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Chapter 52 — The Cat, the Snake, and the Fool
Late at night, the soft scratching of a quill echoed in Snape's dimly lit office.
He wrote swiftly, his expression as cold and precise as always.
To Lucius Malfoy,
Your son, Draco, provoked Harry Potter's younger brother, Darren Potter, at school today.
The protective amulet you gave him was shattered by Darren's magic. Although Draco wasn't harmed, I thought you should be informed of what this implies.
Your friend,
Severus Snape
He sealed the letter and sent it off with an owl, its shadow gliding silently through the night.
After a moment's hesitation, Snape picked up another slip of parchment. His quill moved swiftly again, this time writing fewer words.
When he finished, he threw the note into the flames roaring in the fireplace.
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In the Headmaster's office, an aged hand rose from behind a desk and caught a floating ember before it burned away.
Dumbledore unrolled the note, reading silently.
Darren Potter used an Obscurus-like burst of power today, which shattered Draco Malfoy's amulet. Malfoy was unharmed, and I've informed Lucius.
Additionally, the Slytherin first-year Prefect is Kassandra Vorley. She seems unusually interested in Darren — perhaps worth keeping an eye on?
For a moment, the Headmaster's blue eyes dimmed in thought. Then, with a light tap of his wand, the message changed into new handwriting — elegant, flowing, unmistakably Dumbledore's.
My dear Severus,
There's no need for alarm. I am familiar with the Vorley family — the girl is not malicious. In fact, it might be good for Darren to have her nearby.
However, take care with Darren's Obscurus. It must not be released again; it could bring serious harm to him and others.
Also, do keep an eye on his emotions. He may believe Harry resents him — but it's only a small misunderstanding, as children often have.
Good night, my friend.
— Albus Dumbledore
Snape read the reply once, his expression unreadable.
He thought briefly of Darren's pale, fragile face and snorted softly.
A spark flicked from his wand, and the letter burned to ash.
---
Life at Hogwarts was... oddly interesting.
Especially for Darren, who had a Prefect as diligent (and domineering) as Kassandra Vorley. She'd memorised every corridor and shortcut, leading the new Slytherins through the castle like a general with her troops.
Unlike the other Houses, Slytherin first-years were never late.
Their first class that morning was Transfiguration — partnered with Gryffindor.
After breakfast, the Slytherins arrived at the classroom first. It was empty, except for a tabby cat sitting neatly atop the desk.
Darren blinked.
He remembered something he'd overheard: Professor McGonagall is an Animagus… a cat Animagus.
Cough.
Cute.
He couldn't help himself. The cat's fur looked impossibly soft. After a brief internal debate, he quietly reached out and stroked her head.
Warm, silky… dangerously addictive.
He was just about to pet her again when a familiar drawl cut through the silence.
"Well, well. What have we here? Our little Darren Potter, petting a filthy cat? How adorable."
Darren froze. "...Malfoy."
Draco stood smugly in the doorway, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, who looked as dumbly supportive as ever. Somehow, Malfoy had regained his courage overnight — or perhaps he'd just forgotten how badly things had gone last time.
"Don't tell me," Draco sneered, "you're going to make me apologize to that beast?"
He gave an awkward laugh, though his fingers twitched slightly on his wand.
Lucius's letter that morning still echoed in his mind — a scolding and a warning: Do not provoke Darren Potter again.
But Draco, of course, had interpreted it differently.
He'd convinced himself Darren's power — that terrifying, Obscurus-like surge — had limits.
If Darren couldn't summon it at will, then surely there was nothing to fear.
That twisted logic gave him just enough courage to act like an idiot again.
He grinned, twirling his wand. "Watch this," he muttered, flicking his wrist toward the cat.
---
[Ding!]
Detected: Holy Father System event nearby. Temporary task generated.
When Malfoy raises his wand, protect the cat and say, "How could you do this?"
Reward: Professor McGonagall's Eyes.
---
Professor McGonagall's… eyes? Darren blinked. What kind of strange reward is that?
Still, a quest was a quest.
[Accept.]
The next second, Malfoy's wand sparked.
Without thinking, Darren lunged forward, wrapped his arms protectively around the cat, and shouted,
"What are you doing?! How could you do this?!"
His face flushed, his voice filled with genuine alarm — mostly because he had no idea what Malfoy was about to do.
[Ding! Mission complete. Reward gained: Professor McGonagall's Eyes — wherever she looks, your good fortune increases by +10.]
Before Darren could even celebrate, a loud hiss froze the air.
A black cobra slithered out of Malfoy's wand, fangs gleaming.
"Scared, Potter?" Malfoy smirked.
Darren almost burst out laughing. You really just tried to hex a professor, didn't you?
Because the next moment, the cat in his arms wriggled free — and transformed.
The tabby leapt gracefully onto the desk, lengthening, stretching, until she stood in her true form: Professor McGonagall, eyes blazing with fury.
One sharp flick of her wand — and the cobra vanished into a puff of green smoke.
"Well," she said crisply, "Mr. Malfoy, attempting to hex your Professor — whether intentionally or not — is an exceptionally foolish act."
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Slytherin will lose thirty House Points. And you, Mr. Malfoy, will serve detention for one month."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Crabbe and Goyle looked ready to faint. Malfoy's face turned an impressive shade of white.
Darren tried — really tried — not to laugh.
This time, the "Light of the Father" didn't need to shine.
Professor McGonagall had handled the darkness perfectly on her own.
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