---
Chapter 371: What's Wrong with My Brother and Me!!
For someone with a mind like Black's, that guess wasn't impossible.
But right now, Darren needed to comfort Neville.
He looked at Neville seriously.
"Neville, you think you almost got me killed."
"Actually… even without you, Black would still have tried in every way."
As soon as he said that, Neville trembled violently.
Tears spilled down again.
Darren sighed, handed him a handkerchief, and forced a small smile.
"It's okay. I know this is hard to understand, but I've been prepared for this for a long time…"
"I'm my brother's younger brother. That means danger will always follow me."
"There was Black. There will be others. Other Death Eaters…"
"I could die at any moment."
"By accident."
"By betrayal."
"Or in a fair duel."
"That's just my fate. The moment I knew I was Darren Potter, I was already prepared."
"I've even thought about… if I died one day, maybe my brother would work harder."
"He's always under pressure… just because he has a brother like me."
"But my wish has never changed."
"I just want him to live well."
"Nothing else matters."
"If I can help him take away all the danger…"
"Then even if I die, I won't regret it."
Darren paused, then smiled faintly.
"So… what I really want to tell you is this, Neville."
"You weren't wrong about Black."
"If anything, it's my brother and I who are at fault."
"Because it's us… who keep dragging everyone into danger."
---
[Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining Black Favorability +20]
---
In the days after the attack, Hogwarts remained on edge.
Wherever Darren went, eyes followed.
Until Hagrid sent word.
---
Dear Harry, Ron, and Darren,
Come to my hut this weekend. I'll pick you up from inside the castle. Don't come out on your own.
—Hagrid
---
Darren, of course, didn't refuse.
So that evening at six o'clock—
Harry, Ron, and Darren waited inside the castle.
Hagrid arrived exactly on time and led them outside.
Ron thought Hagrid was going to ask about the attack.
But Hagrid already knew.
Instead, he asked something unexpected.
"Darren… why've I never heard your version of what happened?"
Darren froze.
Because the truth was—
He hadn't actually seen anything clearly.
And he had no intention of making something up.
But as a "little Holy Father," he couldn't exactly say that out loud.
So he lowered his head and spoke gently.
"I just… felt guilty."
"I could've protected him if I'd picked up my wand."
"But I didn't…"
"When Professor McGonagall came… I was already asleep."
"Not to mention catching Black…"
"I might've just been killed in my sleep…"
"If Ron hadn't screamed, I wouldn't even have woken up…"
"I'm… useless."
---
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
---
When he finished, his expression was filled with quiet self-blame.
Only then did Harry and Ron realize—
Darren hadn't forgotten.
He had just been carrying it alone.
Harry said helplessly, "You were drunk. You don't remember that?"
"To be honest, you waking up at all was already shocking," Harry continued.
"After drinking that much, even Professor Snape probably wouldn't have been able to pick up a wand properly."
Harry pictured Snape in his mind.
Then shook his head.
Even Snape wouldn't have done better.
At least Darren had come out when he heard Ron scream.
Even half-asleep, he'd still followed.
Ron nodded.
"Darren, you're strong, yeah—but you're still a kid."
"You can't carry everything by yourself."
"There are professors. There are adults."
Hagrid slapped his knee loudly.
"That's right!"
"You can't take on everything alone, Darren."
"I want you to live freely. You're still a child."
Darren nodded obediently.
Looking perfectly well-behaved.
No one continued after that.
---
When they reached the hut, Hagrid poured them hot tea.
Then he turned serious and looked at Harry and Ron.
"While you fuss over Darren, you've forgotten someone else."
"Why can't you treat Hermione the same way?"
"I'm not blaming you, Darren."
"Only Darren and Hermione have been helping me lately."
"I know Harry and Ron are busy, but…"
"Why can't you be gentler with Hermione?"
Ron immediately flared up.
"Her cat ate my rat!"
Hagrid shook his head.
"Buckbeak is about to go on trial."
That made Harry and Ron feel guilty instantly.
They hadn't been helping at all.
Hagrid went on.
"I know you've been busy."
"So it's only been Darren and Hermione running back and forth."
"And after Darren was nearly killed, she couldn't even go out properly anymore."
"Still, she keeps coming to give me information."
"She's been exhausted. And she's hurting too."
"Have you ever thought about this?"
"That Crookshanks… might not have done anything wrong?"
"Cats eat rats. That's what cats do."
"I think friendship ought to matter more than pets… or brooms."
Harry and Ron fell silent.
Ron still protested weakly.
"If friendship matters so much… then why didn't she give up her cat?"
Hagrid frowned.
"Crookshanks is her pet too."
"That rat isn't worth less just because it's a rat."
Ron exploded.
"So my Scabbers doesn't count as family?"
"If she'd apologized first…"
"If she'd just gotten rid of her cat…"
Then maybe…
He wouldn't still be this angry.
---