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Chapter 696 How Do You Leave?!
"No!"
Harry shouted angrily.
He completely rejected the plan.
To him, this plan was nothing more than sending Darren straight to Voldemort.
"He'll be killed by Voldemort! And I—my mother's blood protection—"
"The Dursleys have already left," Darren said softly.
"And mother's blood protection only works as long as you still regard this place as home.
Now that the Dursleys are gone, the magic will no longer recognize this house as your home.
If you step outside today, the magic will acknowledge it. The blood protection will disappear."
Harry grew even more agitated.
He didn't want Darren to face Voldemort in his place.
"Then we can bring the Dursleys back! We can wait—just a little longer!"
"Brother," Darren said gently, "even if we delay for a few more days, you'll turn seventeen soon anyway.
Once you're an adult, the blood protection will still vanish.
That's why we told the Ministry we would collect you on the thirtieth—but we're acting early.
The Ministry isn't trustworthy. They will almost certainly leak the information.
If that happens, they'll still get the message—but we can make preparations and strike first.
That's why I'm appearing openly today.
In a moment, I'll leave with everyone.
Brother, don't be afraid.
I will survive. Believe me."
Harry was nearly speechless.
Then he snapped, his voice shaking:
"I don't need you to go! I can face him myself!
Even without the blood protection—I can fight him directly!"
"No," Darren said firmly.
"You must listen to me.
I can't allow you to face him now—especially now.
I spoke with Headmaster Dumbledore alone.
He believed you still need time.
You don't have to be exposed yet. Do you understand?
If I face him, I can survive.
You've seen it before—I've faced him."
Harry took a deep, uneven breath.
He had no argument left.
Only fear.
He couldn't afford to lose anyone else.
"This is an order!"
Moody roared.
"Potter, this is an order.
At present, Darren is acting commander of the Order of the Phoenix.
This is his command.
And everyone here is an adult."
Harry shot back instantly.
"Everyone? Who are you talking about—me, or Darren?"
"Me."
"And me."
"And all of us."
Only then did Harry realize—
Ron and Hermione.
Fred and George.
Tonks.
Fleur.
Mundungus.
They were all here.
Harry stared in disbelief.
"If Voldemort shows up today, you'll all be wiped out! This is madness!"
But Moody barked again,
"Enough, Potter!
If you die, the Order of the Phoenix collapses.
If you die, the Dark Lord's momentum will skyrocket.
Now listen carefully.
Death Eaters are watching this place.
If you walk out openly, you will die.
So each of us will disguise ourselves as Darren.
Only Darren will disguise himself as you.
That is the safest plan."
Harry choked.
"So… Darren will be the one facing all their fire."
Darren laughed and cut in calmly.
"Brother, I don't care.
You are the core of the Order of the Phoenix.
I'm just the one who makes plans.
My life isn't important.
Your life is."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry noticed that Moody's eyes were red.
They all knew it.
They knew Darren was the one in greatest danger.
Yet they let him decide.
Because deep down, they also believed Harry's life mattered more.
Harry felt overwhelming grief.
"Darren… your life isn't worth less than mine."
"Enough," Moody said sharply.
"Potter, give Darren your hair. Let him arrange everything."
Harry stared at Darren for a long moment.
Finally, under Darren's steady gaze, he pulled out a strand of hair.
Darren smiled.
He dropped it into the Polyjuice Potion.
The potion turned a clear golden color.
Hermione smiled faintly.
"It looks like Harry's tastes are much stronger than Crabbe's and Goyle's."
Of course, Hermione wouldn't be drinking Harry's Polyjuice today.
She would be drinking Darren's.
Darren winced slightly and pulled out several strands of his own hair—one for each person.
He briefly considered using fingernails instead, but decided against it.
If anyone found out he was worried about going bald, he'd never hear the end of it.
Harry stared in shock.
Another "Harry" stood before him.
And six or seven "Darrens."
He even saw Fleur—who had turned into Darren—touching herself, and Harry was absolutely certain she was taking advantage.
"Well, brother," Darren said calmly,
"you'll go to the back garden now.
After we leave the house, you must also walk out through the back garden.
That means you're officially abandoning this place.
Then you come back in, put on the Invisibility Cloak, and hide in the garden.
You'll hold the Portkey.
After half an hour, it will activate automatically.
If you want to use it earlier, just say 'start,' and it will take you away immediately."
Harry nodded.
His eyes were full of worry.
"Be good," Darren said softly.
"We'll all come back.
Listen to my promise.
I'll bring everyone back."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Harry stared at him fiercely.
"You must come back alive. Do you hear me?"
"I will," Darren said, nodding.
"I promise."
Then he guided Harry to the back garden.
Harry put on the Invisibility Cloak and followed the instructions.
After they left, Harry slipped back inside and hid.
Darren turned to the others.
"A new battle begins now.
Voldemort will already be waiting.
Professor Snape poisoned me before—last time was only half of it.
I've tracked the rest.
It should incapacitate me.
I don't know the exact potion, which is why I have to be here.
This is a hidden danger—I won't let him keep that leverage.
When the Death Eaters see you, they will release Snape's potion.
Collect a sample if you can.
The moment you get it, use the Portkey and leave.
Do not linger.
As for me—
I will fight Voldemort.
I'm stronger now than before.
I want to see exactly where he's gone wrong."
Moody frowned deeply.
"But… how will you get back?"