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Chapter 104 — You Can't Lie Anymore!!
What Darren should have done was not chase Malfoy at all.
He had only seen Draco's back as the boy ran away, and by the time Darren returned to the Slytherin common room, Malfoy had planted himself in the furthest corner — refusing to even look at him.
In class, Darren attempted small talk several times, but Draco dodged him like he had the plague.
After the "punching Malfoy" incident, Draco clearly wanted to avoid Darren for the rest of his natural life.
And for someone like Darren — who could hardly assault Draco again just to make him talk — there wasn't much he could do.
He could only… mourn silently for Hagrid.
Every time Harry checked on Norbert, Darren sighed dramatically, claiming he would "go confront Malfoy again."
Hagrid, convinced Darren was doing this to protect him, cried almost every time.
In the end, everyone realized Norbert had to be sent away.
Harry suggested contacting Ron's brother, Charlie, who worked with dragons in Romania. They agreed Charlie would pick up Norbert on Wednesday.
But Wednesday morning, Norbert bit Ron — badly — and the wound became infected.
Ron had to be taken to Madam Pomfrey.
Darren immediately volunteered to take Norbert up to the rooftop in Ron's place.
He didn't like Norbert, but he could at least say goodbye properly.
But Harry refused.
He insisted Darren was too gentle — Norbert would bite him instantly, and Madam Pomfrey would certainly suspect dragon-related injuries.
So Darren stayed downstairs, wrapped in the invisibility cloak Snape had given him, waiting while Harry and Hermione delivered Norbert.
Darren remembered the original timeline:
Malfoy would find the letter from Charlie in Ron's things and run to inform Professor McGonagall.
Which meant… Darren could probably earn some Holy Father points.
Sure enough, not long after Harry left, Draco appeared — towing a very irritated Professor McGonagall behind him.
"Professor McGonagall! I heard them say 'dragon'—they're sending it away tonight! If you go late, they'll be gone!" Draco said breathlessly.
"Nonsense," she snapped. "There are no dragons in this castle. You are trying to deceive me again, Mr. Malfoy."
Her voice grew colder.
"You will come upstairs with me. I will hand you over to Mr. Filch. Perhaps detention will teach you not to fabricate such stories."
Hidden beside them in the invisibility cloak, Darren almost burst out laughing.
Malfoy… had zero credibility left with McGonagall — especially after trying to get Darren expelled.
Still, Darren, the little Holy Father, knew this was his moment.
He was just stepping forward to apologize when—
[Ding! Sensing a Holy Father performance opportunity, the system has generated a temporary mission.]
Mission:
While wearing the Invisibility Cloak, go to a concealed corner, remove the cloak, emerge trembling, and stop Professor McGonagall.
After she asks if someone tricked you into coming, insist you came voluntarily and delay her for ten minutes.
Reward: Mind Healing.
[Accept Task?]
[Accept]
Darren nearly cheered.
He hadn't seen such a valuable reward in ages.
If he didn't take this task, he really would be stupid.
He hurried to the shadowed section of the corridor, pulled off the cloak, and arranged his expression — pale, frightened, trembling.
Then he stepped out.
"P-Professor McGonagall… h-hello…"
Professor McGonagall froze.
Darren?
Here?
At night?
This child was always obedient, rule-abiding… how could he possibly be out wandering after hours?
"Darren," she said sharply, "who dragged you out here?"
She noticed his shaking hands, trembling voice, and misty eyes — her anger spiked.
Who would bully such a gentle child?
Had some brat played a prank and left him standing here alone?
"N-no one dragged me out, Professor…" Darren whispered. "I just… came out myself…"
He lied — badly — but in a way that made him look heartbreakingly sincere.
Professor McGonagall's expression softened instantly.
Good heavens.
How could she scold someone like this?
"Child, whoever tricked you into coming out tonight will answer to me," she said firmly. "Come with me to the office. It's freezing, and you'll catch a cold. I know you don't want to end up in the hospital wing again."
Almost every professor knew Darren's unfortunate record:
one visit to Madam Pomfrey = three days of unconscious sleep.
"Professor…" Darren pleaded softly, folding his hands.
"C-can you wait? Just a little? Please… punish me later if you must — just wait a tiny bit before going upstairs!"
Her eyes narrowed. "Darren, Malfoy tells me that Harry and his friends have brought a dragon into the castle."
Her tone sharpened on the word dragon.
"You don't actually believe such nonsense, do—?"
"It's true, Professor!" Draco insisted. "I saw them raising it at Hagrid's! You have to believe me once! Hurry — go arrest Harry! At least don't punish me — the good student who reported it!"
"—Shut up!"
Professor McGonagall snarled.
Both Darren and Draco jumped.
She pointed at Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, you can't lie anymore! Look what you've done — you've frightened Darren half to death! Apologize. Now."
Draco stared, horrified.
Darren lowered his eyes sympathetically.
(He felt a little bad.
But not bad enough to miss his mission reward.)
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