Chapter 549: Ruined the Plan!!
Harry froze.
He didn't understand what Hermione was talking about.
In his eyes, Darren had only acted on impulse. So why was Hermione talking as if everything Darren did had a purpose?
She was even saying that Harry had sabotaged Darren's plan.
"What exactly did Darren do? Explain it clearly…"
Harry felt like his brain simply couldn't keep up.
Hermione snorted.
She glared at Harry and said coldly, "Darren confronted her because he wanted everyone to know that he doesn't need to fear Umbridge, and that going against her won't automatically lead to punishment."
"You didn't hear his conversation with Umbridge. He told her directly that if she expelled him, he would go straight to the Ministry and report her."
"That terrified her."
"She didn't know what to do or where to start. She had no way to deal with Darren challenging her authority like that—it completely undermined her position."
"Even if Fudge found out that Umbridge had been publicly brought down at Hogwarts, and she had no way to refute it, he would have no choice but to recall her and replace her."
"But everything was ruined because you showed up."
"You're not afraid of Umbridge. And when she saw you appear, she was probably delighted."
"She finally had someone she could punish openly."
"She had to make an example of you."
"She needed the entire school to see what happens when someone defies her like that."
"I'm not afraid of whatever she does to me!"
Harry shouted.
Hermione glared at him again.
"Don't take your temper out on us. You may not be afraid of her, but you ruined Darren's plan."
"You became the chicken Umbridge wanted to kill to scare the monkeys, and Darren obviously wouldn't let you suffer that."
"So once the plan was destroyed, he had no choice but to step in and become that chicken himself. Do you understand now?"
"Darren coming back pale is Umbridge reasserting her authority."
"At least for now, no one dares to openly contradict her."
"No straightforward rebuttal. No honest accusation."
Hermione said this coldly.
Then she dropped the treacle tart in her hand and bent over the table, sobbing softly.
Harry stood there helplessly.
Ron was the same.
Neither of them had any experience comforting a crying girl.
In the past, moments like this were always handled by Darren.
But now, Darren kept his head lowered as he ate. He didn't seem to dare face them, or even turn his head.
"No need to call him over," Hermione said hoarsely as she wiped her tears. "He's already suffered enough."
She stood up and turned to leave.
Judging by her direction, she was heading toward the Gryffindor common room.
Harry wanted to wait for Darren, but he remembered that Darren still had detention with Snape that night.
"He's busy anyway," Ron whispered. "Besides, we'll know what he went through soon enough."
"If Umbridge really is making an example of him, there'll definitely be rumors. Someone will know something."
Darren, of course, had no idea that Hermione had pieced together such a complicated explanation.
In reality, he simply didn't want to attend Umbridge's classes anymore. That was why he had threatened her directly.
He could endure other lessons.
But Umbridge was unbearable.
Her classroom atmosphere alone made him feel sick.
That was why he seized the chance to argue with her.
He hadn't expected Harry to follow him out.
Darren could avoid Umbridge's classes in the future, but Harry couldn't. So he investigated Umbridge's background and sent Harry back to class.
Darren lowered his head and ate another ice cream.
When he finished, he saw Umbridge staggering toward the staff table.
Darren glanced at her and saw the triumphant look on her face, clearly pleased with herself.
A bitter expression crossed Darren's face. He felt utterly helpless.
"Darren Potter, come here. It's time for your detention!"
Snape said suddenly, as if he had only just remembered it.
Darren quickly stood up and walked toward him.
Umbridge asked Professor McGonagall, "Is Darren Potter really a model student? Why does he have so many detentions?"
"You'll have to ask Severus. I'm not his Head of House," Professor McGonagall replied coldly.
Then she turned and left the staff table.
After she left, Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick unexpectedly followed, one after another.
In the end, Umbridge was left alone.
She stood up in fury, her eyes red with anger. Darren suspected she was already planning to write a complaint to Fudge.
"Hurry up!" Snape shouted as he turned around.
Darren nodded, stopped paying attention to Umbridge, and followed Snape.
Snape's office was empty.
Darren looked around but didn't see Malfoy.
"Wasn't Malfoy also sentenced to a semester of detention?" Darren asked.
"I don't like everyone crammed into my office," Snape replied coldly.
Then he looked at Darren. "Start writing your homework. I'll supervise you later."
"And I hope your head learns something this time."
Darren pouted internally.
His acting skills were top-tier. Why did Snape always look down on them?
If he really showed his full ability, Snape wouldn't find a single flaw.
He should be called Professor Potter—after all, the entertainment industry is full of teachers.
Of course, on the surface, Darren obediently nodded, took out his parchment, and began writing.
There was a lot of homework.
He started with Professor Binns' assignment, then moved on to Divination.
This lesson was about dream interpretation.
Darren began making up dreams again.
Especially the kind filled with death and ominous signs.
He thought it was easier to get through that way.
Unfortunately, it only unsettled Snape further.
Snape paced behind him as he worked.
He picked up Darren's Divination homework and turned pale almost instantly.
He didn't ask Darren whether he truly had these dreams.
In Snape's mind, Darren couldn't lie.
So these dreams had to be real.
That realization sent a wave of panic through him.
He stood behind Darren for a long time, unable to recover.
In the end, Darren grew worried that Snape might accidentally tear the parchment he had made up, so he quickly snatched it back.
He said softly, "Professor, don't worry. I made it up."
[Ding, Father +100]
Snape was silent for a moment before saying sarcastically, "Then lie properly. At times like this, you need to sound fluent—otherwise no one will believe you."