Chapter 587: A Person Who Sincerely Apologizes!!
Darren didn't think so.
It was rare for him to come here like this—how could he not say a little more? He casually set the photo ball aside.
Pretending not to notice Hermione and Ginny quietly pocketing the photo ball, he pushed Harry and said, "Brother, don't come over. I need to apologize to Professor Lockhart. I was wrong. I must let Professor Lockhart sincerely accept my apology."
Harry tried to explain to him that this wasn't his fault at all, that the one at fault was Lockhart. But Lockhart's doctor pushed all of them out.
She said in a saintly tone, "Darren Potter is right. He should apologize to Rollo. But I believe Rollo will definitely accept his apology. After all, Rollo also did something wrong."
Harry and the others almost blurted out a retort, but they forcibly held it back.
Because Hermione elbowed them hard.
They saw the photo ball Hermione was holding, and their eyes immediately lit up.
They watched as Lockhart's doctor was still standing at the door of the ward, hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture, and quietly slipped away.
"Hermione, what are you planning to do? Are you going to release the photo ball in the hospital?" Harry asked curiously.
Ginny and Ron looked at her with excitement.
They desperately wanted everyone to know what Lockhart had really done.
What did Darren do to harm him?
It was obvious that Lockhart had almost killed Darren, yet his brainless fans kept scolding Darren instead. For so many years, because of his kindness, Darren had always been unwilling to tell the truth, unwilling to let the photo ball be made public.
But now that they had seen Darren being pointed at and cursed by Lockhart's fans, they finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
They had to speak up. They had to let everyone know the truth about Lockhart.
"No," Hermione shook her head. "I won't release it inside the hospital. Darren will know it was us, and I don't want him to be angry with us."
"But there's someone else in the hospital. If it were her, Darren wouldn't suspect us at all… Look, isn't she right here?"
Hermione suddenly turned around and caught a beetle in her palm.
"Oh, Ms. Rita Skeeter. We meet again. Could you do us a small favor?"
While Harry and the others were communicating with Rita Skeeter, Darren was also having a very 'friendly' conversation with Lockhart under the watchful eye of Lockhart's doctor.
"Professor, you know what? Back then, I was truly overwhelmed with guilt. I never imagined you would actually look the basilisk in the eyes. If I had known…"
He lowered his head, smiling brightly.
Then he whispered into Lockhart's ear, "Hehe, I deliberately left an opening for you. Just so you could see it. Weren't you just dying to look?"
Lockhart's eyes were filled with viciousness.
"Professor, you know what? Not long after you started teaching, you suffered a few… minor accidents. Falling down the stairs, being attacked by enchanted armor, things like that…"
Darren leaned close and whispered softly, "I acted pitiful, and they took special care of dealing with you."
Lockhart's eyes turned red with rage. Darren, on the other hand, burst into tears, wiping the corners of his eyes again and again.
In the eyes of Lockhart's doctor, it was a pitiful sight—a child sincerely apologizing.
Darren continued, "Professor Lockhart, do you still remember? After you were petrified by the basilisk, I rushed over to save you. In the end, only one of your eyes could still move…"
He whispered again, voice low and cold, "Of course that was intentional. Didn't you notice? Every student in the school who had a feud with me was petrified."
"As for you—threatening me, and still wanting to walk away unharmed? Don't even think about it. Why do you think I left you one eye that can still move?"
"I wanted you to see me laughing at you. To make you unable to speak, unable to accuse me of anything."
"There's no helping it. I'm such a good person. Think about it—who would ever say I have a problem?"
Lockhart's entire body began to twitch, as if he were about to choke.
Darren revealed a mocking smile.
Like a true villain.
"Oh, right. One more piece of good news. I just asked Hermione to take the photo ball."
"Very soon, everyone will know how you tried to push me down, only to fall yourself instead."
"And how you, in your own stupidity, stared straight into the basilisk's eyes and nearly died—only surviving because I saved you."
"Take a guess. Will you still be served so comfortably after that?"
Lockhart's eyes rolled back in fury, his face turning ashen, fear and anger flooding his gaze.
Darren then turned to Lockhart's doctor and said in an innocent, gentle tone, "Thank you for giving me and Professor Lockhart such a comfortable place to talk. Professor Lockhart has forgiven me. I really don't know how to express my gratitude."
"I see Professor Lockhart is getting sleepy, so I'll be leaving now."
"And please, don't mention anything about Professor Lockhart pushing me."
"Other than you and Hermione, no one knows about this. Please don't disappoint Professor Lockhart."
"Otherwise, he would be very sad. Thank you."
Darren showed a shy smile.
This made Lockhart's doctor extremely pleased. This was exactly the kind of person she liked—someone who truly cared for Lockhart. After all, Lockhart was the best person in her heart.
So she said tenderly, "I definitely won't say anything. I absolutely won't let Rollo be insulted by those people."
"Then thank you. I won't disturb you and Profe—Professor Lockhart any longer. It's time for you to keep him company."
Darren laughed softly and walked out of the ward.
Harry and the others were standing obediently outside, looking even more innocent than him.
The moment they saw him come out, they asked worriedly, "Lockhart—uh, Professor Lockhart didn't bully you, did he?"
Darren immediately showed a righteous, indignant expression.
"How could he? Professor Lockhart is as gentle as ever. When I asked for his forgiveness, he truly forgave me and even tried his best to smile at me."
"Although he can't really smile anymore…"
"I'm so useless. Why can't I use that ability?"
"If Professor Lockhart had been cured back then, he wouldn't have to lie there alone now, looking so pitiful."
"His books are actually very useful. Perhaps they could really help the lives of ordinary people."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, Darren, don't be sad. He got what he deserved… As for treatment? Well, maybe lying there is also a way of benefiting the people," Ron muttered quietly.