Chapter 691 Not Yet Resolved!!
Just as Harry was drowning in tears,
he suddenly heard Ginny cry out—
"Madam Pomfrey! Darren is awake!"
Harry rushed forward at once.
But Madam Pomfrey shoved him aside without hesitation.
She pushed several people back and snapped,
"Can you treat a patient? If not, step aside!"
Harry and the others hurriedly made room.
Madam Pomfrey tapped Darren's body with her wand, her expression grave.
"The poison from the Inferi hasn't been neutralized yet…
Darren, I think you should try Professor Snape's antidote. I don't believe he added anything harmful to this one."
Darren blinked slowly.
Then he smiled.
"No. I won't use his potions.
Don't worry—I'll ask Pagie to buy another antidote for me."
"But—"
Madam Pomfrey looked at the spreading discoloration on his arm, deeply worried.
"Now that Dumbledore is dead, there's a high chance that potions outside might be compromised."
Harry looked at Darren anxiously.
"Darren, you can try Snape's potion. If he didn't poison it—"
"Brother," Darren said softly,
"I'm disgusted by his potions."
Harry fell silent.
All he could do was watch as Darren summoned Pagie and asked her to find an antidote.
Everyone was uneasy.
It was the middle of the night.
Not only was there the risk of tampered potions, but most shops wouldn't even be open.
But Darren was firm.
He said calmly to everyone,
"I won't drink another sip of his potion.
I'd rather die here."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…］
While waiting for the antidote, Darren still asked after Bill and Hermione.
Mrs. Weasley sighed softly when Bill was mentioned.
"He's all right. He was bitten by Greyback.
Fortunately, Darren—you researched an improved version of the Wolfsbane Potion before.
He won't turn into a werewolf, and he'll recover quickly."
As for Hermione, Neville, and Luna—
They had been hit by curses.
Luckily, none were fatal.
But they would need to stay in the hospital wing for another day or two.
Darren leaned back against the thick pillow Mrs. Weasley had arranged for him.
Then he asked suddenly,
"So… what exactly happened inside the school tonight?"
Professor McGonagall wiped her eyes.
"Dumbledore told us he'd be going out for a while and instructed us to patrol the castle.
I summoned Lupin and the others… everything was calm.
We sealed all the secret passages.
I still don't understand—how did the Death Eaters suddenly get in?"
Darren smiled faintly.
"It was the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement.
Malfoy spent a full year repairing it. His perseverance is… impressive.
While repairing it, he could also move freely within the school.
When Headmaster Dumbledore finally confronted him, he admitted everything."
Darren fell silent for a moment.
Then he smiled again.
"So… what happened after that?"
This time Ron answered, looking ashamed.
"We were tracking him with the map and saw him in the Room of Requirement, so we set an ambush there.
But… he slipped out.
He threw a Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder and escaped—then reunited with the Death Eaters.
They could see where they were going. We couldn't.
And we didn't dare attack recklessly—we were afraid of hurting our own people."
Darren nodded.
"You did the right thing. Your safety comes first.
What happened next?"
"Then they ran into us," Lupin said, taking over.
"As soon as we made contact with Ron and the others, we went after them.
We caught them heading toward the Astronomy Tower.
They didn't expect us to have so many people."
"They must've gone to cast the Dark Mark!" Harry blurted out.
Lupin nodded.
"Yes. That Death Eater—Gibbon—went ahead.
He was struck by a curse meant for me."
Darren sighed softly, a faint smile on his lips.
Then he turned to Hermione.
"And you? What happened to you?"
"We were guarding the door to Snape's office.
Then Professor Flitwick went in…
After that, Snape came out and said Professor Flitwick had an accident and asked us to check.
We were so stupid… we actually went in…"
Hermione sobbed.
Darren shook his head gently.
"It's all right.
Fortunately, you went in—otherwise, he would've killed you."
Silence filled the room.
Harry glanced at Darren quietly.
He noticed Darren seemed distant, unfocused.
The poison on his arm was worsening.
Pagie still hadn't returned.
Harry thought grimly that if it came to it, he would force Darren to drink Snape's antidote.
Surviving on an enemy's potion wasn't humiliation.
At that moment, the door opened again.
Hagrid came in, sobbing.
"I've moved him… Professor Flitwick's in his office now. He said he'll be fine soon.
Professor Sprout told the students to return to their dormitories.
Professor Slughorn has gone to inform the Ministry.
They'll arrive soon… and then… the school…"
Hagrid sniffed loudly.
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"Very well, Hagrid. Go wait in the headmaster's office and speak with the Ministry representatives when they arrive.
Harry, come with me. I have questions for you."
Harry left with Professor McGonagall.
Darren yawned.
He really was tired.
Keeping up appearances for so long had taken more out of him than expected.
Then a thought suddenly struck him.
He looked at Sirius.
"Sirius—there is no more safety magic at Grimmauld Place, is there?"
Sirius and Lupin both froze.
Darren said seriously,
"Tell everyone not to go back to Grimmauld Place. Lie low for now—and Sirius, you especially must not return.
Snape will definitely pass information to the enemy.
Don't go back."
Sirius and Lupin nodded immediately and hurried out to warn the others.
Only then did Darren turn to Madam Pomfrey.
"Madam… could you let me sleep for a few days?
I don't want to deal with the Ministry.
I'll let my brother handle it.
I'm tired. Let me be selfish for once… please?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Holy Father Straight +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…］
Madam Pomfrey nodded vigorously.
She placed her hand gently on Darren's head.
"Get some rest.
Everything will be all right."