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

As if a fragile barrier had been torn apart.

After a brief silence, accompanied by a soft "pop," Tiger's figure suddenly appeared on the other side of the brick wall.

"Magic..."

"This is bloody incredible."

Tiger swore in amazement and forcefully patted the red brick wall, which felt utterly real and solid beneath his palm.

Gunpowder cautiously poked its head from Tiger's collar. Its fluffy ears twitched instinctively, and those bright blue eyes still held traces of rigid terror.

It gazed around with bewildered confusion.

Weren't they about to crash into a wall moments ago?

Not certain—better have another look!

Just as Tiger prepared to charge that wall again, eager to experience magic's wonder once more, a nearby conductor helplessly interrupted his actions.

"Oi, first-year, get aboard quickly."

"The train's departing any moment. If you fancy playing about, there'll be plenty of opportunities later."

Gunpowder, having nearly crashed into the barrier again, slowly contracted its pupils with mounting irritation.

It crossly batted Tiger's chest several times, as if venting its profound displeasure.

Bloody hell!

I'm a cat!

Have you got some sort of feline fixation?!

Gunpowder then emerged from Tiger's collar, gracefully leaping onto his shoulder.

Subsequently, it steadily bounded atop Tiger's head and settled down with smug contentment.

Stupid wizard!

Next time you crash by yourself!

Sensing Gunpowder's displeasure, Tiger raised his hand to stroke the little creature's head, attempting consolation.

However, Gunpowder wasn't having any of it. It waved tiny paws and delivered several fierce "meow punches" to Tiger.

But Tiger remained unbothered. Compared to their first meeting's tooth-baring aggression and the subsequent domestic chaos, this was absolutely nothing...

With the whistle's sharp cry, the train slowly lurched into motion. Tiger carried his case, searching for an available compartment.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled every carriage.

First-years' curiosity and anticipation for the magical world practically burst from each compartment.

Through door windows, Tiger spotted Hermione, still chattering away with characteristic intensity.

The pudgy boy seated opposite her displayed vacant eyes and lips that seemed perpetually half-open, utterly lost for words.

Bloody hell...

Merely witnessing this scene proved sufficiently headache-inducing.

Tiger's steps never faltered as he strode directly past the compartment. Hermione seemed to sense something and turned toward the door, but saw nothing.

"Oh, where was I just now?"

"Er..."

Neville's lips moved several times, but his mind remained completely blank.

It wasn't that he hadn't heard—rather, Hermione's words contained far too much information for him to process.

"Oh! Right!"

"D'you know any magic?"

"I mean, could you show me some? You know, I'm frightfully curious about wizarding families..."

Hermione remained completely oblivious and continued her monologue.

Neville's gaze began wandering. At this precise moment, he desperately wished his toad would croak a couple of times...

Beyond the first-year carriages lay the older students' territory—relatively quieter by comparison.

"George! Fred!"

"Stop pestering the Slytherin carriages! If I catch you again, I'm definitely writing to Mum."

"Oh, precious Percy."

"You're absolutely no fun!"

Amid giggling protests, the Weasley twins were shoved into a compartment by the exasperated Percy.

Within moments, the carriage erupted with flashes resembling blooming fireworks, accompanied by cheerful, unrestrained laughter. Percy emerged in disheveled panic.

"Bloody hell, I'm furious!"

"I'm definitely telling Mum!"

"You're finished—and so are those damned prank contraptions!"

The livid Percy came face-to-face with Tiger.

Noticing Tiger still carried his case, Percy coughed twice and adopted a senior's bearing, speaking with stern authority:

"First-year, try avoiding corridor wandering once the train's moving. If you haven't got a seat, I can offer mine."

He gestured toward the compartment as he spoke.

However, Tiger had witnessed that entire scene. The mischievous glint in the Weasley twins' eyes represented precisely the type of people Tiger struggled handling.

After all, they were children—he couldn't bash their brains out simply for being boisterous.

Tiger remained silent momentarily, then declined the offer with straightforward finality.

"I prefer quiet..."

Hearing his kindness rejected, Percy's slightly embarrassed expression gradually flushed crimson.

But considering the twins' absurd outrageousness, he somewhat grasped Tiger's perspective.

Pranks, after all, weren't universally appreciated.

"Right then..."

"You might venture further inward. The Ravenclaw carriages should prove quieter."

"Avoid compartments bearing serpent-pattern symbols on their doors—those blokes aren't particularly welcoming..."

With that, Percy circumnavigated Tiger toward other compartments, while Tiger continued deeper into the train.

He felt no urgency finding rest, instead treating this journey as exploration. Too much unfamiliar scenery surrounded him.

Like something from fairy tales.

It stirred memories he'd long buried.

Once upon a time, in youthful innocence, he too had entered countless bizarre, magical dreamscapes.

Unfortunately, upon awakening, everything dissolved into bubbles.

Shouldering his worn schoolbag, he'd traversed hills step by step, climbed mountains, passed through villages, reached cities—until as an adult he fought desperately for survival in underground octagonal cages...

Those dreams had long been shattered by reality's brutal fists, forgotten by himself.

Yet aboard this Hogwarts-bound train, he seemed rediscovering childhood joy.

This is heaven's gift... The warmth in Tiger's eyes intensified.

Tiger? Are you referring to me?

Sensing Tiger's inner voice, Venom's long-dormant presence suddenly stirred, carrying subtle bashfulness.

Of course not... Tiger smiled and shook his head, his lips curving with playful mockery.

No, that's precisely what you meant! Venom's voice carried frenzied excitement.

No~

Yes!

I said no~

Yes! Absolutely yes! I'm heaven's gift to you—admit it, Tiger! You're embarrassed!

Shut it, Venom!

Tiger suddenly grew somewhat flustered and angry, while Venom's unrestrained laughter echoed persistently through his mind.

The bickering gradually subsided. Without realizing it, Tiger had reached the train's depths.

Through door windows, he observed two self-feeding shovels and a man dozing before a boiler.

"It really is a steam engine..."

Tiger shook his head with mild exasperation. He'd assumed this steam train operated on pure magic.

Well, it did—but not extensively.

After turning through two heavy carriage doors, a distinctively styled compartment appeared before him.

Silver-green decorations lent this carriage luxury and elegance, creating sharp contrast with previous sections. Each compartment's atmosphere seemed particularly tranquil, as if isolated from the world.

Just then, a somewhat sharp conversation from an unclosed compartment shattered this serenity.

"I can't bloody believe it, Marcus. That's your uncle—are we simply letting this slide?"

"No, Adrian."

"Though he's merely an insignificant family member, the Flint family's dignity cannot suffer insult."

"Shelby's nothing but a mangy stray."

"My father simply doesn't comprehend where Shelby derives such audacity. He's still investigating..."

Though Marcus Flint defended his father, his eyes still blazed with fury and humiliation.

His uncle had nearly suffered complete mental breakdown at the hands of a Shelby child in The Leaky Cauldron.

Now he trembled uncontrollably at the mere sight of children, becoming an absolute laughingstock among pure-blood nobility.

Such hellish mockery equated to a grown man being repeatedly violated by a monkey in the Muggle world.

This shame, deeply branded upon their family, cast perpetual shadow over Marcus's heart.

He also sensed his teammates' peculiar glances. He understood perfectly that behind these seemingly concerned inquiries lurked gleeful, mocking snickers.

Witnessing the subtle derisive smiles surrounding him, Marcus nearly ground his teeth to powder.

"Just wait. It's merely one Shelby. I'll make him pay dearly."

"He doesn't deserve studying at Hogwarts!"

"I'll make him—"

The story isn't over...

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