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Chapter 694 Do You Think I Can't Beat Him?!
"Darren Potter will go as well?"
Voldemort asked suddenly.
Snape nodded.
"Yes. According to the intelligence my subordinates gathered, Darren Potter arrived at the home of a member of the Order of the Phoenix a few days after he disappeared.
That location is protected by both the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic. If they place Harry Potter there as well, then we will have no way to break in directly."
Voldemort curled the corner of his mouth.
"So, Severus—have you decided what to do about Darren Potter?"
"Yes, Master. I once administered certain potions to him. They were not poison by themselves, but when combined with another potion I possess, they become lethal.
As long as everyone is present, and that potion is released into the air, Darren Potter will be nothing more than meat on the chopping block."
"Hmph," Yaxley said irritably.
"You already used poison at Hogwarts. Why do you think Darren Potter can't crack it?"
Snape smiled faintly.
"Of course I have my reasons. The potion I threw at Darren Potter last time was only a superficial compound. The symptoms it caused—vomiting blood—were things he has recently been researching himself.
However, the potion I currently possess is different. As long as he inhales it, he will lose all combat capability immediately.
Of course, this will only work once. After that, Darren Potter will certainly discover the hidden danger within his body.
That is why I suggest—if Darren Potter is captured—everyone kills him on the spot. Do not give him any chance to recover.
He is unusually resistant to spells. A Stunning Spell, for example, would likely only incapacitate him for about ten minutes.
And as he grows older, his magical power continues to increase."
Snape's words caused many of the Death Eaters to nod.
Voldemort's lips curved into a strange smile.
"Very good… very good.
But, Severus—do you really think I am just an ordinary opponent to this child?"
"No, Master. I only wish to eliminate all potential threats for you."
Voldemort laughed softly.
"My loyal servant, I am not doubting you.
It is simply that this little friend of ours—Darren Potter—I believe he should be left to me.
I will defeat him openly and fairly.
He must understand that I will always be the strongest being in this world.
And as for him—he still has a very, very long road ahead.
I think that once he is defeated by me, he will sincerely join our side."
"You still haven't changed your original intentions?"
Bellatrix suddenly screamed.
"Master, Darren Potter is not worth it! He's arrogant, reckless, and stupid—he—"
Her voice abruptly softened as Voldemort glanced at her.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Bella does everything for you, Master!"
Voldemort snorted.
"If it were anyone else, I might not fight him myself. But Darren Potter is different.
He must be left to me.
None of you are allowed to take his life. If anyone kills him, I will consider that betrayal.
Do you understand?"
Everyone lowered their heads in unison.
Voldemort then turned to Lucius.
"Give me your wand."
Lucius shuddered and hurriedly handed it over.
Voldemort looked at him coldly.
"What? Are you resentful? Do you think the Dark Lord should not borrow your wand?"
"N–No, Master! I would never dare!"
Lucius dropped to his knees instantly.
Draco's body trembled violently.
Voldemort sneered and then looked up.
With a flick of his wand, the figure hanging above them dropped to the floor.
She opened her eyes.
It was Professor Charity Burbage, the Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts.
When she saw Snape, her eyes lit up.
"Severus… Severus, please save me—"
Snape turned his head away.
His face was completely expressionless.
Burbage froze.
Laughter erupted among the Death Eaters.
"After so many people have said that Snape killed Dumbledore, you still expect him to save you?"
Yaxley mocked.
Burbage's body trembled.
Her gaze fell on Draco Malfoy.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Draco's face went deathly pale.
He looked away.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Voldemort shouted.
The curse struck Burbage.
Her body fell directly in front of Draco.
He stared into her terrified eyes, his entire body shaking uncontrollably.
Voldemort sneered.
Then he turned back to Snape.
"That night, I will go personally.
Darren Potter will be captured.
Harry Potter will be cut off.
And I will kill Harry Potter with my own hands."
Everyone bowed deeply.
Voldemort laughed.
"Very well.
Nagini… dine."
---
Harry pressed his bleeding hand.
He had just kicked over a cup of herbal tea that had been placed outside his room.
The cup shattered against the wall, and the shards cut his palm.
But he couldn't use magic to heal it.
He wasn't of age yet.
Originally, the plan had been to stay at the Dursleys' house for two weeks before leaving.
That was what Dumbledore had arranged.
But there was a problem.
If Harry stayed for only two weeks, he would still be underage.
And as long as he was underage, magic around him would leave traces.
The Ministry could monitor his location as long as no adult wizard stayed with him.
Harry didn't trust the Ministry.
Neither did Darren.
Nor did the Order of the Phoenix.
They all believed the Ministry was compromised.
There was a very real possibility that Harry's location would be leaked.
So Darren decided—
Harry would stay with the Dursleys until he came of age.
And Darren would have to find a truly safe place for them.
Originally, they planned to place the Dursleys and Hermione's parents under a Fidelius Charm, with Darren acting as Secret-Keeper.
But that plan failed.
Neither the Dursleys nor Hermione's parents were willing to stay hidden in one place indefinitely, waiting without knowing when they would be able to leave.
The Dursleys, in particular, insisted on living somewhere crowded—somewhere they could work and live normally.
So Darren went to find such a place.
And Harry heard that he had succeeded.
Hermione's parents had already been settled.
It was a small town.
A place where magic could not be used.
Death Eaters would not go there—at least not for now.
Everyone there was a Muggle.
Darren had already arrived there and opened a small company, enough to give the Dursleys a comfortable life.
As for Hermione's parents—
Darren had opened a dental clinic for them.
They were now living peacefully in the past.
So now, there was only one problem left.
How to move the Dursleys safely.