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Chapter 686 You Do It!!
Just when Harry was panicking—
Dumbledore finally looked a little better.
He steadied Darren and said hoarsely,
"Go. We must return immediately."
Harry nodded.
But he had no idea how they were supposed to get back.
Fortunately, Darren noticed Madam Rosmerta nearby.
He stopped her.
"Hello… could you lend us a few broomsticks?"
Darren forced a pale smile.
Madam Rosmerta was startled by his appearance.
"Darren—how did you get like this? Merlin—Albus, you too… where on earth have you been?!"
"Oh, Rosmerta, now isn't the time," Dumbledore said quickly.
"I need you to notify the Ministry immediately. The Dark Mark has appeared over Hogwarts. We must get back at once.
"If you have broomsticks, that would be best."
"Yes—yes, there's one in the back, but I need to fetch it—"
"I can use Accio!"
Harry shouted.
Two broomsticks shot through the air and landed in front of them.
Dumbledore glanced at Darren.
He seemed about to say something—
But Darren was already forcing the words out through clenched teeth:
"Don't even think about leaving me here. Take me with you. I can still help.
"Even if Voldemort himself shows up, I can buy time for my brother."
Dumbledore's body trembled.
He said softly,
"Darren… remember what you promised me. Don't be impulsive.
"You and Harry take one broom. Stay under the Invisibility Cloak the entire time. Don't make me worry."
Darren hesitated.
Then he nodded.
He and Harry mounted one broomstick together.
It wobbled slightly—
But still shot forward at great speed.
Darren couldn't help worrying that if Dumbledore kept pretending to be this weak, he might actually fall off mid-air.
But clearly, in front of them, Dumbledore felt no need to act.
He mounted his broom smoothly, far steadier than Harry.
As they passed over Hogwarts, the air stirred.
This was Dumbledore temporarily unlocking the castle's protective magic to allow their entry.
Once inside the grounds, Dumbledore's posture sagged again.
He resumed pretending.
They landed atop the Astronomy Tower.
The Dark Mark burned directly above them.
Dumbledore said weakly,
"Darren, Harry—you two go and find Severus. Wake him.
"And Darren… tell him to prepare an antidote for you."
"But—Headmaster—I can't trust you to stay here alone—"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Holy Father Straight +100]
Darren spoke anxiously.
But Dumbledore's expression hardened.
"Go. Now. Have you forgotten what you promised me?"
His tone was sharp.
Darren's face went pale.
In the end, he yielded.
He nodded reluctantly.
He and Harry supported each other and moved toward the door.
But just as they were about to open it—
The door moved.
Dumbledore flicked his wand.
Darren and Harry were thrown violently into a corner.
They couldn't move.
At the same moment—
"Expelliarmus!"
A voice shouted.
It was Draco Malfoy.
Dumbledore's wand flew high into the air.
Harry saw Darren struggling desperately.
But they both knew—
Dumbledore's magic wasn't something they could break free from now.
If Darren hadn't been poisoned.
If he hadn't sustained the Fire Curse for so long.
If he hadn't Apparated with two people—
Maybe he could have broken free.
But now, all he could do was struggle uselessly.
Malfoy stepped in.
He glanced around.
Then his eyes fell on the two broomsticks.
He sneered at Dumbledore.
"Two broomsticks? You went out. With whom?"
Dumbledore staggered slightly.
He looked extremely weak.
Darren struggled even harder.
Harry knew—he must be frantic.
And so was Harry.
But what he couldn't understand was—
Why had Dumbledore immobilized them?
If they'd all stayed together, how could Malfoy have cornered him like this?
What shocked Harry most was—
Dumbledore didn't seem afraid at all.
"Good evening, Draco," he said calmly.
"Hah. Death is right in front of you, and you're still this relaxed?"
Malfoy sneered.
Dumbledore merely asked,
"Are you alone?"
"Of course not. I brought many fellow Death Eaters into your school."
"Then perhaps you'll tell me how you managed that?"
Malfoy bristled.
But for some reason, he didn't attack.
Instead, he said grudgingly,
"The Vanishing Cabinet. Montague got stuck in one last year.
"I spent months fixing it.
"There are two—one in the Room of Requirement, one in Borgin and Burkes."
"An ingenious plan," Dumbledore said approvingly.
"And your companions?"
"They were delayed—but they'll be here soon."
"Then why haven't you done it yet?"
Dumbledore asked gently.
Malfoy's face went even paler.
His wand still wasn't raised.
"I will! I will kill you—right now!"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"Draco, you don't yet have the resolve to kill.
"So let's discuss something else, shall we?"
"Who says I wouldn't dare?!"
Malfoy shouted.
Dumbledore ignored his bluster.
"How did you get the necklace to Katie Bell?"
"Rosmerta. She was under the Imperius Curse."
Malfoy sneered.
"I had her pass it to that Mudblood girl, so she'd bring it to Darren Potter and kill him."
"I don't believe you ever truly meant to harm Darren," Dumbledore said calmly.
"You protected him—consciously or not—many times at school, didn't you?"
Malfoy fell silent.
Dumbledore continued lightly,
"And the love potion—that wasn't you, was it?"
"Not me!" Malfoy snapped.
"Everyone suspected me—why would I give a Weasley a love potion?
"And with my name on it—disgusting!"
His face twisted.
Then he laughed harshly.
"Still, it worked out nicely. He drank the wine meant for you.
"Poetic justice.
"Too bad Darren Potter ruined it again.
"If only I'd killed that Weasley instead!"
"No," Dumbledore said calmly.
"You can kill me, Draco. I'm right here.
"Go on."