Chapter 361 — I Can't Kill!!
Hermione and Ron almost dragged Darren all the way back to Hogwarts.
His face was deathly pale, lips pressed together as if he were forcing down something sharp and unbearable.
"Darren… you have to be strong. Don't take it to heart. Sirius Black will definitely be caught!" Hermione said softly, trying to comfort him.
Darren clenched his fists.
In a hoarse whisper, he said, "Hermione, I don't care that Sirius Black threw me away… because as long as I know Mum and Dad loved me, that's enough."
"But what I care about… is that he betrayed them…"
"He only lasted one week before he told Voldemort our secret."
"Voldemort… went and killed them. If it weren't for my brother's strength, even my brother would have died."
"Why is he like that?"
"He and Dad were like brothers… so why did he betray them?"
"My brother once told me he used to hear Mum and Dad crying and begging in his dreams…"
"I could still tell myself it was Voldemort's fault. I could tell myself I'd take revenge on Voldemort one day."
"But now…"
"I think it's Sirius Black's fault too."
"He killed my mum and my dad."
"I really want to kill him. I want to find him."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding…]
Darren accepted the Father values, anger burning clearly in his eyes.
Then Harry rushed forward.
"Darren, don't go! Don't go!"
Harry grabbed his arm tightly, his fingers digging in as if afraid Darren would disappear.
"Swear to me. You're not allowed to go after Black. You swear!"
"Brother, but he—"
"I know!" Harry snapped, voice shaking. "I know! But you are not allowed to go. I won't let you go and get yourself killed!"
"I know you'll say you're strong. I know you're amazing."
"But he used to be Dad's best friend."
"And if he says he's innocent—Darren, you will believe him!"
"And then he'll kill you."
"So swear to me!"
"Swear you won't go looking for Black on your own!"
Harry's eyes were red.
Ever since he learned Sirius had betrayed his parents, all he could think about was revenge.
But the moment Darren said he wanted to go after Black too—his head finally cleared.
No.
Darren was too gentle.
Too trusting.
Sirius had deceived both their parents for years—how could he not deceive Darren?
He would never let Sirius hurt him.
"Swear to me," Harry pleaded hoarsely. "Be good."
Darren's face went even paler.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—but nothing came out.
His green eyes filled with mist.
"Brother…" he whispered. "I swear. I swear I won't go looking for him on my own…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren lowered his head, his voice breaking.
But as his head dipped, he also huffed faintly in annoyance.
Tch.
And he said I'd believe Sirius easily?
Didn't Harry and the others in the original story believe him the moment he opened his mouth?
It was good to make Harry swear instead.
However, on the surface, Darren looked utterly heartbroken.
A little Holy Father who wasn't allowed to seek revenge—of course he had to look miserable.
Harry didn't feel any better either.
Even after forcing Darren to swear, his emotions wouldn't settle.
"Malfoy once told me… that if he were me, he would go after Black…"
"He must know something. His father works at the Ministry."
"Mr. Weasley probably knew too. And I bet he didn't want to tell either of us…"
"And Hagrid—Hagrid must have known. He said so much today, but he never told us anything!"
Harry paced irritably, then suddenly turned.
"Come on, Darren. Let's go to Hagrid's place."
"I'm going to ask him why he never told us!"
"And if he knows more—"
Without waiting, he grabbed Darren and pulled him away.
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks.
Then, silently, they ran after them.
When they burst into Hagrid's cabin, they froze.
Hagrid was crying.
Great, heavy, broken sobs filled the air.
All the words they'd prepared jammed in their throats.
"You… you heard it, didn't you?" Hagrid cried hoarsely. "You know the news too, don't you?"
He rushed forward and wrapped Darren and Harry in a crushing hug.
His massive arms nearly squashed Darren flat.
Harry fared no better—his feet almost lifted off the ground.
It took Hermione and Ron struggling together to pry Hagrid off them.
"Hagrid, what's wrong with you?" Darren asked anxiously.
"Did Black find out you were talking about him and come here to kill you?"
[Ding, Holy Father value +80]
[Ding, Father value +70]
[Ding, Holy Father value +60]
Probably because Darren's words startled him speechless, the Holy Father values weren't maxed out.
And this time, they only came from Harry and Darren.
None from Hagrid.
Because Hagrid was staring at them both in shock.
His gaze flickered from Harry… to Darren.
"You… you two know…" he stammered.
"I'm sorry. I just… I didn't want to tell you…"
"I knew if you found out, you'd be devastated…"
His voice broke completely.
"That man… he used to be such a good person…"
"All scum, all of them!"
"If I ever met Black, I'd strangle him with my bare hands!"
"I'd make him pay for what he's done!"
Hagrid roared, then collapsed to the floor again.
"I'm sorry, Darren… I'm sorry…"
"I'm always like this… too hot-headed."
"I only said that out of anger…"
"I couldn't really do it…"
"I… I can't kill people…"
He buried his face in his hands and cried openly.
Darren smiled bitterly.
Then he looked at Harry.
"Brother… I'm sorry…"
"Just like Hagrid…"
"I can't kill either…"
"Even if I know he's our enemy…"
"Even if I should…"
"I still can't…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren accepted the Father values, his expression growing even more sorrowful.
Harry wanted to comfort him.
But dread crept into his own heart.
If Darren couldn't kill…
Then neither of them could truly avenge their parents.
After a long silence, Harry spoke.
"Darren… I may not be able to kill him."
"But I will hand him to the Dementors."
"I swear it on my life."
"I will make him pay."
Darren nodded immediately.
"Brother, I believe you."
Tch.
Yeah, right.
We'll see about that when the time comes.