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Harry looked at Darren.
He really did look worn out.
He was still young, yet a few strands of white had already appeared at his temples.
There was exhaustion in his eyes, and his whole body carried a fragile, almost sickly air, as if he might collapse at any mont.
Harry finally understood.
While he was still doubting things like a child, Darren had already been carrying far heavier burdens.
He had beco their shield.
And yet Harry was still letting small suspicions affect him.
"I'm sorry, brother. I always…"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Darren's apology snapped Harry out of his thoughts.
He quickly stepped forward and hugged him.
"Darren, you need so sleep… I was the one being selfish, putting all the pressure on you."
Harry said quietly, patting his back.
Then he suddenly felt Darren's full weight lean against him.
"Oh—Harry, he's asleep… Don't move, I'll help you lay him down."
Hermione supported Darren and gently helped him lie down.
With his eyes closed, he looked even more exhausted.
"He's really too tired… the Order of the Phoenix, the Horcruxes, the Ministry…"
Hermione said softly.
"He hasn't had a proper rest in a long ti."
She thought he might finally get so sleep.
But just then, a loud crack of Apparition sounded downstairs.
Shouting followed imdiately.
"Mundungus!"
"Catch him! Don't let that traitor escape!"
Darren's eyes flew open.
He sat up almost instantly and Apparated downstairs.
Harry and the others exchanged helpless looks and followed.
By the ti they arrived, Darren had already driven everyone else away.
Only Kreacher and Mundungus remained.
Harry and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
If others had stayed, they might have had to explain the matter of Regulus to Sirius.
"Kreacher brought Mundungus back," the elf said proudly.
"Kreacher knew the young master wanted to catch him personally… but Kreacher thought Kreacher could help."
"Well done, Kreacher. Thank you."
Darren nodded, then turned to Mundungus.
Mundungus imdiately backed away.
He looked at Darren nervously and shouted loudly,
"What do you want? You're not going to kill , are you? I only took a book from you! And you took it back anyway!"
"Stole?" Hermione snapped. "You call that taking?"
Mundungus shrank, but still muttered stubbornly,
"It was just a book. I thought he didn't want it anymore…"
"Then why did you steal Sirius's things?" Darren asked coldly.
"Sirius treated that stuff like rubbish anyway! I took things for ages and he never complained!"
Heavy footsteps sounded.
Kreacher rushed forward and smacked Mundungus across the face with a toilet brush.
It wasn't very painful.
But it was extrely humiliating.
Mundungus froze.
Then he shouted angrily,
"You can't let a house-elf insult like that!"
Kreacher raised the brush again.
"If Young Master Darren won't hit you, Kreacher will!"
Harry couldn't help thinking it served him right.
Darren was inwardly satisfied too, though he kept a straight face.
He stepped closer and asked coldly,
"When you took those things, did you see a locket? Like this?"
He showed the image of Slytherin's locket.
Mundungus's eyes lit with recognition.
"You're looking for that thing?"
"You had it?"
"Not anymore. I was selling things at a stall once. Then this woman ca to confiscate my goods…
But she saw the locket and said if I gave it to her, she'd let go.
She had a pink bow, and a very shrill voice… like she was pretending to be sweet."
For a mont—
Fireworks burst from Harry's wand.
A jet of water shot from Hermione's.
A large fla exploded from Darren's wand.
Mundungus scread.
People outside rushed in imdiately.
"Darren! Are you hurt?" Mrs. Weasley asked anxiously.
Darren quickly pushed Mundungus forward.
"My wand lost control and hurt him a little… Could you help treat him?"
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
Mrs. Weasley seed to assu Mundungus had tried to attack Darren.
Darren thought for a mont, then pointed his wand.
"Langlock."
Mundungus's tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He fell silent.
"The question we asked just now is confidential," Darren said calmly.
"I don't want him talking."
"I understand," Mrs. Weasley replied with a knowing smile.
She dragged Mundungus out.
Darren watched her go, suddenly feeling a mont of sympathy for Mr. Weasley.
Sotis, Mrs. Weasley could be quite formidable.
But the important information was clear.
The locket was now in Dolores Umbridge's hands.
That ant their next objective—
The Ministry of Magic.
"If necessary," Darren said thoughtfully,
"I could enter the Ministry openly.
I'm not officially wanted. According to the reports, I was 'kidnapped' by my brother.
I could go in under the pretense of seeking help, take the locket, and leave."
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
[Ding, Father 100]
"No," Harry said imdiately.
"Officially, they say you were kidnapped. But they know the truth.
If you appear, the Death Eaters will notify You-Know-Who imdiately.
You'll be trapped."
"I'm not afraid," Darren said urgently.
"I'm confident I can get out of his hands and retreat safely—"
"Enough!"
Harry's voice suddenly cut him off.
"You are not going to face him again."
The words were sharp and firm.
Nothing like the tone Harry usually used.
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