---
Apologizing to Darren at the Slytherin table was an enormous challenge for Harry and Ron.
They braced themselves and went to the Great Hall.
But they waited at the Slytherin table for a long ti… and Darren never ca.
At last, they found out that Darren had been kept behind by Professor Snape to help with sothing.
For the foreseeable future, Darren would not be eating in the Great Hall.
Because, according to Professor Snape, eating in the Hall was a "waste of ti."
Harry and Ron were furious.
Snape was obviously making things difficult for them.
"He definitely heard we were going to apologize to Darren, so he's deliberately stopping us from seeing him."
"I don't get it. What does Darren have to do with him? Why does Snape even care?"
Ron complained angrily.
"You've known him for years," Harry muttered. "He just can't stand seeing Darren co back to Gryffindor with us."
Not far away, Hermione was sitting with a copy of Defense Against the Dark Arts in her hands… turned upside down.
When she saw them, she pushed over a pie she had saved for them, then went back to staring blankly at her book.
"It looks like we'll have to think of another way," Harry said bitterly as he took a bite of the pie.
"Snape can't lock Darren up forever."
---
Afternoon
Defense Against the Dark Arts Class
By the ti Harry and Ron arrived, the Slytherins were already seated.
At a glance, Harry spotted Darren sitting at the back.
Malfoy sat on Darren's left.
On his right… was Cassandra.
Cassandra had her head down, busily writing sothing in her notebook.
When she heard footsteps, she looked up.
The mont she saw Harry and Ron, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
Harry ignored her.
He and Ron hurried toward Darren, about to speak—
And Malfoy suddenly stood up and blocked their path.
"Well, well. Isn't this Harry Potter?" Malfoy said smugly.
"Did you co to see ?"
"Move," Ron snapped, shoving him aside.
"We're talking to Darren."
Malfoy took the shove and threw himself onto the floor dramatically.
"Aaagh—my arm…!"
"My arm is broken again…!"
"That stupid big brute—"
His eyes went straight to Darren.
Darren's face changed instantly.
He rushed over and knelt beside Malfoy, his expression anxious.
"Are you hurt? Let see—your arm—"
"We should go to the infirmary right away… I'm so sorry…"
"It's fine… it'll be fine…"
[Ding, Holy Father 10]
[Ding, Holy Father 20]
[Ding, Holy Father 10]
Hardly anyone else was fooled by Malfoy's performance.
But Darren took it seriously.
And that was enough.
Then Darren bowed his head even lower and spoke again, his voice trembling.
"I—I'm sorry… I apologize to you on their behalf… please, don't sue Hagrid…"
"He already knows he was wrong… please… if you want sothing from … I'll do anything…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Darren accepted the Father value silently, then turned toward Harry and Ron.
His eyes looked tired.
"Brother…" he said quietly.
"You don't need to apologize to …"
"I was just asking him… not to sue Hagrid…"
"If anything happened to Malfoy again… Mr. Malfoy would surely accuse Hagrid of attempted murder…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Harry's and Ron's hands clenched.
They ca to apologize.
Instead… Darren was apologizing for them.
---
"Attempted murder?!" Ron exploded.
"He just has a scratch!"
"This isn't attempted murder, he did it himself!"
"Buckbeak only attacked because Malfoy provoked him!"
Before Darren could say anything, Malfoy—who had been lying still—moaned loudly.
"Ohhh… Darren… my head suddenly hurts…"
"I feel dizzy…"
"Should I write to my father right now and tell him everything?"
"My protective talisman shattered… he can't deny it, can he?"
Darren's face went pale.
He gripped Malfoy's sleeve tightly.
"Please… please don't sue Hagrid…"
"Tell what you want to do…"
"I can… I can follow you longer if you want…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
"What?!"
"Darren, you're serious?!"
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Harry and Ron stared at him in disbelief.
Malfoy was just as stunned.
Darren would really… do that for Hagrid?
Darren didn't reply to them.
He only looked at Malfoy—firmly, silently.
Malfoy pinched his chin thoughtfully.
Of course he wasn't actually going to humiliate Darren.
But letting Harry reconcile so easily?
No chance.
He liked seeing this.
Seeing Scarhead panic.
Seeing Darren standing behind him instead.
It made him feel absurdly pleased.
And if this made Harry suffer?
Even better.
Finally, Malfoy smiled.
"Fine."
"I won't sue… on one condition."
"I don't even need you to be my follower."
He leaned closer, voice dripping with mockery.
"You just have to say one thing."
Then he looked Harry straight in the eyes.
"Say it for ."
Malfoy smirked.
"Say:
'Harry Potter, you're disgusting.'"
---
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