.
Remus Lupin, who'd been dozing, suddenly felt his chest tighten. Then the world spun. His body slammed hard into something solid. Pain crashed over him like a tide.
"Oh... Merlin..."
"Cough cough cough... what happened..."
"The train's under attack... cough cough..."
Remus Lupin endured the pain and struggled to his feet. His weary eyes were full of confusion and wariness.
Seeing Tiger's fierce form, his pupils contracted sharply. His hand unconsciously moved to his wand.
"Oh my God!"
Hermione snapped back to her senses and quickly grabbed Tiger as he drew his wand, explaining urgently:
"Wait, Tiger, this is Professor Lupin. He should be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Though she didn't understand what had happened, at least this new professor couldn't die in this compartment. After all, the train was full of Aurors.
"New professor?"
Looking at the pale-faced Remus Lupin, Tiger frowned slightly.
He didn't understand where this inexplicable irritation came from. But he was certain—if this guy stayed in the compartment, he absolutely wouldn't be able to resist twisting the professor's head off.
"Professor, you'd better change compartments."
"If you don't want to die..."
Tiger's expression was serious as he warned.
He wasn't crazy. His earlier action was purely instinctive. His words to Remus Lupin were sincere advice.
However, this fierce, ruthless appearance, the faint sneer at the corner of his lips, and the veins bulging at his neck—in Remus Lupin's eyes, it was nothing less than the most direct intimidation. Every word was filled with irresistible threat...
"..."
Remus Lupin was silent for a moment. Finally, with confusion and dejection, he left the compartment doorway without a word. He didn't even mention the luggage trunk he'd already stowed.
In his half-life, he'd witnessed too much discrimination and prejudice. Someone like Tiger seemed almost ordinary.
He just hadn't expected to encounter this situation at Hogwarts—and when his identity hadn't even been exposed yet.
Perhaps this was karma.
Severus...
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