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Chapter 464 – Howling Letter to Darren
"Oh, Darren… Severus is really at fault. He chose a spot that was far too bright to give you those things—there happened to be a photo-sphere right above him."
…Ah.
Good grief. A public execution of Snape.
Thankfully, Snape hadn't said anything incriminating at the time.
Darren was speechless.
Bagman had claimed he only saw it because he was nearby.
But Darren hadn't expected everyone to know.
"But… will Professor Snape be punished? I asked him for those things myself. It had nothing to do with him!"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
He exclaimed earnestly—then noticed several people standing at the doorway.
Snape was there.
So was Harry.
Harry looked like he had just finished arguing with someone. He forced a smile at Darren.
"Oh, I'm not an idiot," Snape said grudgingly. "That photo-sphere was one of Dumbledore's devices for observation. Ludovic seeing it was pure accident."
He shot Dumbledore a glare.
Dumbledore only grinned, clearly entertained by teasing Darren.
"I merely thought it was amusing," Dumbledore said lightly. "Now then, Darren—I'm actually here to scold you."
Darren sighed.
So he hadn't escaped after all.
He just hoped the scolding would be gentle.
Dumbledore's expression turned stern, as if he were about to lecture Darren severely—only for it to melt back into a smile the next second.
"Well, there. I've already criticized you," he said cheerfully.
Snape looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"Severus and the others all insisted you needed a scolding," Dumbledore explained. "But none of them knew how to criticize you. So they left the job to me."
He shook his head.
"Darren, what I want to criticize is your innocence. Your kindness. Your absolute lack of defense toward anyone or anything.
But I can't. You move me every single time.
So instead, I'll let someone else scold you."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a bright red envelope.
A Howler.
"This was sent by Molly. I showed her the photo-sphere. I asked her to write you a Howler—something loud enough to teach you a lesson.
And before you ask why I didn't tell Remus—oh, I did. He said it all seemed perfectly normal to him."
Dumbledore chuckled.
"You two think far too similarly.
So Molly is your guardian for the moment… hopefully you'll listen to her yelling."
Darren was helpless.
He opened the Howler while lying in bed, trembling pitifully.
Snape even lifted a hand, as if ready to incinerate it on Darren's behalf.
But Dumbledore stopped him.
Not that Snape would have destroyed it—he froze halfway anyway.
Because despite its appearance, this was no roaring lecture.
It was a gentle letter from Mrs. Weasley:
Telling him to be careful in the Triwizard Tournament, to value his life, to be obedient.
She expressed how proud she was.
His dragon scene had made the whole wizarding world erupt with excitement.
Many were calling him the coolest champion they'd ever seen.
He had even received a perfect score.
Not even Harry matched him.
The letter ended with:
She would always love Darren.
Not a single yell.
Snape's expression darkened.
Only Dumbledore continued smiling.
"Well, I hope you won't repeat your recklessness," he said. "But like Molly, I'm proud of you."
Darren gave a guilty, embarrassed look.
He opened his mouth, but Dumbledore raised a hand.
"We understand. By the way—Severus, come along. We need to gather the little ones."
He looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"I assume none of you intend to miss tonight's celebration with Darren?"
Of course they didn't.
They crowded closer as Dumbledore and Snape left.
"Darren, you terrified me," Ron said loudly, "but I've got to admit—you were unbelievably cool!"
Darren laughed awkwardly, then blinked in apparent confusion.
He didn't seem to understand why Ron was standing beside Harry again.
"Oh—Harry and I already patched things up," Ron admitted.
"I wanted to reconcile earlier… but I was embarrassed. I didn't want you two to laugh at me.
Then your brother told us what you were going through, and I panicked.
I wanted to talk to you both, but you two stayed in the common room all night.
So I went out to find you—and Harry blew up at me.
I didn't sleep at all after that.
I kept thinking… what if something happened to you two? What if I lost my friends without saying a last word?"
"Hmph! Serves you right," Harry snapped.
"You shouldn't have accused me of putting my name in the Goblet. Darren said you were jealous, I went to talk to you, and—look what happened!"
Still holding a grudge.
But Harry grabbed Ron's hand and squeezed it all the same.
Darren clasped their hands too.
"Don't fight, brother. If you want to reconcile with Ron, don't bring up the past.
I want your friendship to last a long time—so even if I die someday, you'll still have each other."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
"Don't say stupid things!" Harry barked.
He couldn't stay angry with Darren.
Hermione nodded earnestly.
"Don't die. You're incredible, Darren. One punch and you sent that dragon flying! Even the Daily Prophet was shocked!"
Darren smiled.
"All right. I promise I'll live.
But you need to tell me… what happened after I fainted?"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
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