Chapter 343 – Attentive Lupin!!
Darren stood there, his face still pale.
He had bitten his own lip until it split open, a thin line of blood staining it.
Dust clung to his robes.
Yet his eyes were steady.
The boggart shifted once again.
This time, it became a boy drenched in blood.
Dying.
He was the only one among all of them… who smiled at Darren.
But anyone who had seen the Pensieve memory knew—
There had been no mercy in him at all.
Back then, a Death Eater had been charging toward Darren.
The boy had seen it.
And instead of warning him, he smiled.
Smiled, hoping Darren would lower his guard.
Even if he died…
He wanted to drag Darren down with him.
"Potter… Darren…"
The boy's voice trembled.
"Can you come closer…?"
"I'm really scared…"
"I'm going to die…"
That smile twisted.
Colder.
Sharper.
Creepier.
Darren took a step forward without realizing it.
Then suddenly—he stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
He raised his wand.
Around him, fists clenched.
Breaths were held.
Every student in the classroom was tense.
Watching.
Waiting.
And then—
Darren threw his wand away.
He rushed forward instead.
He raised his fist and smashed it straight into the boggart.
Again.
And again.
Tears streamed down his face as he struck.
"I'm not wrong!"
"I was never wrong!"
"You're the ones who were wrong!"
"I shouldn't have been afraid of you!"
"AHHH!"
"ROAR—!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
The classroom erupted.
Cheers burst out from every direction.
Even the Slytherins—
who were always cold and reserved—
were laughing aloud.
When Lupin finally came over and pulled Darren back, Harry and Malfoy suddenly realized something shocking—
They were holding each other's hands.
(Absolutely accidental. Completely unacceptable.)
Both of them recoiled instantly and let go in disgust.
Luckily, the entire classroom was in chaos.
No one noticed.
Social death narrowly avoided.
"Thank you… really… thank you, everyone…"
Darren wiped his eyes.
"I'm… still a little afraid of them…"
"But… I don't blame myself so much anymore…"
"I finally… overcame part of it…"
His voice caught.
Several Slytherin and Gryffindor students were already wiping away tears.
Even Cassandra's eyes were red—
though she quickly lowered her head, pretending nothing had happened.
"Well done. Truly well done, Darren!"
Lupin announced warmly.
"With that effort—Slytherin, plus twenty points!"
Clap!
The room exploded into applause.
Even Gryffindor students weren't upset.
Several of them raised their thumbs at Darren.
Maybe Darren wasn't the bravest Gryffindor.
He had struggled for a long time.
But kindness didn't make someone weak.
And overcoming guilt born from kindness…
Was something worth celebrating.
If outsiders heard the noise, they'd probably think something terrible had happened.
Because the shouting was loud.
And among the loudest voices… were Slytherins.
Completely unimaginable.
But it was fine.
Lupin had full control of the room.
Laughing, he said, "Alright, children—since Darren has faced his fears, what about the rest of you?"
"Don't you want to do the same while we're all in such a good mood?"
And so—
One by one, the students stepped forward to face the boggart.
Everyone except Harry.
Harry felt wronged.
On such a perfect day, everyone else faced their fears—but not him.
He also wondered…
What was he most afraid of?
Voldemort?
He'd always believed that.
But deep down…
Dementors came to mind first.
That soul-freezing terror…
The despair that clawed from the inside.
It made his fingers curl.
He wanted to ask Lupin.
But then he hesitated.
Would that make him seem weak?
Irritation built inside him.
Of course—
What irritated him more…
Was Darren.
Because as soon as class ended, Malfoy dragged Darren away again.
And loudly announced to everyone that Darren was already his follower.
Otherwise, he'd report Hagrid and get him sent to Azkaban.
Just like that—
Harry forgot all about being upset with Lupin.
But he still didn't go apologize.
Because Hermione was right.
Darren was already enduring so much for Hagrid.
Harry couldn't add to that burden.
Haven't the lessons been serious enough?
And in truth—
Darren being Malfoy's "follower" only mattered in front of Harry.
The rest of the time, Malfoy barely paid him any attention.
Malfoy only cared about one thing.
Getting back at Harry.
That was the part Darren admired.
Relentless.
Like a terrier that never lets go.
The day after the boggart lesson—
Darren received Lupin's notice.
He was asked to go to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
But by the time Darren arrived…
Lupin was already there.
As soon as he saw Darren, Lupin stood up with a gentle smile.
"My child… how are you feeling today?"
"Any discomfort?"
"I hope you're not annoyed… but I need to know how you're really doing."
"So I can take the right steps for you."
He rubbed his hands slightly, nervous.
Truthfully—
He didn't need to ask.
Darren's smile was brighter already.
Like sunlight.
Just looking at it made people feel warm.
Lupin, on the other hand…
Was at a loss.
He couldn't figure out what excuse to use to keep Darren longer.
Darren pretended not to notice.
He quietly told Lupin how he felt.
And that made Lupin visibly relax.
They talked for a long while.
Only when Darren started yawning did Lupin finally hesitate—then ask softly:
"Darren… are you afraid of Dementors?"
"A little…"
Darren answered honestly.
"Then… would you like to learn the spell to drive them away?"
Darren froze.
In the original story, Harry had asked for that himself.
Lupin had waited until Harry approached him.
But now—
Lupin had offered him first.
So—
"Professor… can I really learn it from you?"
Darren stood up instantly, eyes shining.
Lupin chuckled.
"Of course."
"If there's any spell you want to learn—you can always come to me."
"And if I can't teach it… I'll help you ask the other professors."
He paused slightly.
Then added, softly—
"And… I'm your parents' friend."
"You can tell me anything."
"You can trust me."