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Chapter 248 — Touching Porcelain, Expert-Level!!
Darren looked up at Lockhart on the teachers' platform and found the whole scene increasingly amusing.
This professor really didn't look like a smart man.
Since the beginning of the school year, he had somehow managed to offend almost everyone at Hogwarts.
But Darren had begun doubting the "idiot" act ever since he read the original book.
Could a genuine half-wit really get sorted into Ravenclaw?
Could someone truly brainless come up with the idea to steal other wizards' experiences and turn them into bestselling adventure books?
And Darren had to admit—Lockhart's books were actually entertaining. If one read them as adventure novels, they weren't bad at all.
Could such a person really be a useless fool?
No—even if his magic was rubbish, his brain couldn't be.
Which meant everything Lockhart had been doing… seemed pointed at getting himself kicked out by the entire school.
And who would put such a man here if not Dumbledore?
So today's performance was obviously intentional.
After all—what sane person hired a squad of short, ugly, grumpy dwarfs as "Cupids"?
Darren sighed inwardly.
Of course, he didn't think Lockhart's antics had anything to do with him.
But clearly, he thought too simply.
The moment class began, two dwarfs blocked his way and grabbed him by the sleeves.
"Darren Potter! We've got a dozen singing Valentines for you!"
One dwarf announced in a gloomy tone.
A dozen??
Were the Hogwarts girls insane?!
Darren opened his mouth, tempted to pull out his wand and blast these creatures across the corridor. But for the sake of his "kind, pure boy" image, he forced an embarrassed smile.
"Well… erm… this is Potions class. Why don't you come back after the lesson?"
"No!"
"You have to listen now!"
Both dwarfs yelled stubbornly.
Darren had been just about to Confund them when he spotted Professor Snape approaching from the corner.
So he instantly schooled his expression into earnest seriousness.
"I really can't. Class comes first. How could I skip Professor Snape's lesson to listen to these?" he said firmly, stepping away.
"We don't care!"
The dwarfs lunged, grabbing his schoolbag.
Perfect.
I am not afraid thqt you'll mess with me—
I am only afraid that you won't.
The moment they tugged the bag, Darren collapsed dramatically to the floor.
He clutched his chest, face twisted in pain.
"You… you…"
"Darren!"
Snape practically flew to his side.
With a furious flick of his wand, he petrified the two dwarfs instantly.
Then he turned to Darren, scanning him quickly for injuries.
His brows pulled tight.
He sensed nothing wrong with the boy.
If Darren had truly fainted, he would have felt something.
And if he was faking… well… Snape believed that more than anything.
But Darren didn't drag it out. He only stayed "collapsed" for two seconds. The moment the dwarfs were petrified, he stood up again.
"Professor… it's not their fault… I just felt a bit dizzy… They didn't mean anything wrong. I'm simply… too fragile."
> [Ding! Father +100]
[Ding! Father +100]
[Ding! Father +100]
Darren gave the petrified dwarfs a worried, forgiving look.
Snape's lips twitched.
The boy was simply too kind.
Those dwarfs had clearly startled him. Why else would he react like that?
Yet he was still defending them.
Snape felt a wave of helpless frustration.
But then Darren said softly, with shy concern:
"Professor worries too much about me… he might do something impulsive… They're just harmless dwarfs, and I was only a little uncomfortable."
> [Ding! Father +100]
[Ding! Father +100]
This child…
This child actually worried Snape might kill the dwarfs for his sake—and was trying to protect them.
Snape exhaled sharply through his nose.
He flicked his wand and sent the dwarfs flying off.
"Professor…" Darren said softly.
"They've been sent to Lockhart," Snape replied stiffly. "If you don't believe me, you may go check."
Which was… mostly true.
They were sent to Lockhart.
Whether they arrived in one piece was another matter entirely.
But Snape wasn't about to say that.
The boy was too kind.
Disgustingly so.
Any other brat—especially Harry Potter—Snape would have sneered at them being soft-hearted idiots.
But Darren…
Darren was his child.
The only thing he had left.
Snape's eyes lingered, nearly greedy.
He couldn't be a good father, but he could at least create a safe world for the boy.
Darren noticed the look.
Ah.
The old bat was missing Lily again.
He complained silently in his heart, but his expression remained warm.
"Thank you, Professor. Truly. I'll head to class now."
Snape opened his mouth, wanting to say he wasn't "kind" at all… but the boy's smile stopped him.
What father wanted to ruin his image in front of his child?
Even an old bat wasn't immune.
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"Darren… are you alright?" Harry whispered nervously when he slipped into his seat.
He had seen the dwarfs earlier, but Darren told him to go ahead to class. If they missed a lesson, Snape would deduct points immediately.
Darren smiled.
"I'm okay. Professor Snape was very nice. He sent the two lovely dwarfs to Lockhart's office.
So brother… don't say bad things about the professor next time!"
Harry froze.
Snape? Nice?
Dwarfs? Lovely???
Darren, are you sure you're not concussed?
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