---
Chapter 403: Don't Leave Your Body!!
They sat under the tree in silence.
Time passed slowly.
More than an hour went by.
"We should be here soon…" Hermione whispered.
They saw Darren standing excitedly beside Lupin.
Sirius Black was smiling.
Ron was being supported by Harry in an awkward position.
Hermione followed behind them.
"I really want to catch Peter Pettigrew right now."
Darren clenched his fists.
Hermione quickly grabbed him.
"Don't, Darren. Don't be impulsive…
We can't change history. Haven't you forgotten what the professor said? If you change the past, the future will change too."
"Even if you don't care about yourself… don't you care about us?"
Her words made Darren lower his head in a daze.
Harry and Hermione felt distressed, but they said nothing.
Because they knew—
Finding a rat while surrounded by Dementors was impossible.
Even Darren couldn't do that.
He would only be distracted and given the Dementor's Kiss.
Suddenly, the clouds above them parted.
The full moon appeared.
"We'll just wait here…" Hermione said.
But then—
She froze.
More than a dozen Dementors were flying toward them.
Hermione went pale.
Darren instantly pulled out his wand.
Hermione slammed his hand down.
"No, Darren! Let's run!
There weren't Dementors here at this time!"
"No!" Darren roared.
"I won't let you get hurt!"
He wrenched his wand free.
He was about to summon his dragon—
But Harry stepped in front of him.
In a trembling voice, he shouted:
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A silver stag burst forth.
It ran around Darren, hooves glowing like moonlight.
Harry turned back and smiled.
"I found that feeling…
Darren, I think I can protect you now."
The Dementors fled in terror.
Hermione finally released Darren's wand.
She wanted to yell—
But Darren covered her mouth.
"Alright, Hermione…
Let my brother enjoy this for once."
"Pfft!"
Hermione laughed through her tears.
Harry looked at them in confusion.
"Oh, nothing. I just think you're amazing, brother."
Then Darren suddenly looked forward.
"Look—Professor Snape!"
Snape was crawling out from beneath the Whomping Willow.
He looked furious.
Then he saw something—
And rushed toward them.
"DARREN!"
Snape shouted.
Harry finally remembered the voice he had heard before blacking out.
So it was Snape.
"Look at him," Harry muttered.
"It's like he likes you a lot."
Snape rushed to Darren and forced potion into his mouth.
Darren said obediently,
"Professor likes me very much. He's a very warm person."
Harry froze.
Then he turned away.
Honestly, every time Darren praised Snape, Harry felt like Snape had poisoned him.
By now, Snape had summoned stretchers.
He placed Darren and Harry onto them and levitated them toward the castle.
Then the councillor who had come with Fudge ran out.
"He's going to call the Dementors! Let's go!"
Darren spoke grimly.
He helped Hermione onto Buckbeak, then climbed up behind her.
Harry climbed on last and held Darren tightly.
Buckbeak beat his wings.
"Sirius is in Professor Flitwick's office… eighth floor…"
Darren steered Buckbeak toward the window.
They saw Sirius sitting inside.
Darren tapped the window with his wand.
It opened.
Sirius saw them and rushed over.
"You… you…"
His voice shook. His jaw still hurt from Snape's blow.
"Get on!" Darren shouted.
Sirius climbed onto Buckbeak's back.
Buckbeak took off.
They landed briefly on the top of Gryffindor Tower.
Darren and the others slid down.
"We're leaving. Run—don't get caught!"
Sirius's eyes were red.
He hugged Darren.
"Darren… you've always been good.
I was wrong… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. I don't care."
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
[Ding, Father value +100]
Then Sirius hugged Harry.
"Has anyone told you… that I'm your godfather?"
Harry nodded.
"Darren told me.
He said… we're family."
Sirius smiled weakly.
"Then… can you come live with me someday?
My house is messy… and old…"
"I don't mind!"
Harry shook his head hard.
Darren nodded too.
Sirius laughed.
"Then goodbye, boys…"
Then he looked at Darren deeply.
"Your parents… loved you very much."
Buckbeak carried Sirius away.
Hermione gasped.
"Hurry! We have to be back by twelve!
Only fifteen minutes left!"
Harry and Darren ran.
"What happens if we're not back by twelve?"
Harry asked.
Hermione's face went pale.
"I don't want to explain. Just run!"
They rushed into the corridor.
Then they heard voices.
"Don't worry, Snape," Fudge said cheerfully.
"When both Potters wake up, they'll praise you in the Daily Prophet."
"Your Order of Merlin, Second Class, is guaranteed!"
Snape replied coldly,
"I don't need thanks.
As long as Harry Potter understands my suffering."
Harry nearly threw up.
They sprinted past.
Then they heard Dumbledore's familiar voice:
"Alright, children. I must lock you in now.
I need you to see something—
something that may be a little alarming for Darren."
"Well. Good luck."
They saw Dumbledore closing the door.
They rushed forward.
Darren shouted,
"Headmaster! We did it! We saved Sirius!"
Dumbledore smiled kindly.
"Good. Very good.
And I hope you saw… what you needed to see."
"I did… I just…"
Darren hesitated.
"Past matters…"
Dumbledore nodded.
Then he took out an accessory—
A delicate silver chain.
"Take this with you."
"And remember—"
"Don't leave your body."
He said it solemnly.
---