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Chapter 390: Shut Up!!
Hermione screamed.
Sirius Black jumped in shock. Harry staggered backward as if electrocuted.
Only Lupin kept his composure. He said urgently,
"We didn't kill Darren. He was only struck by a Stunner—"
"How lightly you speak," Snape interrupted coldly.
"Your godson was stunned, and yet you say it so casually."
Snape's eyes flicked toward Black.
"And judging from your behavior, you've clearly been in contact with this escaped convict for a long time…"
"Well. It looks like Azkaban will be taking in one more resident tonight."
"I can explain," Lupin said quickly. "Sirius wasn't here to kill Harry—"
"Then he was here to kill Darren," Snape snapped viciously.
"Yes. From the day that child was thrown to the Death Eaters, how could he ever have been allowed to live?"
Snape suddenly turned sharply to glare at Black.
"I think I finally understand why you did it. I couldn't figure it out for years."
"I once thought you only wanted to surrender to the Dark Lord—"
He stopped briefly.
"Until I found out that this child was…"
Snape cut himself off, then sneered.
"So now I understand. You did it on purpose."
"You simply can't stand the sight of me."
Hatred burned in Snape's eyes.
Black froze.
"What does this have to do with you?!"
"With me?"
Snape laughed bitterly.
"You really don't know?"
"I don't care whether you know or not."
"Your arrogance is gone now, Sirius Black."
For the first time, Black shrank backward.
"I don't care anymore… none of it matters. Let me kill Peter Pettigrew and then I'll die, or send me to the Dementors!"
Snape sneered with disgust.
"Kill Peter Pettigrew? Don't make me laugh."
"Enough of this farce. I'll take you straight to the Dementors and let them give you a proper kiss."
"Severus, you're as foolish as ever!" Lupin shouted.
"You haven't listened to a single word we said—"
A thick rope shot from Snape's wand and bound Lupin completely.
Even his mouth was sealed.
Snape didn't want to hear anything from him anymore.
He stared at Black ferociously.
"Tell me!"
"Why did you do it?!"
The hatred in his voice made Harry's heart twist.
Was Snape angry… because of his father?
Harry didn't know who to trust anymore.
He stood frozen.
Hermione raised her shaking hand.
"Professor… maybe we should listen. Just listen to what they have to say—"
"Enough, Miss Granger!"
Snape cut her off sharply.
"I always believed you were sensible, but now you've disappointed me deeply."
"I'll deal with your behavior when we return to the castle."
Hermione's face went pale.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Snape gave a harsh snort.
"Now move aside."
"This werewolf, and this murderer—I am taking them to the Dementors."
Suddenly, Harry stepped forward and blocked the door.
"Move aside, Potter!" Snape barked.
"They nearly killed your brother, and yet you're protecting them?!"
"They didn't kill Darren," Harry shouted.
"And Darren is fine!"
"And we should wake him up and let him hear everything before deciding anything!"
Snape's eyes went icy.
"Potter."
"So you truly don't care about your brother?"
"He gets in your way, doesn't he?"
"You want him dead so you can hide your filthy heart?!"
"I didn't!" Harry yelled.
"I just want Darren to hear the truth!"
"And I know you hate them because they bullied you in school—"
"But my father is already dead!"
"Shut up, Potter!"
"You know nothing!"
"You're just like your father… reckless and arrogant!"
"Move aside—"
"Or I will make you."
Harry clenched his teeth.
Then he raised his wand.
"Expelliarmus!"
He didn't expect anything to happen.
But another voice joined his—
"Expelliarmus!"
And another—
"Expelliarmus!"
Three red flashes slammed into Snape.
His head smashed against the doorframe.
Blood spilled from his temple.
Snape collapsed unconscious to the floor.
His wand flew in an arc—and landed beside Darren's bed.
Harry looked past that wand—
And froze.
Darren was sitting up.
Half-propped on the bed.
Staring at him in shock.
He had seen everything.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining bonus bloodline lottery ×1]
Not one.
Two bloodline lotteries had been obtained.
Darren felt an overwhelming urge to draw immediately—
But restrained himself.
He would wait until summer.
For now, he had to deal with the chaos before him.
His brother had just knocked out a professor.
For a so-called "criminal."
This was almost absurd.
"Black?"
Darren lifted his wand instinctively.
Cold killing intent gathered in his eyes.
"What did you do?"
He swept his gaze across the room.
Lupin bound and gagged.
Ron holding his bleeding leg.
Hermione shaking.
Harry breathing heavily.
And Snape lying unconscious.
Darren walked to Snape and checked his condition.
Just a head injury. No fatal wounds.
He placed Snape gently on the bed.
Then turned back to Sirius Black.
"You used the Imperius Curse on my brother and Hermione, didn't you?"
"You forced them to bind Professor Lupin—"
"And then controlled them into attacking Professor Snape?"
His grip tightened on his wand.
Terror flickered across Black's face.
He stepped backward.
"I didn't!" he said hoarsely.
"Darren, listen to Harry. I didn't touch them."
"Let me kill Peter Pettigrew. Then I'll go with you. I swear—"
Darren laughed softly.
His eyes were red.
But his voice was merciless.
"Since second year, I learned something."
"If you want to protect everyone… you eliminate people like you first."
"If you die… they'll wake up from whatever spell you cast."
"My brother said I trust people too easily."
"I won't listen anymore."
"Choose."
"Either I kill you here."
"Or I personally send you to the Dementors."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Darren's expression didn't flicker.
He stared at Black like he was looking at vermin.
Black felt his heart collapse with terror.
"Darren… listen to me…"
"You used to give me that necklace when I was a dog… don't you remember?"
"I sneaked into your dormitory just to fix it…"
Darren's gaze grew colder.
"So you're an illegal Animagus."
"You lied to me from the beginning."
"Amazing."
"Then everything my brother suffered this past year…"
"Was my fault."
"If I hadn't fed you…"
"If I hadn't cared…"
"You'd have starved to death."
"But instead, I saved you."
Darren's wand gleamed.
"Don't worry."
"When you die…"
"I won't forgive myself either."
"And now—choose."
"Die by my hand."
"Or go to the Dementors."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
The Father Value surged again… but Darren didn't care.
He only looked at Sirius Black—
Like he was already dead.
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