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Chapter 357: Angry Ginny!!
Harry felt that he could understand it.
After all, when he fell from the broom, he vaguely saw Cedric catch a flicker of golden light.
It wasn't fair to blame Cedric for it.
In truth, even if he hadn't fallen, he might still not have been able to catch the Snitch.
Still…
Harry looked at Wood.
This was Wood's final year.
He had wanted to win the Quidditch Cup more than anyone else.
In first year and second year, they hadn't managed to win because of all kinds of accidents.
This year was supposed to be different.
But now…
"It's alright," Wood said quietly.
"There's still a chance… it's just harder now."
Harry forced out a sigh.
He decided he would train even harder from now on.
Then he remembered something and quickly looked up.
"My broom… I still need to put it away…"
Before he could finish, he noticed everyone's strange expressions.
Then they tipped a bag upside down.
A pile of broken wood fell out.
Harry's heart sank.
That…
That was his Nimbus 2000.
"It… it hit the Whomping Willow," Hermione said softly.
---
For the next two days, Harry stayed in the hospital wing.
Every chance he got, he went to look at Darren.
But Darren didn't wake up.
Madam Pomfrey told him that Darren had overdrawn too much magic this time.
He needed time—real time—to recover.
Harry felt like something heavy was pressing on his chest.
He thought of the voices he'd heard while unconscious.
Yes… now he understood.
Those weren't illusions.
Those were the voices of his parents.
They were the words they spoke before they died.
His mother had begged someone.
She had cried for him.
She had said that she only had one child left.
She wanted him to live.
Harry wanted to tell Darren all of that.
He wanted Darren to know that his mother had loved him too.
That she had mentioned him.
That he mattered.
Darren had never received love from his parents.
If Darren knew this…
He would be happy.
Harry was certain of it.
---
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Harry looked up.
It was Ginny.
Her face was red when she saw him.
Then she shyly handed him a small bag of sweets.
He was about to say thank you when—
Ginny walked straight past him.
She went to Darren's bedside.
She carefully placed a small greeting card beside his pillow.
Her eyes were red.
Then she just stood there, staring at him quietly.
Harry felt awkward.
So he searched his mind for something to say.
Then he blurted out:
"Um… Darren… is kind of handsome, right?"
Ginny didn't smile.
Instead, her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"I'm sorry…"
Harry panicked.
"I—I didn't mean—"
She shook her head fiercely.
"No, it's not that…"
She wiped her eyes angrily.
"I'm just sad that he's always like this."
"Always so good to others… but never to himself."
"Doesn't he know how dangerous it is?"
"Isn't he afraid of becoming a Squib?!"
Harry opened his mouth.
"Darren has… potions, I think—"
But Ginny glared at him.
"I know!"
"I know he has potions!"
"But that doesn't mean he should act like this doesn't matter!"
She clenched her fists.
"Forget it… you wouldn't understand anyway."
She pulled Darren's blanket higher.
Then she turned and ran out.
---
Harry stared at the door.
"…Girls are terrifying," he mumbled.
Then—
He froze.
Darren's eyelids moved.
Slowly…
He opened his eyes.
He looked dazed, unfocused.
But when his gaze landed on Harry…
His lips curved into a soft smile.
"Brother…"
"You're really okay…"
He struggled to sit up.
He was clearly weak.
But he still forced himself upright.
---
[Ding, Father value +100]
---
Harry suddenly felt tears burn the corners of his eyes.
In that instant, the fear that had been choking him for days…
Quietly vanished.
---
After a few more days of rest, Darren finally returned to the castle.
Life slowly went back to normal.
Occasionally, someone would ask about his Patronus.
When they heard it was an Eastern dragon, everyone was stunned.
Some even thought an Eastern dragon was just a giant lizard.
Darren found it a little funny.
Other than that, nothing really changed.
---
Except for Harry.
He was having a hard time.
Ever since the match, Malfoy wouldn't leave him alone.
He purposely pretended to faint.
He mimicked Dementors.
He mocked him in the corridors.
He did it so often that Harry felt exhausted.
---
So in Potions class…
Darren lost his temper.
Completely.
He walked straight up to Malfoy and punched him in the face.
"Mock my brother again…"
"I'll hit you again."
---
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
---
When Darren realized that Snape was walking toward them…
His anger instantly cooled.
He lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Professor…"
"I was reckless…"
"You can punish me."
"I can clean the castle…"
"Anything…"
---
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
---
Darren stood stiffly.
The more he received, the worse he felt.
He still looked determined.
He didn't regret hitting Malfoy.
Not even a little.
---
Snape sneered.
"I think it is not your place to decide punishment, Mr. Potter."
His voice was icy.
Darren's face went pale.
Snape turned.
"Malfoy."
"Go to Filch."
"And as for… Mr. Potter Junior—"
Harry's heart jumped.
He stepped forward instantly.
"Professor, I can take the punishment instead!"
"It's my fault—Darren only did it for me!"
---
"Enough!"
Snape exploded.
"Potter!"
"Has no one ever told you that you are unbearably arrogant?!"
"As a professor, I will punish whoever I choose."
"I do not need your help deciding."
He kicked Harry's cauldron.
It clattered loudly.
"Gryffindor—minus twenty points!"
Then Snape looked back at Darren.
"Darren Potter."
"You will come to my office."
"Detention."
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