"
---
Chapter 107 — He Was Not Caught
Once Hermione finally dragged Harry away, Darren turned to face Snape.
Snape's face held its usual sarcasm, but his eyes seemed distant — unreadable.
"Now," Snape said coldly, "explain what Harry Potter has done."
He didn't even look at Darren.
His gaze was fixed on Malfoy.
Malfoy straightened, eager to report.
"This is what happened, Professor! I overheard them mentioning 'dragons' in the library. So I followed them — quietly! Then they went to Hagrid's hut. I peeked through the window and saw it — a dragon! A real Norwegian Ridgeback! It was… magnificent, so—"
Snape's expression grew darker and darker.
By the time Malfoy began praising the creature's beauty, Snape's glare was lethal.
Malfoy faltered, swallowed hard, and took a step back.
Darren frowned.
Snape seemed… off.
Shouldn't Snape be using Legilimency?
Why wasn't he just reading Malfoy's mind directly?
Did Malfoy have an amulet that blocked Legilimency?
Or had he learned some form of Occlumency?
Judging by how expertly Malfoy avoided Snape's gaze — maybe he really had.
But then… why hadn't Snape used Legilimency on Darren either?
Could he not?
Darren scratched his head.
Or maybe Snape simply stopped bothering…
Anyway, time to spread his Holy Father halo.
"Professor," Darren rushed forward anxiously, "everything Malfoy saw was my prank! It had nothing to do with Harry. I said everything! If you punish anyone, punish me!"
[Ding, Holy Father +50]
[Ding, Holy Father +10]
Malfoy, as always, contributed the bare minimum.
"Ahem."
Snape didn't even raise his head — just exhaled sharply to show his disbelief.
"Professor…" Darren insisted, eyes earnest.
Snape let out a small, mocking laugh.
"If you used that brain more often, Slytherin should celebrate."
"But—"
"Enough. In addition to Professor McGonagall's detention, you — all of you — will serve a week in my office. Now go back to bed. If I find out you're wandering the corridors again—"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to. The threat was obvious.
But Darren's worry was still about Harry.
"My brother—?"
"He wasn't caught, was he?" Snape snapped. "Go. Sleep."
—
The following days were a nightmare for Harry.
He used to be adored by the school.
Now a hundred and fifty lost points made him the most hated person in Gryffindor.
Even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students glared at him — they didn't want Slytherin winning the Cup again.
Harry avoided Quidditch practice entirely.
People avoided him. Some called him a "golfer" under their breath.
He swore he would never meddle again.
And he worried endlessly about Darren.
Malfoy bragged that Darren was spending every spare moment in Snape's office.
Harry imagined the worst — hexes, punishments, Snape shouting.
Darren insisted Snape only made him finish homework.
Nobody believed him.
Snape was not the gentle man Darren claimed.
Harry even had nightmares of Darren being tortured.
Meanwhile, Hermione handled it better.
She'd never been popular, so the cold shoulders didn't change much.
Neville… well, Neville was Neville.
Every time they had class with Slytherin, the Slytherins shouted their thanks at Harry — for bringing Slytherin one step closer to the Cup.
Harry felt sick.
Thankfully, exams were approaching.
The school's stress slowly buried the scandal.
Still, Harry held onto his vow:
Never get involved again.
But one week before exams, his resolve cracked.
Passing a classroom, he heard Quirrell sobbing.
"No… please… I can't… I can't do it anymore…"
Someone was threatening him.
Harry froze, listening.
Quirrell stumbled out, eyes red and terrified.
From the other side of the room, a door cracked open.
Footsteps slipped out quietly.
Harry's heart clenched.
Those footsteps — that gait — that was Snape.
Quirrell looked shaken.
Snape walked away calmly.
Harry's vow not to meddle trembled.
It was getting very hard not to be nosy.
---
--
---
---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!