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Chapter 470: Darren with Low Self-Esteem!!
Darren and the others talked with the house-elves for a while. After everyone had gotten goosebumps from being praised too much, they finally prepared to leave.
The house-elves made them a large amount of food.
Even the house-elf named Susan shyly handed Darren a small basket of homemade meat buns.
"Mr. Darren… This is something I learned to make recently. I don't know if you will like it?"
Darren was delighted.
He thanked Susan sincerely and said it was the best gift he had ever received.
Many house-elves became excited.
They promised they would make even more homemade dishes for Darren next time, and that they also wanted to learn German and French cuisine for him.
When the group left the kitchen, their pockets were stuffed full of food.
And all of it was exactly what they liked.
"I knew it! I always wondered how Fred and George kept getting all sorts of food from the kitchen.
Turns out these house-elves love giving food away!" Ron said, biting into a beef bun.
It was also made by Susan.
He praised it endlessly and wanted to eat more.
But Darren covered his own pocket protectively.
Under Ron's shocked look, Darren said:
"This is the first gift Susan has ever given me. I want to savor it properly.
I can't share this one. But next time, I'll ask her to make plenty for all of us."
"Well… it tastes pretty normal, actually," Ron muttered, licking his fingers.
Darren silently complained.
If it tastes "normal," why do you want to steal mine? Dream on.
He hadn't even eaten one yet!
Of course, while they walked toward the common room, he quietly slipped Hermione a bun.
"Eat it. Don't tell them, or they'll call me stingy."
…
"Harry, Ron, what on earth are you two thinking?"
In Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall's voice echoed sharply.
Their guinea pigs—supposed to be transformed into partridges—still had clear rat characteristics and were trying to steal grain from the table.
Harry and Ron panicked. When their wands touched the animals again, the guinea fowl's heads fell off.
Professor McGonagall nearly exploded.
She cleaned up the unfortunate animals with a flick of her wand and warned them that if they continued being this careless, she would send them back to first year to study with the new students.
Harry and Ron went pale.
Everyone knew Professor McGonagall meant what she said.
Fortunately, she had an announcement to make and let them go—for now.
"Listen carefully. Christmas is approaching. As part of the long-standing Triwizard Tournament tradition, students in fourth year and above may attend the Yule Ball.
You will need proper dress robes, and you must invite a partner…"
As she spoke, her gaze landed specifically on Darren.
She smiled warmly and said:
"Darren, I've heard quite a few girls are planning to ask you already. Have you decided whom you want to invite?"
"Of course. I'll invite Hermione," Darren answered instantly.
The entire classroom erupted.
Even Professor McGonagall looked stunned.
"You—you're planning to date someone?"
She sounded genuinely confused.
In her mind, Darren had always been the model student—good, earnest, innocent. And now he was casually talking about taking a girl to the ball?
Darren noticed her reaction, as well as the shock from every girl in the room.
So he continued calmly:
"Who else would I invite besides Hermione? She's always by my side."
That explanation left the room completely speechless.
Professor McGonagall struggled for words.
She wanted to ask about Cassandra—but it wasn't appropriate in class.
Darren knew exactly what everyone was thinking.
So he continued before anyone could misunderstand.
"Professor, don't worry. I don't plan to date while I'm still in school.
My brother and I… we don't know when our lives may end. I don't want to drag anyone into danger.
Even if I liked someone, I wouldn't let her know. Not now.
And besides… I don't think any girl would like me anyway.
I'm not tall, I cause trouble, I act recklessly, and I'm not someone anyone would choose…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
He looked genuinely downhearted.
Everyone else, however, was dumbfounded.
Is this child blind?
He was literally the most popular boy in Hogwarts.
How could he possibly believe he wasn't likable?
But no matter what they thought, no one corrected him.
Even Hermione simply packed her bag in silence. She didn't tell him he was widely adored.
The other girls, though jealous of Hermione, also realized Darren wasn't confessing to her—he was only choosing the safest partner.
Which meant…
Everyone still had a chance.
Darren watched the girls' expressions and nodded in satisfaction.
Exactly the reaction he wanted.
Professor McGonagall sighed deeply.
She dismissed the class and then stopped Darren and Harry.
She looked at Darren with pained eyes.
"Oh, child… how can you think of yourself like this?"
Her heart twisted.
How long has this inferiority been growing inside him?
But this was also precisely why everyone loved him—he was always sincere and always too kind.
"But… that's really what I am," Darren said softly.
He seemed truly convinced that he was an unremarkable, unlikable boy. His voice was so modest that Professor McGonagall felt another surge of pity.
She cursed the Sorting Hat silently.
If Darren had been placed in Gryffindor, she would've taken care of him herself. Her students would have embraced him warmly.
What a pity.
What a waste of such a good child in Slytherin.
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