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Chapter 715: You Need to Calm Down!!
Of course, Darren had deliberately allowed himself to be hit by those spells.
Otherwise, he would have had no reason to remain behind.
Voldemort arrived quickly.
Almost the moment Darren was struck down, he appeared.
He watched as Darren was sent to St Mungo's, then turned on the Death Eaters in a furious rage.
"I believe I told you clearly not to harm Darren Potter. Do you intend to disobey the Dark Lord's orders?"
His wand rose.
Every wizard in the room screamed in agony.
Yaxley struggled to speak through the pain.
"Master—Master—I didn't harm him! I swear! I didn't touch him!
It was the new recruits! We told them not to—but they didn't listen!"
Hearing this, Voldemort eased the Crucio on him slightly and turned his cold gaze toward the newly joined Death Eaters.
"Perhaps the Dark Lord has been too tolerant," he said softly, "if you believe you can ignore his orders."
The pain intensified again.
Several wizards collapsed, unconscious from the torture.
When Voldemort had finally vented his anger, he flicked his wand and sent the groaning bodies sliding across the floor.
Then he looked at the remaining core Death Eaters.
"I want Darren Potter kept under watch. He must not assist Harry Potter again."
"Master," Yaxley said cautiously, still trembling, "perhaps you are being too lenient with Darren Potter."
Snape, who had just entered the room, raised an eyebrow and gave a quiet, mocking laugh.
"Yaxley, are you questioning the Dark Lord's orders?"
Voldemort looked mildly interested.
But Yaxley pressed on nervously.
"My loyalty to the Dark Lord is unquestionable. I know you wish Darren Potter to join us.
But his strength is too great. If this continues, he will slaughter the Death Eaters. None of us can restrain him.
He will simply return to Harry Potter again and again. Many already call him Harry Potter's dog—"
Yaxley screamed as the curse struck him again.
Voldemort sneered.
"And what exactly are you implying? That the Dark Lord is currying favor with Harry Potter's dog?"
"My loyalty burns with devotion!" Yaxley cried.
Voldemort finally lowered his wand.
"Then tell me your brilliant solution."
"How would you keep Darren Potter obedient? How would you ensure he waits quietly while the Dark Lord kills Harry Potter—and then helps the Dark Lord conquer the world?"
Jealousy flashed briefly in Yaxley's eyes.
He himself had never received such consideration.
But he quickly said,
"You could seal Darren Potter's magic and hand him over to me, Master. I will personally… discipline him."
Yaxley screamed again as the curse returned.
"Do not assume the Dark Lord is unaware of your intentions," Voldemort said coldly.
"What the Dark Lord requires is genuine loyalty—not submission gained through such crude methods."
Yaxley fell silent.
None of the other Death Eaters dared speak either.
Most of their ideas would have been far worse.
Snape looked as though he might say something—but remained quiet.
Voldemort stood in silence for a long moment.
Then his gaze shifted to the calmest man in the room.
"Severus," he said softly, "I will seal Darren Potter's magic and send him to Hogwarts—to your care."
"Master!"
Snape's expression filled with disbelief.
"Darren Potter abandoned his House and left Hogwarts at the end of last term. He no longer deserves a place in Slytherin."
"That decision is mine," Voldemort said coldly.
Snape forced a reluctant expression.
"But would that not be too merciful? I could ensure he suffers within the school—deny him food, isolate him—"
"No."
Voldemort raised a hand.
"The Dark Lord does not resort to such petty tactics."
His red eyes gleamed.
"I will convince him myself.
I did not personally kill Dumbledore. That has clearly left him unconvinced.
And the Dark Lord failed to capture him twice.
But that will change.
The Dark Lord will kill Harry Potter before his eyes—defeat him openly and undeniably.
Only then will Darren Potter understand the Dark Lord's power."
Snape's eyes flickered briefly.
He looked displeased, but he said nothing.
"Go, Severus," Voldemort ordered finally. "You will ensure that he understands how much the Dark Lord values him."
Snape nodded silently.
Behind him, Yaxley watched with barely concealed envy.
Darren Potter—without magic—being handed to Snape so easily.
What a waste.
---
Darren woke up at St Mungo's.
After he regained consciousness, Voldemort came to see him once.
It seemed Voldemort intended to explain the matter of sharing his blood.
But Darren responded with nothing but sarcasm and provocation.
Eventually Voldemort stormed out in anger.
Before leaving, he declared that he would defeat Darren fairly and prove what true power looked like.
Darren almost laughed.
Of course, Voldemort had sealed his magic.
But for Darren—who had the system—it meant nothing.
He broke the seal within minutes.
He simply maintained the illusion of being powerless.
Later, when he dramatically shattered the seal to save Harry, it would be far more moving.
Just imagining it made him feel touched.
Darren rubbed his eyes.
For a moment he wondered if he had actually moved himself to tears.
Unfortunately, someone had witnessed the entire scene.
Snape stood in the doorway, watching.
After a long pause, he entered the room.
"It appears," he said dryly, "that we are destined to endure each other's company again, Mr. Potter."
Darren's eyes snapped open.
Hatred immediately filled his expression.
He lunged from the bed, trying to strike Snape—
But Snape flicked his wand.
Darren was thrown back onto the hospital bed.
"I suggest you calm down," Snape said coolly.
"After all, this arrangement comes directly from the Dark Lord.
If I were to accidentally kill you while you are powerless… your brother—currently on the run—might find that rather inconvenient."
Snape smiled mockingly.
Darren inwardly admitted that Snape had excellent instincts.
For someone pretending to be emotional and impulsive, invoking Harry was the perfect way to control him.
So Darren forced himself to relax.
In a subdued voice, he asked,
"Sn ... Pr ..professor Snape… do you know what happened to them?
My brother… is he safe?"