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Chapter 366: Harry's Anxiety!!
Professor Trelawney spoke with a shuddering voice.
Her expression was so exaggerated that the two first-years at the table nearly believed her on the spot.
Even Darren looked uneasy.
Then—
He suddenly stood up.
Under everyone's shocked gaze, he spoke with slight awkwardness.
"It's fine. If it's real, then I'll be the one who dies first. If it's fake, then everyone is safe!"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
"Darren…!" Hermione cried anxiously.
Then she immediately turned an angry glare toward Professor Trelawney.
"If you're wrong about there being thirteen people, then stop saying such frightening nonsense to scare everyone!"
Professor Trelawney frowned.
She stared at Hermione for a moment, then said slowly, "I find that you seem unwilling to accept my wisdom… and perhaps our paths were never meant to align."
Hermione did not hesitate.
"You're right about that."
"I've decided that when term resumes, I'll cancel my Divination class."
"I don't intend to attend it anymore."
"I can't believe anything you say at all."
That ended the conversation.
The atmosphere turned awkward and cold.
Dumbledore quickly smoothed things over with a smile and motioned for Professor Trelawney to sit.
"Alright, alright, everyone… let's eat," he said lightly.
"Darren, would you like to try this eggnog—ah, that's right. You're underage."
He laughed and cheerfully drank it himself.
Darren pouted.
Childish…
However, Dumbledore's attitude was exactly what Professor McGonagall approved of.
She nodded sharply.
"Last year, Darren ended up in the infirmary because of drinking," she said sternly. "I only found out after it had already happened. Otherwise, House points would have been severely deducted."
Her sharp gaze fixed on Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The three lowered their heads guiltily.
As the Little Holy Father, Darren raised his head, about to defend them.
He was instantly silenced by one glance from Professor McGonagall.
Obviously, if he said one more word, Harry would lose points on the spot.
Aside from that brief incident, the Christmas dinner went well.
Though few students had remained at Hogwarts, the party was still lively.
Crackers were scattered across the table.
Following Dumbledore's instruction, Darren pulled one.
Inside was an entire set of brand-new Muggle comics.
This had clearly been prepared for him in advance.
Darren hugged them tightly, eyes shining.
They were the latest editions.
Noticing his reaction, Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction.
Harry and Ron pulled their own crackers afterward.
Soon, both of them were standing with their arms full of gifts.
They called out to Hermione, wanting her to come with them.
She refused.
And soon, they learned why.
Hermione told Professor McGonagall that Harry had received a Firebolt from an anonymous sender.
McGonagall took this extremely seriously.
She confiscated the Firebolt immediately.
It would not be returned until the professors had fully examined it.
Harry was furious.
Firebolts were custom-made.
His Quidditch match was coming soon.
He had been counting on that broom.
Now the professors were going to dismantle it and inspect it piece by piece.
And worse—
Even if he ordered another one, it wouldn't arrive until after the match.
That meant…
He would have to use Darren's old Nimbus for now.
Everything he had been looking forward to collapsed.
Harry and Hermione fell into a cold war.
Ron stood on Harry's side and stopped talking to her as well.
Only Darren kept Hermione company.
Everyone thought she would be upset.
But strangely…
She seemed happier by the day.
Ron told Harry that Hermione must have gone mad.
Of course, that wasn't what worried Harry the most.
What troubled him was something else entirely.
Quidditch was approaching.
But Harry still hadn't learned the Patronus Charm.
Wood had warned him.
If Dementors showed up again…
And Harry fainted again…
The Cup would be gone.
Wood had even hinted that he might have to replace Harry as Seeker.
Harry promised he would return to Professor Lupin.
He frowned as soon as he turned away.
Because Lupin still hadn't found another boggart.
Harry's anxiety grew heavier each day.
He felt like he really might be replaced.
Just as he was spiraling—
Darren found a boggart.
In reality, Darren had searched all over Hogwarts and let the system retrieve one.
Harry, of course, did not know that.
He was deeply moved.
Almost to tears.
In the end, Darren literally pushed Harry into Lupin's office.
Lupin was surprised to see him.
But the moment he saw the boggart…
He suddenly understood.
Harry noticed Lupin discreetly wiping sweat from his forehead.
Did he forget? Harry wondered.
Still, he didn't blame Lupin.
Lupin's health had always been poor.
He was often sick.
Even last Christmas, he had spent several days in bed.
Not finding a boggart…
Was understandable.
Lupin also looked slightly guilty.
"Harry," he said quickly, "don't worry. I'll teach you today."
"The Patronus Charm isn't difficult."
"Darren mastered it in one night… you'll manage before the match."
Harry clenched his fists in excitement.
Then, as Lupin reached for the cabinet where the boggart was kept, Harry suddenly asked nervously—
"Professor, don't we need to prepare something first?"
"Is there an incantation I should practice?"
"Or something I should bring?"
"…Huh?" Lupin blinked. "You don't know?"
Harry stared back blankly.
They froze.
Lupin then understood.
He had subconsciously been comparing Harry to Darren.
"Well…" he cleared his throat. "Perhaps you'll need more time."
"Let's go over theory today first."
Because of that—
Harry dragged Darren along to every lesson after that.
Even he didn't fully know why.
But somehow, when Darren was there, Lupin seemed to teach more seriously.
Not that Lupin was careless normally.
Still.
Something about Darren's presence made the air… different.
That night—
Darren once again sat in Lupin's office drinking tea with Harry.
Lupin brought out butterbeer.
But Darren received only a very small bottle.
Apparently, Lupin had learned Darren once ended up in the hospital from drinking.
Darren regretted it all over again.
He should never have gone to Gellert that day…
Now everyone treated him like fragile glass.
He sighed quietly.
But didn't explain.
Truth be told, he didn't like butterbeer much.
Still.
It was a wizarding world staple.
Disliking it made him seem strange.
So he drank it slowly and watched Harry struggle with the boggart.
Harry suddenly whispered—
"I don't know why… but every time… I hear my mom and dad's voices in my head."
"Sometimes… I want to keep listening."
"Even if it hurts…"
"Because… maybe then I'll remember more about them."
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