Although the rmaids said nothing, Darren could clearly read it in their eyes.
Of course, more importantly, he finally saw Hermione and the others.
They were sunk in deep sleep, their hair drifting and twisting gently with the currents of the lake.
In a situation like this, as a little Holy Father, Darren naturally had no intention of explaining anything to the rmaids.
He almost rushed straight toward them.
Raising his wand, he shouted,
"The wind cuts like a blade!"
With the incantation, the ropes binding Hermione and the others snapped cleanly and fell away.
"What are you doing?! You're only allowed to take your own hostage!"
A rmaid who had been guarding the area shouted angrily.
"We're right here!"
Fleur and Krum spoke up at the sa ti.
Fleur imdiately pulled a silver-haired little girl into her arms—her younger sister.
Krum grabbed hold of a boy, clearly his hostage.
Darren pulled Ron and Hermione close to him.
Harry was nowhere to be seen yet, so Darren shielded Ron and Hermione protectively, keeping the rmaids from reclaiming them.
"No. Ti is almost up. I won't leave Ron here.
Don't say he's my friend—even if he weren't, I still wouldn't abandon him alone down here.
I absolutely won't."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
He spoke with absolute determination.
"But this violates the rules,"
the rmaid leader said bitterly.
"Each champion may only take their own hostage. He can't—"
Before the rmaid could finish, Dumbledore's voice rang out.
Smiling, he said,
"Then I propose this: let Ron and Hermione go to the surface, and have Darren stay here instead. If Harry fails to find Darren within the ti limit, Darren will sleep underwater in their place.
Darren, are you willing?"
Darren laughed.
Loud and clear, he answered,
"I am. I'm willing. I don't care if I'm first or second—even if I co last. As long as they live, that's enough."
"I promised Hagrid I'd take first place, but I'll break that promise today. I hope he won't be angry.
Even if he is, it doesn't matter. There are only five minutes left.
If my brother can't find in five minutes, I'll willingly stay here forever."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
His words shone with unmistakable Holy Father brilliance.
The entire venue fell silent.
Even Dumbledore sighed and shook his head—yet he was smiling.
"Oh, Darren. It seems you won't need to sleep here after all. I think Harry has already arrived. Look behind you."
Darren turned around.
Harry stood there, eyes red.
"Brother…"
Darren's expression weakened instantly.
"Darren, when I wasn't there, you were already ready to sacrifice yourself for everyone else…"
Harry felt helpless.
Yet in the end, he couldn't bring himself to scold Darren.
This made many people sigh in regret.
Clearly, they had hoped Harry would give Darren a serious lecture—one that would make him rember not to be this reckless again.
But Harry said nothing.
When would Darren ever change this habit?
Even Professor McGonagall was furious.
Standing by the edge of the Black Lake, she had fully intended to lecture Darren harshly the mont he ca ashore.
But—
The instant Darren climbed out of the lake with Hermione and Ron, Professor McGonagall smiled.
She wrapped a thick towel around Darren.
"Oh, child, warm yourself up. You must be freezing."
Darren smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Professor. I thought I wouldn't see you again."
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding, Father value 100]
[Ding…]
Professor McGonagall's nose stung.
She pulled Darren into a hug.
"You—this child—you nearly scared to death!"
She was so angry she couldn't even manage to scold him properly.
So instead, she turned on Harry.
In a tone full of frustration and disappointnt, she said,
"Mr. Potter, I beg you—can you please study properly in the future?
I truly don't want anyone knowing that my student can't even master the Bubble-Head Charm. Mr. Weasley told about it, and I was mortified.
I almost wanted to tell everyone that I never taught you at all!"
She snapped sharply.
Harry stared at her blankly.
He wanted to say that even Krum hadn't relied on the Bubble-Head Charm, but he didn't dare.
Professor McGonagall was clearly furious.
But… was she really angry because of him?
Harry was confused.
At that mont, Dumbledore and the others arrived.
Dumbledore hugged Darren.
When he leaned toward Harry, he paused, noticing Harry was still dripping wet, and awkwardly stepped back.
"Oh, children! I can't believe how outstanding you both were. You must surely be first and second—"
Ludo Bagman shouted excitedly.
Karkaroff, however, sneered.
"The scores haven't been announced yet. The other champions also showed remarkable qualities."
"Is that so?"
Dumbledore replied lightly.
"Then I suppose Krum was following Darren most of the ti, wasn't he?"
Karkaroff shot him a glare.
But rembering who stood before him, he quickly looked away and turned to Krum instead.
He muttered a curse under his breath—useless.
Darren instinctively moved to play the Holy Father again, but Dumbledore grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, he—"
[Ding, Father value 100]
"Oh, child," Dumbledore said softly, "best not provoke villains."
He winked at Darren.
Darren could only look worriedly at Krum.
"It's fine,"
Krum said indifferently.
He was used to it.
In fact, he found Darren's concern rather interesting.
He even said he wanted to beco Darren's pen pal.
Krum praised Darren's trick of tying up the rmaids underwater and said he wanted to learn it.
Because Darren had saved him, Krum also offered to teach Darren Quidditch.
He claid he could train Darren into a true Quidditch master.
"The difference between you and Harry," Krum said seriously, "is just Quidditch.
Play it well, and you'll crush Harry completely and beco the most admired person in everyone's eyes."
Darren didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Good grief—
What was he supposed to do after crushing Harry?
Get crowned with a Savior title?
Protect the world next?
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