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Chapter 712: You'll Die!!
Darren naturally had no intention of hiding.
He lowered his voice and said, "I came in here openly with you. If I hide now, it will only make things suspicious. Act the way you usually do. I'll handle the rest."
Betsy hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
The next second, a cold sneer appeared on her face again.
"Who is it?" she called sharply.
Yaxley's voice came from outside the door.
"Miss Greengrass, I believe you took my assistant, Yaxley, away. I need to see him immediately."
Darren and Betsy exchanged a glance.
Darren quickly messed up his appearance and crouched down, pretending to be punished and picking up scattered trash from the floor.
When Yaxley entered and saw the scene, his expression darkened.
"Miss Greengrass," he said unhappily, "I don't believe Yaxley committed any serious offense. Writing a confession should be enough. There's no need to humiliate him like this."
Betsy looked at him coldly.
"I am a pure-blood Greengrass," she said mockingly. "My father holds a higher position among the Death Eaters than you do. You are not qualified to give me orders."
She deliberately showed anger.
Then she shoved Darren hard.
Using her strength, Darren fell to the ground. Betsy laughed exaggeratedly.
"Miss Greengrass!" Yaxley snapped.
He grabbed Darren by the arm and began dragging him outside.
Betsy immediately stood up and pulled out her wand.
"Put him down!"
Realizing how that sounded, she quickly added,
"He hasn't finished cleaning my office yet!"
For a moment, killing intent flashed across Yaxley's face.
But he suppressed it.
He stood still, calmed himself, then waved his wand.
Betsy's office instantly became spotless and perfectly arranged.
"Is that sufficient?" he asked coldly.
Betsy was about to argue further, but Darren shook his head slightly at her.
She fell silent.
Yaxley seized the moment and dragged Darren away.
---
He pulled Darren straight into his own office.
Inside, Ron—still disguised as Cattermole—was desperately trying to fix the leak. He was soaked from head to toe, water dripping everywhere.
When he saw Yaxley dragging Darren in, he froze.
"He… he…"
"Get out!" Yaxley barked.
Ron fled immediately.
The moment the door closed, Yaxley's expression changed.
He took Darren's hand and examined it with exaggerated concern.
"Martin, she actually made you do that kind of work… That's too much. Good thing your hands aren't hurt.
For your sake, I nearly fell out with Miss Greengrass today. Perhaps… you might consider my feelings?"
He gave Darren a suggestive look.
Darren felt his worldview crack slightly.
This was the first time since entering the wizarding world that he truly began to doubt his life choices.
In the future, he decided, he would never again impersonate a handsome wizard.
You never knew what their private preferences might be.
From Yaxley's tone, the real Martin usually rejected him.
So Darren forced a cold expression.
"No. I'm not interested. If turning against Miss Greengrass nearly got me killed, then perhaps you should reconsider your priorities."
Yaxley froze.
Then his face lit up.
"My dear… you said so much to me. Does that mean you don't completely dislike me?"
Darren cursed inwardly. He should have been harsher.
Before he could react, Yaxley leaned closer, clearly intending to kiss him.
Darren's fists tightened.
Just as he was about to cast a Confundus Charm and make Yaxley jump out the window—
A loud explosion sounded outside.
Yaxley jumped.
"Stay here and hide. If my wife finds out, we're finished. I'll go check!"
He rushed out.
Darren stood there, speechless.
So… married as well.
Impressive.
---
The door burst open again.
It was Betsy.
She grabbed Darren and pulled him out immediately.
"Your brother—or rather, your friends—heard you were brought here," she said quickly while running. "They also started spreading rumors that Yaxley prefers men. I came to get you out before this turned worse."
Darren let out a long breath.
"I really was frightened. I never imagined he would be that… open."
Betsy laughed.
Then her expression grew serious.
"What exactly are you trying to do? If you tell me, I might be able to help."
"I'm looking for the locket Umbridge is carrying. Have you seen it?"
"Of course," Betsy said immediately. "She's been wearing it recently. Claims it's a family heirloom. That's obviously nonsense—when did she ever come from a noble line?"
She glanced at Darren, then suddenly smiled.
"Actually, you know… when you keep that cold expression like Martin, you're very convincing.
The real Martin smiles sometimes. That's when I first suspected something.
And… I recognized you by your scent."
She coughed lightly.
"Anyway, if you're impersonating him, don't smile."
Darren was speechless.
What scent? Were these girls part bloodhound?
On the surface, however, he showed gratitude.
"Thank you, Senior. Do you know where Umbridge is now?"
Betsy hesitated.
Then she spoke softly.
"She's in the underground courtroom.
If you get the locket… you'll leave immediately, right?"
"Yes."
Darren nodded.
A trace of disappointment crossed her face, but she forced a smile.
"If things go wrong, you can threaten them with me. I still have some standing here.
Don't worry about me. That would actually help clear my suspicion."
"If it comes to that," Darren said seriously, "I will."
Then he turned and headed toward the underground courtroom.
Betsy remained where she was, watching his back disappear.
Her eyes were filled with worry.
"Can you really escape?" she murmured.
"…If they catch you, you'll die."