Chapter 605: Dobby, I Command You!!
Darren watched as everyone scattered and ran out.
He grabbed Dobby and said in a low, urgent voice, "Dobby, I order you—go back to the kitchens. If Umbridge questions you, I order you to liei to her. Tell her you never warned me about this."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
"Thank you, Mr. Darren Potter!"
Dobby snapped his fingers and vanished.
Almost at the same time, Darren heard someone shouting loudly,
"Professor Umbridge, I caught Darren Potter! Darren Potter is here!"
Phelps.
A first-year Slytherin this year.
The boy who looked vaguely similar to Darren shouted smugly, his voice filled with excitement.
He grabbed Darren's robes and practically roared toward Umbridge.
Umbridge entered with Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. All four of them looked grim.
A flicker of panic flashed through Umbridge's eyes.
She glared at Phelps, as if blaming him for grabbing Darren. Ever since then, she felt instinctively uncomfortable around Darren, an urge to keep her distance she couldn't quite explain.
Malfoy, on the other hand, looked furious.
He stared at Phelps and said coldly, "You're going to fall very fast."
"That's only natural. I already knew something was wrong with this guy—he's always hanging around those people, plotting—"
Malfoy cut him off.
He stepped in front of Phelps and said icily, "Hand him over to me. I'm a prefect."
Phelps glared at Malfoy with resentment, clearly wanting to argue, but Crabbe kicked him hard in the leg. Phelps shut up at once.
Malfoy then turned to Darren and sneered, "Scarhead's been caught too…"
Darren was just about to put on an angry expression when he noticed Malfoy silently mouth the words: Hit me, then run.
Just run. Once you're out, there's no evidence.
"Darren Potter," Phelps suddenly said smugly, clearly sensing Malfoy's intent, "I advise you not to think about running. Your brother's already been caught. If you run now, you might never see him again—or he might be expelled!"
Sure enough, fear appeared on Darren's face.
He said shakily, "I'm the only one here. This has nothing to do with my brother…"
"That's not up to you," Umbridge cut in sharply, seizing the moment.
She deliberately stood a little farther away from Darren and ordered Malfoy, "You—escort him to Dumbledore's office. I don't think he'll dare to run. Even if he does, it doesn't matter. Harry Potter has already been caught."
She said it proudly.
Then she turned back to Phelps, her voice suddenly gentle.
"You go and search again. See if anyone else hasn't escaped. If you find someone, bring them straight to the office."
Malfoy discreetly nudged Darren.
Through clenched teeth, he whispered, "Run. Run now. If you're caught, you'll be expelled."
Darren turned to him with a bitter smile.
"I'm not afraid of being expelled. I'm only afraid of being separated from my brother."
"You—!"
Malfoy grabbed Darren's robes and dragged him along. As they passed the stairs leading down to Slytherin, Malfoy suddenly shoved him, as if trying to push him down.
But Darren steadied himself.
He wasn't going to leave.
He had to go.
Without hesitation, he straightened and walked firmly toward Dumbledore's office.
He looked back at Malfoy and said, "Thank you. But I'm not leaving. I'd rather be expelled with my brother."
"Idiot," Malfoy muttered.
He followed Darren inside.
Dumbledore's office was already crowded.
Harry stood in the center.
Darren immediately rushed to Harry's side, instinctively stepping in front of him. Without saying a word, he placed himself between Harry and Fudge.
Fudge narrowed his eyes.
"Very well. Since both Potter brothers are here, explain why you were caught."
Harry almost nodded on instinct.
He almost wanted to say: Fine. Expel us. Darren and I don't care.
But then he saw Dumbledore give an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
At the same time, Darren spoke first.
"I don't know, Minister," Darren said directly. "My brother and I were practicing spells in an empty classroom. A classmate walked in and accused us. We don't know why."
Harry froze.
Darren had lied.
And the lie was surprisingly convincing.
It was still a little stiff—but he didn't stutter. He didn't hesitate.
Fudge looked startled. He glanced at Umbridge, then back at Darren and Harry.
After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "You don't know that you violated school rules?"
Now it was Harry's turn.
Darren's body was trembling slightly. It was already hard enough for him to speak calmly—Harry knew Darren couldn't continue.
So Harry said coldly, "What rules did we break? We'd like to know that ourselves."
"So this is the first time you've heard that an illegal organization exists in this school?" Fudge demanded angrily.
Harry laughed.
"Of course. Darren and I keep to ourselves. Darren's shy and simple—how could he possibly organize something illegal?"
He looked straight at Fudge, defiant.
Fudge turned his angry gaze on Umbridge.
Umbridge smiled thinly.
"Minister, it doesn't matter whether they admit it or not. We have witnesses. I'll bring them in."
Fudge laughed at once and nodded, watching her leave.
Then he turned to Dumbledore and said smugly, "You see, witnesses. These two boys may be expelled after all. Of course, if Darren is willing to listen to me, I could consider not expelling him…"
"You dream."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Darren's voice was cold and unwavering.
Fudge glared at him furiously.
But Darren didn't retreat. He met Fudge's gaze head-on.
In the end, Fudge was the first to look away.
A few minutes passed—or perhaps ten.
Umbridge returned, smiling broadly.
She dragged a girl in behind her.
Darren's eyes widened in disbelief.
As if he truly hadn't expected this person to betray them.
He swayed slightly, staring at her.
Marietta.
The girl who had once looked at him with admiration and affection.
Once again, someone close had betrayed them.