HP: What, You've Never Seen a Symbiote at Hogwarts?

Tiger certainly wouldn't agree. Accustomed to Mother Polly's simple, brutal approach, Hermione Granger's incessant prattling was pure torture.

He had no habit of babysitting children.

Wearing a complex expression mixing disappointment and wounded pride, Hermione Granger puffed her cheeks and stormed from Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Dr. Granger followed with a helpless smile.

"Hmm?"

"Dr. Granger?"

Outside the shop, Tommy spotted Dr. Granger comforting his daughter, surprise flickering in his eyes.

Dr. Granger startled momentarily, then recovered, dramatically doffing his hat.

"Oh! Mr. Shelby, my esteemed lord, may you have a splendid day."

Hearing this theatrical recitation, Tommy's typically frigid expression couldn't suppress a hint of amusement.

"And may you have a splendid day as well, The Shelby Family's exclusive black-market physician."

"Hahahaha..."

Dr. Granger burst into hearty laughter while Hermione still regarded Tommy with lingering irritation.

Tommy's seemingly elegant, aloof appearance contrasted starkly with the legendarily vicious Shelbys.

"Dr. Granger."

"I've told you before—just call me Tommy."

"Arthur speaks highly of you. You're his friend, which naturally makes you mine and family to the Shelbys."

"Don't stand on ceremony."

"That's truly my honor."

Dr. Granger abandoned formality.

For his daughter's sake, he proactively arranged with Tommy to escort the children to school together.

Tommy certainly wouldn't refuse. The magical world remained equally uncharted territory for Tiger.

To prevent his brother from feeling isolated, having a familiar companion was undoubtedly beneficial. Simultaneously, he needed to rapidly expand business into the magical realm...

"That would be most appreciated, Miss Granger."

"Please forgive Tiger's discourtesy."

"He simply struggles with expression. I believe that in days to come, you'll certainly become his dearest friend."

Tommy winked with cunning charm. Witnessing this, Hermione bashfully lowered her head.

"Very well, Mr. Shelby."

"Actually, it's... it's no trouble at all..."

"Oh, young Mr. Shelby."

"Rejecting a lovely, delicate young lady—hardly gentlemanly conduct."

Madam Malkin packaged the robes and wizard hat, placing them before Tiger.

Her words carried gentle mockery while maintaining elegance and consideration.

"The Shelby Family produces no gentlemen."

"Only villains and savages."

Tiger carelessly excavated his ear, then flicked the wax onto Madam Malkin's garments.

Madam Malkin's complexion immediately darkened.

Vulgar! Insufferable!

Fortunately, the door's bell chimed softly as Tommy entered.

"Welcome..."

Through unique professional instinct, Madam Malkin greeted the newcomer while meticulously appraising his attire.

A perfectly tailored navy suit, every detail radiating undeniable refinement and elegance.

The wool overcoat's addition lent several degrees of authority and gravitas to this sophistication.

[Master craftsmanship...]

Madam Malkin couldn't suppress inner admiration, then naturally shifted her gaze to Tommy's countenance.

Profound, inscrutable misty-grey eyes, meticulous yet razor-edged features, a sharply defined jawline.

Cultured and restrained, yet emanating distance that defied worldly conventions...

"Sir, how may I assist you?"

Despite her advancing years, Madam Malkin couldn't prevent a slightly intoxicated sigh.

As for the crude, barbaric Tiger—he'd been utterly forgotten.

"Good afternoon, madam..."

Tommy methodically removed his hat, pressed his hand to his chest, and executed a classical hat-tipping bow.

Having decided to penetrate the magical world, establishing cordial relationships with these well-established merchants proved indispensable.

This manifest elegance nearly drew tears from Madam Malkin's trembling eyes.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"I've come for my brother."

Tommy curved his lips with perfect timing, directing his gaze toward Tiger, who approached carrying a case.

"Naturally..."

Madam Malkin swiftly regained composure.

