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The boy's face was completely pale.
Those turquoise eyes were misted over, trembling with fear.
But even so, he still insisted on taking the entire bla for Ginny.
Of course, none of the professors were fools.
They had already guessed during Harry's explanation that Ginny had been the one used by Tom Riddle.
They could also tell Harry and Darren were trying desperately to protect her.
But none of them intended to expose it.
Ginny had been controlled.
A child like her shouldn't be shad for sothing she never ant to do.
They were all prepared to quietly let the matter pass—
and then they heard Darren's trembling "confession."
It was… unbelievable.
Who exactly was this lie ant to fool?
It was the most transparent lie of the year.
They had previously thought Darren at least knew how to tell a convincing lie.
They did not expect that, in front of the Headmaster and so many professors, he would still be caught instantly.
Yet none of them laughed.
All they felt was heartache.
This child was always like this.
He would give everything—every ounce of himself—to protect soone else, even if it ant going to Azkaban.
And from Darren's expression, it was clear he did know how terrifying Azkaban was.
So why…
Everyone let out a unified sigh.
Even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked deeply ashad.
They cast a sharp glare at Ginny.
Why didn't she admit it?
Look what Darren was forcing himself into for her.
Ginny stared at Darren, stunned.
She thought of all the tis this year he had quietly taken care of her.
His gentle voice.
His calm comfort whenever she panicked.
How he had stood between her and Tom Riddle, furiously defending her without hesitation.
And now that sa boy stood there, pale and shaking, trying to take the fall for her.
Ginny slowly lifted her hand.
"Professor… actually, it was !"
She forced herself to speak.
A Gryffindor lion couldn't let soone else bear her mistakes.
Especially Darren.
"I was used by Tom Riddle—"
But Darren cut her off instantly.
He covered her mouth before she could finish, moving faster than she'd ever seen.
"Professor, it was ," Darren insisted. "I–I did everything with Tom Riddle. He didn't control . None of this has anything to do with Ginny. She just… she just…"
He froze.
He clearly had no idea how to justify Ginny's attempt to confess.
In the end he clenched his jaw and forced the words out, stubborn and unreasonable:
"Anyway, it was , Professor. All of it. It has nothing to do with Ginny!"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding…]
A cold voice ca from the doorway.
"If you were capable of orchestrating all of this," Snape said with a sharp sneer, stepping into the office, "then Salazar Slytherin himself would crawl out of his coffin to applaud your cunning."
Then he turned to Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, the students have all been gathered. Perfect timing—I can now schedule their final exams."
"What?!"
"How can you do that?!"
Harry and Ron were horrified.
How did they go from saving the school to… exams?
They had forgotten everything they learned months ago.
"Severus is right," McGonagall said. "You must take your finals. Now that everything has ended well, we'll prepare the exam as soon as the petrified students recover. Potter—oh, Darren—no, I an Harry… if you fail again, repeating a year is very likely."
Harry sagged.
He would rather face Tom Riddle again than face final exams.
"Well then," Dumbledore said, rising with a gentle smile. "If everything is resolved—"
But Darren suddenly spoke.
"Headmaster, Professors… you all know what I did, right?"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, Darren, why are you still worrying about that?"
"Yes, child, you should be outside relaxing."
"How could you possibly have the heart to do sothing so malicious?"
The professors looked at him helplessly.
This boy was too kind.
Darren opened his mouth to say more—to squeeze out another wave of Father Points—
but Harry and Ron had already grabbed his arms, dragging him toward the door.
"Brother… I didn't even say goodbye to the Headmaster! And what about Ginny? She's so timid—what if she tells them everything? What if they send her to Azkaban?"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
The Father System chid gently.
But only three tis—because Ginny had stepped out of the office behind them.
"Oh, Darren, you don't have to worry about ," Ginny said quickly. "The Headmaster said I didn't do it on purpose. They'll just deduct so points. But… they did tell never to talk to sothing like that again."
Her voice dropped.
"I'm sorry, Darren. I didn't feel right all that ti, but I still couldn't bring myself to tell you."
Darren had done everything for her.
Yet she had kept so much from him.
"Ginny, it's all right," Darren said softly. "You were scared… anyone would be. Sothing like that would make anyone sad. If I had paid more attention to you earlier… maybe none of this would have happened."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Darren's voice carried quiet sorrow.
He was ready to gather another wave of Father Points—
but Ginny suddenly threw her arms around him.
"Darren, don't say that. You're always a little angel to us—our little sun. I should've trusted you sooner. If I had told you everything from the start… maybe you wouldn't have gone through so much. I'm sorry, Darren!"
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