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Chapter 367: Neville's Cry!!
Harry's words made Darren frown in worry.
He spoke anxiously, "Brother, I don't want to hear about our parents anymore. I just want you to live well…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Harry smiled weakly.
"Don't worry, Darren. I'll be fine. I just… can't cast the Patronus Charm yet. That's what's frustrating."
"I heard you used it this afternoon. Do you have some kind of secret?"
Darren sighed inwardly.
Of course he did.
The system.
He didn't need memories.
He didn't need emotion.
He didn't need struggle.
He could cast it whenever he wanted.
And he could even change the Patronus's form at will.
Though honestly…
The dragon was perfect.
Still, if switching forms could help him raise Father Value—
It might be useful.
Naturally, none of this could be said out loud.
On the surface, Darren smiled faintly and said shyly,
"Honestly, I couldn't use it properly before either. All I could make were a few silver threads."
"But that day… when I saw you cornered by Dementors…"
"I only thought about one thing."
"I wanted to protect you."
"I wanted to chase them away."
"And then…"
"It just worked."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Clap.
Professor Lupin applauded softly.
Smiling, he turned to Harry.
"You see? That's the second path I mentioned to you."
"Besides joyful memories, a strong desire to protect someone can also awaken a Patronus."
"If one day you truly wish to protect someone… it may appear naturally."
Harry went silent.
He began remembering.
The first year—Darren leading him onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
The troll.
Voldemort.
Fire.
Blood.
How many times Darren had been in danger…
All because of him.
Then—
Last year.
Darren stepping into Fiendfyre without hesitation.
Shouting—
"Expecto Patronum!"
Harry raised his wand.
A silver shape burst forward.
It flickered—
And vanished.
But it had appeared.
"Brother—you did it!"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Darren exclaimed excitedly.
Harry gasped.
Then jumped.
Laughing hysterically.
By the time they finally calmed down, quite a while had passed.
Harry held a mug of butterbeer.
Lupin gave Darren a glass of juice instead.
They clinked cups gently.
After that, the topic shifted.
Harry suddenly blurted out:
"Professor… what's under a Dementor's hood?"
Lupin went still.
Then explained quietly,
"No one knows what's under their hoods."
"But their most terrifying weapon… is beneath it."
"It's called the Dementor's Kiss."
"They place their mouths over a person's and draw out their soul."
"Leaving behind nothing but a body."
Harry went pale.
"S-So that means…"
"They kill?"
Lupin inhaled slowly.
"Ostensibly… yes."
Then quickly added,
"Don't worry, Darren."
"Dementors are completely controlled by the Ministry of Magic. They use the Kiss only under official order."
"…And Sirius Black has already been sentenced to it."
"This morning's Daily Prophet reported that if he's found—"
"The Ministry has approved the Kiss."
His voice was steady.
His fingers—
Were trembling.
He wasn't thinking about a criminal.
He was thinking about a friend.
Darren sighed quietly.
A friendship that had reached this end…
They left Lupin's office soon afterward.
They were heading to find Ron and Hermione.
On the way, they were stopped by Professor McGonagall.
In her hands—
A Firebolt.
She smiled.
"Oh, Darren, you seem in good spirits today."
"Harry—this is yours."
"We tested every protective enchantment we could think of."
"There's nothing wrong with it."
"It's perfectly safe."
Harry nearly cried with joy.
He grabbed the broom instantly.
Then reached out to pull Darren with him.
But Darren refused.
He hated riding brooms.
So he offered a better reason.
"Brother—go apologize to Hermione first."
"She wasn't trying to get you in trouble."
"She was worried."
"Black is still out there."
"Even I would've told Professor McGonagall if she hadn't."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
Harry paused.
He looked embarrassed.
Then nodded.
Ron rejoined them on the stairs.
"Hermione's in the common room."
They hurried to Gryffindor Tower.
At the entrance—
They found Neville.
He was crying.
Tears streaking down his face.
Lord Cadogan's portrait immediately shouted,
"Ah! Young Mister Slytherin!"
"Help me catch this suspicious invader!"
Darren nearly murdered the painting.
Fortunately, no one reacted.
Over the years, only Darren ever came here.
So Cadogan's words were treated as nonsense.
Once, Darren had even asked why Cadogan called him "Mr. Slytherin."
Cadogan had no idea.
He just felt he should.
Darren never pursued the reason.
It was better not to know.
Right now, Neville mattered more.
He knelt beside him.
"Neville—what happened?"
"Who bullied you?"
"Tell me who it was."
"I'll deal with them."
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding…]
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