Realizing this gentleman's brother was Tiger, her smile gradually became rather... complex.

You two aren't blood-related, surely?

Definitely not, right?

"Your timing is impeccable."

Madam Malkin's complicated gaze lingered on Tommy's heart-stopping visage momentarily, then shifted to Tiger, now at Tommy's side.

"Do return anytime."

When pronouncing "you both," Madam Malkin deliberately emphasized the words, as though stressing something specific.

"Certainly."

"We'll meet again quite soon."

"Good fortune, madam."

After delivering this meaningful farewell, Tommy escorted Tiger doorward.

The instant the shop door opened, Tiger's steps faltered slightly. He glanced back at Madam Malkin, still staring vacantly at Tommy's retreating figure, his smile turning wicked.

"Stop gawking, madam."

"Tommy's bent."

Madam Malkin's expression instantly shattered while Tiger departed with unrestrained laughter...

"Tiger, you really are..."

Tommy shook his head with mingled exasperation and helplessness.

If rapid goal achievement were possible, he wouldn't mind exploiting this face—or other assets. Body was body, soul was soul; his relationship with Monte leaned decidedly Platonic.

"Don't shoulder excessive pressure."

"Tommy..."

Tiger's smile gradually faded, his amber gaze seriously meeting his brother's—this twenty-four-year-old family patriarch.

"You must trust me."

"Trust your brother."

"Shelbys fear nothing. Let those opposing us pray for mercy."

"Naturally..."

Tommy fell silent momentarily, then his habitually stern features bloomed with undeniable warmth as he vigorously ruffled Tiger's hair.

"Shelbys fear nothing!"

"Also..."

Speaking thus, Tommy lifted a cage from behind. Inside crouched a blue-eyed black cat with extended claws.

"Happy birthday, brother."

After escaping Tommy's mischievous grip, Tiger's somewhat irritated fierce eyes instantly locked onto the cage.

"It's..."

Tommy smiled as he introduced: "Quite vicious, but an adorable little creature, isn't it?"

"A crossbreed of Chinese Xuan cat and French spirit cat Matagot, with potential bloodline awakening."

"Upon maturity, its saliva serves as catalyst for certain growth potions."

"Its whiskers provide minor stability for blessing-type enchantment runes..."

Truth be told, Tommy couldn't verify whether the shopkeeper's eager claims held accuracy.

He knew only that his brother fancied such cats—that sufficed. Nothing else mattered.

Undeniably, this little black cat possessed extraordinarily aggressive instincts. Even held securely in Tiger's grasp, confronting the oppressive aura Venom emanated from genetic depths, it refused submissive surrender.

Throughout their homeward journey, threatening hisses rose and fell continuously.

Yet Tiger's gaze never strayed from the small creature.

Though his expression remained neutral, Tommy genuinely sensed his brother's profound affection through the rearview mirror...

"Happy birthday!!!"

The moment both brothers pushed open the pub doors, enthusiastic cheers accompanied explosive confetti cannons.

Tiger surveyed the pub's contents with astonishment.

Not merely Shelby Family gang members, but even their father's generation relatives had assembled.

Mother Polly, cigar clenched between teeth, wheeled forth an enormous three-tiered cake, regarding Tiger with twinkling eyes.

"Boy, quit gaping."

"Come cut the bloody cake before I ram this fork into your—"

"Polly!" Aunt Manny shot Mother Polly a disapproving look.

"Right! Right!"

Mother Polly raised surrendering hands, then spoke in unprecedented gentle tones:

"Tiger, my little son."

"I've awaited this day for ages..."

Before she could finish, Tiger's complexion turned sickly green as he extracted his revolver, aiming it at Mother Polly.

"Motherfucker!"

"Bloody hell, who are you?!"

"Give me Polly back!"

Everyone in the pub: "..."

The story isn't over...

🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters? 

🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world? 

✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?

✨patreon.com/DarkGolds