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Chapter 658 Apologize Again!!
Ron listened to Darren's words, his eyes widening.
He could hardly believe it—Darren was asking him to apologize again.
He remembered the last time Darren had made him apologize was back in first year, when Ron and Hermione weren't even friends yet.
Ron had said bad things about Hermione behind her back, and Darren had forced him to apologize.
Now they were already in sixth year, and Darren was still making him apologize again for Hermione's sake.
It wasn't that Ron didn't know he was wrong.
But apologizing in public always made him feel that Darren didn't care about him as a friend and was siding with Hermione instead.
Darren saw his expression.
He felt speechless.
Honestly, considering Ron's personality, the fact Hermione still ended up with him in the original story really felt like Rowling's favoritism.
But of course, Darren wasn't going to indulge Ron.
He stood up.
Then he let his eyes slowly redden, yet his tone remained firm.
"If you see our friendship like this, then isn't it already meaningless?"
"Fine. We can end our friendship right now. You don't have to keep thinking we look down on you, and you don't need to punish us for other people's mistakes anymore!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Ron was startled.
He grabbed Darren immediately.
Blurted out, "I was wrong! I'll apologize—don't be like this…"
After saying it, he felt embarrassed himself.
His face slowly turned red.
He took a deep breath and said, "I know I've been targeting Hermione lately."
"The classes are getting more complicated, and you're all busy while I'm left alone in the common room. I really couldn't stand it."
"So whenever I saw Hermione angry, I unconsciously went against her. I'm sorry…"
"But Hermione really does act condescending sometimes, like she's looking down on us. That really makes people uncomfortable!"
Hermione froze.
"I often look at you with a condescending expression?"
She asked in disbelief.
Darren didn't let her avoid it.
"Yes, you do. You often treat the two of them like ignorant little kids… like Mrs. Weasley looks at Fred and George."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren spoke fairly.
This made Harry and Ron look grateful.
"Exactly! That's the feeling! When Hermione talks to us, it's always like that, and it really doesn't feel good!"
In the end, Hermione apologized as well.
Although she kept saying that facing Harry and Ron's IQ, it was really hard to control her expression.
But under Darren's gentle smile, she still promised she would try to change.
Harry and Ron looked shocked.
Darren could understand them—after all, adolescent boys hated being controlled, even if it was for their own good.
"Mundungus!"
Harry suddenly shouted.
Darren turned around.
Through the glass of the Three Broomsticks, Mundungus was hurrying past outside, occasionally selling something to passers-by.
"Thief!"
Harry suddenly exploded.
Then he rushed out.
Hermione and Ron looked blankly at Harry's back.
Only Darren understood why.
Because he saw what Mundungus was selling.
It was his books.
The one he had kept in the dormitory. Last year, after he fell through the veil, his things had been collected by Harry.
Those books had naturally been kept by Harry as well.
But since Darren had already read them, he usually asked Paggie to bring him new ones, so he hadn't noticed any were missing.
Yet just now, the book Mundungus was selling carried a familiar aura.
More importantly, there were golden patterns on the cover that Paggie had added to make the books look more brilliant.
Those patterns were exclusive marks Pansy had made for him so he could recognize his things quickly.
He never expected Mundungus to steal them.
That guy must have thought Darren was dead and shamelessly stolen his belongings from Harry.
Obviously, Harry had noticed as well.
After all, Darren was beside them when they read those books before, and they all knew those patterns.
That made Harry furious.
Harry rushed out and grabbed Mundungus by the collar.
He cursed almost madly:
"Do you even have any humanity? When I thought Darren was dead, you were stealing his things!"
"You filthy thief! You scum—give it back!"
"Brother, you'll strangle him!"
Darren shouted.
He waved his wand.
Several of his books flew back into his hands.
"My books—"
Mundungus was about to yell.
Then he saw Darren.
His face turned pale with fright.
"Wait, I can explain!"
Mundungus shouted at Harry.
Harry hesitated and loosened his grip.
Mundungus immediately Apparated and disappeared.
Harry tried to grab him but failed.
"He got away!"
Harry said angrily.
"That bastard!"
Darren held the books and handed them to Harry.
"Alright, I got them back. Here, take them."
"You're ridiculous, these are yours!"
Harry looked at him helplessly.
Darren smiled at him.
"I know. You're thinking about the day I fell through the veil, so you feel bad."
"Then keep them. I'm here now, and the books are here too, aren't they?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry's eyes reddened.
He took the books, and for the first time since Darren returned, he spoke about that day.
He choked slightly.
"When I think about it, I even yelled at you that day. I ignored your suggestions again and again."
"In the end, you fell through the veil because of the method I insisted on. I really can't forgive myself."
"I know. Hermione told me," Darren said softly.
"But I don't think it was your fault. You just wanted to save Sirius, and Voldemort was guiding you."
"None of us saw what Voldemort showed you, so we couldn't understand how anxious you were."
"I should have been more decisive. If I had just tied you up, nothing would have happened."
"In fact, I was blinded by worry too. Headmaster Dumbledore even scolded me afterward."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
"What? He did what? It's already a miracle you came back alive, and he still scolded you!"
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