Chapter 782: Side Story — Betsy Greengrass
The moment Betsy imagined what kind of chaos would erupt if news of her donation to the Longbottoms reached her parents' ears, she felt her head splitting apart.
By now, that receptionist had probably already told half the wizarding world, hadn't she?
Without hesitation, Betsy waited until the women finished work, blocked their path, stunned them, and dragged them aside for questioning.
After a generous dose of Veritaserum, the truth finally came out.
The woman hadn't actually told anyone else.
She had simply been chatting with a colleague today.
St. Mungo's had strict rules regarding patient privacy. If the person involved didn't wish for something to be disclosed, staff members weren't supposed to spread it around.
The woman was admittedly a gossip.
Today she simply couldn't hold it in and had shared it with a coworker.
That explanation left Betsy both annoyed and relieved.
Annoyed because the little idiot had somehow picked the biggest gossip in the entire hospital.
Relieved because she had arrived in time.
A perfect save.
To be safe, she questioned both women thoroughly.
Only after confirming that nobody else knew did she relax.
In the end, she modified their memories and erased everything related to the donation.
Originally, she intended to erase all memories involving Darren as well.
But when she thought about the little fool's face, she hesitated.
Eventually, she left behind only a vague impression of him.
Of course, she still cast a Confundus Charm for insurance.
As long as the woman didn't see Darren directly, she wouldn't be able to recall his appearance.
And if she ever did see him...
Well.
At that point, it would mean the Longbottoms already owed the brat their lives.
Knowing the Longbottom family, once they discovered the truth, they'd probably spend the next thirty years repaying the favor.
Forget it.
She could consider it another favor for the little idiot.
Betsy thought irritably.
Then she casually dumped the unconscious women by the roadside and walked away.
See?
She had never been a good person.
That little fool had saved the wrong person.
He should have saved the Longbottoms instead.
---
Soon, the new school year began.
Betsy was dropped off outside King's Cross Station by her father.
"Muggles are disgusting."
"I can't stand them."
"Get into the station yourself."
After saying that, her father Disapparated immediately.
Betsy dragged her luggage toward the station without a change in expression.
Eventually she boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Sitting by the window, she stared absentmindedly at the scenery outside.
Then she spotted him.
The little idiot.
Walking into the station with another boy.
So late.
Was he trying to miss the train?
Typical Muggle-born behavior.
Betsy clicked her tongue.
Then, in the very next moment, the brat ran back out of the station.
Betsy blinked.
...What?
Wasn't he going to school?
She told herself she didn't care.
She really didn't care.
Then the train was nearly ready to depart.
And the little idiot still hadn't come back.
Betsy suddenly couldn't sit still anymore.
She stood up and left the compartment.
A few minutes later, she conveniently appeared nearby and brought the boy onto the train herself.
"What a family."
"You even travel to school in groups."
Since he apparently had an older brother, why did he still look so pitiful?
The brat looked underfed.
Had both his parents died?
That seemed possible.
But if both parents were dead...
Then why had he donated all the money she'd given him?
What an idiot.
Betsy felt irritated.
After bringing him into her compartment, she intended to teach him a proper lesson.
Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan.
The moment someone raised their voice at him...
Or pulled out a wand...
She found herself stepping in.
Automatically.
Without thinking.
Even she couldn't believe it.
Everyone else looked just as shocked.
Naturally, Betsy Greengrass could never be wrong.
If something strange happened, it had to be someone else's fault.
So she pretended not to notice and let everyone continue their conversation.
Meanwhile, inside, she was dying of embarrassment.
What was wrong with her?
She already knew she shouldn't be getting involved with this little idiot.
Then—
once again—
the brat stood in front of her.
When she saw the wounds bursting across his body, Betsy felt a surge of fury.
She killed the werewolf without hesitation.
Then she turned toward Darren.
She expected fear.
Shock.
Maybe even tears.
Instead, the little idiot was smiling at her.
For a moment, Betsy froze.
The first thought that entered her mind was:
He's really beautiful.
The second was annoyance.
She had just spent all that effort teaching him to protect himself.
And now he'd gone and done this.
What exactly was wrong with him?
She lowered her head, intending to scold him.
Then she saw the look in his eyes.
Bright.
Warm.
Like he had found some priceless treasure.
And suddenly...
She understood.
This fool.
He liked her.
The realization should have disgusted her.
Lots of people liked her.
Why should a Muggle-born first-year be any different?
What qualifications did he have?
And yet...
She wasn't disgusted.
Nor annoyed.
Instead, countless reasons immediately appeared in her mind, explaining why she wasn't suitable for him.
So she warned him.
The little idiot pretended not to hear.
After she finally walked away decisively, he sat there alone for a long time.
Looking disappointed.
He must have been sad.
For some reason, that thought made Betsy feel uncomfortable too.
Ridiculous.
She looked down on such feelings.
---
The Sorting Ceremony was a major event.
Betsy sat at the Slytherin table, watching the first-years gather nervously below.
Among all those little wizards, Darren stood out the most.
Partly because he was absurdly cute.
And partly because he looked utterly terrified.
Typical Muggle-born.
No composure at all.
Even while thinking that, Betsy unconsciously sat up straighter.
If he happened to look over, maybe he'd feel less nervous.
At worst...
She could smile at him.
Just once.
"Why do you keep looking at that red-haired brat?"
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
It was Burke.
The Slytherin boys' prefect.
Cunning.
Calculating.
The type Betsy disliked most.
He was also one of her many suitors.
Not because he genuinely liked her.
His family simply wanted him to pursue her.
The proof was obvious.
He already had a girlfriend—a second-year girl.
Naturally, Betsy wasn't about to tell him the truth.
She replied casually,
"There was a werewolf attack on the train."
"He got caught up in it."
"I took him to the hospital wing."
"That's all."
Everyone knew about the attack.
Very few people knew that Darren had saved her.
And those who did know were smart enough to keep quiet.
They valued their lives.
So Betsy could tell whatever version she wanted.
Just like that, Darren's act of risking his life to save someone became a simple case of accidental involvement.
The difference between the two stories was enormous.
Naturally, any special recognition he might have received disappeared.
Betsy thought about it coldly.
Good.
Maybe this lesson would finally teach him to be smarter.
To stop doing foolish things.
To stop risking his life for others.
Betsy felt strangely irritated.
She couldn't tell whether she was annoyed by the possibility that he would keep saving her...
Or by the possibility that he'd stop paying attention to her altogether.
Either way, she didn't care.
She was Betsy Greengrass.
She didn't need anyone.
Especially not some foolish little brat.