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Chapter 495: Darren Takes Leave!!
The next day was Sunday.
Ron sent Percy a letter using Pigwidgeon.
Pigwidgeon was the owl Sirius had given Ron. When Ron first got him, he had still been very small. Now he had grown a bit bigger.
He was extremely excited to be used to deliver a letter.
He hopped around proudly in the owlery, showing off to the other owls—only to be pecked repeatedly in return.
They watched Pigwidgeon fly away in a crooked, unsteady line.
Later, they went to the kitchens again.
They wanted to ask whether Sparkle might know something.
But because Hermione kept talking about how badly house-elves were treated, the elves had already come to believe that Hermione was slightly mad.
They shoved food into Hermione's and Harry's hands and pushed them straight out of the kitchen.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen, please leave quickly!"
They spoke with obvious irritation.
The only one who wasn't pushed out was Darren.
Without saying a word, he wandered around the house-elves' kitchen on his own, carefully looking at the food.
He discovered that the house-elves had actually started researching new dishes.
And they tasted really good.
The elves were also very happy to let him try them.
Darren stayed inside for a long time before finally coming out.
Outside, Hermione and Ron were still arguing.
They were arguing quite fiercely.
But when they saw Darren walk out, they both restrained themselves and stopped snapping at each other.
That evening, Darren noticed Hagrid digging outside the castle through the window.
Madame Maxime seemed to want to talk to him.
But Hagrid refused.
He didn't say a single word, which eventually made Madame Maxime turn and leave.
Darren sighed inwardly.
The loyal puppy has finally woken up.
In this regard, Hagrid was actually a bit better than Snape.
Maybe it was also because Lily had never lied to Snape...
Monday morning arrived.
Hermione seemed unusually nervous.
She kept rubbing her hands together.
Darren was sitting at the Slytherin table.
He noticed her nervous behavior, quickly finished his breakfast, and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
He was about to ask her what was wrong—
When suddenly, a large swarm of owls flew straight toward Hermione.
They dropped a massive pile of letters, smashing them onto Hermione's head.
Darren immediately waved his wand.
The letters were neatly stacked midair and gently landed on the table in front of her.
"Thank you, Darren."
Hermione smiled sweetly.
Darren shook his head and asked curiously,
"What's this?"
He vaguely remembered something like this happening in the original story.
But before he could think further, Hermione had already opened a Howler.
"Hermione Granger, you shameless girl!
How dare you toy with the feelings of Harry Potter and Darren Potter!
I warn you—leave them immediately, or I won't be polite!"
…Wow.
Darren was stunned.
He immediately opened several more envelopes.
Every single letter said the same kind of thing.
His brows furrowed deeply.
Anger rose in his voice.
"I won't let these people get away with this. Hermione, don't destroy these letters."
"I'll use a Tracking Charm. I want to find every single sender and personally go to their doors and tell them—
You are not that kind of girl."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…］
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Hermione's mouth.
"No need," she said gently.
"Everyone already thinks this way. And isn't all of this Rita Skeeter's fault?"
She hugged Darren.
Girls from the other houses immediately glared at Hermione in jealousy.
But Hermione wasn't afraid at all.
"Let them talk."
Darren seemed to finally calm down.
"That's right… this is all Rita Skeeter's fault."
Only then did Hermione feel relieved.
But the moment she let go of Darren, she saw him walking straight toward the professors' table.
He stopped directly in front of Snape.
"Professor, I want to take two days off."
"A leave of absence?"
Snape looked at him suspiciously.
"Yes, Professor. I want to find Rita Skeeter."
"I want her to retract and correct what she wrote before. Hermione is not that kind of person."
"Because of Rita Skeeter, she's been insulted like this."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…］
Snape froze.
The knife and fork in his hands stopped midair.
Not just him.
Almost every professor and student in the Great Hall stared in shock.
No one had expected Darren to do something like this for Hermione.
To go find Rita Skeeter…
That was something that seemed nearly impossible.
Yet he wanted to do it anyway.
"What she said about my brother—I won't argue about that," Darren continued.
"Because I don't know whether my brother really is that fragile."
"Maybe he really did live that kind of life when I wasn't there."
"And Harry and I are champions of the Triwizard Tournament. Being discussed is normal."
"But Hermione is different."
"She was dragged into this for no reason."
"Rita Skeeter made her live under insults from countless people."
"Look at the letters on her desk. That's how people see her now."
"I don't think anyone will ever forget how Hermione lived at school."
"She's quiet, hardworking, and kind."
"And now she's being smeared like this."
"I think that's too much."
"That's vicious."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…］
Snape stared at Darren.
The boy's eyes were firm and unwavering.
Snape's fingers tightened.
He remembered Lily—standing in front of everyone, just as firmly, saying she trusted her friend completely.
Those same determined eyes.
And yet… he had betrayed that trust in the end.
He lowered his head.
"If you insist, then—"
Before he could finish, Dumbledore had already walked over.
"Ah, Severus. I'm afraid we can't allow Darren to leave Hogwarts at the moment."
"During the Triwizard Tournament, champions are not permitted to leave."
"But I understand your intention."
"I will personally write to clarify that Miss Granger is not that kind of person."
"And I believe Mr. Filch would be quite happy to help intercept any insulting letters addressed to her."
"Yes! Of course!"
Filch said eagerly.
"I'll personally check Miss Granger's mail from now on. I won't let letters like that get through again!"
Dumbledore looked at Darren.
"Darren, will this be acceptable?"
"Thank you… thank you so much."
"And Mr. Filch, I'm really sorry to trouble you as well…"
Darren's eyes turned red.
He rubbed them and laughed.
"I'm really… really happy."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…］