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Chapter 326 – Our Child!
Snape paused for a moment.
His gaze shifted from Darren… to Cassandra.
Then he finally said, coldly,
"Miss Worley, I believe your upbringing should have taught you how to apologize."
"I'm sorry, I—"
Cassandra lowered her head and apologized at once.
But before she could finish, Darren interrupted her.
"So… I guess I've won, Professor?"
He looked at Snape.
Snape let out a snort.
"Yes. Potter won. His protective spells blocked all your attacks. If Miss Worley has any objections, she may request a rematch."
"I… I don't…"
Cassandra immediately shook her head.
Before she could say anything else, she saw Darren turn around and jump down from the dueling platform.
He never once looked back.
She stared at his retreating figure for a long while.
Then she lifted her chin again and said proudly,
"Then next is the election for girls' prefect. Anyone who wants the position can come challenge me."
The entire selection process became nothing more than a formality.
Because Cassandra's attacks after that were even more terrifying.
Several girls were injured.
They ended up spending the very first night of term in the hospital wing.
In the end, even Snape had no choice but to warn her—
If she dared send another student to Madam Pomfrey unnecessarily, he would personally make her drink one of his potions.
Only then did Cassandra finally restrain herself.
---
Early the next morning.
Snape summoned Darren to his office.
He placed a stack of timetables on the desk.
They were course schedules for all third-year students.
Naturally, the very top two belonged to Darren and Cassandra.
Darren accepted his timetable obediently.
Just as he turned to leave, Snape called him back.
"Why did you make Cassandra apologize yesterday?"
Snape knew Darren's personality.
He wasn't the kind of person who would deliberately humiliate someone.
And Darren couldn't possibly be unaware of Cassandra's concern for him.
Darren felt conflicted.
He had truly been bothered by her attitude yesterday.
That was the only reason he had spoken so bluntly.
But how was he supposed to explain that?
---
[Ding, detecting a scene where the Father System is active near the host. Temporary mission issued.
Speak to Snape in a somber tone:]
I know how good Cassandra is to me.
But I also understand there will always be danger around me.
She used to be the prefect, and I was just someone following behind her.
If something happened, it would only affect me.
But now, if we were both prefects…
We'd inevitably become more closely involved.
I don't want her dragged into danger because of me.
[Ding! Mission completed.
Reward skill: Indecisiveness.
Would you like to accept?]
[Accept!]
Darren accepted immediately.
The system was truly too helpful.
But he couldn't repeat it word-for-word.
He had to say it naturally.
A hesitant expression crossed his face.
"I… I just… hate her, I…"
But the words died in his throat.
He couldn't go on.
Snape looked at him, eyes full of mockery.
"You still feel dislike?"
His tone was drenched in disdain.
Such a foolish child.
How could he hate anyone at all?
He was so awful at lying he might as well never have tried.
"Well? Explain yourself properly," Snape said coolly.
"Or I'll make arrangements for Miss Worley to spend a lot more time with you."
"No, no, Professor! I'll talk!"
Darren instantly panicked.
After hesitating, he finally spoke:
"Yesterday… you said I should become prefect and that Cassandra would help me.
So I thought about it seriously."
"She's always been a prefect. She had things to do all the time.
We didn't actually spend much time together."
"But if I become one too this year…
Then we'd be around each other constantly, and…"
His voice lowered.
"I'm scared."
"I'm afraid something might happen to her because of me."
"I thought… if I pushed her away publicly,
then whatever trouble comes next would only come to me."
"I don't really have many friends in Slytherin."
"Most people only help me because they pity me."
"But Cassandra can't stand seeing me treated unfairly.
She always defends me."
"Last year… she even stood up for me in the dueling club."
"I don't want anything to happen to her."
"…And I don't want her dragged into my fate either."
"How could someone like me… who might die at any time…
drag others down with him?"
---
[Ding! Congratulations, Host.
You have acquired the skill: Indecisiveness]
Three Minds, Two Hearts:
The host can perform multiple actions simultaneously (as long as the host is willing).
"…Huh?"
So this was Cassandra's secret?
This system was terrifying.
Darren had only ever multitasked by using his phone in the bathroom…
This was on a completely different level.
Still—
Clearly not the time.
Darren kept his head lowered, face dim.
Snape did not speak either.
Silence filled the room.
Time passed quietly.
Then Snape finally spoke.
"You're thinking too much."
"As long as you don't act recklessly… no one can hurt you."
"…Go back."
He said nothing about reconciling with Cassandra.
Nothing about confronting her.
Nothing at all.
But after Darren left, Snape suddenly spoke coldly to the air:
"You can come out now.
Do I really need to invite you?"
"…Thank you, Professor,"
a voice said softly.
Snape didn't even look up.
"I only hope Miss Worley won't keep hiding in professors' offices so casually."
Cassandra flushed bright red.
She hurried out.
---
When she was gone, Snape stood alone in silence.
Then he looked into the empty air and whispered:
"Lily… he knows everything…"
"Our child knows everything…"
"He knows his fate…"
"What should I do?"
"If you were still alive…
what would you tell him?"
---
When Darren returned with his schedule—
He found Hermione waiting for him.
She looked delighted.
"Now we can attend classes together!"
Only then did Darren realize the significance of his new timetable.
Of course.
Hermione wasn't alone.
Harry and Ron were both with her.
Their faces looked as if they'd just swallowed something awful.
Neither of them could understand why Hermione spoke as if only she and Darren were attending lessons—
when clearly the entire class was included.
"Darren… your schedule's messed up."
"They've got you attending ten classes a day."
Harry frowned deeply.
"Is Snape deliberately making life hard for you again?"
At the mention of Snape, Harry practically bristled.
He looked ready to storm into the dungeon immediately.
Darren was just about to bask in the spotlight—
When a familiar voice suddenly echoed behind Harry:
"So, our great Harry Potter…"
"What exactly are you planning to do to your poor Potions professor?"
"Threaten me with my own ingredients, perhaps?"
"Hm?"
"Gryffindor—ten points deducted for slandering a professor."
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