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Chapter 727: What Else Did They Make You Do?!!
Harry stared at Darren.
At first, he had been worried about the broken wand.
Now, however—
His expression turned suspicious.
He glanced at Darren's wand.
Then asked quietly,
"Forget about us. We're used to living like this.
But tell me… have you really had your wand this whole time?"
Darren froze for a split second.
Then he hurriedly replied,
"Of course I have it.
How could I not have my wand?
If I didn't, how could I come and save you?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry didn't expose the lie immediately.
How could Darren have his wand?
His magic had been sealed.
That was exactly what worried Harry the most.
"Then why do you suddenly have magic now?" Harry asked seriously.
His eyes were filled with concern.
Had Darren done something reckless?
Something dangerous?
Darren avoided his gaze.
"I've always had magic, brother… did you forget?"
"Don't lie to me," Harry said sharply.
"I heard everything—you were ambushed—"
Before he could finish, Darren quickly covered his mouth.
"Don't say that name!"
Harry froze.
Then anger surged up.
"You surrendered to him?
You… you—"
He stopped.
Because he saw Darren's pale face.
Only then did Harry realize how cruel those words sounded.
He knew better than anyone—
Darren would never side with Voldemort.
"…Sorry," Harry muttered.
Darren shook his head gently.
"It's fine, brother.
You stayed outside.
You didn't know what happened.
It's normal to think that way."
He forced a small smile.
"I can promise you—I didn't turn to him.
But his name…
It's been enchanted.
Anyone who says it will be located by Death Eaters."
Harry and Hermione both stiffened.
Darren continued,
"That's why you were being tracked.
Not because of anything on you—
But because you said his name."
Harry frowned.
"But if we don't say it, it's like we're afraid of him!"
Darren shook his head helplessly.
"That's exactly why he did it.
Because people like you insist on saying it.
He turned it into a trap."
His tone grew serious.
"We're not supposed to fight him head-on yet.
We need to destroy the Horcruxes first.
Otherwise—even if we defeat him, he won't truly die."
He paused.
Then added quietly,
"I've tried fighting him before.
Even tried to take him down with me.
But he always finds a way to escape."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Darren spoke calmly.
Almost casually.
But Harry's expression darkened.
"Take him down with you?" Harry interrupted sharply.
"You're planning to die with him?"
His voice rose.
"What about me?
Darren Potter, do you even think about that?"
Hermione tried to stop him.
But she didn't.
Because deep down—
She wanted to hear the answer too.
"You want to be a hero?" Harry continued angrily.
"You think dying like that means something?
What do you gain from it?"
Darren seemed momentarily stunned.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Brother…
I'm not trying to be a hero."
His voice was soft.
"I just want you to live comfortably.
I want everything to go back to normal."
His eyes lowered slightly.
"The Ministry is still experimenting on Muggle-borns.
Many of them are dying."
He looked back at Harry.
"How can I be selfish?"
"If I can't do it, then I won't die.
But if I can…"
He paused.
"…then I should try."
"I don't want glory.
I just want everyone to be able to smile again."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry's throat tightened.
Of course he knew.
Darren didn't care about fame.
He was just—
Too kind.
Too willing to carry everything alone.
"…Idiot," Harry muttered hoarsely.
"What can you even do?
I heard Griphook say your magic was sealed!"
Darren gave a strained smile.
Then quickly changed the subject.
"I brought you food, by the way—"
"Enough," Harry cut him off.
"Tell me the truth.
If your magic is sealed—
How did you get here?"
Darren hesitated.
He looked like he wanted to avoid the question.
But Hermione grabbed his arm.
"Don't lie," she said quietly.
Darren's face paled slightly.
Finally, he spoke.
"I went into Snape's office.
There was a stored magical source there.
I borrowed it.
I can only use it temporarily.
Once it runs out… I'll lose magic again."
Harry and Hermione both felt their hearts tighten.
Hermione asked softly,
"How did you even get into the Headmaster's office?
There's no way he would just let you in."
Darren fell silent.
For a long time.
Then he spoke quietly,
"I… gained their trust."
"How?" Hermione pressed.
Darren looked down.
"I cooked for the Carrows."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
(What he didn't say—was that the Carrows had ended up in the hospital wing after eating it.)
Harry and Hermione stared at him.
Still unconvinced.
Darren hesitated.
"…I also made clothes for them."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
(Clothes that had nearly humiliated the Carrows beyond belief.)
Hermione's eyes were already red.
She spoke softly,
"What else?"
"Tell us everything."
Darren hesitated again.
Then spoke in a low voice,
"I cleaned their rooms…
washed things for them…"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Bang!
The cup beside Hermione exploded.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
Darren quickly tried to comfort her.
"It's nothing.
Just small things.
And I didn't even do them properly…"
(After all, Snape had been there.
And the Carrows had panicked halfway through and kicked him out.)
But Harry and Hermione weren't thinking about that.
All they could picture—
Was Darren being forced to lower himself like that.
For survival.
For them.
For everyone.
And that thought—
Was far worse than anything else.