Chapter 352: Black's Attack!!
Harry's words almost made Darren choke.
Waste paper?
Those were golden mountains, all right?
Taking ten percent of Firebolt had been exchanged for ninety percent.
That wasn't a loss.
That was bloody profit.
Of course, he couldn't say that.
Darren simply smiled gently.
"Brother, I don't need money yet. I told you—I'll talk about it after I finish spending what I have."
"As for those 'virtual shares'… they look like waste paper to you, but to Paige, they're the start of her new life."
"She was kicked out before. If I hadn't stepped in, the only thing waiting for her would have been a dead end."
"I didn't want her to end like that."
"So I bought them. Just so she could believe she's no worse than any other elf."
"Even if one day she stops doing business altogether… I can still keep her."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
"…Darren, you're always like this."
Harry murmured in admiration.
"You just hope Paige never regrets trusting you. She's really lucky to meet a master like you."
Then—
They ate the cake.
As they ate, Harry told them about what had happened earlier.
Of course, he did not mention suspecting Snape of poisoning Lupin.
He only said that the potion Snape had brought looked… extremely unpleasant.
Darren didn't seem to notice.
He was staring out the window instead.
Outside, students were cheering.
The Halloween feast had begun.
Darren remembered.
Something always happened on Halloween.
First year—troll.
Last year - Basilisk
This year…
If he remembered correctly—Black would break into Gryffindor.
Except now—
Slytherin had been hit first.
Harry heard the noise as well.
Both of them hurried outside.
The corridor was glowing with hundreds of pumpkin lanterns.
Black bats fluttered in the air, and orange streamers spouted sparks like flames.
Even Snape looked like he'd washed his hair.
…Slightly less greasy.
The food was abundant.
Even though they had already eaten cake, they were hungry again.
During the feast, the ghosts performed in midair.
Nearly Headless Nick even floated up to Darren and re-enacted his beheading.
Darren was shaken beyond words—
But he still forced himself to show a sympathetic expression.
After dinner.
Darren yawned and shuffled in the direction of the Slytherin common room.
He was so sleepy he nearly fell over on the way.
Fortunately, someone caught him before he could embarrass himself in public.
In his daze, he vaguely felt someone supporting his arm—
So he continued walking… half asleep.
Just as he thought he'd reached the common room—
He suddenly noticed that every Slytherin student was standing outside the entrance.
"Go find the Head of House! Slytherin has been broken into!"
Darren jolted fully awake.
He rushed forward.
The stone archway of the Slytherin entrance had been shattered.
The serpent-crest door portrait had been torn apart.
"Back! All of you, step back!"
Snape's cold voice rang out.
His face was full of barely contained rage—twisted, terrifying.
"Darren, step aside. Let me go in first."
"I want to see who dares to break into SLYTHERIN."
He raised his wand.
But just as he was about to charge in—
He turned to the Slytherin prefect.
"You—take everyone back to the Great Hall. Now."
"Do not make me repeat myself."
Darren pouted slightly.
He had been hoping to watch the chaos—
And now he was kicked out.
Still.
Black wouldn't linger in Slytherin.
He had probably rummaged through Darren's dorm looking for something.
…Wait.
Invisibility Cloak?
That startled him.
Then he shook his head.
Impossible.
How would anyone know he had one?
And even if Black did know—
It was useless.
Darren had hidden it through the system.
Without his permission, nobody could detect it.
If Black really knew something—
Then someone behind the scenes was stirring up trouble.
And Darren would find out who.
With that in mind—
The Slytherins were escorted to the Great Hall.
Gryffindor was already there.
The two houses stared at each other silently.
Then Darren spotted Harry.
He rushed over immediately.
"Brother! You're here too?"
"Was Gryffindor attacked as well?"
"…Slytherin too?"
They exchanged stunned looks.
Tension spread.
Hogwarts had been infiltrated—again.
Whether it was Death Eaters or Black—
Either answer was terrifying.
Fortunately—
Dumbledore soon arrived with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
He spoke solemnly:
"All professors are conducting a full inspection."
"Do not panic."
"For tonight, everyone will remain here in the Great Hall."
"All prefects and student leaders will take turns patrolling."
"If anything unusual happens, report it immediately."
At that moment, McGonagall and Flitwick entered.
After a brief exchange, Dumbledore left once more.
Darren noticed—
Dumbledore was heading toward…
Slytherin.
He itched to know what Black had been doing there.
But he had no choice.
He stayed in the hall.
Professor McGonagall conjured up a pile of sleeping bags.
Harry immediately grabbed a few—
And handed one to Darren.
His face was stiff with worry.
"I'm sure it's Black."
"It has to be him."
"He must have come for us tonight."
"So stay next to me."
"I won't let anything happen to you again."
Darren almost laughed.
Black wasn't chasing Harry.
He was looking for Peter Pettigrew.
Harry was overthinking.
But as a model Holy Father—
He could never say that.
Instead, Darren grabbed Harry's sleeve nervously.
"Brother… I'll protect you."
"I won't let anything happen to you."
"If Black dares to appear—"
"I… I will kill him—"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]