---
Malfoy's words stunned everyone.
He was actually forcing Darren to insult Harry.
Everyone knew Darren had always regarded Harry as the person he admired the most.
For the past two years, Darren had almost always followed Harry, protecting him, standing up for him.
Even after their argunt, Darren had never said a single harsh word to Harry.
Even just now, he hadn't blad Harry once.
And now Malfoy wanted Darren to curse him.
Harry looked at Darren almost on instinct.
Darren looked back at him.
His face drained of all color in an instant.
"I… I can't do it…"
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
After receiving the Father value, Darren's eyes were already red.
He had never scolded anyone in his life.
Let alone Harry.
"If you don't say it, then I'll write to my father and have that stupid big brute sued!"
Malfoy snapped jealously.
Why did this kid always scold him…
Why did he never bla Scarhead?
They were both brothers—
So why was Darren so biased?
---
[Ding, sensing a scenario suitable for the Holy Father system. Temporary task issued:
Agree to Malfoy's request, scold Harry, then turn back and punish yourself with your wand.
(The host may also use Father value to resolve this according to conscience.)
[Ding, upon completion, gain the ability: Boggart's Fear Insight. Will the host accept?] ］
[Pick up]
---
Darren tapped Pick Up without hesitation.
Malfoy's threat had frightened him completely.
His face was pale as death.
Then he slowly looked at Harry.
"...Harry Potter…"
"You're disgusting."
His eyes were red when he spoke.
Then he turned to Malfoy.
"…Is this enough?"
Malfoy opened his mouth.
But no mockery ca out.
Instead, sothing in his chest sank.
This was ant to make him feel satisfied.
But when he looked at Darren's expression…
There was no pleasure at all.
Only guilt.
"…Tch."
"Forget it."
"Since you said it, I won't pursue it."
Malfoy stood up and returned to his seat.
Darren pressed his lips together and turned to Harry.
Harry didn't speak.
He didn't care that Darren insulted him.
Because it was his fault.
And Darren didn't want to say that.
Darren was the one who was hurting.
Harry could see it clearly.
"Darren…"
He called anxiously.
Only then did Darren seem to react.
He looked at Harry quietly for a few seconds—
Then turned away and returned to his seat beside Malfoy, exactly like usual.
Harry hesitated.
He didn't know how to approach Darren again.
What if Malfoy interfered again?
What if Darren had to hurt himself again?
---
"Darren Potter, what are you doing?!"
Malfoy's sudden shout made Harry whip his head around—
And he saw blood streaming down Darren's wrist.
---
[Ding, congratulations to the host for acquiring Boggart's Fear Insight.] ］
Fear Insight: Allows the host to sense what others fear most through ntal probing.
Ah… great.
Could he see his own fear?
If he did, would it say not handso enough?
And what would he see if he looked at Dumbledore?
That definitely wasn't the ti to find out.
Right now…
This was embarrassing.
"I-it's nothing…!"
"I accidentally poked myself!"
Everyone stared at him in shock.
Darren cursed Malfoy internally.
Why did he have to shout like that?!
He had only made a fake injury to fulfill the task discreetly.
He hadn't expected Malfoy to expose him in front of everyone.
Darren sighed.
He raised his wand.
The bleeding stopped instantly.
The wound healed.
Only a little blood remained on his sleeve.
He wiped it away quickly with a handkerchief.
"Darren… how could you…"
Harry almost blurted out the question.
Why?
Why would you hurt yourself?
But before he could finish, Hermione pulled him back.
"Harry, enough!"
"You and Ron stop hurting Darren!"
"Can't you see?"
"He's punishing himself because of you!"
Harry froze.
The image of Darren's bleeding wrist burned into his mind.
Those deep red lines…
Darren had done that to himself.
He wanted to call Darren crazy.
He wanted to say he didn't care what Darren said.
But when he t Darren's eyes…
He couldn't say anything.
"Co on, Harry," Ron muttered guiltily.
"Let's go sit down…"
Harry let himself be dragged away.
He watched Darren grow farther and farther away.
His chest tightened painfully.
He had hurt Darren again.
As an older brother…
He hadn't protected him at all.
"I should've…"
"Enough," Hermione cut him off.
"After Hagrid's matter is settled, we'll go find Darren."
---
Professor Lupin entered the classroom.
Everything fell silent.
Each student had already taken out their books and quills.
So kept glancing at Darren.
So glanced at Harry.
The entire room felt wrong.
"You all look… strange today."
"But we won't be using books or quills this lesson."
"Put those away and prepare your wands…"
Then he looked at Darren.
"…Darren, are you alright?"
Darren's face was pale.
Lupin clearly noticed.
But Darren shook his head.
"I'm fine, Professor."
[Ding, Father value 70]
[Ding, Holy Father value 60]
[Ding, Father value 50]
Harry watched him and let out a bitter smile.
Darren was always like this.
Always kind.
Always forgiving.
It was his fault.
He was too impulsive.
Too reckless.
He should never have argued with Malfoy in the first place.
Now Darren was the one suffering.
Now Darren was punishing himself.
He sighed softly.
Hadn't he always been like this?
Trying to do the right thing…
But only ever making things worse.
---
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