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Chapter 296: Slytherin's Coffin Board!!
The boy's face was completely pale.
Those turquoise eyes were misted over, trembling with fear.
But even so, he still insisted on taking the entire blame for Ginny.
Of course, none of the professors were fools.
They had already guessed during Harry's explanation that Ginny had been the one used by Tom Riddle.
They could also tell Harry and Darren were trying desperately to protect her.
But none of them intended to expose it.
Ginny had been controlled.
A child like her shouldn't be shamed for something she never meant to do.
They were all prepared to quietly let the matter pass—
and then they heard Darren's trembling "confession."
It was… unbelievable.
Who exactly was this lie meant to fool?
It was the most transparent lie of the year.
They had previously thought Darren at least knew how to tell a convincing lie.
They did not expect that, in front of the Headmaster and so many professors, he would still be caught instantly.
Yet none of them laughed.
All they felt was heartache.
This child was always like this.
He would give everything—every ounce of himself—to protect someone else, even if it meant going to Azkaban.
And from Darren's expression, it was clear he did know how terrifying Azkaban was.
So why…
Everyone let out a unified sigh.
Even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked deeply ashamed.
They cast a sharp glare at Ginny.
Why didn't she admit it?
Look what Darren was forcing himself into for her.
Ginny stared at Darren, stunned.
She thought of all the times this year he had quietly taken care of her.
His gentle voice.
His calm comfort whenever she panicked.
How he had stood between her and Tom Riddle, furiously defending her without hesitation.
And now that same boy stood there, pale and shaking, trying to take the fall for her.
Ginny slowly lifted her hand.
"Professor… actually, it was me!"
She forced herself to speak.
A Gryffindor lion couldn't let someone else bear her mistakes.
Especially Darren.
"I was used by Tom Riddle—"
But Darren cut her off instantly.
He covered her mouth before she could finish, moving faster than she'd ever seen.
"Professor, it was me," Darren insisted. "I–I did everything with Tom Riddle. He didn't control me. None of this has anything to do with Ginny. She just… she just…"
He froze.
He clearly had no idea how to justify Ginny's attempt to confess.
In the end he clenched his jaw and forced the words out, stubborn and unreasonable:
"Anyway, it was me, Professor. All of it. It has nothing to do with Ginny!"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
A cold voice came from the doorway.
"If you were capable of orchestrating all of this," Snape said with a sharp sneer, stepping into the office, "then Salazar Slytherin himself would crawl out of his coffin to applaud your cunning."
Then he turned to Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, the students have all been gathered. Perfect timing—I can now schedule their final exams."
"What?!"
"How can you do that?!"
Harry and Ron were horrified.
How did they go from saving the school to… exams?
They had forgotten everything they learned months ago.
"Severus is right," McGonagall said. "You must take your finals. Now that everything has ended well, we'll prepare the exam as soon as the petrified students recover. Potter—oh, Darren—no, I mean Harry… if you fail again, repeating a year is very likely."
Harry sagged.
He would rather face Tom Riddle again than face final exams.
"Well then," Dumbledore said, rising with a gentle smile. "If everything is resolved—"
But Darren suddenly spoke.
"Headmaster, Professors… you all know what I did, right?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
"Oh, Darren, why are you still worrying about that?"
"Yes, child, you should be outside relaxing."
"How could you possibly have the heart to do something so malicious?"
The professors looked at him helplessly.
This boy was too kind.
Darren opened his mouth to say more—to squeeze out another wave of Father Points—
but Harry and Ron had already grabbed his arms, dragging him toward the door.
"Brother… I didn't even say goodbye to the Headmaster! And what about Ginny? She's so timid—what if she tells them everything? What if they send her to Azkaban?"
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
The Father System chimed gently.
But only three times—because Ginny had stepped out of the office behind them.
"Oh, Darren, you don't have to worry about me," Ginny said quickly. "The Headmaster said I didn't do it on purpose. They'll just deduct some points. But… they did tell me never to talk to something like that again."
Her voice dropped.
"I'm sorry, Darren. I didn't feel right all that time, but I still couldn't bring myself to tell you."
Darren had done everything for her.
Yet she had kept so much from him.
"Ginny, it's all right," Darren said softly. "You were scared… anyone would be. Something like that would make anyone sad. If I had paid more attention to you earlier… maybe none of this would have happened."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
Darren's voice carried quiet sorrow.
He was ready to gather another wave of Father Points—
but Ginny suddenly threw her arms around him.
"Darren, don't say that. You're always a little angel to us—our little sun. I should've trusted you sooner. If I had told you everything from the start… maybe you wouldn't have gone through so much. I'm sorry, Darren!"
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