Chapter 573: Darren's Punishment!!
For the next two weeks.
Harry would find ways to make time for everyone to gather again.
Because he was happy—even in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he no longer talked back.
Because he had found another way to make Umbridge and the Ministry of Magic's plans come to naught.
They found three opportunities to meet together.
In these three meetings, many students mastered the spell used to disarm others. They also learned barrier spells.
The Smashing Spell.
And, of course, one or two little spells that Darren made—able to make pimples grow inside an enemy's mouth.
This would make them unable to recite spells and effectively stop them from casting magic. They did have a problem, though.
There were too many people.
They had no way to secretly inform everyone of these gatherings. Hermione's enchanted gold Galleons inspired Darren. He carved an alchemy spell onto each gold coin.
This was a spell based on a double-sided mirror—something he had learned before.
It might be difficult for others, but for him, after reading it a few times, he could carve it steadily.
Well—mostly with the help of the system.
He spent fifty thousand Saint Father values to turn an alchemy charm that could only allow communication between two people into one that supported group chats.
It sounded simple and only required a few small changes. But for many years, no one in the wizarding world had managed to do it.
When Hermione and the others received Darren's modified gold Galleons, they were all stunned.
Because it was simply incredible—able to accommodate nearly a hundred people speaking at once.
The only flaw Darren noticed was a prerequisite: it needed a signal source, like a mobile phone signal.
At the moment, the signal source was himself.
That meant if he was in school, everyone could talk in groups.
If he was not at school, then the coin was just a disguised gold Galleon—even so.
Hermione was stunned as well.
When she learned that the item used a large number of alchemy charms and had been carved by Darren over several consecutive nights, everyone showed shocked expressions.
"I'll try."
Hermione held the gold Galleon in her hand.
Then her voice rang in Darren's and Harry's ears, as if she were speaking directly beside them.
"I also cast a Mute Spell on them," Darren said with a smile. "That means even if someone is standing next to you, they won't hear what's being said inside."
At the fourth gathering,
he distributed the gold coins to everyone.
"You must hold the gold coin to speak. Your voice can be loud or soft—in fact, as long as your mouth moves, the coin can recognize what you're saying."
Darren demonstrated.
He said something silently, and then a voice sounded in everyone's ears.
"Well, good evening, everyone."
The sound was very clear.
There was no distortion at all that would affect the tone.
Darren continued, "I spent several nights making these gold coins, so I hope everyone will be careful not to lose them.
Because the alchemy spells used form a complete set—if someone loses one and wants it replaced, everyone would have to replace theirs as well.
First, there aren't enough materials. Second… you can see my condition—I may not be able to work that long again.
So today I'm also teaching you the Summoning Charm and the Tracking Charm.
Even if you really can't remember where it is for a while, you'll be able to find it as soon as possible.
Of course, if someone threatens you and demands the coin, then give it to them!
More than my own exhaustion, I hope you'll all be safe!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Although Darren said that,
everyone looked at his exceptionally pale face and felt they would never hand over the gold Galleon unless it was truly a matter of life and death.
As for losing it—no one wanted to do that and force Darren to make a new set for everyone. So, in just one lesson,
they learned the Summoning Charm and the Tracking Charm.
"The only problem is that I might accidentally mix it up with a real gold Galleon,"
Harry said cheerfully before leaving.
Ron, however, complained that he didn't have one. It was simply something to envy.
... Time passed.
With the start of the first Quidditch match of fifth year, the atmosphere between Slytherin and Gryffindor grew more and more tense.
Professor McGonagall, although outwardly polite with Snape, seemed particularly generous. Before the match, both sides appeared friendly.
But in reality, both of them assigned a lot of homework in the final week before the match.
At the same time, the quality requirements were quietly lowered—just hoping the students could perform well.
Professor McGonagall secretly told Harry about this.
She didn't want to hand the Quidditch Cup over to Snape.
After all, the trophy had been in her office for so many years. Naturally, this "accidentally" reached Darren's ears.
As for Snape, he was even more outrageous.
He constantly pre-booked the Quidditch pitch for Slytherin practices. As a result, Gryffindor couldn't find a place to train.
Even after Alicia was attacked by Slytherin, he insisted that she had cast the Hair-Growing Curse on herself, ignoring the testimony of more than a dozen witnesses.
Still, Harry was optimistic about Gryffindor.
They hadn't lost in years, and he didn't think they would lose now.
Although Wood had graduated, Ron's performance wasn't too bad. The only thing that worried Harry was Ron's mental state.
Ron was constantly mocked by Slytherin.
Harry used to be mocked as well, but over the past few years he had stopped caring—after all, he always won.
Except for the rare accidents.
Ron, however, was competing for the first time. He was extremely nervous.
Every time Slytherin taunted him, he looked as if he were about to cry. On the day of the match,
Harry found him even worse.
Ron's face was as pale as Darren's had been after making the gold coins.
When they finished dressing and walked toward the Gryffindor table, Ron's legs nearly gave out.
"This is crazy—crazy! How could I think like this? Harry, if I quit now, Angelina wouldn't kill me, right?"
Harry clenched his fists.
"Don't say nonsense. Even if Angelina doesn't kill you, I definitely will."