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Chapter 660: We Will Not Allow It!!
"I think that although Dumbledore is not here, we teachers are still useful, and we will not allow a sixteen-year-old child to kill people, even Death Eaters!"
Professor McGonagall looked at Darren seriously.
Darren had to show a helpless expression, pretending that he was being forced to give up the idea of running outside to hunt Death Eaters.
After Harry finally relaxed, he remembered another matter.
He hesitated for a long time.
Then he told Professor McGonagall.
"I once saw this necklace in Borgin and Burkes, and I think this was Malfoy's doing!"
Harry said through gritted teeth.
Darren remained silent.
Hermione looked a little annoyed, and Ron awkwardly rubbed his foot on the floor, as if trying to slide himself out of the room.
"Such a serious accusation… then, Harry, do you have proof?"
Ron looked even more embarrassed.
He whispered, "I told him to get evidence first, but he just wouldn't listen."
Harry glared at Ron angrily.
Ron pretended not to notice.
Hermione said helplessly, "Harry, you forgot what I told you.
Mr. Filch checks every package that enters the school, so if Malfoy had bought the necklace, he couldn't have brought it in.
Now that Mr. Filch has magic to help him, he has even more ways to examine those things."
Harry was speechless.
He could only look stubbornly at Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall's expression became stern.
She said angrily, "Without evidence, do not speak nonsense.
Besides, Malfoy was in detention with me today. He couldn't go to Hogsmeade at all—so how could he give anything to Katie?"
"Malfoy was in detention?"
"Yes, he has failed to complete his Transfiguration homework twice, so I have been keeping him under supervision!"
Professor McGonagall said sharply.
Then she prepared to leave.
But Darren suddenly asked, "Professor, has Malfoy ever failed to complete his Transfiguration homework before?"
Professor McGonagall froze.
She answered seriously, "In the past, at most his work was careless, but he never failed to complete it."
Harry almost laughed out loud.
"He must be creating an alibi for himself!"
That was obvious.
However—
Darren turned to Harry and asked calmly, "So, brother, where is the evidence?"
"He's been to Borgin and Burkes…"
"Well, you've been there too. If going there makes someone suspicious, then you're suspicious as well, right?"
Harry had nothing to say.
Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. Accusing a student without proof could send an innocent person to Azkaban!
Enough. I will not discuss this further.
Focus on your studies.
The school has teachers to handle danger. You only need to concentrate on learning, Harry.
I even think you should let Darren tutor you. Many professors have told me your performance is unsatisfactory.
Professor Snape even believes you may not be suited to his Defense Against the Dark Arts class!"
Professor McGonagall said angrily.
She opened the office door.
Only Harry and the others were left staring at each other.
"I think the most important thing now is to find out who Katie was supposed to give the necklace to."
Darren said softly.
Harry immediately became energetic again.
"It must have been meant for Dumbledore or Darren…"
"No, it couldn't be Darren. Don't forget, Darren was with us—Katie could see him the moment she turned around.
It also couldn't be for Harry, since he was beside us.
Maybe it was meant for Slughorn!"
Hermione analyzed reasonably.
But Harry still insisted.
No matter who the target was, it had to be Malfoy's doing.
Especially after hearing Darren ask whether Malfoy had ever behaved like this before, deliberately failing homework, Harry became even more convinced.
Because Dumbledore had not cancelled their lesson, on Monday night Darren and Harry still appeared in the headmaster's office as scheduled.
Dumbledore was there.
However, he looked somewhat tired.
Darren noticed an obsidian ring on his finger.
Yet his hands had not turned black.
It seemed Dumbledore had destroyed the Horcrux safely.
Seeing Darren staring at the ring, Dumbledore laughed.
"Very sharp. I thought it would take you longer to notice."
Harry felt a little embarrassed.
He truly hadn't noticed.
But his mind was occupied with something else.
After greeting Dumbledore, he could not help asking, "Headmaster, have you heard what I told Professor McGonagall?"
"Yes, yes, I heard. Minerva informed me.
I will investigate the matter, but I believe our lesson tonight is more important."
Harry felt dissatisfied.
Darren asked anxiously, "How is Katie?"
"She was lucky. Only a small part of her skin touched the necklace.
If she had worn it around her neck, she would have died instantly.
Fortunately, you acted quickly, and Professor Snape stopped the curse from spreading, so her life was saved…"
"Why Snape?"
Harry asked angrily.
"That is my decision, Harry."
With one sentence, Dumbledore ended the argument.
Harry became even more frustrated.
Still, he continued, "We also met Mundungus. He stole Darren's things. I hope…"
"I know. I will deal with him.
Now, however, we must begin our lesson.
Tonight's memory is rather long. If you wish to return to bed on time, we should stop talking about other matters."
Dumbledore said solemnly.
Harry could only nod reluctantly.
Darren glanced again at the ring.
Dumbledore smiled at him.
He said softly, "Obtaining this ring was a complicated journey, and I must admit Darren played a crucial role.
Without you, I might have died there. It was truly a dangerous path…
But that story will wait.
Let us organize the memories first.
In our last lesson I showed you the story of Merope.
Today's memory belongs to another witness.
He confirmed that after Tom Riddle left, Merope lived in London.
She sold Slytherin's locket for a few gold Galleons just to survive…
But after Tom Riddle fled, she never picked up her wand again.
She did not even seem to want to use magic to save her own life.
She no longer wished to be a witch…"
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