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Chapter 208 — Fudge's Threat!!
Darren was practically chased out of the Slytherin common room by the students' barbed comments.
Of course, on the surface it looked like they were disgusted with him, but underneath it was all concern.
When he stepped out, he saw Harry and Dumbledore waiting for him.
A little behind them stood Snape, face completely blank.
"What are you standing there for like a statue? Move. We're all waiting on you," Snape said impatiently.
Harry shot him a glare.
Honestly—how could any professor be as insufferable as Snape?
It wasn't Darren's fault they had to wait, yet Snape still snapped at him.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Darren said, polite and guilty as always.
Harry noticed Snape's expression twitch with irritation before settling back into its usual mask.
What on earth was he angry about now?
"All right, children. Take my hand—side-along Apparition," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling as he gave Darren a mysterious smile.
Darren flushed.
Dumbledore obviously knew he was doing this on purpose—keeping things formal with Snape.
He must have overheard Darren saying he'd keep his distance from Snape from now on.
"Come along, Severus. Time to go," Dumbledore added cheerfully.
Then came that uncomfortable wrench of Apparition—and the next second, they were standing in the Ministry of Magic's atrium.
He had come here last time through a phone booth.
"Potter," Snape said suddenly, his voice smooth and cutting, "Apparition allows you to move yourself and bring others. You cannot send other people away. And certainly not that many at once."
"I'm sorry, Professor… I didn't look deeply into the spell. I remember it's only taught in seventh year.
I only knew because you once took me along during Apparition, so I assumed… Thank you for correcting me."
Darren's tone was perfectly polite.
Snape's face darkened.
The boy was still unfailingly respectful—but it irritated him more. Darren spoke to him with the stiff courtesy he used for the strict professors, never the relaxed embarrassment he showed others.
"You know, if you keep that up, Filius Flitwick might burst into tears," Snape drawled sarcastically.
"Thank you for the reminder, Professor."
Still that same formal tone.
Harry watched Snape nearly explode.
He didn't get it. Darren hadn't snapped at him like Harry always did—so why was Snape furious?
Fortunately, the attention around them shifted as more wizards noticed their arrival.
"Look—Potter! Two Potters!"
"The one with the scar is Harry Potter, the other—Merlin, he looks even better in person. That's Darren Potter, I saw him in the photo orb."
"You can actually see his real appearance from the shadow orb. He was covered in blood—horrifying. I couldn't even finish watching."
"I couldn't either, but someone has to watch it. How else are we supposed to write the news?"
Some even came forward to greet the boys.
Harry worried they were going to mob Darren—they looked ready to interrogate him for three days straight.
Thankfully, Snape's looming presence worked.
Most wizards backed away, clearly wary of the "dark-looking" professor.
"Dumbledore, you're here!"
Fudge approached with a tone thick with fake warmth.
Then his eyes passed over Harry and landed squarely on Darren.
"Did you read my letter yesterday?"
Darren shrank back slightly.
"I did…"
"So you know what you're supposed to do?"
His tone sharpened—clearly annoyed Darren hadn't cooperated the day before.
Darren forced a weak smile.
Just from Fudge's tone alone, it was obvious today was going to be trouble.
"Cornelius, are you threatening Darren?" Dumbledore asked, voice cool.
"I'm doing what's best for both of us, Dumbledore—you know that," Fudge said with false patience.
He glanced at Darren once more before turning to go.
After a few steps, he spun back.
"I expect you in the courtroom within ten minutes. Don't be late—people are waiting."
Harry bristled, but turned to Darren.
"It's fine. He can't order Hogwarts around. Headmaster Dumbledore is… the best."
"Yes…" Darren murmured, distracted.
He looked conflicted, as if carrying a weight he couldn't speak aloud.
Harry was about to comfort him again when Dumbledore cut in gently, "No need, Harry. We truly must go. Darren—Nicolas Flamel is here as well, so don't worry."
Flamel?
Nicolas Flamel?
Wasn't he French?
Could he even intervene in British affairs?
"Oh, child," Dumbledore said, amused, "the longer one lives, the more titles one collects. Flamel is an honorary member of the Wizengamot. He has the right to attend trials—though he's never bothered before."
He turned to Snape.
"Severus, wait outside. I'll call if I need you—though I hope I won't."
Snape answered with a sharp, nasal hum.
Harry suddenly realized something terrible:
Dumbledore was taking Darren into the courtroom.
Which meant Harry had to—
"Oh, Harry, you're coming too," Dumbledore said lightly.
"You're Darren's family. Your presence is required. If certain decisions need approval, they will need yours."
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