Tiger certainly wouldn't agree. Accustod 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 disappointnt and wounded pride, Hermione Granger puffed her cheeks and stord 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 montarily, then recovered, dramatically doffing his hat.
"Oh! Mr. Shelby, my esteed lord, may you have a splendid day."
Hearing this theatrical recitation, Tommy's typically frigid expression couldn't suppress a hint of amusent.
"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 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 co, you'll certainly beco 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 gentlen."
"Only villains and savages."
Tiger carelessly excavated his ear, then flicked the wax onto Madam Malkin's garnts.
Madam Malkin's complexion imdiately darkened.
Vulgar! Insufferable!
Fortunately, the door's bell chid softly as Tommy entered.
"Welco..."
Through unique professional instinct, Madam Malkin greeted the newcor while ticulously appraising his attire.
A perfectly tailored navy suit, every detail radiating undeniable refinent 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, ticulous 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 thodically 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 rchants proved indispensable.
This manifest elegance nearly drew tears from Madam Malkin's trembling eyes.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"I've co 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 beca 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 montarily, then shifted to Tiger, now at Tommy's side.
"Do return anyti."
When pronouncing "you both," Madam Malkin deliberately emphasized the words, as though stressing sothing specific.
"Certainly."
"We'll et again quite soon."
"Good fortune, madam."
After delivering this aningful 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 achievent 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 eting his brother's—this twenty-four-year-old family patriarch.
"You must trust ."
"Trust your brother."
"Shelbys fear nothing. Let those opposing us pray for rcy."
"Naturally..."
Tommy fell silent montarily, then his habitually stern features blood 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 sowhat 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 enchantnt 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 howard 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 mont both brothers pushed open the pub doors, enthusiastic cheers accompanied explosive confetti cannons.
Tiger surveyed the pub's contents with astonishnt.
Not rely Shelby Family gang mbers, 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."
"Co 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 Polly back!"
Everyone in the pub: "..."
The story isn't over...
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