---
Just as Harry was happily talking, Hermione suddenly let out a sharp scream.
Harry looked up.
On the stage, Lockhart was dragging Snape forward as if he had found a treasure.
"My assistant—Professor Snape!" Lockhart announced proudly.
He looked absolutely delighted, as though Snape serving as his assistant was the greatest honor Snape could ever receive.
Harry almost blurted, How are these two not killing each other already?
But when he saw Darren's worried eyes, he swallowed the comnt halfway.
Lockhart bead. "Let introduce my assistant, Severus! He ca to before I set up the club—said he wanted to run a little experint with … Oh, Darren, don't look so nervous. I'll return your Potions professor in one piece!"
Lockhart said this triumphantly, clearly interpreting Darren's worried expression as admiration.
To Lockhart, anyone who feared for Snape's safety must believe deeply in Lockhart's dueling brilliance.
Darren, apparently, was such a child.
"The professor isn't really going to get hurt… by Professor Lockhart, right?" Darren asked timidly.
[Ding, Father 50]
[Ding, Father 40]
[Ding, Father 30]
[Ding…]
Since the night Darren shielded Snape with his own body, he hadn't given Snape that soft, frightened look again. Snape, in turn, had been far calr with students — well, with everyone except Harry.
He cursed less. He snapped less. He still had no popularity whatsoever.
If the school voted on the Most Hated Professor, Snape and Lockhart would fight fiercely for first and second place. Their ranking depended entirely on which one a student had run into last.
So Darren's worry barely earned Father Points. Most students half-hoped both professors would lose.
Still… Snape looked oddly pleased today.
Was he actually happy that I worried about him just now?
Possibly.
After all, before this, the only reasons Snape was kind to him were:
He looked like Lily.
He had Lily's temperant.
He had Snape's skill in Potions.
Snape wanted to see him as a child of his own — but Jas Potter's existence had always stood in the way. No matter how much Darren reminded Snape of Lily, the na "Potter" was like a knife.
And when Snape recently discovered Darren's bloodline anomaly, he beca even more guarded.
Now, after confirming the truth that night, Snape had stepped back even further.
So no — he never really took as his child, Darren grumbled internally.
On the outside, he still wore the expression of a deeply worried student.
Even if you don't like … I still respect you.
And Snape certainly seed to enjoy it. His smile was surprisingly genuine.
"…Well!" Lockhart clapped loudly. "Now we will demonstrate the charm of dueling! Nod your heads!"
Darren blinked — Lockhart was already halfway through his instructions.
"We will attack each other," Lockhart continued grandly, "but of course, we will not aim to take each other's lives!"
Darren's face drained of color. He looked terrified — as if certain Snape was about to be murdered on stage by Lockhart.
He mustered his courage.
"Professor Lockhart… could you not? I really don't like watching a duel like this…"
[Ding, Father 60]
[Ding, Father 40]
[Ding, Father 50]
[Ding…]
Darren suspected the highest 60 Father Points ca from Snape.
Everyone else rolled their eyes.
They thought Snape was far more likely to kill Lockhart, not the other way around.
"Don't worry, Darren! I will absolutely take good care of your Professor Snape—"
Lockhart didn't finish.
Because he was suddenly launched into the air, slamd into the wall, and slid down in a heap.
"Professor Lockhart!"
Darren rushed forward to catch him.
"Are you alright? Should I take you to the Hospital Wing?"
[Ding, Father 40]
[Ding, Father 50]
[Ding, Father 30]
[Ding…]
Lockhart staggered upright. His hat was crooked. His dignity was nonexistent.
"Oh—Darren, no need to worry! I was rely… careless. Your Professor Snape is a sly old fox, he struck before I was ready… but I forgive him!"
He straightened his robe with dramatic flair.
"Of course, if I had fought seriously, even you would be flat on the floor!"
Darren opened his mouth.
He politely shut down every impulse he had to hit Lockhart.
"…Would you like to rest first?" Darren asked gently.
More Father Points rolled out.
[Ding, Father 10]
[Ding, Father 20]
[Ding, Father 10]
[Ding…]
Poor Lockhart. Completely hopeless.
Maybe Darren should punch him just to see the rewards.
"Well, Darren, leave it to the professors," Harry said, dragging him back down. "We can't go up there!"
Snape stepped forward again, wand raised, eyes glittering dangerously.
"Well, Severus!" Lockhart announced nervously. "It seems everyone wants our official showdown, so—"
"Expelliarmus," Snape said coldly.
Lockhart was blasted even higher this ti, flailing like a rag doll.
Darren imdiately drew his wand, pretending he wanted to stop Lockhart from flying.
And then—
"…Protego—oh—sorry, sorry, Professor Lockhart! I didn't an to hit you—"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding…]
Darren's spell clipped Lockhart squarely in the waist, and Lockhart dropped from mid-air with a blood-curdling scream.
Strangely, Darren got full Father Points from nearly everyone.
Apparently, they were deeply moved by Darren trying to save Lockhart.
"I'm so sorry, Professor—"
Darren hurried to help the dazed man, already preparing to support him all the way to the Hospital Wing.
"POTTER!" Lockhart shrieked. "You've gone too far! You— you assaulted a professor!"
He was livid. Darren had humiliated him in front of the entire school.
Darren understood the anger — anyone struck in mid-air would be furious.
But…
Having his little Father scolded like this?
That, Darren simply could not stand.
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