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Harry and Ron were already shaking with nerves.
They didn't know what was happening at all; they could only follow Professor McGonagall in a panic.
As they moved through several corridors, with fewer and fewer people around, Professor McGonagall said, her eyes red, "There was a double attack. One was Hermione. The other… was Darren…"
Her voice caught for a mont.
Harry and Ron were already reeling.
"Hermione… Darren went to find Hermione… And didn't he say he could block those eyes? How… how…"
Harry's voice trembled.
"Darren… you don't need to worry too much. His leg is petrified.
But he was carrying the antidote Hermione needed. It might only need the end-of-term antidote to fix."
"But—but Darren said he could still face it… Isn't he really strong? How could he…"
Harry still couldn't process it.
In his mind, Darren was strong.
Even if Darren was captured, Harry believed Darren would co back.
As long as Darren wanted to co back, he had the strength to do it. So how could this be?
"Harry, Darren lied to you… He isn't invincible. He can no longer face the snake.
It's very possible that the next ti—or the ti after that—if he steps in front of soone again, he'll die completely. His strength won't be able to resist it anymore."
Professor McGonagall spoke sadly.
That child always made her heart ache.
He knew he was getting weaker against the snake, yet he still tried to protect others.
"I knew it… I knew it… He's always like this, what is he, mad?"
Harry clenched his teeth, angry.
But when he looked through the hospital wing curtain and saw Darren lying there, silent and still on the bed, his eyes stung.
"This child might not wake until tomorrow… Don't worry too much. As for Hermione… Ahh."
Madam Pomfrey sighed softly.
"Go now. Back to your lounge."
Professor McGonagall made them glance one last ti at Darren and Hermione, then urged them out.
When they returned to the common room, everyone crowded around.
"All right, sit. I'll speak."
Professor McGonagall said coldly.
Then she took out a parchnt and pinned it to the Gryffindor notice board.
It read that from now on, all students must stay inside their common rooms.
als would be delivered inside.
Even if soone had urgent matters, they must return by 6 p.m.
"The Headmaster is considering closing the school. This may be… the first ti…"
Professor McGonagall spoke with bitterness.
Then she left the Gryffindor common room with red, swollen eyes and clumsy steps.
The mont she left, anxiety exploded through the room.
Everyone surrounded Harry.
"What happened? Who was attacked? Was it Darren?"
"Why didn't Hermione co back?!"
Questions ca rapid-fire.
When they learned Darren and Hermione had both been petrified, the room fell silent.
Only Ginny's soft sobs remained.
"Ginny's really upset. Ever since she t you and Darren… she's been especially fond of the both of you.
Whichever one of you gets hurt, she gets distraught."
Fred whispered to Harry.
It should've been a joke, but he couldn't muster even a smile.
Harry only forced himself to nod.
He and Ron went up to their dormitory.
Lying in bed, Harry thought of Darren's legs.
When he passed by the bed, Darren's leg still hadn't recovered fully.
And Hermione.
Hermione was petrified, yet her face still carried worry.
What had she seen right before it happened?
Harry's mind felt like a ss.
He even wanted to run out alone.
He wanted to find the snake. He wanted to kill it.
It almost killed Darren.
"I'm his brother. I can't let Darren protect forever!"
He suddenly sat up.
Ron sat up too.
Harry looked at him; they understood each other and nodded.
They got ready to leave.
"Harry… can you take too? If you're going to look for clues?"
Just as Harry thought that, Neville's voice trembled from his bed.
Harry stared, stunned.
Why did Neville think that?
This incident had nothing to do with him—why would he insist on coming?
And Neville was always so frightened. Why force himself?
"Harry… have you ever had a ti when everything at ho was just… awful?"
I have. That day, I heard them say if they couldn't keep paying Mum and Dad's dical bills, they'd be thrown out.
I saw Gran's desperate face, and I didn't dare to speak, I didn't dare to do anything, because I knew I was useless.
I even heard my uncle and Gran say… if it really got bad, they'd bring Mum and Dad ho… because they still had to raise … They couldn't give all their money to St Mungo's…
I didn't dare say anything. I only cried silently. Maybe they heard , but none of us talked about it.
Then the next day… I heard them say soone paid off all my parents' dical bills.
They said it was a boy… Gran described him, but I didn't recognize him.
Not until Darren was sent to St Mungo's last ti, when Gran finally learned his na… then Gran and I realized—it was Darren.
He didn't even want us to know…
I always wanted to thank him. But I didn't know how. So can you take ? I'll find a way to help you."
Harry let out a bitter smile.
Of course.
Darren had helped Neville too.
That wasn't surprising.
He always did things quietly, afraid of bothering anyone.
Even so…
Harry still refused.
"You're too weak. You can't help us."
Harry didn't continue speaking to him.
He pulled the Invisibility Cloak from the cupboard, preparing to leave.
"Don't rush! I'll be ready in a second!"
Ron put on his shoes.
The two slipped out of the dormitory.
Neville sat alone on his bed.
His expression was a mixture of bitterness… and a strange sort of relief.
After all—there was only one person truly like Darren in the whole world.
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