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Chapter 714: Can't Go Back…!!
"Harry!"
Hermione screamed.
"We have to leave!"
Harry shouted back angrily, "No! I won't watch them die here! And the Dementors—did you see them?
They're coming in! They'll kill these people!"
Darren nodded.
Of course they couldn't abandon them.
Originally, he had planned to send Harry and the others away first, then stay behind to rescue the prisoners himself. But since Harry had already insisted, then they would save them now.
That way, later—when the Horcrux affected their emotions—they wouldn't blame him for acting recklessly.
Darren raised his wand.
A silver-white azure dragon burst into the air.
The Patronus drove the Dementors back instantly.
He shouted loudly,
"My brother is right! We can't let them die!
Everyone who wants to escape with us—follow us!
If you believe you're pure-blood and don't need to flee, then stay. We won't force anyone!"
Mary Cattermole immediately stood up.
"I'll go! I'm leaving! But—my husband! I need my husband and children!"
Ron froze awkwardly.
At that moment, Harry's earlier actions had already exposed him.
Mary spotted him immediately and rushed forward—
But before she could reach him, the real Mr. Cattermole burst into the room.
He looked confused, but instinctively grabbed Mary's hand.
"Come on! Let's go!"
As they left, the prisoners began rushing toward the exits.
Hermione remained at the back, trembling with anger.
She pointed at Harry.
"Do you realize what you've done? This delay could—"
Before she finished, a loud voice echoed throughout the Ministry:
"Security breach! The magical eye has been stolen!
Unauthorized intruders detected in the Ministry of Magic!
All personnel proceed immediately to the courtroom!"
The announcement thundered through the building.
Harry's face turned white.
Darren was directing the prisoners toward the Floo fireplaces, but already wizards were closing in from every direction.
"Brother!" Darren shouted. "You handle the evacuation—I'll hold them off!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed to the fireplaces.
"One at a time! Don't push!" Hermione shouted.
Behind them, Darren forced back the advancing wizards with repeated spells.
But he was holding back.
These weren't all Death Eaters—many were ordinary Ministry workers. He couldn't attack without restraint.
Defending without harming them was far more exhausting.
Harry watched, guilt twisting in his chest.
Even though he knew he would make the same decision again… he couldn't ignore what it was costing Darren.
"Move! Hurry!" he shouted.
More and more wizards arrived.
Somebody yelled,
"Call the Dark Lord! Contact him now!"
"I think it's Harry Potter!"
Darren stunned several of them immediately, but it wasn't enough.
The crowd kept growing.
His face was turning visibly pale.
Finally, Harry shoved the last two prisoners into the fire.
He turned to call Darren—
At that moment, Yaxley burst in.
He raised his wand, smiling coldly.
"That's Harry Potter. I recognize his wand."
Harry and Hermione fired together.
Yaxley dodged.
Another spell struck Ron—
Darren yanked him aside just in time, but blood still spread across Ron's sleeve.
Yaxley lunged again.
Darren dropped his disguise.
His true appearance returned.
He stepped forward and shouted,
"I am Darren Potter!
Which one of you dares to arrest me?!"
Yaxley froze in shock.
"Darren—no!" Harry shouted.
They rushed toward him—
But Darren swung his wand.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were thrown into the fireplace.
"Go!" Darren ordered.
Everything slowed.
They saw spells flying toward him from all directions.
They saw him fall.
Then someone leapt into the flames with them.
The next moment, Harry felt the twisting pull of Side-Along Apparition.
Hands slipped.
Hermione's grip loosened.
Ron's grasp vanished.
Then his feet hit solid ground—
Darren's house.
But only for a second.
Hermione grabbed them again and Apparated immediately.
They landed in a forest.
Harry staggered, nauseated.
"Where are we?"
Hermione's tears fell.
"The forest near the Quidditch World Cup… it was the only place I could think of…
Darren…"
She broke down.
Harry felt a cold wave of panic crash over him.
So many spells had hit Darren.
Could he still be alive?
Then Ron groaned.
Harry turned.
Ron's side was soaked with blood.
"The spell was already treated," Hermione said shakily. "Darren did it before… before we left. I don't know how…"
Harry said nothing.
He felt hollow.
This had happened again.
He had dragged Darren into danger.
"Don't cry…" Ron muttered weakly. "Why don't we go back to Darren's house? I think I saw it…"
Hermione's eyes filled again.
"We can't go back."
She swallowed.
"When I Apparated, Yaxley grabbed me for a moment.
If we return…
He'll be able to track the location."
She covered her face.
"He'll destroy it."
Silence fell.
Harry and Ron sat down heavily.
Finally, Hermione forced herself to speak.
"We'll stay here tonight.
Tomorrow… we'll try Grimmauld Place. We'll find out what happened to Darren.
He… he might still be alive."
"Why not go now?" Ron asked hoarsely.
Hermione shook her head.
"No.
If Darren… if something happened…
Grimmauld Place may already be exposed."
She didn't finish.
But they all understood.
If Darren was gone, the Fidelius Charm would fail.
And then—
Nowhere would be safe.
Silence settled over the forest.