---
Chapter 59 — The Price of Loyalty
Pansy Parkinson was standing by the door, wand loosely in hand.
Darren noticed immediately that she resembled the film version of Pansy — short, sleek black hair framing a sharp face, cold gray eyes, and lips curved in an almost cruel smirk.
"Well, well," she said with mock sympathy, eyes glinting. "Poor Mr. Potter. I do hope you enjoy what comes next. And please — don't use that special power of yours to cheat."
Her tone was deliberately taunting, and Darren's face turned pale under the flickering green torchlight.
He pressed his lips together and said, voice trembling yet steady,
"I'll accept any punishment you give me — or promise not to use my magic — but I won't stay away from my brother."
> [Ding, Father +10]
[Ding, Father +20]
[Ding, Father +5]
A satisfying chime echoed in Darren's mind. His "Father Value" had already climbed past 3,300 — enough for thirty-three Talent Points, or several advanced magical skills.
But that could wait.
First, he had to survive the performance.
He could guess what this was about. Snape had likely spoken with Betsy earlier in the day — Darren had seen them in private conversation after class. Whatever was coming, Snape must know about it.
And Snape — for all his coldness — would never allow Lily's son to be truly harmed in his own House.
So Darren only needed to play his part.
---
"Accept punishment?"
Betsy's tone was icy.
She crossed her arms, wand tapping rhythmically against her palm as her gaze swept over him.
"You've broken a Slytherin rule," she said coldly. "If you admit your mistake now and swear never to run off with Harry Potter again when Slytherin acts as a House, I'll consider letting you go.
"But if you insist on defying your House… then you'll learn what it means to have your heart and bones drilled."
A collective gasp filled the common room.
Every Slytherin student froze. The Cruciatus Curse — the spell she was hinting at — was forbidden. Even speaking of it aloud made their blood run cold.
Earlier, when they'd discussed "punishing" Darren, the idea had been something silly — hanging him upside down and letting everyone cast harmless hexes. But this?
This was too far.
Even the older students looked uneasy. They'd all seen darker magic used by their parents on small creatures — screams that seemed to claw at the soul. No one here could stomach doing that to a classmate, even one with "Potter" for a surname.
All eyes turned to Darren.
He stood still, pale but unflinching.
"No," he said quietly, though his voice shook. "If my brother comes to me, it's because something important's happened. I won't turn him away — no matter what."
> [Ding, Father +20]
[Ding, Father +30]
[Ding, Father +50]
His "Father Value" soared again — over 3,800 now.
Darren nearly grinned.
Perfect. At this rate, I'll max out the points in no time.
And as for Betsy's "drilling the heart" curse — please. Snape would have her expelled before she could even finish the incantation.
All he had to do was act terrified.
---
"Very well," Betsy said softly, her tone turning deadly.
Her wand lifted.
"Crucio!"
Darren's body jerked violently, collapsing to the floor. His mouth opened in a scream that tore through the room.
But—
No pain. None at all.
His limbs spasmed from what felt like a Stinging Hex and perhaps a Mimic Curse, spells designed to simulate agony. Betsy wasn't using the real Cruciatus at all — just illusions of it.
Smart. Snape's touch, clearly.
Darren screamed louder anyway, writhing convincingly as his mind buzzed with the sound of new system chimes.
> [Ding, Father +40]
[Ding, Father +50]
[Ding, Father +50]
Ten out of ten performance, he thought gleefully.
When the false curse ended, Betsy looked down at him, face unreadable. "Well, Potter?" she said coolly. "Have you changed your mind?"
Darren tried to answer but realized his voice was gone — she'd used Silencio on him.
He only managed to shake his head.
Betsy's eyes narrowed. "Then let's continue."
"Crucio!"
The false curse struck again. Darren's body curled up, twitching, sweat soaking his robes. His performance was Oscar-worthy.
If only the Academy gave awards for martyrdom, he thought grimly.
---
After nearly ten minutes, one of the older students finally spoke up, clearly uncomfortable.
"Enough, Betsy. This is pointless. I'm leaving."
He rose and walked toward the exit. A few others followed quickly.
"Wait!" Betsy barked, snapping her wand up. "No one leaves until they've had a chance to punish him. Those are Slytherin rules."
But no one obeyed. One by one, they slipped out, some refusing to meet Darren's eyes. Pity softened even the most hard-hearted among them.
Soon only Betsy, Kassandra, and Darren remained in the dimly lit common room.
Frank and Pansy stood silently by the door, on watch.
Betsy lowered her wand, breathing heavily. "You're fine?" she asked quietly, crouching beside him.
Darren's skin was pale, his hair damp with sweat. He managed a weak smile.
"I'm… all right."
He wanted to mention that she'd faked the curse, but with Kassandra standing nearby, he thought better of it. If Kassandra accused Betsy before Snape, it might cause trouble for everyone.
> [Ding, Father +50]
Kassandra let out a cold laugh. "Impressive spellwork, Betsy. Scream Charm, Curling Hex, Panic Curse — an elegant little combination. How thoughtful."
Betsy's face went white. Her grip on her wand tightened.
"No, no, that's not— I mean—" she began, but Darren quickly interrupted, stammering,
"Please, it—it wasn't cheating! Don't blame her—she was only following orders—"
Kassandra's sharp eyes softened slightly. "Relax, Potter. I'm not reporting anyone tonight."
She turned, her cloak swishing behind her as she strode toward the dormitory door.
"But next time," she said coldly, "if I catch you pulling stunts like this again, Betsy — or you, Potter — I'll go straight to Professor Snape."
And with that, she was gone.
---
Betsy sank into a chair, looking both relieved and exhausted.
Darren stayed on the floor, still panting, still dripping sweat — but secretly, behind his glassy eyes, the Holy Father System glittered like gold.
> [Ding, Mission Complete: 'Test of Loyalty to Your Brother']
[Reward: +300 Father Value]
Darren smiled faintly.
Another night in Slytherin survived.
Another performance perfectly played.
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