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Chapter 327 – Trelawney!
"You were the one who made Darren's schedule like this in the first place, and then—!"
Harry shouted angrily.
But before he could finish—
Darren covered his mouth.
He looked at Snape with pleading eyes and said softly,
"Professor… my brother was just being impulsive. He meant no harm. I'll explain it to him properly…"
Snape's voice was low and cold.
"There are some things in this world that don't need to be known by certain people."
"Darren Porter… you should understand one thing."
"Some people's recklessness is enough to destroy everything."
"P—Professor!"
Darren glanced at Harry's face, which was growing increasingly furious.
He called out helplessly.
Then—just like he had in first year—
He grabbed Snape's sleeve and tugged him into the hallway.
"Professor… you and my brother are exactly the same."
"You clearly care about him, but you always pretend as if everyone hates you."
"If I were you, Professor—ah—sorry—sorry, I forgot…"
---
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +40]
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +60]
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +50]
[bite...]
---
Darren awkwardly accepted the Fatherhood Points.
He glanced at Snape's dark expression and lowered his head.
"I… I'm sorry, Professor. I was just too worried about you…"
"Hmph."
Snape sneered.
"I don't need a third-year student worrying about me."
"…I recall a certain child who made others apologize yesterday for being concerned about Miss Worley."
Despite his tone, Snape did not deduct Gryffindor points in the end.
---
When Darren returned to Harry's side—
Harry looked far more anxious than angry.
"Darren, why did he give you a schedule like that?"
"Hermione says she knows the reason, but she won't tell me!"
Darren smiled faintly.
"It's a good thing, brother. Hermione and I both agree."
"If you ask her, you'll find out that this has nothing to do with Professor Snape. It's just a school arrangement."
"And… please don't speak badly about Professor Snape again."
"He's actually very gentle."
"There are just things he… can't say."
Harry opened his mouth.
He wanted to say Darren was completely insane.
But he didn't.
Because no one wanted to make Darren unhappy.
---
Before he could continue arguing—
Someone interrupted them.
It was Hagrid.
He came stomping toward them, beaming from ear to ear.
"Oh! Darren! Harry! You're here!"
"I never imagined this day would come… you'll see me this afternoon, hahaha!"
"I promise you lot—an unforgettable class!"
Hagrid was almost dancing with excitement.
He rambled enthusiastically before finally waddling off.
Ron stared at his retreating figure.
"…Is he really going to be able to teach properly?"
"Yeah," Harry muttered.
"He looks completely unreliable…"
They both shuddered at the memory of Hagrid's "cute pets."
Darren frowned.
"Don't say that."
"Hagrid knows what he's doing."
"He understands his limits."
"All we need to do is cooperate with him."
---
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +40]
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +60]
[Ding, Fatherhood Value +50]
---
Ron and Harry were convinced Darren was extremely biased.
But—
Hope is still hope.
What if Hagrid really had improved?
After all, he must have trained all summer!
Maybe… just maybe…
He had prepared something reasonable.
The two exchanged glances silently.
---
Divination class came next.
As prefect, Darren had to lead the Slytherin third-years.
Harry and Ron were stunned.
They couldn't imagine someone as gentle as Darren being responsible for a group of future Dark Wizards.
They feared the Slytherins would bully him.
But—
Strangely enough—
Not one of them did.
Even though Darren didn't speak a word of authority—
The Slytherins followed silently behind him.
As if—
They were afraid.
This made no sense.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all instinctively turned to Cassandra.
The female prefect's face was cold and proud.
Her mere presence caused pressure.
Remembering the Duelling Club incident from last year—
They began to believe—
Perhaps Cassandra was protecting Darren.
Harry and Ron relaxed.
But Hermione's mood worsened.
She grew quiet.
Thankfully—
They soon reached the Divination classroom.
---
To Hermione's surprise—
Darren did not sit beside Cassandra.
He sat next to her.
Her lips curved upward instantly.
"Darren, have you read the textbook?"
"I went through it several times, and I think the book says—"
She was interrupted.
A woman stood before them.
She wore oversized glasses and a sheer veil.
Her neck, wrists, and fingers were covered in beads, bangles, and rings.
Her voice was dreamy and muffled:
"Children… it is a pleasure to meet you in the physical world for what may be… the last time."
"I am Professor Trelawney."
"My course is the most unusual of all magical disciplines…"
"You cannot advance here by relying solely on words in books…"
Hermione bristled instantly.
She had memorized that book.
And now it was being dismissed.
"Many witches and wizards possess power…"
"But very few… possess the Sight."
Then—
Trelawney suddenly looked straight at Darren.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"Oh, child…"
"How are your girlfriends?"
…What?
Darren froze.
Then—
He remembered.
The so-called "future harem" reading he'd once received.
Could she actually see something?
Was Professor Trelawney a fraud…
Or a half-seer…
Or—
A time-limited prophet?
The original story said she was unreliable.
But this version felt different.
Perhaps—
She could see only fragments.
Or—
Only certain futures.
Her prophetic talent was supposed to be inherited.
Greater even than Grindelwald …
Still—
Darren was the "Little Father."
This was no time to expose ambitions.
Not here.
Not now.
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