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Chapter 404: He Was Extremely Disappointed!!
[System, what is this?]
[Ding, this is a bloodline-shielding artifact. It can block the Killing Curse three times.]
So that was it.
Dumbledore was clearly worried that his bloodline might be discovered.
And—
He was worried about Darren's safety too.
Although Darren felt his bloodline could not be discovered at all, Dumbledore obviously thought otherwise.
Still, as a "good little Holy Father," Darren obediently put the chain on.
The silver accessory was so thin it was almost invisible—
And the moment it touched his skin, it vanished completely.
As if it had merged with his body.
"Very good," Dumbledore said gently.
"Harry, remember—don't let Darren remove it. This chain is equivalent to the Malfoy family's talisman."
Then, as if to be fair, he added,
"Of course, Harry, you and Miss Granger will also get one. And Mr. Weasley—this is your reward."
He took out three identical silver chains.
[System, what are those?]
[Ding, ordinary protective amulets.]
…Oh.
So Dumbledore's favoritism had already become this obvious?
Of course, amulets were still expensive things. Even many noble families did not possess them.
Not every family was like the Malfoys and could casually distribute magical talismans.
But Harry and the others had no idea.
They happily put the necklaces on.
Dumbledore smiled.
Then he listened at the door and said,
"Alright, they outside have left. You may go inside now. I will lock you in."
Darren and the others hurried back into the ward.
Click.
The door was locked.
Madam Pomfrey rushed over.
"At last they're gone! Children, hurry to bed. You must drink your medicine."
Then she pointed directly at Darren.
"You first! Look at yourself—aren't you exhausted?"
She placed nearly ten bottles of potion on his table.
Darren stared at them in disbelief.
This wasn't medicine—
This was an anesthesia package good enough to last till graduation!
But suddenly—
He faintly heard Snape's furious voice echoing down the corridor.
Only Darren could hear it.
His magic was too strong.
Which meant—
Snape was going to burst in any moment.
If Snape lost control, he might force Darren to talk.
So Darren immediately decided:
Sleep.
Right now.
He picked up the first bottle and drank.
Then the second.
Then the third.
By the fifth, his head already felt light.
The effect of the potion was weaker than expected—
Maybe his body had developed resistance.
But he still played along and let his eyelids grow heavy.
Before "falling asleep," he whispered drowsily,
"Brother… don't quarrel with Professor Snape…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Harry blinked, confused and on the verge of tears.
He didn't understand why Darren suddenly said that.
But when Darren looked at him with sleepy eyes, Harry nodded anyway.
A moment later—
Darren was "asleep."
"Poor child…" Madam Pomfrey sighed.
She tucked the quilt around him and reached to close the curtain.
At that exact moment—
Snape's roar finally arrived.
"He could not have transformed! No one inside this castle transformed at all!"
"This is related to Harry Potter!"
Harry jumped.
Darren, however, nearly laughed—
He was safely unconscious now.
Bang!
The infirmary door slammed open.
Snape strode in, his eyes blazing.
He went straight to Harry.
"Speak! What did you do?!"
"Severus! What nonsense are you talking?" Madam Pomfrey snapped.
"They've been here the whole time!"
Dumbledore smiled calmly.
"Indeed, Severus. The door was locked. They couldn't have left."
Snape ignored him.
His furious gaze burned into Hermione and Harry.
"It's them. It must be them! They let Black escape—"
Then he noticed Darren's exhausted expression.
The rest of his sentence died in his throat.
He turned to Fudge.
"Minister, I suggest you interrogate these two immediately. They know something—"
"Oh, Severus, you're being ridiculous," Fudge said irritably.
"They couldn't possibly be in two places at once."
Dumbledore cut in quietly,
"Unless… you mean they can exist in multiple times simultaneously?"
His eyes were calm.
"Severus, control yourself."
"And besides…"
"Darren is sleeping."
"You wouldn't want to wake him, would you?"
Snape froze.
His eyes drifted back to Darren.
Then to Dumbledore.
Then he swept one final murderous glance at Harry, Hermione, and Fudge—
Before turning sharply and storming away.
Fudge wiped his forehead.
"Merlin's beard, Dumbledore, how do you tolerate someone like that?"
Dumbledore chuckled.
"He's just… extremely disappointed."
Fudge sighed.
"Well, I suppose so. His Order of Merlin is gone now.
"And honestly, I'm disappointed too—
Black slipped away again. The Daily Prophet will eat me alive tomorrow…"
He wiped his face again and turned to leave.
Then Dumbledore stopped him.
"One more thing… can the Dementors be withdrawn?"
Fudge hesitated.
Then nodded reluctantly.
"Alright. They're too unstable anyway.
"They even tried to kiss innocent boys."
He glanced at Harry.
Harry remembered the cold breath and hollow mouths—
And nearly gagged.
Fudge forced a smile and left.
Only Dumbledore remained.
He looked once more at Darren.
Then at Harry.
"I hope you all sleep well tonight.
"And… be gentle with Darren."
"I mean—rest properly."
Madam Pomfrey nodded vigorously.
Then turned to Harry with a tray.
"Drink these! All of them. Now!"
Harry stared at the bottles in horror.
Strange.
When Darren drank potions, it was as if they were just water.
But when they reached Harry—
They tasted like poison.
He swallowed with difficulty, fighting down the urge to vomit.
Then suddenly—
He understood.
Darren was different.
Even potions treated him differently.