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Chapter 723: Poor Child!!
Of course, Phineas did more than just bring them news.
Every time he appeared, he would quietly try to find out where Harry and the others were hiding.
Hermione noticed it almost immediately every time.
She would grab the portrait and shove it back into her bag.
After being treated like that, Phineas would refuse to appear again for several days, leaving them anxious and frustrated.
---
The weather was growing colder.
At Hogwarts, Darren had started wrapping himself up more tightly.
Clothes were the least of his worries.
The Death Eaters had already arranged plenty of them for him.
The Carrow siblings even sent clothes they had personally made, hoping to flatter the "son of the Dark Lord."
Darren was quite satisfied with the service.
Of course, outwardly he treated them with complete contempt—like they were nothing more than garbage.
The Carrow siblings could only swallow their anger.
They didn't dare argue.
---
Darren had begun planning the final stage of his operation.
In truth, he had already stolen the real sword during the previous incident.
Snape had noticed.
But he pretended not to.
Instead, he simply sent Darren to clean with Filch as punishment.
During that time, Darren quietly passed the sword to Filch and asked him to hide it.
Now Darren needed a way to "restore" his magic.
(Technically, he had never lost it.
But he needed a convincing explanation for Voldemort.)
In the original plan, Snape was supposed to deliver the sword.
But after Darren stole it, Snape seemed to have no further plan.
So Darren had to arrange the rest himself.
While searching Snape's office earlier, Darren had noticed something interesting.
A source of magical energy.
It looked like something Snape had prepared for him.
All Darren needed to do was pretend to sneak into Snape's office, retrieve that magical source, Apparate away, and find Harry.
The problem was—
He had no idea where Harry actually was.
That was the frustrating part.
He had asked Phineas to try locating them.
But Hermione was far too cautious.
Phineas failed every time.
Now Darren could only hope Harry would eventually contact Phineas once they reached Godric's Hollow.
If that happened, Darren could go directly to them.
Bring the sword.
Bring food.
And tell them how to deal with the Horcruxes.
"Poor kids…"
Darren thought cheerfully, tightening his coat.
Wandering outside in weather like this…
How miserable!
Of course, on the surface he looked completely miserable.
When he heard footsteps nearby, he whispered weakly,
"Brother… Hermione… Ron…"
"…."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Just those three names earned him another wave of "Father" points.
Darren nearly burst out laughing inside.
"Darren, it's freezing out here," a gentle voice said.
"You should go inside and rest."
It was Professor McGonagall.
Several Gryffindor students stood behind her.
Darren acted as if he had just noticed her.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to disturb anyone…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Professor McGonagall's eyes turned red.
"Good boy… I know you're suffering.
But you must take care of yourself.
Look at you—you've lost so much weight."
Darren swore silently that he absolutely had not lost weight.
He was just wearing oversized clothes.
If they had put him on a scale, they would have realized he had actually gained two pounds.
But that obviously wasn't something a "Holy Father" could say.
So Darren forced a weak smile.
"I'm not thin, Professor.
I eat three meals every day.
They even insist on giving me a midnight snack…"
Mostly because the meals were terrible compared to what Pagie secretly brought him.
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Professor McGonagall couldn't hold back her tears anymore.
She pulled Darren into a hug.
"Child… you've suffered so much.
We failed to protect you…"
Darren smiled faintly.
This was why he liked Gryffindor.
"Don't worry," he said softly.
"They want to use me to find my brother.
But I would rather die than betray him."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
"Nonsense!" Professor McGonagall snapped.
"You must never say such things!
As long as you live, there is hope."
She quickly glanced around, then whispered,
"Don't be afraid.
We are trying to break the seal on your magic.
We will help you escape.
You should not be trapped here."
"Professor McGonagall, what are you doing?"
The harsh voice belonged to the Carrow siblings.
McGonagall's words were cut off.
Darren immediately stepped in front of her.
He glared at them.
"What we're doing is none of your business.
If you're brave enough, kill me right now.
If not—get out!"
The Carrow siblings froze.
After a moment they forced awkward smiles.
"We were just concerned about… disrupting the students' lessons.
Darren, you wouldn't want to disturb their studies, would you?"
They spoke cautiously.
Darren snorted.
Then he turned back to McGonagall and said bitterly,
"I would rather die than live like this."
Professor McGonagall had never seen Darren speak to the Carrows like that before.
For a moment she was confused.
Their attitude didn't seem that bad.
But then she noticed Darren's pale face.
She suddenly understood.
The Carrows must be threatening him with his friends.
That was the only reason he would say such desperate things.
Her eyes reddened again.
She gently patted Darren's shoulder.
"Child… live.
As long as you live, there is hope.
I will find a way to save you."
Darren nodded.
His expression was bleak and sorrowful.
It broke her heart.
For a brief moment she wondered if Darren actually needed rescuing at all.
But she immediately dismissed the thought.
How could that be?
Darren was kind.
Simple.
Innocent.
His hatred toward the Carrow siblings must be the same hatred he felt toward Voldemort.
He had sacrificed so much for the wizarding world.
They owed him everything.
Professor McGonagall thought sadly.
Completely forgetting that the truly miserable person—
Hungry, freezing, and being hunted—
Was not Darren at all.
It was the boy wandering outside the castle.