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Chapter 194 — The Black Hand Behind the Scenes!!
Darren finally woke up on the third day in St. Mungo's.
Snape's potion, he decided, was something no human should be forced to drink.
Every dose tasted like a sleeping draught with a hint of healing potion mixed in—just enough to knock him out for two days straight.
But at least waking up felt good.
The "injuries" the system had disguised on his body were all gone.
Just as he sat up, still groggy, the door opened and a witch stepped in.
"Hello. I'm an investigator from the Ministry of Magic—Tonks. Nymphadora Tonks," she said with a grimace, clearly hating the first name. "The Minister asked me to conduct a brief interview and verify the truth of the incident. The court hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, so I hope you're prepared."
…What?
Hadn't the other students already been questioned?
Why interrogate the injured one again?
Then Darren remembered the power struggle between Fudge and Dumbledore in the original timeline.
He'd thought Fudge wouldn't fully turn against Dumbledore until the announcement of Voldemort's return—but apparently the mere appearance of Death Eaters was enough to set him off.
Because the incident happened at Hogwarts, Fudge clearly suspected Dumbledore of—what else—trying to undermine him.
Brilliant, Darren cursed inwardly.
Of course Fudge wouldn't openly accuse Dumbledore.
He'd simply target his "little brother."
If he were the original Darren—no system, no experience—this interrogation and trial would destroy him.
Harry still had the title of "The Boy Who Lived."
The original Darren would only be The Boy Who Lived's Brother.
Fortunately, that Darren was gone.
Darren smoothed his expression, letting the exhaustion show. Tonks waited patiently.
He forced himself upright with difficulty, then said hoarsely:
"I… I'm sorry. The Death Eaters attacked us because of me. My classmates were hurt because of me. I fought them… and let them go."
[Ding! Father +50]
Tonks blinked. "That's it?"
Her hair instantly shifted from pink to bright blue.
Darren paused.
Right… she's a Metamorphmagus.
And in the future, she would die in the Battle of Hogwarts alongside Lupin.
Tonks noticed his gaze and chuckled.
"Oh, that. I'm a Metamorphmagus—I can change my face and hair at will."
"It's an amazing ability," Darren said sincerely. "And… really beautiful."
But his smile remained thin, almost forced. His eyes were still red.
"Miss Tonks… could I see my classmates later? I didn't protect them. If only I were stronger…"
He tried to smile, but his voice cracked.
[Ding! Father +100]
Tonks panicked.
She had never seen someone so polite, so self-blaming, when everyone else was trying to shove responsibility at him.
And he didn't accuse anyone.
Not even once.
"I—don't do that… It's normal. In battles, people… people get hurt."
Her voice trembled. "I'm so sorry. I should… I should let you rest. I'll step out."
She escaped the room in a fluster, wiping her eyes.
Outside,Alex
raised an eyebrow.
"The interrogation ended that quickly?"
According to Fudge, he'd stationed Alex outside not because of Death Eaters, but because he was terrified Dumbledore would sneak in and "coach" Darren.
Tonks scratched her hair anxiously—her hair now a chaotic rainbow.
She shoved the parchment at Alex.
"This is exactly what he said."
Alec read it once, then again, stunned.
"Is he mad? Those Slytherin kids lured him out, he was tortured, he fought Death Eaters—and he didn't report any of it?! He even—"
"How would I know?" Tonks groaned. "He said all of that and then asked if he could visit the other students. I tried to comfort him, and that was the end of it."
She cracked the door open, and both of them saw Darren sitting by the window, eyes red, face full of grief.
[Ding! Father +50]
[Ding! Father +80]
"He's still like that?" Alex muttered. "But Fudge wanted us to dig out the truth—the 'black hand behind it'…"
"Then YOU go ask!" Tonks squeaked. "I'm not going back in there. I nearly cried."
Alex hesitated, then shook his head.
"No. He'll be questioned in court tomorrow. Others will ask again. And honestly… that kid doesn't seem like he's hiding anything."
He tied the report to an owl and sent it flying toward the Ministry.
The report being a bit late didn't matter—Fudge only wanted something he could twist.
As for Darren's confession…
Blaming everything on himself?
Suspicious?
Absolutely.
Alex nodded to himself.
Yes. Minister Fudge would be very satisfied.
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