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Chapter 716: You Kill Me!!
Snape studied Darren's expression carefully.
He could see it clearly.
Darren had not compromised at all.
There was still killing intent in his eyes.
Yet Darren forced himself to smile at him.
He didn't even bother addressing Snape as "Professor."
Snape's expression darkened slightly.
But he reminded himself that this had been his choice.
And it was still the best choice available.
So he said coldly,
"How would I possibly know anything about Harry Potter?"
"If you have information, perhaps you could share it. The Dark Lord would certainly reward you."
Darren looked at him coldly.
The forced smile disappeared.
"You rather kill me."
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape opened his mouth to respond—
But another voice cut in first.
"Kill you? Why would we do that?"
Bellatrix Lestrange stepped forward, her tone dripping with mockery.
"The Dark Lord intends to use you to lure Harry Potter out.
Just imagine it… we keep you imprisoned in Hogwarts, quietly spread the word that you're being tortured.
Harry Potter will definitely come running.
And when he does—our master will kill your stupid brother!"
Darren's expression changed to one of fear.
He even tried to choke himself with his own hands instinctively—but Voldemort's magic prevented it.
"Oh dear," Bellatrix laughed softly. "The master has forbidden you from harming yourself. Such a tragic little story…"
She leaned closer, studying his face.
"What a pitiful expression.
When the Dark Lord kills Harry Potter in front of you, it will be because of you, Darren Potter.
You'll have helped make it happen."
Darren stared at her blankly.
Something about her tone felt strange.
Even for Bellatrix, this level of hatred seemed excessive.
It sounded as if he had personally stolen her lover.
Could it be she somehow knew about the blood connection between him and Voldemort?
But that didn't make sense either.
Wouldn't that make her more respectful instead?
While Darren was puzzling over it, Bellatrix sneered again.
"I'll make you suffer until you beg for death, you little slut who seduced the Dark Lord."
Darren stared at her in disbelief.
This woman's logic was truly incomprehensible.
How had he suddenly become—
Then it occurred to him.
Actually… her reasoning made a disturbing kind of sense.
Voldemort had never shown this much restraint toward anyone before.
Of course Bellatrix would interpret it this way.
…No.
Absolutely not.
What kind of twisted thinking was that?
Darren suppressed the urge to complain.
Outwardly, he glared at her with righteous anger.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly seduce—"
He frowned in disgust.
"He and I are both men."
"Yaxley said you held hands with him!"
Bellatrix twisted her expression mockingly.
Darren nearly gagged.
So that was it.
That disgusting old Yaxley had started this rumor.
Sooner or later Darren would deal with him.
On the surface, however, he said coldly,
"How pathetic. Fabricating such nonsense just to insult my brother and me.
My brother will never be caught by you.
Sooner or later, he'll defeat Voldemort. One day he will—"
Bellatrix shrieked.
She raised her hand as if to slap him.
But Snape seized her wrist.
"The Dark Lord will not permit him to be harmed."
"Snape!" she hissed. "If you interfere again—"
"As I said," Snape replied calmly, "the Dark Lord has cast a spell preventing him from harming himself.
Do you truly believe he would allow others to hurt him?"
Bellatrix froze.
Snape continued softly,
"If the Dark Lord learns you ignored that protection… I doubt he would be pleased.
Perhaps you should repeat your words to him personally."
Bellatrix's face paled.
She seemed to regain her senses.
"Severus," she said hurriedly, "you wouldn't tell the master, would you?"
Snape was silent for a moment.
Then he replied quietly,
"I'm sorry. My loyalty belongs to the Dark Lord."
Bellatrix trembled with fury.
She pointed at Darren as if wanting to curse him, but no words came out.
Darren, meanwhile, felt strangely awkward.
For a moment he felt like an intruder in someone else's relationship.
Though he still wasn't sure Voldemort and Bellatrix actually had one.
Perhaps she was just—
Never mind.
Snape interrupted his thoughts.
"Tomorrow you will return to Hogwarts," he said.
"Slytherin House has not abandoned you, despite your… departure."
Darren looked at him coldly.
"I would rather die "
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape paused.
"The Sorting has already passed," he continued. "You are now a seventh-year student. You should understand your responsibilities."
"You kill me."
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape fell silent again.
Finally he tried another approach.
"You no longer possess magic. Therefore you will attend classes quietly.
And I strongly advise you not to provoke the other teachers."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"They will not be as patient as I am."
"If I talk back," Darren asked flatly, "they'll kill me?"
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape's chest rose and fell once.
Then he steadied himself.
"The Dark Lord has given orders. You will not be allowed to die."
"So I should thank you for using me as bait?" Darren replied.
"Do you expect me to beg like Dumbledore did?
Severus… please—"
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape raised his hand angrily.
For a moment Darren genuinely thought he might be struck.
But Snape lowered his hand again.
"Behave yourself," he said coldly. "Or you will be the one who suffers."
Darren said nothing.
After all, it wouldn't help anyone if he actually got slapped.
Knowing when to endure was wisdom.
He had come here to live—not to be beaten.
And even if he did get beaten, it would be far more useful if there were witnesses to increase his "Holy Father value."
Snape alone wasn't enough.
So Darren simply closed his eyes, pretending he no longer wished to speak.
Snape remained standing beside the bed.
Neither of them said anything for a long time.
Eventually, a faint smell drifted through the air.
Darren inhaled slightly.
Then he nearly laughed.
Snape had vaporized a Draught of Living Death—and even added another scent to disguise it.
A rather creative sedative.
On the surface, Darren sneered faintly.
"So… Draught of Living Death, with an additional fragrance to hide the poison.
What a master of potions…"
His voice grew weaker.
Moments later, he finally drifted into sleep.
Snape stood beside the bed for a long time.
Without speaking.