Malfoy's words shocked more than just Darren.
Harry and Hermione almost rushed forward to cover Malfoy's mouth.
They were terrified Darren might rember sothing.
Even Malfoy himself seed startled by what he had just said.
He quickly changed the subject, shouting loudly,
"Scarhead! You're always letting your stupid brother die for you!"
Then he ran off.
Darren turned slowly to look at Harry.
"Brother… why do I feel like he knows sothing?"
After all, Malfoy's words had been too direct.
It would have been strange not to notice.
Harry and Hermione cursed Malfoy a hundred tis in their hearts.
But they couldn't exactly explain anything to Darren.
Just as Harry was desperately trying to think of an excuse, Hermione t Darren's eyes calmly and said,
"Don't think about it. And don't try to rember anything either."
"I know you're not curious by nature… so Darren, for us, don't dig into this, okay?"
Harry looked at Hermione in shock. He was about to object.
But Darren had already nodded.
"If it's for you, then I won't."
[Ding, Father Value 80]
[Ding, Father Value 90]
[Ding, Father Value 100]
Harry turned his face away.
His eyes were red.
"…Idiot," he whispered in his heart.
Darren was always stupid when it ca to them.
---
Because of Darren's attitude, Harry's days beca a little easier.
No one openly mocked him anymore.
They still avoided him.
Still whispered behind his back.
But at least no one sneered in his face.
Perhaps they believed he had already suffered enough.
For Harry, that was enough.
Hermione and Darren stayed by his side.
And Darren, especially, made sure he was never alone.
However… Snape was a completely different matter.
He already hated Harry.
After this incident, his hatred doubled.
Every Friday, there were two Potions classes.
And Snape made full use of both.
He not only forced Harry to test antidotes for deadly poisons…
He also tried using Harry's owl, Hedwig, to experint with unstable potions.
When Darren tried to stop him, Snape began circling behind Harry like a dark bat—silent, pressing, terrifying.
It felt as though he were just waiting to assign detention.
Harry was furious.
After class, he cursed Snape nonstop.
This ti, even Darren didn't stop him.
When Harry cald down a little, he asked in frustration,
"He's afraid I'll steal Slytherin's glory, isn't he?"
"I'm representing Hogwarts as a Gryffindor champion."
"But I don't understand this part… You're already a champion, Darren. Shouldn't he be happy?"
"How did he beco even worse?"
Darren didn't know how to answer him.
How could he explain that Snape was venting his rage at Harry… because of the Tournant, because of Voldemort… because of old scars that never healed?
What Harry didn't know was—
Cedric Diggory had beco the most hated student in Hogwarts, second only to Harry.
Every professor now treated him coldly.
Professor Sprout had rejected his request to stay on campus after graduation.
No teacher supported him anymore.
They thought he was impulsive, irresponsible, and arrogant.
If Cedric wanted his reputation back…
He would have to wait until the real culprit revealed himself.
Darren had no intention of helping him.
He had already spared Cedric from expulsion.
That was the limit of rcy.
Potions class remained a nightmare.
Snape grew worse.
One day, he announced he would personally feed Harry a newly developed potion—to observe the effects.
Darren tried to object.
Snape sneered,
"When a new potion is made, soone must test it. Why can others, but Harry Potter cannot?"
The logic was absurd.
Darren barely held in his laughter.
Of course he knew Snape had brewed sothing awful just for Harry.
A strange discoloration potion.
A growth serum.
Or worse.
Yet as a "little Holy Father," Darren had to pretend to be concerned.
But secretly…
He was preparing to watch the show.
Just as Snape raised the potion vial—
The door banged open.
Colin Creevey rushed in, panting.
"P-Professor! The Minister's office wants to see Harry Potter and Darren Potter imdiately!"
Darren froze.
Oh.
So… photographs.
His disappointnt ca instantly.
Damn.
There went the show.
Sure enough—protagonists always got saved at the last second.
Darren imdiately put on a relieved expression.
Which made Snape furious.
"They can leave after class!" Snape snapped.
"I still have testing to do on Mr. Potter!"
Colin stamred,
"I-It's Mr. Ludo Bagman! He wants them downstairs… for… for photos."
Snape's face twisted.
His lips quivered as if he wanted to say sothing.
But this wasn't the place.
His gaze turned sharp.
If he couldn't punish them properly…
Then he would deduct points.
He inspected Harry from head to toe.
Searched for an excuse.
Any excuse.
Then sneered,
"Harry Potter… very pleased not to drink potions today, are you?"
"Gryffindor, ten points deducted."
"For your lack of respect."
---
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