It wasn't only Darren who reacted that way.
Harry was terrified as well.
He jumped to his feet, clearly intending to follow Darren.
But Ron and Hermione stopped them both.
"It's fine. At most, Dumbledore will give us detention for helping you," Hermione said calmly.
"We've already had plenty of detentions anyway. Darren, don't be afraid."
Ron added shalessly, "Exactly. And it's not just us helping Harry—Professor Moody helped too!
You forgot? He even got gillyweed from Krum. If you ask , that practically counts as robbery!"
He burst out laughing.
Hermione didn't argue with him.
The two of them followed Fred and George out.
Only Darren and Harry were left in the common room.
Darren waited for a mont, then spoke as if he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Brother… I'll go take a look quietly. Just to see what's going on…"
"I'll go too!" Harry imdiately stood up.
"No," Darren said firmly. "You stay and rest. I'll just check on Hermione and Ron, then co straight back.
If everything's fine, I'll bring them back quickly."
[Ding, Father value 100]
Harry had no choice.
He couldn't refuse Darren.
He could only nod anxiously.
---
When Darren left the Gryffindor common room, his expression was full of worry and fear.
He hurried toward Professor McGonagall's office.
The door wasn't closed.
Before he even reached it, he heard voices inside.
"That's settled. You are all the champions' most treasured people, their greatest attachnts. Now drink this Sleeping Draught and remain underwater, waiting for the champions to find you."
A voice trembled. "But… if they don't find us, will we die?"
"I'm sorry, Professor. I really didn't an to eavesdrop—I know it's wrong—but you can't do this.
This absolutely cannot be done.
If so champions fail to find their treasures, those people will drown. I disagree. I won't allow this.
If that's the case, then let drink the potion instead. Let them co find .
It doesn't matter if I die anyway!"
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
Darren's words instantly earned a massive surge of Holy Father value.
The people inside the office clearly hadn't expected him to appear at all.
Yet his words deeply moved everyone present.
"Darren, what nonsense are you talking about?" Professor McGonagall said angrily.
"Why would your life not matter?"
"You are an outstanding student. You are a Triwizard champion. How could you be unimportant?"
Darren's eyes slowly reddened.
He looked frightened—yet more than that, desperate.
"But no matter how important my life is, it's not more important than theirs!
They can't lose their lives just because of a competition!
I can't accept this, and I don't believe the other champions could either.
I think any one of us would rather die than let the people we care about die!"
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
Hermione's face flushed bright red.
So did several others.
They were all deeply moved—so moved that for a mont, none of them could even explain.
Just as Darren raised his wand, as if preparing to rescue the students on the spot, Dumbledore finally spoke.
He looked helpless.
He walked over to Darren and smiled gently.
"Oh, Darren… you really are sothing.
I shouldn't have let you see this, and I certainly shouldn't have explained it in front of you.
This is part of the Triwizard Tournant's tradition, and explaining it to you is technically a violation.
But…"
He sighed lightly. "I don't think there's a referee here who'd want to argue with you.
To be honest, I suspect you might tear this place apart."
He glanced back at the others, as if asking for confirmation.
Ludo Bagman wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Dumbledore, you'd better tell him. If he punches , I might not live to see tomorrow."
The others nodded vigorously.
Dumbledore turned back to Darren.
"Oh, Darren. While it's true that the champions must retrieve their 'treasures,' how could we possibly let anyone die?
Even if a champion fails to find them, the rfolk will send them safely back to shore.
We've prepared special enchantnts—between life and death.
They'll sleep peacefully underwater the entire ti, with no danger at all.
They'll only wake when the champion touches them, or when they're brought back to the surface.
Do you understand now, child?
We're not so evil organization, and we're not trying to kill anyone.
This is simply to make the competition more intense.
Just like we told you earlier—your Hermione will be underwater.
If you don't find her within an hour, it seems like she'll drown, pushing you to do your best.
The sa applies to the other champions.
That's how the task works."
Dumbledore finished speaking.
Darren's face flushed crimson.
He lowered his head, filled with guilt.
"I… Headmaster… I was wrong. Professor, I…"
He hesitated, then said nervously, "This ans I've already affected the fairness of the competition, right?
Since I know the truth now… should I withdraw?
It's all my fault. I was too reckless…"
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, silly child," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Have you forgotten the mory Charm?
Co here. Don't resist. I'll remove this mory so everything remains fair.
And we'll be sure to close the office door properly next ti we discuss sothing like this."
Darren stepped forward without hesitation.
"Please erase my mory quickly. I really… I'm so sorry, everyone.
I rember the professor was discussing sothing important—it was all my fault. I was far too reckless."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Holy Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, you child… always so kind. There's truly no helping it.
Very well. Co here."
Dumbledore raised his wand.
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