---
Chapter 386: Black's Attack!!
Because he was worried that Darren would rush over and do something irrational, Harry and Hermione forced Darren to run outside.
"Darren, don't think about it… it will be over soon…"
Hermione said with red eyes.
As they walked around the hut, they heard the sound of the door closing behind them.
Darren's body trembled.
Harry saw Darren's face turn extremely pale.
He regretted bringing him.
Darren simply couldn't bear a scene like this.
It was already lucky that he did not see Buckbeak being executed.
If he had witnessed it, he would have completely collapsed.
"Hurry, Darren… don't stop, let's go."
Harry pulled Darren toward the castle.
The sun had already begun to sink.
Only a thin red glow remained in the western sky.
Both Harry and Hermione desperately wanted to take Darren back before he broke down completely.
Suddenly, Ron stopped.
"Come on!"
"Ron, hurry!"
They both urged him anxiously while still gripping Darren's arms tightly.
"I'm afraid he'll run back any second," Harry muttered.
Ron knew time was short.
But—
"It's Scabbers… it won't listen to me… it's going crazy!"
Ron cried out anxiously.
The rat in his hand shrieked and struggled wildly, biting his fingers.
"Scabbers! You idiot—ah! You really bit me!"
Ron cursed in pain.
He couldn't understand what had gotten into his pet.
"So… Harry, you take Darren back first…"
Ron said nervously.
But Darren, whose eyes were already red, shook his head weakly.
"I'm fine… really… I won't run back."
He swallowed hard.
"Ron… be careful… we can't leave you alone… I'm just… sad…"
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren stood motionless.
He wasn't leaving without Ron.
Either they would all go…
Or he would stay and mourn Buckbeak right here.
---
[Ding, a mission is triggered by the Holy Father System:
After Buckbeak's execution, rush toward Hagrid in grief.
When Black launches the Stunning Spell, pretend to be hit and fall, helping Black clear suspicion.
Reward: Bloodline Lottery ×1
Accept mission?]
---
Darren froze.
If he accepted…
He would have two bloodline draws.
His previous one had been useless.
Maybe this one would finally change things.
He sighed.
"Sorry, Dad…"
And accepted the mission.
---
Ron still struggled with his rat.
Scabbers thrashed so violently that it was obvious—
It had sensed Sirius Black.
If it didn't escape now…
Black would tear it apart.
From Hagrid's cabin, muffled voices could be heard.
Then—
BANG!
The sound of an axe slamming down.
"Buckbeak!!"
Darren staggered.
His face drained of color.
"No… no… it can't be…"
Tears streamed from his eyes.
He suddenly broke loose and ran toward the hut.
"I don't believe it… I don't believe it!"
"Stupefy!"
A low voice rang out.
It was Black.
A red beam struck Darren.
To him, it felt slow enough to dodge…
But the mission required him not to.
---
[Ding, host is under attack by a Stunning Spell.
Use 500 Holy Father Value to negate?]
[Use]
---
Darren fell anyway.
"Darren!!"
Harry screamed.
They rushed to him.
He was breathing…
But unconscious.
"Forget everything else—run!"
Harry lifted Darren and fled.
But Ron's problems weren't over.
Crookshanks blocked the path.
"Move, Crookshanks!"
Hermione kicked weakly.
But the cat kept hissing at Ron.
"Get lost, you stupid cat!"
Ron shouted.
Then—
Scabbers bit him and escaped.
"It ran!"
Ron yelled.
The rat bolted toward the castle.
Crookshanks followed.
"Forget it—after them!"
They ran.
The invisibility cloak tore.
Harry abandoned it and carried Darren.
They finally reached the Whomping Willow.
Scabbers was cornered.
Ron lunged and grabbed it.
"I've got him!"
Then he looked at Darren with fear.
"He was attacked… it must've been Black!
Come on—let's tell the professors!"
---
