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Chapter 383 – I Know You're Taking Revenge
"Misremembered?"
Darren found the word hard to understand, yet he forced himself to accept the explanation.
He spun around and ran toward Hagrid in panic.
"I'm going to see Minister Fudge—I'll demand a retrial—I'll start over—"
His words stopped abruptly.
Fudge was standing in front of him.
He had just stepped out of Dumbledore's office.
When he saw Darren, he smiled faintly.
"Darren… what's wrong?"
Darren forced a strained, ingratiating smile.
"Minister… please, let me help Buckbeak appeal again. You got the time wrong earlier. It wasn't three-thirty—it was two…"
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
[Ding, Father Value +100]
"What time?"
Fudge put on an innocent expression.
Darren stared at him.
A moment passed before he finally spoke again, voice dull and hoarse.
"Then… then let me file a new appeal for Buckbeak."
"For what reason?" Fudge replied lazily.
"We can't let animals sue endlessly."
"He shouldn't be sentenced to death," Darren insisted.
"The Ministry has a regulation—"
He began eagerly explaining again, repeating everything he had said earlier.
But this time, Fudge cut him off with a light laugh.
"Oh, Darren… I don't know where you learned that so-called regulation."
"It's invalid."
"And as of today—"
"It no longer exists."
The world went silent.
Harry grabbed Darren's arm from behind.
"Darren… come with me first—please—"
He was frightened.
Truly frightened.
Darren didn't look normal.
Something in him had snapped.
Slowly—
Darren pulled free.
He raised his wand.
And pointed it at Fudge.
"Why are you lying to me?"
His voice shook violently.
"Why did you trick me?"
"Why did you tell me the wrong time?"
"And why—why did that law become invalid the very day I told you about it?"
Fudge froze for a heartbeat.
Then he laughed.
"Well, even if I did all that—what can you do about it?"
"Are you going to attack me?"
He knew Darren.
This boy was soft.
Kind.
Harmless.
Incapable of actually hurting anyone—
Just as expected, Darren's arm trembled violently.
Tears flooded his eyes.
Yet the wand never moved forward.
He looked utterly broken.
Finally, in a hoarse whisper, he said:
"I know… I know you're taking revenge on me."
"I don't care anymore."
"Just let Buckbeak go… please."
"I won't look for the Death Eaters anymore."
"You can release them."
"Even if you free them openly—I won't care."
"Just… spare Buckbeak…"
Fudge's smile vanished instantly.
Cold sweat burst from his back.
How did this boy even dare say that?
How did he know?
He panicked.
"Enough. Shut up."
"You—shut up right now!"
He raised his wand—
A beam of light struck Darren—
And did nothing.
A transparent shield shimmered faintly around his body.
Fudge turned his head in terror.
Dumbledore stood a short distance away.
His wand lowered.
Fudge's heart was about to explode.
Before he could speak again—
Pain exploded in his chest.
A spell rebounded violently into his body.
Darren's curse, reflected.
Direct hit.
"Sorry."
Dumbledore's voice sounded almost careless.
The corridor tilted.
Fudge collapsed.
The last thing he saw—
Was Darren rushing toward him.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
"Minister—Minister!"
Darren knelt beside him in panic, shaking him desperately.
"Please wake up—please don't die—!"
[Ding, Congratulations on obtaining Identity Card ×1]
Identity Card: Ancient Wizard Mark
> Upon use, you may enter the identity of a historical wizard and leave your mark in magical history.
---
Darren ignored the reward entirely.
He only looked at the man lying at his feet.
His hands shook.
His face was pale.
Tears streamed down uncontrollably.
"Please… don't die…"
"I didn't want this…"
"Please…"
Now—
The only thing he had to do—
Was cry like he'd just destroyed the world.